Tambopata Research Center

In-depth Rainforest Expedition in the Peru Amazon

This intensive rainforest experience combines the remote and unique location of the Tambopata Research center, along with the more easily accessible Refugio Amazonas to create in depth exploration of tropical rainforest ecology.

Refugio Amazonas is a new 24 bedroom lodge opened in 2005. It is situated three hours from Pto. Maldonado, and provides an excellent location for an in-depth rainforest experience. Refugio Amazonas is built on a 200 hectare private reserve in the buffer zone of the Tambopata Nature Reserve. It is becoming integrated into the community of Brazil Nut extractors that surround it attempting to extend the benefit of ecotourism to the families that commit to the sustainable use of the forest with-in this buffer zone.

2009 Departures:

• Daily based on flight availability, and in conjunction with a complete Peru itinerary

2009 costs:

• $875 per person, based on double occupancy.
• $255 single supplement
• $50 Tambopata National Reserve Entry Fee

Itinerary

DAY 1: PUERTO MALDONADO - REFUGIO AMAZONAS

Upon arrival from Lima or Cuzco, reception and transfer to the Tambopata river port in Puerto Maldonado. Note: Be sure to pack you luggage so that you have one small bag with you for those items you need in the rainforest, and everything else packed in another suitcase/duffel bag that will go into storage at the Puerto Maldonado office. There is limited space on the boats to the lodge, so you are only allowed a small bag for this portion of your trip. Puerto Maldonado is situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers and is a bustling, booming tropical frontier town. Its principal activities are gold mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture and ecotourism. After a brief survey of the town we will drive thirty minutes to the Tambopata river port in the community of Infierno. The two and a half hour boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Refugio Amazonas will take us past the Community of Infierno and the Tambopata National Reserve´s checkpoint and into the buffer zone of this 1.3 million hectare conservation unit. During our voyage we may see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers. You’ll have a box lunch to enjoy en-route. When we arrive at Refugio Amazonas we will a have a briefing from the lodge manager, unpack and unwind. Refugio Amazonas is a new 24 bedroom lodge built on a 200 hectare private reserve on the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. It is becoming integrated to the communities of Brazil nut extractors that surround it, attempting to extend the benefits of ecotourism to the families that commit to the sustainable use of the forest within this buffer zone. Enjoy dinner at the lodge, and afterwards we will be out at the river’s edge at night, scanning the shores with headlamps and flashlights to catch the red gleams of reflection from caiman eyes. ( L, D)

DAY 2: REFUGIO AMAZONAS- TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER

Canopy tower, Brazil Nut Camp & Trail: A thirty minute walk from Refugio Amazonas leads to the 25 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. The tower has been built upon high ground, therefore increasing your horizon of the continuous primary forest extending out towards the Tambopata National Reserve. From here views of mixed species canopy flocks as well as toucans, macaws and raptors are likely. Return to the lodge for breakfast.
Brazil nut trail and camp: A few minutes hike from the lodge is a beautiful old growth patch of Brazil Nut forest that has been harvested for decades (if not centuries) where the precarious remains of a camp used two months a year by Brazil Nut gatherers can still be experienced. We will be demonstrating the whole process of the rain forest's only sustainably harvested product from collection through transportation to drying.

Four and a half hours by boat from Refugio Amazonas, in the pristine heart of the reserve, lies the Tambopata Research Center. One and half hours into our boat journey, as we cross the confluence with the Malinowski River, we will leave the final traces of human habitation behind. Within the 700,000 hectare uninhabited nucleus of the reserve, sightings of capybara, caiman, geese, macaws and other large species will become more frequent. Boxed lunch on the boat. We will arrive at Tambopata Research Center in the early afternoon, being greeted by the Chicos, our flock of semi-wild, rescued macaws. On arrival, we will hold an orientation session.

