Tours in Tambopata

The Tambopata National Reserve in the Madre de Dios region is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Across its 274,690 hectares of Amazon rainforest live more than 600 bird species, 1,200 butterfly species, 169 mammal species and thousands of insect and plant species still uncatalogued. For the nature traveler, it is simply Peru’s most extraordinary destination.

Puerto Maldonado, the gateway city to Tambopata, is just a 30-minute flight from Cusco making it the perfect complement to add the Peruvian Amazon to any Cusco and Machu Picchu itinerary. In 3-5 days you can experience Lake Sandoval, the macaw clay lick of the Heath River, the Tambopata Reserve and Lake Tres Chimbadas.

Machu Picchu Peru Tours runs 3 to 6-day programs in the Amazon rainforest with lodge accommodation, certified naturalist guides, all meals and activities included. The programs are designed to maximize wildlife sightings: macaws, monkeys, caimans, pink dolphins, anacondas and with luck the jaguar.

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Travel guide: Tambopata

Practical info to plan your visit

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Tambopata is the dry season, from May to October. The jungle trails are more passable, the paths are less flooded and animals are easier to spot near the water bodies. The macaw clay lick is more active in the dry season.

The wet season (November-April) floods many trails but has its own advantages: the river rises and allows canoe access to normally unreachable areas, the butterfly gardens are in full swing and monkeys with young are more common.

Getting around

Within the Tambopata Reserve, transport is exclusively by motorized boat or paddle canoe there are no roads in the jungle. The lodges organize all transfers: from the airport to the lodge (30-90 minutes by boat) and all excursions during the program. Trail walks at the lodge are always guided you're not allowed to venture into the forest alone. In Puerto Maldonado city, mototaxis cost S/. 3-5 per ride.

What to pack

Mosquito repellent with 30%+ DEET: Essential. Mosquitoes are active especially at dawn, dusk and night.
Long-sleeve shirts and long quick-dry pants: Protection against insects and sun. Neutral colors (green, khaki) are ideal.
Waterproof rubber boots: The lodges provide them for the walks. Confirm with Machu Picchu Peru Tours.
Camera with zoom: To photograph birds and wildlife from a distance. A 300-400mm zoom makes all the difference.
Binoculars: If you have them, bring them. They're essential for birdwatching.
Water purification tablets or filter: Although lodges provide drinking water, they're useful for canoe excursions.

Must-see places

Chuncho macaw clay lick (4+ days): The largest clay lick in South America. Hundreds of macaws at dawn one of the most striking nature spectacles on the planet.
Lake Sandoval by canoe: Pink dolphins, giant otters and caimans at dawn from a silent canoe.
Night walk: The jungle at night boas, poison frogs, tapirs and a symphony of unique sounds.
Dawn birdwatching: With more than 600 species in the reserve, the first 2 hours after sunrise are the best time.

Tourism in Tambopata

Top attractions

Lake Sandoval
Macaw Clay Lick
Tambopata National Reserve
Lake Valencia
Madre de Dios River

Main activities

Tambopata river boat tour
Macaw clay lick watching
Night walk in the jungle
Piranha fishing
Native community visit
Caiman spotting
Orchid and butterfly tour

Climate in Tambopata

Puerto Maldonado has a humid tropical climate year-round. May-October has less rain and better biodiversity for wildlife spotting.

Dry season - May to October

22 to 32 C (less rain, better wildlife spotting)

Wet season - November to April

22 to 35 C (heavy rain; higher river levels)

How to get to Tambopata?

From Lima

Bus: 20-24 hours (not recommended)
Plane: 1h 30min (LATAM)

From Cusco

Bus: 10-12 hours (Interoceanic highway)
Plane: 45 min (regional flight)

Where to stay in Tambopata?

5★ Hotels

Tambopata Reserve - Refugio Amazonas, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica

3★ & 4★ Hotels

Puerto Maldonado city (near the airport)
Lodges in the Tambopata Reserve

Where to eat in Tambopata?

Regional dishes

El Hornito (Puerto Maldonado)
Restaurant Wasai (ecolodge by the river)

National dishes

La Casa Nostra (Puerto Maldonado center)
Burgos Selva Restaurant

Festivities in Tambopata

Tourist events

Turtle season - October to December

Regional festivities

Puerto Maldonado Anniversary - December
Amazon Fair - July

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Tambopata

How much does a Peruvian Amazon tour from Cusco cost?

The 3-day 2-night Tambopata Amazon tour costs from $350 USD per person, including the Cusco-Puerto Maldonado flight, lodge accommodation, all meals and guided activities. The 5-day 4-night program with the macaw clay lick and Lake Sandoval costs from $550 USD. Prices vary by lodge.

Is it safe to visit the Peruvian Amazon rainforest?

Yes, with the right precautions. The Tambopata lodges operate under strict safety standards. The naturalist guides are certified and know the protocols for wildlife encounters. There is no risk to tourists if instructions are followed. Tropical diseases (malaria, dengue) are uncommon in the Tambopata area with repellent precautions.

What animals can you see in Tambopata?

The most common are: scarlet and red-and-green macaws, monkeys (capuchin, howler, spider), pink river dolphins, black caimans, giant otters, toucans, jacamars, anacondas and a huge variety of frogs. The jaguar, tapir and giant anteater are harder to spot but possible on longer programs.

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Traveler Experiences

Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours

4.9 out of 5 based on

+1200

reviews

See all reviews on TripAdvisor

Andrey S.

October 14, 2025

Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours.

Maria R.

October 12, 2025

A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional.

Alejandra C.

October 12, 2025

The tour starts very early type 3-4 am, how good you can sleep on the way, we breakfast in a very good buffet and then depart for the mountain. Here the height is the problem, you can walk up but it requires a lot of condition, the good thing is that there are horses that you can pay and for 90 suns they leave you 15-20 minutes from the top. Wear layered clothes as you can warm up when climbing. We already walk down and the road is much easier. On horseback you go up in 40 minutes, you are on the mountain an hour to take pictures and the return is about 1 hour or so. In the end we still had lunch in the same very rich buffet!

Salvador M

September 19, 2025

I liked the Service and attention I received, plus the quality of the guide who touched us to know the sacred valley on the way to Machu Picchu was first class, with extensive knowledge of the Inca culture and with very good explanation, I highly recommend them.

Sarah E.

October 12, 2025

They were exceptional! Everything very organized, took care of all the details, we hired all the tours, lodging and transfer, we do not regret!

Veronica L.

October 12, 2025

Recommended 💯💯💯
What a beautiful place!!! Most of us went up there on mules. Important to clarify if the person weighs more than 110 kg he will not be able to carry it and will have to walk up . . . It is still very expensive, to have proper footwear

Andrey S.

October 14, 2025

Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours.

Maria R.

October 12, 2025

A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional.

Alejandra C.

October 12, 2025

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Tours in Tambopata

The best tours in Tambopata

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Travel guide: Tambopata

Best time to visit

Getting around

What to pack

Must-see places

Tourism in Tambopata

Top attractions

Main activities

Climate in Tambopata

How to get to Tambopata?

From Lima

From Cusco

Where to stay in Tambopata?

5★ Hotels

3★ & 4★ Hotels

Where to eat in Tambopata?

Regional dishes

National dishes

Festivities in Tambopata

Tourist events

Regional festivities

Frequently Asked Questions

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Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours

Ready to explore Tambopata?