Join our Amazon Biodiversity and Conservation Science Tour in Tambopata and experience profound direct contact with the Amazonian flora and fauna through conservation science.
Activities are planned for both day and night, designed to keep you engaged, while allowing ample time for rest and relaxation.
Ideal for nature lovers, study groups, or scientists, but also greatly enjoyed by families with children. By the end of this tour, you will have cultivated a newfound approach, appreciation, and love for nature. If you’re interested in even more tours in the Amazon, browse our full range of Peru Amazon Tours.
Note: The following program schedule is tentative. Activity times, order, or duration may vary during your stay due to weather conditions, safety measures, or passenger arrival delays.
Please, avoid booking flights that arrive after 1 PM in Puerto Maldonado and flights that depart before 11 AM to avoid additional charges for private river transfers.
Price Includes
Upon your arrival in Puerto Maldonado, we will warmly welcome you, whether you’re coming from Padre Aldamiz Airport, the bus terminal, or your hotel in the city. First, you will be conveniently transported to a local restaurant or market for your breakfast. Then, you’ll be escorted to our office where you can repack the essentials for your jungle stay (please refer to the ‘What to Bring’ section for guidance).
At 2:15 pm, embark on a captivating journey along the Madre de Dios River. As you traverse the heart of the Amazon rainforest, surrounded by its rich flora and fauna and breathtaking landscapes, you’ll enjoy a boxed lunch during this approximately one-hour trip before reaching the lodge.
You will arrive at the lodge by 3:15 pm for a swift check-in at the main house, where a refreshing welcome drink awaits you, setting the perfect tone for your first adventure. Post-activity, you’ll have the opportunity to settle comfortably into your cabin.
Please note: If all guests arrive to the city office before noon, the boat will depart earlier, and lunch will be served at the lodge, followed by the day’s activity.
At 3:45 pm, join us for a forest walk—an introductory exploration of the surrounding jungle with your guide and group. This approximately one-hour journey is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the incredible ecosystem we’re part of.
By 6:30 pm, we invite you to a Conservation Talk at the main house. Engage with your guide about the vital conservation efforts we support in the region, and view videos of the projects aimed at protecting the Amazon.
The day concludes at 7:30 pm with dinner, followed by a free evening to relax and reflect on the day’s experiences.
7:30 am – Breakfast awaits you, offering a leisurely hour to indulge before embarking on a morning journey. Wander through the enchanting forest that runs alongside the river, leading you to the Taricaya Ecoreserve, a Wildlife Research Center positioned at the vanguard of conservation initiatives, nestled beside the Tambopata National Reserve. It serves as a sanctuary for a diverse array of rescued wildlife, including large birds, monkeys, reptiles, felines, and notably, the river turtles from which it derives its name, Taricaya, all within carefully designed enclosures. These spaces serve as the initial phase in a comprehensive rehabilitation process, aiming for their eventual release back into the wild when possible. It’s important to note, Taricaya is a place dedicated to rescue, not a zoo. Our visit aims to raise awareness, not entertain.
The Taricaya Ecoreserve has played a pivotal role in reintroducing species back into the jungle, notably the Black Spider Monkey, once declared extinct in this region. During your visit, you’ll also have the opportunity to support the center’s staff, assist with preparing diets, feeding, cleaning, and caring for the animals. If baby animals are present, you may aid in the nursery, providing them with their necessary nourishment. This hands-on experience offers an in-depth understanding of the different rescue programs and wildlife management practices.
At 11:30 am We will return to the Lodge for lunch and some rest.
At 3:00 pm We revisit Taricaya to engage in the enrichment of the animals’ living environments and, if possible, their training. Your efforts will enhance their habitats, adding elements that stimulate and comfort them. This session also includes sharing engaging stories about jungle life and animal care.
At 5:00 pm After returning to the Lodge for some rest, then we venture into the forest to explore its nocturnal life. Our focus will be on locating frogs, capturing them for identification purposes (1 hour).
The day concludes with dinner, followed by a free evening to relax and reflect on the experiences.
Wake up early to embark on the Canopy Walkway adventure. Begin with a short hike to reach the first platform, situated 15 meters above the ground. Here, you’ll access a 90-meter-long suspension bridge leading to the breathtaking Canopy platform, perched 42 meters high atop an ancient Kapok tree. This exhilarating experience is not for the faint-hearted but offers an unparalleled challenge for those seeking adventure.
From this vantage point, you’re surrounded by a pristine forest, home to trees over 300 years old. Your guide will enrich your understanding by explaining the natural history and biology of the area’s flora and fauna, interpreting the sights and sounds of the jungle around you.
This unique opportunity allows you to spot birds at eye level, a rare treat for bird watchers. Your guide will help identify these birds and record their names for a monitoring program, contributing to our understanding of the jungle’s avian inhabitants.
After the activity, enjoy breakfast back at the Lodge at 7:30 am, followed by a well-deserved rest. The morning continues with an exploration of the jungle in search of camera traps set up at various points to monitor mammals and other species. Upon getting to these cameras, we’ll swap out the memory cards, check the devices’ operations, or relocate them if needed. Back at the research center, we review the footage to identify the animals in the pictures, recording the species and individual counts as part of our monitoring efforts. Through videos and photos, you’ll catch glimpses of wildlife typically elusive.
At noon, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
The afternoon introduces you to our agroforestry project, highlighting Mahogany as a sustainable resource for local communities. Engage in a hands-on experience using a lathe to carve wood, crafting ornaments or utensils from Mahogany harvested on the plantation. Create a unique design to either donate or take home as a memento of your journey.
