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The Amazon Pavilion, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
The Amazon Pavilion is the main lodge and an example of daring architecture. The central palm-thatch circular roof stands with no central column over a single, tree trunk axle with wood spikes 39 feet long radiating from it like a huge umbrella.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Tambopata
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Reserva Amazonica Tambopata - Getting There
Climate - Accommodations
Itineraries/Programs - Ecology
Activities & Excursions - EcoActivities

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R
eserva Amazonica is a privately-owned ecological reserve and research center on 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres), practicing innovative, sustainable use of the Amazon Rainforest since 1975. Scientific-based tourism started in 1978. Its spacious facilities and well-equipped private cabins assure guests an authentic, safe, and comfortable stay.
Peru's Upper Amazon River Basin

Getting There

Canoeing on Lake Sandoval, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruFly east from Lima or Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. It is a bustling, tropical frontier town, and its principal activities are gold mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture, and ecotourism. The lodge is five kilometers (one hour) downriver by boat from the city.


Climate

Dining Room, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruThe average temperature is between 84° F and 100° F. December to March is usually hotter, with an occasional refreshing afternoon rainfall. The rest of the year, with less rain and more sun, is another good time to see the jungle. Occassionally, there is a sudden drop in temperature known as a friaje, which can dip to 50° F.

Accommodations
The lodge has 41 large, comfortable, private bungalows with grand views of the Madre de Dios River and the surrounding, noisy rainforest. Local materials were used to build them in the architectural style of the native Machiguenga and Ese'eja people. Private Bungalow, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruThe cabins sit on raised platforms and have pitched palm-thatch roofs and large screened windows for optimal ventilation.

Superior Bungalow, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Superior Bungalow
(mouseover for sample floor plan)

All cabañas feature three areas: a private terrace with woven hammocks, a bedroom (with beds surrounded by mosquito netting), and a private bathroom with filtered water. They are attractively furnished with log chairs, a writing table, umbrellas, lanterns, kerosene lamps, and a full set of amenities, including natural shampoo in blown-glass bottles, clay exfoliator, hand-made soap, and over-sized towels.

There are Four Categories of Bungalows:
Superior Bungalows provide comfortable, basic accommodation with two twin beds or one double bed, a writing table, a private porch with two hammocks and a private bathroom and clear running water. Room size is approximately 29 mt² (313 ft²).

Riverview Cabin Porch, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Riverview Cabin Porch
(mouseover for sample floor plan)
Amazonian Suite, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Amazonian Suite
(mouseover for sample floor plan)
Riverview Cabins are approximately 41 mt² (434 ft²), with larger porches facing the river, two double beds, solar-heated hot water, electricity and fans. The room has separate shower and toilet. House amenities also include citronella repellents, terry cloth bathrobes, and typical Andean sandals.


Amazonian Suites
are extra-large, approximately 60 mt² (646 ft²), more comfortable cabañas with either one king-sized bed or two double beds. The room has separate shower and toilet with double washbasins, walk-in closet, solar-heated hot water, electricity and fans. House amenities also include citronella repellents, terry cloth bathrobes, and typical Andean sandals and two hammocks.

Tambopata Suite, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Tambopata Suite
(mouseover for sample floor plan)
Tambopata Suites Authentic Ese’eja-style wooden cabañas approximately 78 mt² (840 ft²), divided into four integrated areas and covered by a high palm-thatched roof. The private covered terrace comes with a plunge pool, two sunbathing chairs and an outside shower with a private service entrance. The generous bedroom has one king or two twin beds canopied with mosquito netting, 100% cotton sheets, six hypoallergenic pillows, bathrobes, and Andean rubber slippers. The open plan bathroom comes complete with double walk-in closet; has an independent shower and toilet; double basins; hot water; large towels; and a complete set of extra large, ecologically friendly toiletry including: bath salts, neutral shampoo, conditioner, terracotta exfoliates, hand made soaps, and citronella natural repellent. Also, the cabaña features a siesta lounge with two hammocks, two comfortable wooden chairs, and a side table. Each suite is equipped with umbrellas, flash lights, kerosene lamps for lighting, central ceiling ventilator, and an electric outlet. Guests in the Tambopata Suites are accompanied from the airport to the lodge by a personal escort.

