Tambopata National Park
The Tambopata National Park is a 275,000 hectare area of pristine rainforest located in the south of Peru, accessible from Cusco and close to Machu Picchu. Created by the Peruvian government in 1990, the National Park was formed to protect this rich bio-diverse area whilst at the same time to become an important and sustainable resource for local communities. Covering an area the size of Connecticut this remote part of The Amazon Rainforest is home to around 5000 inhabitants, mainly located around the Tambopata River and the “Area of Influence” in the north-east. Small scale gold mining, timber extraction, hunting, fishing, coffee production and tourism are the main sources of income for these jungle communities.
Tambopata National Park – Maps & Pictures
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- Map – Tambopata National Park
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- Google Map – Tambopata National Park
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- Scarlet Macaw
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- Sandoval Lake Lodge
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- Libertador Lodge
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- Inkaterra Amazonias – Canopy Walk
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- Crested Eagle
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- Caiman (best seen at night)
Wildlife
In this region of the Amazon Jungle you have the opportunity to see an array of many different animals, including 32 parrot species, 200 mammal species and 1200 butterfly species. For bird watchers there are some 600 different bird species within the Tambopata National Park, and several lodges offer specific ornithology tours.
It is often a common misconception that when visiting the Amazon Jungle that the tree line and River banks will be teeming with exotic monkey’s, crocodiles and such the like. However, the reality is that it is often difficult to see wildlife, and a great deal of patience and time is needed have the opportunity to see some of the best animals the jungle has to offer. To have the best opportunity for spotting wildlife try to avoid large groups, and stay close to your guide as they are surprisingly good at finding things. Remember that the Amazon Jungle is not just about the wildlife! The plant life is also incredibly interesting too. When travelling to Tambopata National Reserve, enjoy the whole experience and don’t be disappointed should you not see everything you expected.
Tambopata National Park – Lodges
Eco-tourism has grown dramatically over the last 10 years, and the Tambopata National Park offers the greatest selection of lodges and activities for visitors to this region. There are 25 registered lodges operating in the area, with some just located outside the park boundaries. For those who have a special interest in The Amazon Jungle, conservation and wildlife we highly recommend The Tambopata Research Lodge operated by Rainforest Expeditions, who are one of the prominent tour operators in the area.
For a full break-down of all the Lodges available in Tambopata National Park, and other Amazon Jungle lodges, please see our Peru guide section on Amazon Lodges.
Getting to Tambopata National Park
Tambopata National Park is located about 2 hours along the Tambopata River from the main Jungle town of Puerto Maldonado. LAN Peru, TACA Airlines and Star Peru all operate routes to Puerto Maldonaldo originating in Lima and Cusco. (All flights transit Cusco en-route). Tour operators will collect guests at the small airport in Puerto Maldonado before proceeding by river to your lodge. Often, part of the route is taken by road but this can change depending on the time of the year, and the condition of the road.
For further information on other destinations in Peru, make sure you read our Peru guide section, which includes information on destinations, hotels, restaurants and much more. Our Peru guide also offers travel tips and our in-sider thoughts to help you get the best out of your trip to Peru.
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