Have you ever dreamed of stepping into a tropical rainforest, surrounded by vibrant greenery and the soothing sounds of nature? Or are you an animal enthusiast eager to encounter some of the planet’s most fascinating species? Whether you’re seeking adventure, cultural enrichment, or meaningful connections during your travels, allow me to introduce you to the stunning Peruvian Amazon, where all your dreams can become a reality.
From thrill-seekers and citizen scientists to culture lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the Amazon presents countless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Where to Stay
Accessible only by boat and located along the banks of the magnificent Tambopata River, the secluded eco-lodges Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas await your arrival. These lodges boast numerous amenities, offering exceptional wildlife viewing, a deep dive into Peruvian culture and traditions, exquisite local cuisine, exciting adventures, and luxurious accommodations—all crafted to create a profound connection between guests and the natural environment.
Where Nature Meets Culture and Adventure
Managed by Rainforest Expeditions in collaboration with the Ese’Eja Indigenous guides and elders, these boutique lodges offer guests enriching experiences steeped in traditional knowledge and cultural exchange. Through the perspective of these guardians of the rainforest, visitors will embark on a transformational journey.
Guests will easily connect with nature in various ways while contributing to the preservation of the untouched landscapes and wildlife. Tambopata is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, making it a prime location in the Amazon to spot remarkable wildlife, from vibrant macaws to powerful jaguars.
How to Get There
The lodges are situated in southeastern Peru, in the stunning region of Madre de Dios, which means “Mother of God.” Welcome to your remote paradise!
The adventure begins with a journey from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, located southeast in Peru. After a 1.5-hour drive and a 1-hour boat ride along the Tambopata River, you will arrive at Posada Amazonas, instantly immersing you in the heart of the rainforest.
A visit to Refugio Amazonas from Puerto Maldonado also takes an hour by boat, or 1.3 hours from Posada Amazonas.
Posada Amazonas is located within the Native Community of Infierno and is surrounded by over 9,500 hectares of rainforest, while Refugio Amazonas is adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve and sits within a sustainably-managed Brazil nut concession.
What to Expect
Prepare to be awed and inspired in nature, all while enjoying modern comforts. After a brief trek filled with the sounds of the forest, guests will arrive at the stunning traditional wooden boutique eco-lodge, harmoniously integrated into its surroundings. Open-air walls are incorporated throughout the property (including in the rooms), allowing guests to remain in touch with nature and the pristine forest at all times.
Let’s Talk About the Rooms
Enjoy watching hummingbirds flit outside your open-air room, feasting on colorful heliconias while soaking in the beauty surrounding you. The spacious suites are over 600 square feet and come equipped with two king-sized beds, a sitting area, showers with a view, biodegradable toiletries, cozy bathrobes, and an in-room hammock for ultimate relaxation. The comfort rooms are around 400 square feet, featuring two double beds and most of the amenities found in the suites. Even in such remote locations, Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodges.
Activities to Enjoy
With an abundance of activities available, guests will face the pleasurable dilemma of deciding how to spend their time. The good news is: you can’t go wrong.
For Adventurers: Explore the soft terracotta understory of the Brazil nut forest on hikes to admire a massive Ceiba tree, go jungle mountain biking, take night walks, or climb the canopy tower to gaze over the primary forest. The tower provides an excellent vantage point for spotting wildlife, from playful titi monkeys to majestic birds like toucans, macaws, and raptors.
For Those Interested in Culture and Tradition: Visit the on-site farms for a glimpse of local food sources, crops, and cultivation techniques. At Posada Amazonas, you can also enjoy an elder-guided medicinal walk to learn about plants and their healing properties that are still utilized by shamans and the Ese’Eja. Highlights include the psychedelic Ayahuasca plant, Chuchuhuasi—a pain reliever—and Para-Para, known for its rejuvenating properties.
Wildlife Enthusiasts: You’re in for a treat with opportunities to see a variety of species, from playful agoutis and howler monkeys to striking dart frogs and emerald boas, without even leaving the lodge. However, guided excursions will broaden your wildlife encounters. You may have the chance to paddle a catamaran on an oxbow lake to search for a family of giant river otters while enjoying birdwatching as well. Other birds, like the majestic Harpy eagle, colorful hoatzins, kingfishers, ospreys, anhingas, and caracaras, can easily be spotted.
Visiting parrot clay licks is another must-do, where you can observe up to three species of macaws. The Chuncho macaw clay lick, located two hours from Refugio Amazonas, is the largest of its kind on the planet. Cruising along the Tambopata River presents many chances to spot an array of wildlife, including capybaras and caimans.
Experience conservation firsthand and become a citizen scientist! In the evenings, join fellow guests for drinks and attend informative lectures held by researchers from Wired Amazon, who are involved in conservation projects that visitors can join. Take the opportunity to help set up a trail camera, explore aerobotany, or embark on a night hike that may lead to discovering a new species of tiger moth, potentially named after you!
Rainforest Expeditions was recently honored with the Responsible Travel Award at the World Travel Mart in São Paulo for their outstanding sustainability initiatives with the Wired Amazon Citizen Science program.
Taste the Amazon
Some may assume that a buffet couldn’t be a luxurious experience, but the delicious and high-quality cuisine at both eco-lodges will certainly change that view. With a focus on sustainability, the lodges offer meals that cater to various dietary preferences, from vegan to gluten-free. The vibrant dishes feature a rich array of local Amazonian fruits and vegetables, many sourced from the lodges’ own gardens.
Indulge in Patarashca, a traditional dish featuring fish or chicken marinated with simple spices, wrapped in a bijao leaf, and cooked over an open fire inside bamboo. Another dish not to miss is Tacacho, which includes pieces of jerky and is a staple of Peruvian jungle cuisine. Made from fried and crushed plantains, this dish is served with cecina (smoked pork) and flavored with achiote—a natural pigment derived from tropical fruit seeds, traditionally used in food, fabric dyeing, and body art.
When exploring this exotic location, it’s only fitting to enjoy a drink made from locally sourced ingredients. Enhance your pisco sour with Chuchuhuasi, a tree known for its anti-inflammatory properties, or try a Peruvian margarita made with agave from the Andes.
Take it All In and Relax
After immersing yourself in the wonders of the rainforest, treat yourself to a soothing massage at either Posada Amazonas’ Kuaii Wellness or Refugio Amazonas’ Eya Wasija Wellness. Both locations provide exceptional treatments, including an invigorating jungle therapy massage that allows you to blissfully unwind to the gentle sounds of the forest. This massage features hot stones and the local Matico plant, renowned for its revitalizing properties and ability to soften skin and alleviate muscle swelling.
