Amazon Rainforest Research Center 3 days

The Amazon Tambopata Research Center is a unique and captivating place nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This center is dedicated to studying and conserving wildlife, particularly the behavior and habits of the colorful macaws and parrots that gather at clay licks.

SUMMARY

Amazon Rainforest Research Center 3 days

Situated amidst the lush tropical jungle, the center offers researchers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts the opportunity to closely study these iconic birds and learn about their ecology, reproduction, and significance within the ecosystem. Macaws and parrots visit the clay licks to consume essential minerals found in the clay, which aids in their digestion and overall health.

Length: 3 Days/2 Nights

 Location: Southern Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Puerto Maldonado
 Type of service: Private or Group
 Start Point : Pick-up from the Hotel/Aiport or Bus Terminal in Puerto Maldonado
 Ending Point: Drop off the Hotel/Airport or Bus Terminal in Puerto Maldonado
 Departure: Every Day
 Activities:   Puerto Maldonado Sunrise and Sunset Photography, Tambopata Rainforest Tours ,Tambopata Research Center ,El Gato Waterfall, daily and night walking
 Altitude: 182 – m.a.s.l.
 Best time to visit:March – November
 Accomodation :  2 night in OurLodge private Room with Mosquito Nets, Private Showers and Bathrooms .
 Meals: 2 Breakfast /2 Lunch /2 Dinner
 Entrance Fee to Reserved   .
Tour Guides : (well-equipped with guiding gear)
Minimum of participants: 2
Maximum of participants: 8

Amazon Rainforest Research Center – 3-Day Tour Itinerary

Discover the vibrant biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest Research Center , where nature, science, and conservation come together in a once-in-a-lifetime jungle experience. This 3-day ecotour takes you deep into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, offering an unforgettable adventure filled with wildlife sightings, expert-led walks, and immersive education.

Why Visit the Amazon Rainforest Research Center?

Located in the remote Tambopata region of southern Peru, the Amazon Rainforest Research Center offers guests the opportunity to witness one of the Amazon’s most fascinating spectacles — the clay licks. Here, hundreds of colorful birds like macaws and parrots gather daily, creating a breathtaking display of sound and color.

Expert jungle guides provide insights into Amazonian wildlife, bird behavior, and conservation efforts. Visitors can also learn about ornithology, environmental science, and the center’s vital role in protecting endangered species and their fragile habitat.

The center promotes sustainable tourism and educates both visitors and local communities about the importance of Amazon rainforest conservation.

Amazon Rainforest Research Center

Amazon Rainforest Research Center – 3-Day Eco Tour
Location: Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios, Southern Peru
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Service Type: Private or Group
Departure: Daily
Minimum Participants: 2
Best Time to Visit: March through October
Altitude: 183–250 m.a.s.l.

FLIGHT AND BUS SCHEDULES

Tour Overview .

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This 3-day expedition offers an immersive experience in the Tambopata National Reserve, renowned for its rich biodiversity and conservation efforts. Accompanied by expert naturalist guides, you’ll explore pristine ecosystems, observe diverse wildlife, and engage in conservation initiatives.

 Day 1: Puerto Maldonado to Tambopata Eco Lodge .

Pick-up from Puerto Maldonado Airport or land terminal

Registration and orientation at the tour office

Travel 68 km by road through the lush primary rainforest

Continue by motorized boat 45 km along the Tambopata River to the Ecolodge

Enjoy lunch on board while observing Amazonian flora and fauna

Afternoon guided jungle hike: spot capuchin monkeys, agoutis, macaws, and other wildlife

Evening night walk with a guide to observe nocturnal creatures like frogs, insects, and spiders

Overnight in private eco-lodge rooms

Day 2: Wildlife Exploration in Tambopata –

Breakfast at the lodge

Early morning boat ride to Lake Condenado

Canoe excursion for birdwatching and wildlife viewing

Walk through pristine Amazonian forest, home to matapalo and kapok trees

Return for lunch and optional swim in the Gallocunca stream

Evening boat trip to spot alligators, turtles, and other nocturnal river life

Dinner and overnight in private rooms

Day 3: Return to Puerto Maldonado

  • Early breakfast and short nature walk
  • Boat ride down the Tambopata River to the port
  • Private transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport or bus terminal
  • End of your Amazon rainforest tour

Tour Highlights:

Visit a world-renowned Amazon research center

Observe macaws at the famous clay licks

Experience guided jungle treks and canoe tours

Stay at an eco-friendly lodge in the heart of the rainforest

Support conservation and sustainable tourism in Peru

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ITINERARY

Amazon Rainforest Research Center 3 days

Amazon Rainforest Research Center – 3-Day Tambopata Tour Itinerary
Explore the heart of the Peruvian Amazon with this immersive 3-day ecotourism experience in Tambopata, departing from Puerto Maldonado. Ideal for nature lovers, bird watchers, and adventure seekers.

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado to Tambopata Eco Lodge – Journey into the Amazon

Your Amazon adventure begins with a pickup from Puerto Maldonado—either from the airport or the land terminal. From there, you’ll be taken to our local office for registration before beginning your journey deep into the jungle.

