Are you planning to take a tour in Tambopata to explore the Amazon rainforest of Peru? This place is full of beautiful diversity of plants and exotic animals that you can appreciate at any time of the year. In this article, we explain what Tambopata is so that you can be informed when you visit this wonderful place. Keep reading!
What is Tambopata?
Tambopata is a river in the southeast of our country that originates in the snow-capped mountains of the Andes, just across the Bolivian border, from where it flows from the high plains to the lowlands of the Amazon. This river gives its name to a province in Peru located in the Madre de Dios region.
The word “Tambopata” comes from Quechua, the language of the Incas, still spoken by millions of people in various regions of our country. In the Inca era, a “tambo” was a kind of inn or administrative center, while the word “pata” means “elevated area” or “platform.”
Similarly, the Tambopata River gives its name to the Tambopata National Reserve. Along with the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park and the Madidi National Park, the reserve is part of the largest protected area of Amazon tropical and subtropical forest in South America.
What is the Tambopata National Reserve?
The Tambopata National Reserve is a vast area of pristine tropical and subtropical forest in the Amazon basin. In total, the reserve protects over a thousand square miles of forest, including eight different types of Amazon ecosystems. It is this wide range of habitats that makes Tambopata one of the most biodiverse places in the world.
But how do you get to the Tambopata National Reserve? You can access this beautiful place from Cusco by taking a regular 30-minute flight, followed by a fascinating journey by road and boat from the jungle city of Puerto Maldonado, a trip that seems like an adventure in itself.
One aspect that many people wonder about is when to visit the reserve, and the answer is all year round. The climate is typical of tropical, subtropical, humid, or high humidity forests, with an average annual temperature of 26°C, fluctuating between 10°C during occasional unusual cold spells and 38°C.
Whether it’s raining or shining, in the wet or dry season, it is possible to see examples of the main Amazonian fauna within the reserve and its extensive buffer zone and surrounding forests, as well as countless examples of typical Amazonian flora.
What attractions are there in Tambopata?
Every year, millions of tourists and locals visit the tourist attractions of Tambopata, but what are they? Although there are several famous and beautiful areas, we will detail the most visited ones:
Manu National Park
Manu National Park covers an area of 1,716,295.22 hectares and is one of the best destinations for nature tourism. In the lower basin of the Manu River, the exuberance of the Amazon plain stands out. Additionally, one of its main attractions is the clay licks, the habitat of flocks of macaws, as well as other wildlife species, which come in search of food.
Inside the park, there is an 18-meter-high metal tower and an elevated walkway with a platform that facilitates the best bird watching and the vastness of the forest from the treetops. For a spectacular view, it is recommended to reach the Tres Cruces viewpoint and appreciate the sunrise, as well as two opposing landscapes: the Andean mountain range and the cloud forest.
Lake Sandoval is one of the most wonderful areas. It is located near the city of Puerto Maldonado, in the Tambopata department. From there, you must first head to the main port called Capitanía, where you must board an outboard motorboat and travel along the Upper Madre de Dios River enjoying the landscape offered by nature.
The calm waters of Lake Sandoval are not only perfect for boat excursions but are also preferred by some animals that find the flow of the main river too aggressive for their taste.
Embark on a tour of Lake Sandoval and float on a boat accompanied by a naturalist guide, who will explain the ecology of this wonderful lake. Thus, you will be able to contemplate various types of birds and animals, such as monkeys, caimans, and macaws. Remember that it is important to rest in a lodge near the lake before embarking on your next adventure in Tambopata.
In recent years, the fame of this jungle region has begun to grow, and it has become one of the main ecotourism destinations in Peru. Now that you know what Tambopata is and are familiar with the most recognized tourist areas, we encourage you to live the experience for yourself!