Reserva Amazonica Itineraries/Programs

Day 1 - Fly Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado
Meeting service upon arrival at the airport in Puerto Maldonado. Survey this bustling, jungle frontier town on the confluence of the Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. Then, commence a one-hour journey by motorized dugout canoe on the Madre de Dios River. During the trip, you may see bird species typical of the river's edge, such as: Bungalows and Gardens, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruBlack Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Horned Screamer, Bat Falcon, and several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. Arrive at the lodge in time to unpack, unwind, and enjoy lunch. You will receive a short orientation and a complete briefing of the lodge and the Ese'eja Ecotourism Project over dinner. (L, D)

Days 2 & 3 (depending upon safari length): At Reserva Amazonica
Have a buffet breakfast(s) at the lodge before starting out on your daily excursion. Ride twenty minutes by motorboat to the right bank of the Madre de Dios River, and then walk for about an hour through the tropical rainforest. During the three-kilometer stretch, see plants, trees, some Batrachia (toads and frogs) and reptiles, a variety of birds and, throughout the whole walk, dancing multi-colored butterflies. At the end of the path, glide through the marsh in a rowboat to solitary, magnificent Lake Sandoval. Here, take in the extraordinary sight of placid waters surrounded by palm, aguaje and other primary forest trees. During the journey, observe also rich flora and fauna including river otters, caimans (alligators), turtles, Amazonian birds including the hoatzin or shansho (a prehistoric-looking bird, Opithocamus hoazin or stinkbird), parrots, Black Skimmers, and herons.

Ride along the Madre de Dios River on one of your daily excursions through the tropical rainforest at Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruReturn to Madre de Dios to board the motor boat for a brief ride followed by a five-minute walk through the wet forest among plantings of cacao trees, coffee bushes, and other plants.

At the end of the trail, discover the famous paddle-wheel boat, Fitzcarraldo, run aground many years ago and covered with vegetation. This boat was used in the past as an itinerate hospital to serve indigenous communities. Return to the lodge by boat for another delicious lunch in the panoramic dining room, then time out for a nap.

River Otter on Lake Sandoval, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
River Otter on Lake Sandoval

In the afternoon, visit an indigenous cultivation plot to view various Amazonian crops and observe the local community's lifestyle. Enjoy the opportunity to taste some tropical fruits and edible plants such as sugar cane, yucca (cassava), bananas, and cacao (coco). Return to the lodge at sunset, the ideal time to photograph the fusion of river and sky in soothing colors. A typical dinner will be served tonight, PACA (fish, chicken, or meat prepared on a bamboo skewer and cooked over the coals, rice with cooked tomatoes and onions, and a variety of exotic herbs and sauces). The PACA is prepared outside the main dining room and according to local practice. (B, L, D)

Days 3 or 4 (depending upon safari length): Fly Puerto Maldonado to Lima
Rise and breakfast early this morning before your transfer to Puerto Maldonado airport, where you will be assisted with check-in for your flight to Lima. (B)



Rainforest canopy walkway, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruEcology

The Tambopata rainforest holds world records in biodiversity, and Reserva Amazonica has more than 200 species of native plants with different curative properties. In an area of only 1,000 square meters, visitors can observe over 500 species of native birds, which is comparable to the number of species existing in all of North America. A new, U.N. sponsored ACEER research center and canopy walkway has also been installed on the grounds of the Reserva Amazonica.


Activities & Excursions

Trails System
The Reserva Amazonica Trails System includes four clearly-cut trails and extends across roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) of the lodge's surrounding rainforest, providing access to the various Amazon habitats: seasonably flooded forests and groves, Amazon palms, and primary and secondary forests, among others. The trails vary in length and level of difficulty. A walk could last one or two hours, depending on the tour selected. In order to make the least possible impact on the environment, availability of the trails can change depending on the frequency of use. It is recommended that you walk slowly and carefully, listen, smell the air, talk softly, stop often and look up, thereby magnifying your senses in order to take in the surrounding views and sounds. Small groups are always better than large ones. A selection from the following excursions is also included: The Rainforest by Night (1.5 hours), Rolin (Monkey) Island (2 hours), the Butterfly Farm (1 hour), Madre de Dios River by Night (2 hours), Lake Sandoval (half day), Native Amazonian Farm (3.5 hours), Gamitana Creek (half day), Ese'eja Native Community (2 hours), and Inkaterra Canopy and Wetlands (3 hours).

