Tambopata & Puerto Maldonado - Wild Heart of the Amazon
Macaw clay licks, giant river otters, and luxury jungle lodges deep in the rainforest - arranged exclusively by Epic Andean.
Tambopata: The Amazon's Most Biodiverse Corner
The Tambopata National Reserve and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, in the Madre de Dios region of southeastern Peru, protect one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. The area surrounding Puerto Maldonado - a riverside city four hours by road from Cusco or one hour by flight from Lima - encompasses over 1.5 million hectares of primary Amazon rainforest, traversed by the Tambopata and Heath rivers and sheltering extraordinary concentrations of wildlife: over 600 bird species, 1,200 butterfly species, 180 fish species, and virtually every large Amazonian mammal.
Unlike many Amazon destinations that have seen significant deforestation, the Tambopata region retains vast tracts of intact primary forest - making wildlife sightings more reliable and the experience of true wilderness more accessible. The area is particularly famous for the Colpa de Guacamayos at Lake Sandoval and the Chuncho clay lick on the Tambopata River, where hundreds of scarlet, blue-and-yellow, and red-and-green macaws gather each morning to consume mineral-rich clay.
At Epic Andean, we design private Tambopata experiences centered on the finest jungle lodges in the reserve: places where the wildlife comes to you, where expert naturalist guides reveal the forest's extraordinary complexity, and where the evenings are spent in comfort around the fire - far from roads, electricity grids, and the ordinary world.
Location
Elevation
Climate
Best Season
From Cusco
Key wildlife
Reserve
Airport
Madre de Dios Region · southeastern Peru
250 m above sea level (low jungle)
Tropical · hot and humid year-round · 24–35°C
May–Nov (dry season · lower river levels)
1h domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado + boat transfer
Macaws · giant river otters · tapirs · black caimans
Tambopata National Reserve · 274,690 hectares
Aeropuerto Internacional Padre Aldamiz
Wildlife Experiences in Tambopata
The Macaw Clay Lick - One of the World's Great Wildlife Spectacles
The Colpa de Guacamayos (Macaw Clay Lick) is one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in the Amazon. In the early morning, hundreds of macaws - scarlet macaws, blue-and-yellow macaws, red-and-green macaws - descend from the forest canopy to feed on the mineral-rich clay of the riverbank in an explosive display of color, sound, and movement. The lick at Lake Chuncho, accessible only from lodges deep in the reserve, sees the largest concentrations and is considered one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in South America.
Lake Sandoval - Giant River Otters
Lake Sandoval is a beautiful oxbow lake formed by a meander of the Madre de Dios River, surrounded by towering mauritia palm forest and accessible by a 3-kilometer forest walk from the river. It is home to a resident family of giant river otters - the world's longest mustelid, reaching 2 meters in length - who can be observed hunting fish, playing, and resting on fallen logs from canoe. Early morning and late afternoon canoe tours of the lake offer the best sightings, alongside kingfishers, hoatzin birds, black caimans, and anacondas in the shallows.
Night Walks & Nocturnal Wildlife
The Amazon after dark is an entirely different ecosystem. Night walks with expert naturalist guides reveal the forest's nocturnal community: tarantulas in their silk-lined burrows, tree frogs calling from every leaf, caimans gliding silently through the shallows, and - if luck is with us - the reflective eyes of a tapir or ocelot in the torch beam. Night canoe excursions on the river, scanning the banks with strong flashlights, are equally productive and uniquely atmospheric.
The Monkey Island of Tambopata
Monkey Island lies near Puerto Maldonado, within the Tambopata National Reserve, a sanctuary where several species of monkeys thrive in their natural habitat. Capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and howler monkeys leap among towering trees, offering visitors an intimate glimpse of Amazonian biodiversity. A private excursion to the island includes a boat ride across the Madre de Dios River, followed by guided walks that reveal the forest’s vibrant life and ecological importance.
Luxury Lodges in Tambopata: Our Recommended Properties
Tambopata's luxury lodge scene is defined by total immersion in the rainforest - riverside properties reached only by boat, built to blend into the surrounding ecosystem rather than dominate it. Epic Andean partners with the reserve's finest lodges, selecting each one for its location, naturalist expertise, and the authentic connection to the Amazon it brings to your stay.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica
Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica enjoys a privileged location on the banks of the Madre de Dios River, surrounded by pristine rainforest within the Tambopata National Reserve. The lodge is renowned for its attentive service, its restaurant highlighting Amazonian flavors and organic produce, and its design that blends rustic elegance with sustainable architecture. With a spa inspired by ancestral rainforest traditions and proximity to diverse wildlife habitats, Reserva Amazónica consistently ranks among Peru’s most iconic jungle retreats.
Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción
Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción occupies a privileged setting between the Madre de Dios River and lush rainforest, offering immersion into the biodiversity of Tambopata. The lodge is celebrated for its warm hospitality, its restaurant showcasing seasonal Amazonian cuisine, and its design that harmonizes colonial‑style charm with natural surroundings. With a spa inspired by traditional healing practices and proximity to the reserve’s rich ecosystems, Hacienda Concepción consistently ranks among Peru’s most authentic rainforest escapes.
Amazon Retreats in Tambopata
Epic Andean designs private journeys featuring immersive stays in Tambopata's jungle lodges, where travelers wake to the sounds of the rainforest and explore one of Peru's richest biodiversity reserves. Guided excursions reveal vibrant wildlife, river journeys, and canopy walks, while evenings at the lodge offer comfort surrounded by nature. These itineraries combine adventure and serenity in the heart of the Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tambopata
Begin Your Private Luxury Journey Through Peru
Puerto Maldonado is the gateway to the southern Peruvian Amazon and to some of the most biodiverse rainforest on Earth. Jungle rivers, wildlife encounters, and immersive lodge experiences create unforgettable adventures in nature.
Our specialists will design a journey into the rainforest surrounding Tambopata and Puerto Maldonado.