Wildlife · River trips · Jungle lodge

Tambopata National Reserve Tour: 4 Days

4 Days / 3 Nights · Easy to Moderate ·

Duration

4 Days / 3 Nights

Activity Type

Wildlife · River trips · Jungle lodge

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

The experience

Three nights at a jungle lodge give you two full days in the Tambopata National Reserve, a protected area of 274,690 ha in the lowland rainforest of Madre de Dios, created in 2000. You fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado in about 45 minutes (the flights are not included in the price), and continue by boat for about 2 hours to the lodge. Day 1…

Tambopata National Reserve in 4 days

Day 1 ends with a kayak trip to Monkey Island. Day 2 is for Lake Sandoval: a walk of about 3 km through a swamp of aguaje palms, a canoe trip on the lake, where a family of giant river otters lives, a canopy tower in the afternoon and a night walk. On day 3 you walk to Cocha Perdida, a small lake in the forest, and in the afternoon explore a creek by boat. On day 4 you return to Puerto Maldonado and fly back to Cusco.

Your guides are naturalists from the region who speak English and Spanish. The meals at the lodge, the reserve entrance and all the excursions are included. Southern Peru Explorers is a local operator based in Cusco since 2009.

Tour overview

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Start and end: your hotel in Cusco
Getting there: flight Cusco – Puerto Maldonado, about 45 minutes (not included), and about 2 hours by motorboat to the lodge
Nights: 3 at a jungle lodge, in raised bungalows
Difficulty: easy to moderate; walks of about 3 km on days 2 and 3
Highlights: Monkey Island, Lake Sandoval, a canopy tower, Cocha Perdida and a night walk
Price: USD 690 per person, flights not included

Why choose this tour

With three nights you have two full days in the forest instead of one, so you can see Lake Sandoval and also a quieter part of the reserve. Short on time? The Tambopata Tour 3 Days covers Lake Sandoval and…

Why choose the 4-day Tambopata tour?

With three nights you have two full days in the forest instead of one, so you can see Lake Sandoval and also a quieter part of the reserve.

Lake Sandoval: an oxbow lake of about 127 ha surrounded by aguaje palms, with a resident family of giant river otters; you explore it by canoe.
Cocha Perdida: a walk of about 3 km to a small, rarely visited lake in the forest.
A creek by boat: a slow afternoon trip on a forest creek, looking for turtles, birds and butterflies.
Canopy tower and Monkey Island: the forest from above, and a kayak trip to an island where monkeys live in the trees.
Night walk: the forest after dark with your guide.

Short on time? The Tambopata Tour 3 Days covers Lake Sandoval and Monkey Island in two nights. Compare all our Peru Amazon tours.

GET A QUOTE

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Daily trail breakdown, key milestones, altitudes, and campsites.

DAY 01

Day 1: Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Jungle Lodge – Monkey Island

We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco and take you to the airport for the flight to Puerto Maldonado, about 45 minutes. In Puerto Maldonado our team takes you to our office to complete the registration and meet your guide, followed by a short visit of the town and its market, with tropical fruits, herbs and local dishes. Founded in 1902, Puerto Maldonado is the capital of Madre de Dios, the region declared Capital of Biodiversity of Peru by law in 1994.

Then we board a motorboat for the trip of about 2 hours to the lodge. Watch for caimans, river turtles and herons on the way. After lunch at the lodge we paddle by kayak to Monkey Island, where several kinds of monkeys live in the trees, and return to watch the sunset over the river. Dinner and night in a raised bungalow.

Facts and figures

Flight: Cusco – Puerto Maldonado, about 45 minutes (not included)
Boat to the lodge: about 2 hours
Night: jungle lodge, raised bungalow
Meals: lunch and dinner

DAY 02

Day 2: Lake Sandoval by Canoe – Canopy Tower – Night Walk

After an early breakfast we go by boat to the start of the Sandoval trail. The walk of about 3 km crosses forest that floods in the rainy season and an aguajal, a swamp of aguaje palms, an important habitat for otters, caimans and monkeys; much of it is on a raised boardwalk built in 2019. At Lake Sandoval we continue by canoe. This oxbow lake of the Madre de Dios River, about 3 km long, is the best place in the reserve to see giant river otters, and also caimans, monkeys, parrots and macaws.

After lunch at the lodge we climb a canopy tower built against the trunk of a giant tree, with views over the top of the forest and a chance to see birds at eye level. You then have time to rest at the lodge before dinner and a night walk with your guide to look for frogs, insects, caimans and other nocturnal animals.