Trails System Map, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
The Trail System includes:
Oje Trail - Duration: 1 hour:
Oje Trail allows the visitor to appreciate the diversity of the Amazon rainforest palms and trees such as Oje (Ficus insipida), Catahua (Hura crepitans), Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) and Huito (Genipa americana), specially used for body coloring. The Oje Trail covers mainly riverside and seasonally flooded forests, is 1.8 km (1.1 miles) long, features well-marked shortcuts, and ranks as the most accessible of our trails. Visitors are escorted along the trail by a resident guide.

Lupuna Trail - Duration: 3 hours: Lupuna Trail covers a greater variety of ecosystems, from seasonably flooded groves and virgin forests to stream banks. The habitat of the stream area is particularly propitious for bird and butterfly viewing. The highlight of this trail, which is 2.1 km (1.3 miles) long, is the roughly 200-year old Lupuna Tree (Ceiba pentandra). There are some permanently muddy areas along the trail, ideal for sighting footprints of the most elusive wildlife, such as the Red Brocket Deer (Mazama Americana) and the Collared Peccary (Tayassu tajacu). Visitors may also spot other species such as the Sachavaca (a large tapir) and trees such as the Capirona (Calycophy spruceanum), Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) or Kapok Tree and Shihuahuaco (Dipteryx micrantha) or "Iron tree." A guide is recommended although the path is marked every 50 meters.
(Both Oje and Lupuna Trails are loop-trails retracing steps.)

Swamp Trail - Duration: 3 hours: This worthwhile non-loop trail is an extension of Lupuna Trail and also features various habitats. Visitors who wish to get more involved with the Amazon's floodable ecosystem and biodiversity should not miss this trail. This trail is not included in the Discovering Tambopata excursion.

Aguaje Palm Trail - Duration: 4 hours: Aguaje Palm Trail (1.5 km or 0.9 mille) leads to sunken palm groves known as aguajales of Aguaje palms (Maurita flexuosa). Exotic fruit juices and savory palmettos are obtained from these majestic palms. In November these palms are laden with fruit, which in turn attract many birds and curious mammals such as deer, peccaries, monkeys and tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). This trail is not included in the Discovering Tambopata excursion.


Giant Tarantula seen on the Rainforest by Night excursion, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Rainforest by Night

Venturing into the rainforest after dark enables visitors to listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot Amazon species that only emerge at night, such as tarantulas, armadillos and even ocelots. A guide and a powerful flashlight are required.

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.


Rolin Island
Rolin Island, (also known as Monkey Island), Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruRolin Island (also known as Monkey Island), located in the Madre de Dios River, is a large property in front of RESERVA AMAZÓNICA. In association with INRENA PERU (National Institute of Natural Resources), INKATERRA runs a conservation project to protect endangered primates and reintroduce them to their natural environment. This lush island is unique to the area and a favorite excursion destination for RESERVA AMAZÓNICA guests. Hiking trails, huge trees, and beautiful beaches in summer that embellish the isle scenery. Rolin is a special location to watch particular monkey species such as the white fronted capuchin, the brown capuchin, the saddle backed tamarin and the squirrel monkey.

Duration: 2 hours
Access: Motorized boat and by foot


Blue Morpho Butterfly, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruButterfly Farm
Guests can visit the butterfly farm at Puerto Maldonado and observe the captivating beauty and vast diversity of native butterfly. Peru boasts the greatest number of observable butterfly species in the world.

Duration: 1 hour
Access: By car (next to the airport)


Dwarf Caiman, Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Madre de Dios River by Night

This expedition gives visitors the opportunity to spot eye-catching caimans at the river beaches hunting for their prey. Madre de Dios River is home to three species of alligators: black caiman, white caiman and the dwarf caiman (right). Capibaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaesis), the biggest rodent on earth, can also be spotted during this expedition.

