About seven hours’ river travel from Puerto Maldonado, this important research facility and lodge is known for a famous salt lick nearby that attracts four to 10 species of parrots and macaws on most mornings. The lodge itself is fairly simple, with 18 double rooms sharing four showers and four toilets.
As for the research, this focuses on why macaws eat clay, their migration patterns, their diet, nesting macaws and techniques for building artificial nests. If you’re interested in seeing more macaws than you ever thought possible, this lodge is worth the expense, although the owners point out that occasionally, due to poor weather or other factors, macaws aren’t found at the lick. Nevertheless, wildlife sightings are high here.
A stopover is usually made at Refugio Amazonas on the first and last nights of a trip here, for which you really do need five days and four nights' total stay. The last section of the ride is through remote country, with excellent chances of seeing capybaras and maybe more-unusual animals.
Have your passport ready at the Puesto Control Malinowski, entrance point to the reserve proper.
Book online or at the Rainforest Expeditions in Puerto Maldonado, and remember that the Reserva Nacional Tambopata reserve entrance fee is payable.