Transfer by Road & Boat

We’ll travel 68 km through pristine primary forest by vehicle, followed by a 45 km boat trip upriver on the Tambopata River aboard an outboard motor canoe. This scenic route showcases untouched Amazonian vegetation, giving you a front-row seat to the rich biodiversity of the Tambopata National Reserve.

Flora & Fauna Observation

Along the way, experience the transition through various ecosystems, home to diverse species of flora and fauna. Enjoy a boxed lunch onboard, as your naturalist guide provides fascinating insights about the rainforest.

Jungle Trail Walk & Night Safari

Upon arrival at the Tambopata Eco Lodge, you’ll check into your private bungalow. In the afternoon, join your guide on an introductory jungle trail hike where you’ll see majestic trees like Brazil nuts, Chihuahuaco, and Capirona, as well as wildlife such as:

  • Squirrel monkeys (Pichicos)
  • Brown capuchin monkeys (Martínez)
  • Agoutis and pacas
  • Blue morpho butterflies, toucans, and swallows

After dinner, take part in a night jungle walk—a rare opportunity to encounter nocturnal wildlife, including the only nocturnal monkey species in the world, plus spiders, frogs, and insects, all while absorbing the incredible symphony of the Amazon night.

Day 2: Tambopata Wildlife Expeditions & Lake Exploration

After a hearty Amazonian breakfast, board our motor canoe for a trip upriver and a guided trek through the primary rainforest to Lake Condenado—a biodiversity hotspot.

 Canoe Tour on Lake Condenado

Paddle silently through the calm waters surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and forest wetlands—an ideal setting for birdwatching and observing aquatic and terrestrial species, including:

  • Hoatzins and kingfishers
  • Capybaras and caimans
  • Giant trees like Matapalo and the towering Ceiba (Kapok) tree

Relaxation at Gallocunca Stream

After lunch at the eco lodge, unwind with a swim in the refreshing Gallocunca stream or enjoy some leisure time in hammocks surrounded by nature.

 Nocturnal River Safari

Following dinner, we’ll head out on a night boat excursion to spot nocturnal river species such as:

  • Alligators
  • Turtles
  • Owls and other night birds

Return to your private rooms for a restful night under the stars.

Day 3: Return to Puerto Maldonado – Farewell to the Jungle

Your Amazon journey ends today. Wake up early for a brief sunrise walk, then enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge.

Afterward, we board our boat for the return trip down the Tambopata River. A private vehicle will be waiting at the port to transfer you back to Puerto Maldonado, with drop-off at the airport or bus station.

What’s Included:

  • Transfers (airport/land terminal to lodge and return)
  • Professional bilingual naturalist guides
  • Accommodation at Tambopata Eco Lodge
  • All meals (vegetarian options available)
  • Guided jungle walks, canoe rides, and night tours

INCLUDED (NOT)

Included in the Tambopata Research Center :

  • A professional naturalist Tour Guide;
  • Motorboat transportation:
  • Private vehicle land transportation;
  • A professional Cook,
  • Meals: 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner and drinking water (Please note: vegetarian option upon request for no extra cost!);
  • Accommodation: 2 nights in a lodge;
  • First aid kit, including a poison extractor, mosquito bite treatment and an antidote for a snake bite;
  • Radio communications;
  • Rubber boots.

Not included in the Tambopata Research Center

  • Entrance fee to the Tambopata National Reserve 
  • Any flight nor airport departure taxes;
  • Travel insurance;
  • Vaccination;
  • Breakfast on the first day and Lunch on the last day;
  • Drinks;
  • Tips to local staff.

What to take with you to the Tambopata Research Center :

  • Mosquito repellent (DEET 35 recommended as a MINIMUM!!),
  • Original passport,
  • Small backpack,
  • Long sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green coloured),
  • Long cotton trousers,
  • Cotton long socks (to be put into your trousers),
  • Comfortable walking shoes,
  • Sandals or light shoes,
  • Rain gear (e.g. rain poncho),
  • Swimsuits;
  • Binoculars (we also rent it),
  • Camera and its charger,
  • Plastic bags to be used for clothes and a camera,
  • A hat as a protection against the Sun or rain,
  • Toiletries,
  • Small towel,
  • Toilet paper,
  • Antibacterial gel,
  • Sunscreen,
  • Sunglasses,
  • Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries),
  • A bottled water (1 litre as a minimum),
  • Pocket money (Soles) to buy some beverages and souvenirs as well as to tip.

GALLERY LODGE

Tambopata rainforest Research Center Gato Waterfall 

In summary, the Amazon Tambopata Research Center and Macaw Clay Lick is a place where science, nature, and conservation converge, offering a unique experience to learn about and connect with the wonders of the Amazon .

Tambopata Research Center – Deep Amazon Jungle Experience
This authentically eco-friendly jungle lodge is located in a pristine and remote area of southeastern Peru, surrounded by untouched primary rainforest. It lies approximately 8 hours upriver from the city of Puerto Maldonado, which offers fast, direct flights from both Lima and Cusco.

