Top Activities To Do in Tambopata

Climb a Canopy Tower

The rainforest is spectacular from all angles, and there is nothing quite like the view from above from a Tambopata canopy tower! Reaching over 30 meters in height, canopy towers offer sweeping views over the treetops and the distant, rolling hills of the cloud forest. As if the splendid panorama wasn’t enough, you’ll also be able to spot wildlife like Toucans, Parrots, and Monkeys. This is the highlight of one of the Rainforest Expeditions Tambopata tours.

Canopy Tower

See Parrots on a Clay Lick

Tambopata has inspired wanderlust in countless travelers since the 1990s when a National Geographic Magazine cover featured the region’s Macaw Clay Licks. These dramatic clay licks attract hundreds of colorful birds, especially parrots and macaws, who come to feed on the nutrient-rich clay. Early risers can head out with a guide to see one of several clay licks in Tambopata. As the sun rises, more and more tropical birds flock to the cliffs, creating a brilliant natural spectacle you will never forget on any of the Tambopata National Reserve tours.

Clay Lick

Visit The Amazon at Night

The Amazon Rainforest comes alive at night when the jungle’s shyest creatures come out to play. Even if you’ve walked the same path over again by day, you can see an entirely different host of creatures once darkness falls. This makes a jungle night walk an essential Tambopata experience. Insect lovers, in particular, will enjoy this activity, where you can see everything from tarantulas to stick bugs and even a caiman or 2! All of the Puerto Maldonado Jungle tours include a night hike on their itineraries.

Tarantula at Night

Explore an Oxbow Lake

Hundreds of years ago, sharp river bends dried up, turning parts of the Amazon River into small lakes. Because of their curvy shape, locals call these Oxbow lakes. They’re an essential habitat to visit, with tranquil waters that hold unique wildlife and beauty. You can ply the calm waters in a small catamaran, look for waterbirds, Caiman, and Giant Otters, and even catch-and-release fish for Piranha.

Giant River Otters on an Oxbow Lake

Learn about Indigenous Culture

While many think of the Amazon Rainforest as untouched nature, indigenous groups have lived in the jungle for thousands of years. Today, native people such as the Ese Eja serve as stewards of their rainforest home. No Tambopata Tour would be complete without connecting deeply with Amazonian culture and tradition.

Indigenous Girl in Tambopata

Learn about Amazon Remedies

Another activity you should explore is a different but equally fascinating aspect of jungle biodiversity- its medicinal plants. Many of these gardens, which are home to plants like Ayahuasca and Uña de Gato, are cultivated by the indigenous communities and still serve as a source of healing and medicine. By visiting a medicinal plant garden, you can gain insight into both Amazon nature and living culture today in the Amazon region.

Ayahuasca

Watch an Amazon Sunset

Everyone who visits Tambopata on one of the Tambopata Reserve Tours will enjoy boat rides along the river, and most lodges are only accessible in this way! Boat rides offer travelers lovely views, wildlife, and a much-needed breeze to break the jungle’s heat. An Amazon Sunset offers a one-of-a-kind rainforest experience. The wide, peaceful Tambopata River is illuminated with beautiful blues and pinks as the jungle sky lights up with color. A rainforest sunset is one of the most memorable, romantic experiences of any of the Tambopata tours. 

Amazon Sunset