Facts and figures

Walk: about 3 km each way to Lake Sandoval
Lake Sandoval: by canoe
Night: jungle lodge
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 03

Day 3: Cocha Perdida Walk – Creek Trip by Boat

After breakfast we start a guided walk of about 2 hours, some 3 km, to Cocha Perdida, the "lost lake", a small lake hidden in the forest. The trail crosses riverside forest and swamps of aguaje palms, and in places your guide clears the way with a machete. On the way your guide explains how the forest works and shows you plants, insects and the tracks of animals.

After lunch we take a slow boat trip of about 2 hours on a forest creek near the lodge, where turtles, butterflies and birds are common. In the evening you relax at the lodge and have dinner.

Facts and figures

Walk: about 3 km, around 2 hours, to Cocha Perdida
Creek trip: about 2 hours by boat
Night: jungle lodge
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 04

Day 4: Lodge – Puerto Maldonado – Flight to Cusco

After breakfast we return by motorboat to Puerto Maldonado, about 2 hours, with a last chance to see animals on the riverbanks. A private van takes you to the airport for your flight to Cusco, and our team meets you at Cusco airport and takes you to your hotel.

Facts and figures

Boat: about 2 hours
Flight: Puerto Maldonado – Cusco, about 45 minutes (not included)
Meals: breakfast

What's Included & What's Not

Complete transparency for all equipment, meals, transport, and admissions.

What's included in the Tambopata National Reserve Tour 4 Days

Briefing before the trip, at our office in Cusco or at your hotel.
Transfers from your hotel in Cusco to the airport and back, and in Puerto Maldonado between the airport, our office and the river port.
Boat transport to and from the lodge and on all the excursions in the program.
Naturalist guides from the region, in English and Spanish.
Accommodation: 3 nights at a jungle lodge, in raised bungalows with mosquito nets.
Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, with drinking water at meals; vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other diets on request.
Tambopata National Reserve entrance and all the excursions: Monkey Island, Lake Sandoval, the canopy tower, Cocha Perdida, the creek trip and the night walk.
Rain jackets at the lodge.
First aid: guides trained in first aid, with a first-aid kit.
Luggage storage: leave what you do not need at our office in Cusco.

Not included

Flights Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Cusco; we can help you book them
Breakfast on day 1 and meals after your return to Cusco on day 4
Drinks other than water at meals
Travel insurance
Tips and personal expenses

Packing List (What to Bring)

Recommended gear and apparel checklist from our mountain guides.

Packing List: Tambopata Amazon Adventure (4 Days/3 Nights)

The Amazon rainforest in the Tambopata National Reserve is a world of extreme biodiversity, heat, and humidity. To enjoy your journey from Puerto Maldonado to the deep jungle, you must pack strategically. Your gear needs to be breathable, quick-drying, and specifically chosen to protect you from the sun and the intense insect life of the basin. The trip includes kayaks, canopy towers and muddy trails, so come well prepared.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

Documentations & Basic Requirements

Original Passport: Very important for checking in at the airport and entering the entrance gate of Tambopata Reserve.
Cash (Peruvian Soles): Small denominations. Even if your meals are included in the lodge, you may need money for the "bar" (cold drinks), snacks at the local market in Puerto Maldonado, or even souvenirs.
Flights & Itineraries: Digital and paper copy for your transportation from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado.
Yellow fever vaccine: not required to enter Peru, but recommended by the CDC for the Amazon lowlands of Madre de Dios; get it at least 10 days before the trip and ask your doctor about malaria prevention.

Specialized Clothes for Jungle

Light Colors, Long-Sleeve Shirts: Very important. Dark colors (navy blue or black) are a magnet for mosquitoes and "tabanos". Light-colored (tan, light green or grey) synthetics are best.
Lightweight Hiking Pants: If possible, zip-off convertible pants. Never jeans - it takes many days to dry in humidity and they are way too heavy for a jungle hike.
Swimming Suit: For use in the pool or when swimming in the river/streams.
Lightweight rain jacket or poncho: Tropical storms come without warning, even during the dry season.
Additional socks: Bring more than you think - high quality moisture wicking socks will save you from blisters in the hot and humid climate.
Sun Hat: To protect your face during boat rides along Madre de Dios River.

Footwear

Hiking Shoes or Hiking Boots: For good traction on the 3 km hike to Lake Sandoval that can get muddy at times.
Sandals or Flip-Flops: Necessary for chilling out at the lodge and inside the bungalows.
Noting: Most lodges have rubber boots for exploring the jungle on foot, but check with your guide when you arrive.

Jungle Clothing & Accessories.

Headlamp or Flashlight: For the nighttime treks to find caimans, frogs and other nocturnal creatures.
Day Pack (20-25L): For carrying around the camera and some gear while on the boating trips and hikes.
Dry Bags: Very useful for storing your phone, passport, camera because of high humidity.
Water Bottle: Necessary because of high humidity on the 2-hour boating trip.