Getting There

To reach the lodge from the airport, guests take a one-hour road trip followed by a three-hour boat ride up the Tambopata River to Refugio Amazonas, another lodge operated by the same company. (A private boat transfer is available for an extra cost; otherwise, transportation is shared.) All guests spend their first night at Refugio Amazonas before continuing the next morning on a four-hour boat journey deeper into the jungle to reach Tambopata Research Center.

At Refugio Amazonas, visitors can enjoy a guided night walk upon arrival and climb a 25-meter canopy tower the next morning for panoramic views of the forest and sightings of toucans, parrots, and macaws in flight.

Note: Due to the travel time, a minimum stay of four days/three nights is required to visit Tambopata Research Center, including the first night at Refugio Amazonas.

Jungle Excursions

Tambopata Research Center is the ideal base for deep exploration of the Amazon rainforest. All activities are à la carte and selected upon arrival. A certified ecotourism guide is assigned for every six guests (private guides available at extra cost). Located in the heart of the jungle, guests don’t need to venture far to witness an incredible variety of flora and fauna.

Day and night excursions take visitors through diverse habitats, including bamboo forests, floodplains, terra firme, palm swamps, and riverine rainforests. Wildlife sightings may include several species of monkeys, insects, and exotic birds, with the highlight being visits to clay licks frequented by colorful parrots and macaws.

Wildlife Spotting & Birdwatching

Early morning excursions offer a chance to spot elusive jungle predators like the jaguar, the largest feline species in the Americas. Jaguars are sometimes seen emerging from the riverbanks to drink or hunt along the Tambopata River.

The Tambopata region holds the world record for butterfly species, making it a paradise for photography and entomology enthusiasts. With expert birding guides, guests can also observe countless species of Amazonian birds.

Jungle trails wind past giant trees such as the majestic ceiba, the tallest tree in the area, as well as thinner trunks where playful monkeys swing freely.

Macaw Clay Licks & Scientific Research

As its name suggests, Tambopata Research Center is an active hub for scientific research, and home to the Macaw Project, a long-term initiative with over 30 years of groundbreaking research on macaws.

On clear mornings year-round, dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots and parakeets create a spectacular, noisy display as they descend on nearby clay cliffs. These birds gather to consume mineral-rich clay – a breathtaking natural phenomenon.

Guests staying at the center have the unique opportunity to visit the two most important macaw clay licks in the area: Colorado and Chuncho.

You may even have the chance to observe field researchers and interact with scientists, ecologists, and biologists conducting their work on-site.

FREE INFO

Amazon Research Center Itinerary & Wildlife Highlights – Tambopata National Reserve

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Amazon Research Center in Tambopata – Jungle Wildlife Tour

Explore Peru’s Amazon Research Center in Tambopata. See jaguars, giant otters, and macaws in one of the world’s most biodiverse rainforests.

Overview: Amazon Research Center in Tambopata
Located deep in the Tambopata National Reserve and adjacent to Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, the Amazon Research Center is one of the best destinations in Peru for

wildlife research and eco-tourism. This untouched region boasts:

  •  Over 20,000 plant species
  • 900+ bird species – more than most countries
  • 1,230 butterfly species
  • 127 reptiles and amphibians
  • 91 mammal species, including some of the Amazon’s rarest predators

Expect to encounter iconic Amazon species such as the Jaguar, Giant Otter, Harpy Eagle, and the elusive Black Caiman.

Jungle Lodges & Wildlife Encounters

Your stay at the Amazon Research Center includes accommodation in a comfortable jungle lodge nestled in lowland rainforest, perfect for spotting wildlife right from your doorstep.

Highlights include:

  • Six monkey species in the surrounding forest
  • Daily sightings of Giant Otters fishing in nearby oxbow lakes
  • Evening sightings of Black Caimans in palm swamps
  • Red-bellied Macaws flocking through the canopy

By staying in this remote location, you’ll have the best chance to see species like:

  • Tapirs
  • Capybaras
  • Peccaries
  • Anteaters

Even wild Jaguars along the trail systems

Macaw Clay Lick Experience

A major highlight of this trip is the visit to the world’s largest Macaw clay lick, located near the only lodge with front-row access. Most mornings, thousands of macaws, parrots, and parakeets gather here to ingest mineral-rich clay from cliff walls—an unforgettable wildlife spectacle.

Tambopata Research Center – El Gato Waterfall & Macaw Nesting Habits
The El Gato Waterfall adds a scenic touch to your jungle exploration, and for bird lovers, there’s a unique opportunity to learn about macaw nesting behavior.

Nesting season starts in December

Blue-and-yellow Macaws prefer the tops of dead Pona palm trees

Scarlet Macaws nest in hardwood tree cavities, often repurposed from woodpeckers

Competition for nest sites can lead to aggressive fights, sometimes fatal

This rare behavior gives guests an in-depth view of how habitat scarcity impacts even the most iconic Amazonian species.

Weather in the Amazon Research Center

Prepare for a tropical climate year-round:

  • Rainfall: 2,500–3,500 mm annually
  • Average temperature: 28°C (82°F)
  • Dry season: May to October
  • Occasional cold fronts (“friajes”) bring lows of 13°C (55°F)

 

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