After this we will explore the Overlook Trail: A three to five kilometer hike will lead us to overlooks commanding magnificent views of the Tambopata winding its way into the lowlands. The forest on this trail, regenerating on old bamboo forest, is good for Howler Monkey and Dusky Titi Monkey. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Macaw Project Lectures: After dinner scientists will provide an in depth look at the biology of macaws, their feeding habits, the theories for clay lick use, their breeding and feeding ecology, population fluctuations and the threats to their conservation. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER

Macaw Clay Lick: On most clear mornings of the year dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on this large river bank in a raucous and colorful spectacle which inspired a National Geographic cover story. Discretely located fifty meters from the cliff, we will observe Green-winged, Scarlet and Blue-and-gold Macaws and several species of smaller parrots descend to ingest clay. Outings are at dawn when the lick is most active. Return to the lodge for breakfast.
Floodplain Trail: This five kilometer trail covers the prototypical rain forest with immense trees criss-crossed by creeks and ponds. Amongst the figs, ceibas and shihuahuacos we will look for Squirrel, Brown Capuchin, and Spider Monkeys as well as peccaries. TRC is located within this habitat.
Pond Platform: Ten minutes upriver from the lodge is a tiny pond with a platform in the middle. It is a great place to spot waterfowl such as Muscovy duck, sunbittern and hoatzin along with the woodpeckers, oropendolas, flycatchers and parakeets that call this pond their home.
Night walk. You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories. ( B, L, D)

DAY 4: TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER

Free Morning. Time off to relax and enjoy the lodge surroundings, wander off on your own, try out a new trail, or repeat your favorite activity.
After breakfast, we’ll visit the Terra Firme Trail: An entirely different habitat characterized by smaller, thinner trees atop hills and slopes is covered by this five kilometer trail. Saddleback tamarins are frequently found here. As we walk near the limits of the swamp we will also keep our eyes open for rare tapir tracks.
Return to the lodge for lunch.
Afternoon activity-- Palm Swamp: A thirty minute hike from TRC brings us to the palm swamp. Dead aguaje palms serve as nests to Red-bellied and Blue-and-gold macaws. An elevated boardwalk and scaffolding tower allow for eye level observation of the macaws as they fly in and out of their nests. ( B, L, D)

DAY 5: TAMBOAPATA RESEARCH CENTER-REFUGIO AMAZONAS LODGE

After breakfast, depart Tambopata Research Center to Refugio Amazonas. A three and a half hour boat ride brings us to Refugio Amazonas. A boxed lunch is provided en-route.

Condenado Oxbow Lake - CONDEL: A forty minute hike takes you Condenado Lake. You paddle canoes around the lake looking for lakeside wildlife such as hoatzin and caiman, hoping to see the otters which are infrequently seen here. You will also be rewarded with overhead sightings of macaws. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Tambopata National Reserve Lecture. Nightly lectures prepared by the staff of Refugio Amazonas cover conservation threats, opportunities and projects in the Tambopata National Reserve. ( B, L, D)

DAY 6: REFUGIO AMAZONAS-PUERTO MALDONADO

B=Breakfast;L= Lunch;D=Dinner.

Costs include: All lodge accommodations based on double occupancy. All scheduled land and river transportation. All transfers. All scheduled excursions with an English speaking guide. All entrance fees. All meals

Not included: International or domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of a personal nature.

Trip notes:

• This itinerary is offered as a component for a complete Peru itinerary. General booking conditions & deposits apply as per your entire itinerary.
• Flights are required to Puerto Maldonado, which can be reached by daily service from either Lima (in 90 minutes) or Cusco (in 30 minutes). Airline ticket prices are not included in the trip costs, and can be arranged through our office in conjunction with your final trip itinerary.
• Stay at Posada Amazonas lodge may be substituted for Refugio Amazonas in either/ or both directions. Similar programs & activities are included.
• Additional nights can be added at Refugio Amazonas Lodge for $135, or at Tambopata Research Center for $100 per person night, based on double occupancy
• Arrivals are possible any day of the week, based on airline availability.
• Accommodations at Refugio Amazonas Lodge are in twin bedded rooms with private baths. The Tambopata Research Center offers comfortable twin and triple rooms with shared bath and shower facilities. At all lodges, light is provided by candles and kerosene lanterns. Electricity is provided by a generator, and is available in the kitchen area only and available for guests to recharge batteries. The water in the rooms is not heated, but due to the warm and humid climate it is usually a comfortable temperature.
• Due to its proximity to the Bolivian border, a yellow-fever certificate (proof of vaccination) is required on arrival at the Puerto Maldonado airport.

Risk and Responsibility