Overview

The Tambopata Tour from Puerto Maldonado opens the door to one of the most biodiverse corners of the Amazon, where record concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles and trees share a relatively small stretch of rainforest. The journey begins at the airport in Puerto Maldonado, the gateway city to the Tambopata National Reserve, and continues by river to a lodge set deep within the jungle.
From there, the route follows the Madre de Dios River into the heart of the reserve, combining wildlife excursions with cultural encounters along the way. Travelers visit an active Brazil nut harvesting camp, navigate the still waters of Lake Sandoval in search of giant river otters, and climb a canopy lookout tower for sweeping views over the forest at sunset.
Beyond wildlife, the Tambopata Tour from Puerto Maldonado also connects visitors with the people who call this region home. A visit to a local chacra introduces native fruits and crops grown without chemicals, while a shared meal with a Machiguenga family offers a closer look at indigenous life in Madre de Dios.
The trip closes with one of Tambopata's signature sights: a parrot clay lick at dawn, where dozens of birds gather to feed on mineral-rich clay before the group returns by boat and road to Puerto Maldonado for departure. Throughout the journey, a professional English-speaking guide and full-board meals at the riverside lodge round out the experience.

What to Bring on the Tambopata Tour from Puerto Maldonado

Lightweight, breathable clothing
Long sleeves and pants (for sun and insect protection)
Rain jacket or poncho
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
Insect repellent
Sunscreen and hat
Binoculars (for birdwatching)
Headlamp or flashlight
Swimsuit
Reusable water bottle
Cash in Peruvian soles (for tips and personal expenses)
Original passport

Itinerary

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado & Brazil Nut Camp

The Tambopata Tour from Puerto Maldonado begins with reception at the airport and a transfer to the office in the center of town, where extra luggage can be safely stored before the 40-minute river journey to the lodge aboard the vessel Puerto de Capitanía.
After arriving at Lodge Corto Maltés Amazonía, guests are welcomed with fresh fruit refreshments, briefed on the stay, and shown to their bungalow before lunch and a short rest. At 3:30 pm, the first jungle excursion departs, exploring tropical trees, medicinal plants and an active Brazil nut concession over 60 hectares, with the hike lasting two to three hours.
The evening includes free time at the lodge — pool, hammocks, a cocktail at the bar or a riverside sunset — followed by a 7:00 pm nocturnal boat trip to spot caimans, before dinner at 8:00 pm in the riverside dining room.

Includes: airport pick-up, river transport to the lodge, bungalow accommodation, full board meals, guided Brazil nut camp trek, nocturnal caiman safari.

Excludes: flights, tips, extra expenses.

Day 2: Lake Sandoval & Lookout Tower

Day two starts at 5:30 am with coffee or tea before a short river trip to Lake Sandoval, followed by a 3-kilometer hike through dense vegetation into Tambopata National Reserve, where squirrel, howler and capuchin monkeys, snakes and birds like the Hoatzin are common sightings.
On the lake, small rowboats carry the group in search of giant river otters, with breakfast served once the guide finds a good wildlife-viewing spot. Depending on the season, an optional visit to Monkey Island may follow, home to around five wild monkey species accustomed to visitors.
After returning to the lodge for lunch, the afternoon includes a visit to one of the property's lookout towers, reaching 20 or 42 meters for birdwatching and sunset views, followed by free time before dinner at 8:00 pm.

Includes: full board meals, guided Lake Sandoval excursion, rowboat transport on the lake, lookout tower visit.

Excludes: Monkey Island visit (seasonal, at guide's discretion), tips, extra expenses.

Day 3: Rainforest Products & Native Family

After breakfast, a 20-minute boat trip downriver leads to a chacra, a family-run farm where guests can sample seasonal tropical fruits and native products such as cacao, banana, cocona, breadfruit, noni and yucca, all grown without chemicals for sale in Puerto Maldonado's markets.
From there, another short boat ride brings the group to the land of a native Machiguenga family, where a shared lunch around 1:00 pm features a traditional jungle dish served in a typical local construction.
The afternoon is left free for relaxing at the lodge — the boutique, pool, bar or a massage — before dinner at 8:00 pm closes out the day.

Includes: full board meals, guided visit to a local chacra, shared lunch with a Machiguenga family, river transport.

Excludes: tips, souvenirs, extra expenses.

Day 4: Parrots Clay Lick & Departure

The final day begins at 5:30 am with coffee or tea before a 20-minute walk to the clay lick, where 3 to 5 species of parrots gather to ingest mineral-rich clay essential to their metabolism, creating one of Tambopata's most colorful wildlife events.
After breakfast and some free time at the lodge, the group returns to Puerto Maldonado by boat, with a brief stop at the office followed by a visit to the local market to see typical products of the region.
From there, transport continues to the airport for check-in, closing out the Tambopata Tour from Puerto Maldonado.

Includes: breakfast, guided clay lick excursion, river and road transport to the airport, local market visit.

Excludes: flights, lunch, tips.

Tambopata tours 4d