Tambopata Research Center

Tambopata Research Center (TRC) is one of the most remote ecolodges in South America and was featured in a National Geographic cover story. It is located deep within the Tambopata National Reserve and adjacent to the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, in Southeastern Peru.

This isolated location means extraordinary wildlife-viewing possibilities. In addition, it is next to the world’s biggest known macaw and parrot clay lick, Colpa Colorado, and is surrounded by three types of forest and palm swamps.

Guests stay in one of the lodge’s comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms have hot water showers. One of the sides of each room opens out directly onto the rainforest to enhance your experience of your surroundings.

All bookings include meals, transfers and excursions guided by resident scientists, such as to the fascinating nearby Colpa Colorado clay lick as well as the Chuncho clay lick.

The lodge is 100 km (62 miles) from Puerto Maldonado and the transfer includes 1 hour by bus and 2.5 hours by boat.

Tambopata Research Center is run by Rainforest Expeditions, a Peruvian ecotourism company established in 1992 that combines tourism, macaw research and conservation and local sustainability development. Its other lodges are Refugio Amazonas Lodge and Posada Amazonas Lodge.

Facilities and Activities at Tambopata Research Center

General facilities

  • Meals and excursions are included with your booking
  • A generator provides electricity three times a day
  • Lamps and candles provide light at night. Electric bulbs are used in public areas.
  • Very limited Internet access
  • Hot water showers
  • Transfer service included to and from Puerto Maldonado airport
  • English, Spanish, French, German and Italian spoken
  • Luggage storage available
  • Bar
  • Souvenir shop
  • Interpretation centre
  • Laundry service only available on sunny days
  • No parking available
  • Special diet meals can be provided with prior notice.

Surcharges apply to the following services

  • Massages
  • Laundry

Room facilities

  • Rooms are private but not soundproof
  • All beds equipped with mosquito nets, bedside tables and clothing storage area
  • The bedrooms’ fourth wall has no window or screening of any kind to allow guests to experience the rainforest more intimately (the rooms are not known to attract mosquitos)

Outdoor facilities

  • 25 km (16 miles) of jungle trails
  • 300 metres of elevated walkways to observe wildlife
  • Small jungle tower with views over a palm swamp and macaws

Activities (all included with accommodation booking)

  • Colpa Colorado macaw and parrot lick
  • Chuncho macaw and parrot lick
  • Guided day treks in a variety of habitats
  • Jungle nightwalk
  • Activities guided by resident scientists