10 Best Places in Peruvian Amazon

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1.     Puerto Maldonado: The capital of Madre de Dios and the gateway to protected areas of the region. The city is located in southeastern Peru, 55 km (34 mi) from Bolivia's border and sits on the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers. Holding about half of the region's total population it is the largest city in Peru's southern Amazon.

 

2.     Tambopata Research Center:  This lodge is home to the famous Macaw research project and the Colpa Colorado, one of the largest Macaw clay licks in the world.  A minimum of four nights is required to visit TRC due to the fact that it is 8 hours by boat from the river port in Puerto Maldonado, but it’s well worth the trip. 

 

3.     Sandoval Lake:  Home to a family of endangered Giant Otters, Sandoval lake is one of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich lakes in the Tambopata region. 

 

4.     The Amazon Shelter:  Located in the Tambopata Ecotourism Corridor, the Amazon shelter is temporary home to a variety of rainforest animals that are either injured or victims of illegal wildlife trafficking.  The ultimate goal is reintegration back into the wild.  Go for a day tour or stay a week to volunteer and interact directly with the animals. 

 

5.     Kapievi: An ecovillage that serves as a peaceful refuge for guests who want to experience the tranquility of the rainforest.  The center conducts yoga classes twice a day, offers affordable lodging and serves 3 meals a day in their vegetarian restaurant.

 

6.     Tambopata Adventure Center: Sea kayak on the Tambopata river, learn stand-up paddling, climb a Brazil Nut tree using ropes and harnesses, or mountain bike in the Amazon rainforest.  Experience the Peruvian Amazon in action.

 

7.     Castañal Valera: Brazil nut extraction, which produces about 10 million dollars per year, has become one of the most important sustainable enterprises in Madre de Dios. The El Castañal provides access to a camp that shows the visitors how the nut gatherers work and live during the gathering season and the tools they use to collect and open the nuts. Visitors are surrounded by giant Brazil Nut trees which can reach up to 50 meters (150 feet) tall. 

 

8.     The Tambopata River: This river flows from the eastern slope of the Andes, along the border of the Puno region, through the Tambopata National Reserve and ends in Puerto Maldonado, the largest city in Peru’s southern Amazon.  The river can be accessed through many tour companies.  Tambopata Ecotours is comprised of 15-different family-owned homestays, most of which are located along this biodiverse river. 

 

9.     Centro Etnobotánico Ñape: The Centro Etnobotánico Ñape of the Native Community of Infierno was founded in 1986 with the goal to offer a place where community members could find treatment with medicinal plants found in the adjacent forest. This is the best place in Tambopata to learn about traditional medicine in the Amazon.  Guests who have prepared ahead of time may be able to take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony.

10.  Refugio Amazonas: Rated by Trip Advisor as #1 for specialty lodging in Puerto Maldonado, Refugio Amazonas is a 32-room comfortable lodge operated by Rainforest Expeditions.  Located 4-hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, this lodge has experienced guides and well-organized programs giving guests an excellent Amazon adventure.