Duration: 2 hours
Access: Motorized boat


See an amazing abundance of wildlife while visiting Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruLake Sandoval
Visiting the isolated Lake Sandoval, the most beautiful at the Tambopata Reserve, is a unique excursion not to be missed. It gives the traveler the chance to get close to various animal species such as the "Shansho" (or Opisthocomus Hoatzin bird), parrots and other birds, turtles, piranhas, and maybe even the giant otter of the Amazon. Lake Sandoval is an extraordinary waterbody, rich in icthiological species, surrounded by Moriche palm trees (Mauritia flexuosa). A paddle boat ride around the lake exposes its rich fauna and flora.

Duration: Half day
Access: Motorized boat, by foot and paddle boat.

Note:
Full-day journeys to the lake are available at an additional cost.


Native Amazonian Farm
Visitors explore typical local farms (or chacras) where locals show them a wide variety of Amazon crops and their lifestyles. They are able to sample regional fruits (such as papaya, cocona, chirimoya and several varieties of bananas) and appreciate other local species (such as hierba luisa, sugar cane, cassava and cocoa).

Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Access: Motorized boat and by foot


Glide along Gamitana Creek while observing the jungle wildlife up close at Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, PeruGamitana Creek
Visitors board a motorboat and travel upstream to the marvelous and calmed Gamitana Creek. In this exploration the travelers are able to sight birds, monkeys, caimans and turtles, and enjoy a day of fishing. Lunch includes tasty Amazon fish served in one of the creek's beaches. Also, visitors may have the option of paddling in local canoes.

Duration: Half day
Access: Motorized boat, canoe and by foot




The Canopy Walkway features two observation towers and several circular observation platforms at Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru.Canopy Walkway
This spectacular activity, unique to RESERVA AMAZÓNICA in the Madre de Dios region,allows visitors to appreciate theAmazon from a unique perspective and to observe theflora and fauna of the treetops. At 40 meters (130 feet) above the The Canopy Walkway allows visitors to appreciate the Amazon from a unique perspective and to observe the flora and fauna of the treetops at Reserva Amazonica Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado, Peru.ground, guests can walk and explore more than 320 meters (1050 feet) of treetops, observing orchids, diverse fruits, insects and a large variety of tree-dwelling animals. The Canopy Walkway features two observation towers and several circular observation platforms.

Duration: 3 hours
Access: Foot


EcoActivities

The following Activities are part of our explorations:

Identify animal prints and learn to interpret them during your excursions. Footprints
Identify animal prints and learn to interpret them during your excursions.
Spot and identify some of the 550 different species of birds that reside in the Madre de Dios region. 355 types have been spotted in Inkaterra´s Ecological Reserve. Birdwatching
Spot and identify some of the 550 different species of birds that reside in the Madre de Dios region. 355 types have been spotted in Inkaterra´s Ecological Reserve.
xperiment some of the most useful survival skills used among natives. Learn to use the longbow and the blowgun, to recognize which animals and plants are edible and to identify local sounds, among other techniques. Survival Skills
Experiment some of the most useful survival skills used among natives. Learn to use the longbow and the blowgun, to recognize which animals and plants are edible and to identify local sounds, among other techniques.
Use local fishing techniques, identify the most popular fishes in the Madre de Dios region, and if you wish, try their flavors. Fishing
Use local fishing techniques, identify the most popular fishes in the Madre de Dios region, and if you wish, try their flavors.
Find picture opportunities in this photographic paradise. Photography
Find picture opportunities in this photographic paradise.
Scout the world of medicine from a native´s perspective. It has been calculated that natives use more than 4000 dferent types of plants for medical purposes, from which only 40% have been scientificaly investigated. Medicinal Plants
Scout the world of medicine from a native´s perspective. It has been calculated that natives use more than 4000 different types of plants for medical purposes, from which only 40% have been scientificaly investigated.
Discover the astounding southern hemisphere, using special equipment. Astronomy
Discover the astounding southern hemisphere, using special equipment.
Identify different Amazon ant species and learning about their team-based working system, as well as understanding the importance of ants in the Amazon ecosystem. Tracking Ants
Identify different Amazon ant species and learning about their team-based working system, as well as understanding the importance of ants in the Amazon ecosystem. During his work at RESERVA AMAZÓNICA, Harvard Professor Edward O. Wilson registered the world record of ant species in a single location (362 species).