At 5:30 pm, return to the Lodge to unwind before dinner, followed by a free evening to enjoy at your leisure.
After breakfast, we’ll embark on a motorboat journey to the Taricaya’s agroforestry systems. Here, we’ll witness a model of sustainable agriculture in action and participate in harvesting ripe fruits. Our adventure extends to visiting neighboring farms across the river, where we have permission to gather fruits that help feed the animals sheltered at the center (duration approximately 2.5 hours).
Following our fruitful labor, we invite you to indulge in a refreshing adventure: floating down the river from Taricaya back to the lodge. Equipped with a life vest, you can safely and serenely enjoy the surrounding nature as the river gently carries you downstream. It’s a uniquely enjoyable experience you won’t want to miss.
Expect to relish in today’s lunch; the morning’s endeavors will ensure an appetite, and the subsequent break will be a welcome respite.
At 3:30 pm our exploration continues along the Taricaya Center trails where we’ll examine butterfly traps. We may relocate or set new traps, identifying and later releasing any butterflies we capture. Additionally, we will search the soil for Shihuahuaco seeds, crucial to germinating new seedlings in our reforestation endeavor, these efforts are key to ensuring the survival of this critically endangered iron wood tree. (duration approximately 2 hours).
By 5:30 pm we’ll return to the lodge for some well-deserved rest before dinner.
At 8:30 pm prepare for an exciting nocturnal venture in search of caimans along the riverbank. We’ll spot various species, including white, black, and dwarf caimans, as they lay along the riverbanks. (duration approximately 1 hour).
Our day concludes with a return to the lodge, marking the end of a day filled with discovery and adventure.
Enjoy breakfast before we journey back upriver to the city.
Arrival at the city office by 9:30 am followed by a transfer to the airport or your hotel, marking the conclusion of our services.
Should your flight or bus departure be scheduled for later in the day or evening, you are welcome to relax at our office. We’re happy to recommend city tour destinations (at your cost) and can arrange a transfer to the airport or bus terminal according to your itinerary.
We use solar power and encourage guests to save energy by turning off lights and fans when not needed. Water conservation is emphasized through mindful usage.
Guests are encouraged to contribute by segregating waste in their rooms and communal areas. We undertake comprehensive efforts to segregate, reuse, recycle, and upcycle.
We work directly with Taricaya Ecoreserve a Wildlife Rescue Center, to protect over 500 hectares of forest, offering guests a deep dive into the Amazon’s wonders. While part of our income supports conservation projects conducted by the center and guests learn about and contribute to these efforts during their stay.
Our meals prioritize plant-based ingredients, with ethically sourced chicken, eggs, cheese, and catch-of-the-day fish, excluding beef and pork.
We limit digital connectivity to encourage immersion in nature, maintaining essential communication for safety and administration.
Our lodge is built with local materials to a certain degree considering practical limitations.
We’re recognized as Conservation Allies by The National Service of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP) for our efforts.
We aim to offer a high-quality nature experience that fosters awareness, respect, and social support, rejuvenating the Amazon forest and its cultural roots in Madre de Dios.
Avoid booking flights that arrive after 1 PM in Puerto Maldonado and flights that depart before 11 AM to avoid additional charges for private river transfers.
An additional fee applies per person, per day on the following dates:
– National Holidays: July 28–29
– Christmas: December 24–25
– New Year’s Eve & Day: December 31–January 1
Fee Amounts:
– $22 per person if your tour includes only one holiday date
– $45 per person if your tour includes two holiday dates
Groups with young under 10 years of age or elder over 70 years old, or individuals with a medical condition that requires special attention, must hire a private guide service.
If you want your guide to speak a language other than English (or Spanish), such as French, German, Italian, or Portuguese.
The price is per group and it is calculated for the 5 days of the tour: $270
The Taricaya Ecoreserve (Rescue Center) takes weekends as rest periods. This does not imply that the care for animals ceases over the weekend; rather, it means that the center does not welcome visitors on these days.
Constructed in 2004, this structure may show its age, yet rest assured, it undergoes regular maintenance to ensure safety. To preserve its integrity, we limit its usage to 8 visitors per session, recommending an approximate spacing of 8 meters between individuals when traversing the suspended bridge. However, groups are welcome to gather closely on the staircases and the platform.
While it may not seem significant, never underestimate the impact of heat and humidity in the jungle; for some, it can be extremely challenging.
This is a group tour, and throughout the activities, you will be in small groups with no more than 10 people.
The Amazon rainforest has a tropical, hot and humid climate, with the presence of torrential rains throughout the year, increased in the months of summer (December – March). The average annual temperature is 25ºC/77ºF. Day/night temperatures can differ between 15ºC/59ºF and 37ºC/100ºF. The colder temperatures occur during the so-called friajes, generally around June/July in the southern jungle areas. These short periods of extra cold temperatures are something to keep in mind because you will definitely need that extra sweater then! But normally, it will be very hot when you travel to the Peruvian Jungle.
Please refer to our article What to Pack for your Trip to Peru for all your questions about packing for your Peru trip. Whether you’re going to the jungle or the mountains, you’ll find the answers you need. You can also download a full Packing List for free.
Only children up to 4 years old while using the existing bedding arrangement (double or twin).
The duration of the trip is 1 to 1.5h navigating downstream and then upstream the Madre de Dios River
It is a cabin away from the riverfront, surrounded by vegetation.
For questions about booking a tour, prices, preparation for your trip, health and safety or other themes, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find your question & answer, email us and we’ll add it!