Health & Personal Care

Insect Repellent (30-50% DEET): Your first priority. Wear frequently, especially on the hikes to Cocha Perdida.
Sunscreen (SPF 50+): The sun in the tropics is more intense than what you feel under the canopy.
Personal First-Aid Kit: Pack antihistamines (bug bite), anti-itch cream, rehydration salts, and your personal medications.
Hand Sanitizer & Wet Wipes: Critical for refreshment after your hikes and before meals in the jungle.

Southern Peru Explorers Note: As you will be traveling via boat, you might have limited room. We advise that you pack all your jungle necessities in a medium sized bag and keep your luggage at our office in Cusco or tour office in Puerto Maldonado. We organize your transfer from the Andes to the Tambopata rainforest.

Photo gallery

4 photos from this tour.

Before you travel

Guide languages: English and Spanish (other languages on request)

Pickup

Pick-up at your hotel in Cusco for your flight to Puerto Maldonado; the time depends on the flight.

Return

Boat back to Puerto Maldonado on day 4, private van to the airport, and transfer from Cusco airport to your hotel.

Accommodation

3 nights at a jungle lodge, in raised bungalows with mosquito nets.

Food & dietary requests

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and other diets, and food allergies, are catered for if you tell us when you book.

Booking Process & Policies

Booking information for this tour.

How to book the Tambopata National Reserve Tour 4 Days

For each traveler we need the details exactly as they appear in the passport: full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth, which we use for the reserve entrance. Please also send us the name of your hotel in Cusco and your flight times to and from Puerto Maldonado, or ask us to help you book the flights.

Price

USD 690 per person
Not included: the flights between Cusco and Puerto Maldonado

Tips

Book a morning flight on day 1, so you reach the lodge for lunch.
Carry your passport: you need it for the flights and the reserve.
Pack light: a soft bag or backpack is easier on the boats than a hard suitcase.

Payment and confirmation

To confirm your Tambopata tour, pay through our secure link: Contact us to confirm availability and request a payment link. As soon as we receive the payment we book the lodge, the boat and the reserve entrance for your dates.

After the payment you receive an email with the schedule, the packing list and the final instructions. Our team in Cusco is available before, during and after the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers to the most common questions regarding trail preparation and logistics.

What is the difference between the 3- and 4-day Tambopata tours?

Both include Lake Sandoval by canoe, Monkey Island, a canopy viewpoint and a night walk. The 4-day tour adds a third night, the walk to Cocha Perdida and a creek trip by boat, and its lodge is about 2 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado instead of 1 hour. It costs USD 690, against USD 540 for 3 days; neither includes the flights.

Are the flights included?

No. The flights between Cusco and Puerto Maldonado (about 45 minutes each way) are paid separately. Send us your flight times, or ask us and we help you book them.

How do we get to the lodge?

You fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, our team takes you to our office there to meet your guide, and you travel about 2 hours by motorboat to the lodge.

What animals can I see?

Giant river otters, caimans, monkeys, parrots and macaws at Lake Sandoval; capybaras, turtles and herons on the rivers; frogs and insects on the night walk. Sightings depend on the season and on luck. See our guide to Tambopata National Reserve animals.

What is Cocha Perdida?

Its name means "lost lake": a small lake in the forest, reached on a guided walk of about 3 km (around 2 hours) through riverside forest and aguaje palm swamps. It is quieter than Lake Sandoval and a good place to learn about plants and insects.

How difficult is the 4-day Tambopata tour?

Easy to moderate. The walks on days 2 and 3 are about 3 km each way on flat but sometimes muddy trails, and the rest are boat trips and the canopy tower. No experience is needed; the heat and humidity are the main effort.

When is the best time to go?

You can go all year. In Puerto Maldonado the rainiest months are January and February, and from November to March it rains more than 230 mm a month; June to August are the driest. In those dry months a cold front from the south, called friaje, can bring a few cool days, so pack a warm layer.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccine?

It is not required to enter Peru, but the US CDC recommends it for travelers aged 9 months or older going below 2,300 m in Madre de Dios, the region of Tambopata. Get it at least 10 days before the trip. The CDC also lists a malaria risk in the lowlands east of the Andes, including Puerto Maldonado, so ask your doctor about prevention and use repellent.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. The walks are short and the pace is easy, so it works for families. Tell us the ages when you book, and bring repellent and long sleeves for the children.

Where can I leave my luggage?

At our office in Cusco, free of charge. Take only a soft bag or backpack with what you need for the four days.