Discover new species with Tambopata research center team 5 Day
Discover New Species with Tambopata Research Center Team – 5 Days
Join expert researchers on an exciting **Peruvian Amazon tour** at the renowned Tambopata Research Center, one of the most remote and wildlife-rich lodges in the Amazon. Over five immersive days, you’ll venture deep into the Tambopata National Reserve, where scientists study the region’s incredible biodiversity.
Assist in wildlife monitoring, observe rare and newly discovered species, and explore untouched rainforest teeming with exotic birds, monkeys, and even jaguars. Walk through lush jungle trails, visit the world-famous Macaw Clay Lick, and learn firsthand about conservation efforts in one of the planet’s most pristine ecosystems.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers eager to uncover the hidden wonders of the Amazon!
5dMc-TRC
Highlights
Tour Includes:
This is an “All inclusive tour from pick up till drop off”
Pick up from (Airport, bus station or hotel)
04 Nights accommodation in bungalow with private bathroom
1 Ticket entrance to natural reserve 1 to (Sandoval Lake)
1 Professional bilingual guide in the jungle
1 Motor boat transportation for all trips
Breakfast (4) Dinner (4) Lunch (4)
All activities listed in the itinerary
Purified Water 24 hours (To recharge your canteen)
Wellingtons (Rubber boots)
No additional payment for single room or (Solo traveler)
Storage room for large luggage
First aid kit
Drop off to (Airport or bus station)
Meals:
Top Attractions:
Activities:
Tour does not Include:
Drinks bought at the bar
Gratuities
Domestic Flights or Bus from/to Cusco, Lima
Extra snacks and drinks
Travel insurance
Health coverage
Extra snacks and drinks
Where you’ll be
Following Optional Jungle Hotels are available
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of the Madre de Dios region, and embark on a combined journey consisting of a one-hour bus transfer followed by a 2.5-hour boat trip along the Tambopata River to reach the lodge. During the river passage, you will experience your initial introduction to Amazonian gastronomy while observing the gradual transition from urban surroundings to the biodiverse landscapes of the tropical rainforest.
Upon crossing the confluence with the Malinowski River, the final signs of human habitation will recede, giving way to the untouched core of the Tambopata National Reserve, which spans approximately 700,000 hectares of uninhabited protected land. Within this pristine environment, sightings of Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (capybaras), Caiman crocodilus (spectacled caimans), Anseriformes (geese), Ara spp. (macaws), and other large vertebrates become increasingly frequent due to minimal human disturbance.
The Tambopata Research Center, a boutique eco-lodge, is situated within this remote reserve. The lodge offers amenities including a bar, massage center, and buffet-style dining, while maintaining a low-impact design compatible with conservation principles. It is uniquely positioned near numerous active macaw nesting sites, central to the Guacamayos Project, a long-term initiative focused on psittacine research and conservation.
Accommodations range from rooms measuring 21 square meters to suites up to 83 square meters, all featuring private bathrooms and large open windows designed to facilitate direct forest immersion. The stay includes three daily meals, tea, coffee, guided excursions, nature-based activities, welcome refreshments upon arrival, and roundtrip airport transfers. Naturalist guides are assigned in small groups with a 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio to enhance educational experiences.
In the afternoon, participate in the Mirador hike, a three- to five-kilometer trek leading to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Tambopata River as it meanders through the lowland rainforest. The trail, which regenerates from a former bamboo forest, offers suitable conditions for observing Alouatta seniculus (Red Howler Monkeys) and Callicebus moloch (Dusky Titi Monkeys).
Optional nocturnal hikes are available, providing the opportunity to explore the rainforest when mammalian activity peaks, though most species remain challenging to observe due to cryptic behavior. Amphibians, however, such as Dendropsophus spp. and Phyllomedusa spp., are more readily detectable, with distinctive calls and unique morphological adaptations suited to their ecological niches.
