FAQ’s

Basically, everything, once you arrive in Puerto Maldonado, is included, such as:

• All meals
• Accommodations
• Tours, Services, Guides
• Transfer from and to the airport of Puerto Maldonado
• All river transportation

Things that aren’t included are:

• 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 or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature.

When is the dry season?: Although it can rain at any time of the year, the Tambopata region tends to be drier from May until October. The rains start up in earnest in November and continue until April with the rainiest months usually being November and December. The upsides to visiting during the dry season are trails that aren’t as muddy, little chance of activities being affected by rain, and more macaws and parrots on the clay licks. The downsides to visiting during the dry season are hotter weather, less bird activity on sunny days, more difficulty in finding amphibians, and more travel time on rivers due to low water levels.

Why visit Tambopata eco-lodges during the wet season?: Although you can expect a lot of rain, there will probably be fewer fellow ecotourists (if you like a lot of extra elbow room), it usually rains in the afternoon, it tends to be a bit cooler, and there may be higher bird activity on account of the cloudy weather. The ponds and temporal wetlands that form at this time of the year in the rainforest can also make it easier to find reptiles and amphibians. Parrots and macaws tend to visit more clay licks as they will need the clay for the brain development of their chicks during the first months of the year which coincide with the wet season. Also, the rainy season is fruit and flower season, so wildlife will find food everywhere.

When will I see the most animals?: In all honesty, no month is particularly better to see animals than any other. While you will have more sunlight to see parrots and macaws at the clay lick during the dry season, other animals are encountered with the same frequency no matter what the time of the year. A much bigger factor that comes into play for seeing Amazonian wildlife is the guide’s level of experience and training. From July to September, we have the most jaguar observations along the river banks.

When is the best time to see monkeys?: If you visit lodges such as the Tambopata Research Center, Refugio Amazonas, or Posada Amazonas, you have a very good chance of seeing several monkey species throughout the year. The rollicking calls of Dusky Titis echo from vine tangles, Red Howler Monkeys call from the canopy, and troops of Squirrel Monkeys roam through second-growth near oxbow lakes. Black Spider Monkeys may be a bit easier to find during the wet season because it’s usually easier to locate the fruiting trees they feed on but a good guide will increase your chances of seeing them no matter what the time of the year.

Your luggage is hand-carried by our staff at various stages of the trip for a long distance. Luggage is restricted to 15 kg per person (33 pounds). You can leave your large luggage in our office at Puerto Maldonado. If you are visiting other destinations in Peru or South America that require different kinds of clothing, you can always pack separate bags and safely leave them at our offices in Puerto Maldonado on the first day so we won’t be carrying them around uselessly. Your bag will be waiting for you at the airport the day you leave.
If you wish to bring additional luggage beyond the permitted amount, an extra fee of $ 70.00 per additional piece will apply.We recommend packing efficiently and bringing only the essentials for your stay in the Amazon.

By traveling light, we reduce our environmental footprint and help preserve the balance of this unique ecosystem. Excess luggage increases fuel consumption during transfers. Packing consciously is a way to support the conservation of the Amazon and ensure that its beauty and biodiversity remain alive for future generations.

Here are some suggestions:

• Binoculars
• Camera gear, bring your long lens!
• Light-colored, long cotton pants
• Long-sleeved, light-colored cotton shirts
• Ankle-high hiking boots and sneakers
• Flashlight (headlamp) with batteries
• Sunblock lotion
• Sunglasses
• Broad-brimmed hat
• Rain suit or poncho
• Insect repellent
• Small-denomination bills
• Small daypack
• Slippers or sandals for walking around the lodge*HAVE IT ON THE HAND*

NOTE :

Please be aware that the recreational use of drones is not allowed in our lodges. For professional use please contact us to process the required permit.

Around the lobby, you will find racks with rubber boots arranged by size. The largest size we have is 46 Peru, 12.5 US or 30.5 cm. You can use these boots for your walks or outings into the forest. Please remember that when walking inside the lodge facilities and in order to prevent bringing mud inside, you must take out your boots or muddy shoes. We suggest using sandals, clean sneakers, slippers, or socks. During the rainy season, the corridors to your rooms get wet, so we recommend bringing light anti-slip slippers to avoid getting your socks wet.

No, unfortunately, we do not have Kosher-certified food in Puerto Maldonado, the closest town to where we get our supplies, like fresh produce, meat and fish, and dairy products.

No, the use of drones for entertainment is not allowed in our ecolodges since the fauna is quite active and the forest is quite dense.

For arrival, in Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM):

For Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas please make sure to arrive before 13:00 hrs.

For Tambopata Research Center, please make sure to arrive before 12:30 hrs.

You will be at the lodge between 15:00 – 16:00 hrs.

If arriving by bus around early in the morning. We will be picking you up from the bus station upon your arrival. From there, we will go to our office in Puerto Maldonado and there you will be waiting for our fixed departure time.

• For departure from lodges, you will be back in the city around 10:00 hrs.
• For Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas the boat departs around 8:00 hrs.
• For Tambopata Research Center, the boat departs around 7:00 hrs.

If you have a later flight:

• You can wait at our office until the departure. Note only breakfast is included on the last day.
• Add a late check-out with an additional cost. Ask our Rainforest Specialist to help with this. This will include lunch.