Day 2
On most clear mornings throughout the year, numerous large macaws and hundreds of parrots gather at this prominent riverbank in a vibrant and acoustically dynamic display, which once served as the subject of a National Geographic cover feature. Positioned discreetly approximately 50 meters from the clay cliff, observers can witness Ara chloropterus (Green-winged Macaws), Ara macao (Scarlet Macaws), Ara ararauna (Blue-and-Yellow Macaws), along with several smaller parrot species, descending to consume clay. This geophagy behavior, commonly observed at mineral licks, is most pronounced during the early morning hours, prompting dawn excursions when activity peaks.
A five-kilometer trail system through primary lowland rainforest extends from the site, characterized by towering emergent species such as Ficus spp. (figs), Ceiba pentandra (kapok trees), and Dipteryx micrantha (shihuahuaco trees). This habitat, intersected by streams and ponds, provides optimal conditions for observing primate species including Saimiri sciureus (Squirrel Monkeys), Sapajus apella (Brown Capuchin Monkeys), and Ateles chamek (Peruvian Spider Monkeys), as well as non-primate mammals such as Pecari tajacu (collared peccaries). The Tambopata Research Center (TRC) is situated within this biodiverse zone.
A brief ten-minute journey upstream from the lodge leads to an island featuring a small pond with a central observation platform, offering excellent opportunities for avian observation. Species frequently sighted include Opisthocomus hoazin (Hoatzin), Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard Ducks), along with Picidae spp. (woodpeckers), Icterus spp. (orioles), Tyrannidae spp. (flycatchers), and Psittacidae spp. (parakeets).
Following dinner, researchers will present an evening lecture providing an in-depth analysis of macaw biology. Topics covered will include the functional significance of clay lick use, dietary habits, reproductive strategies, feeding ecology, population dynamics, and the conservation challenges facing these species.
Day 3
Begin your morning with an ecological survey of the Bamboo Trail, a distinctive pathway traversing a dense bamboo forest. Sunlight permeates the slender, elongated leaves, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow along the trail, which parallels a gently reflective river. This ecosystem is dominated by Guadua bamboo, a species indigenous to the Americas, adapted to poorly drained upland soils. Its rapid growth rate, reaching several meters annually, contributes to a unique structural habitat supporting diverse biodiversity.
In the afternoon, engage in the 8 Primate Project, an exploratory hike along a five-kilometer transect within a prototypical tropical rainforest characterized by towering emergent trees, creeks, and ponds. This trail offers prime conditions for observing multiple primate taxa, including Saimiri sciureus (Squirrel Monkeys), Sapajus apella (Brown Capuchin Monkeys), and Ateles chamek (Spider Monkeys), alongside non-primate species such as peccaries (Tayassu pecari). The Tambopata Research Center’s location within this biodiverse habitat enhances its suitability for primate behavioral studies and species monitoring.
Day 4
During the Rainforest Master Hike, participants will traverse the intricate, winding trails formed by the foraging columns of Atta cephalotes (leafcutter ants), offering a unique opportunity to observe the complex social behaviors of these keystone invertebrates. This guided ecological trek provides both a profound sense of accomplishment and lasting impressions of the Amazon’s biodiversity. Leveraging extensive field experience, the naturalist guides from the Tambopata Research Center possess in-depth knowledge of the region’s ecology, capable of detecting cryptic species such as canopy-dwelling passerines, elusive primates, and rare botanical specimens often overlooked in the dense undergrowth.
In the tropical rainforest, twilight descends rapidly due to the dense overhead canopy, which limits light penetration as the sun lowers. As daylight wanes and dusk transitions to night, participants can experience the Sunset Cruise, drifting along the expansive Tambopata River. This evening excursion showcases the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, with the river’s surface reflecting vivid hues of orange, rose, and crimson in ever-shifting patterns, creating a visually striking conclusion to the day’s explorations.
Day 5
The conclusion of the expedition marks the time for departure. Your participation has directly supported the ongoing conservation initiatives of Wired Amazon and the protection efforts within the Tambopata National Reserve. Following your stay, you will commence the return journey to Puerto Maldonado for your domestic flight to your next destination.
