Location
RESERVA AMAZÓNICA is part of a private ecological reserve adjacent to the Tambopata National Park, situated in the southern part of the Peruvian Amazon basin, in the Tambopata Province, Department of Madre de Dios. The Reserve is reached by following the extraordinarily broad Madre de Dios River, accessed from the nearest town, Puerto Maldonado, which is located at the intersection of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers.

The southern Peruvian rainforest is one of the last easily accessible virgin tropical rainforests of the world. Conservation International considers it widely unexplored and one of the global Mega Diversity Hot Spots. The region has remained intact because of limited road access and the fact that it is home to several major National Parks: Manu, Candamo, Tambopata National Reserve, Amarakaeri and Bahuaja Sonene Reserve, altogether summing over 9 million protected acres or 3.6 million hectares -larger than the total area of Belgium-. click for map

How to get to Reserva Amazónica
Daily commercial flights connect Puerto Maldonado with Lima (2 hour flight time) and Cusco (35 minutes). Upon arrival at the Puerto Maldonado airport, visitors take the RESERVA AMAZÓNICA bus to the city's river port, and then take a outboard motorboat to RESERVA AMAZÓNICA lodge. It is about an hour-long canoe ride (15 Km. or 9 miles) downriver from Puerto Maldonado.

Climate
RESERVA AMAZONICA is located at 180 meters above sea level (591 feet) and has a seasonal tropical climate. The average temperature in the Tambopata region ranges from 18°C (64 F) to 29°C (84 F), reaching as high as 38°C (100 F) in the dry season. There is occasionally a sudden cooling known as "friaje", with temperatures dropping down to 10°C (50 F).
Dry Season: May - October; Orchid Season: November - April.
Temperature Range: 10 - 38 °C / 50 - 100 °F
Annual Rainfall: 1836 - 3418 mm / 72 - 135 in
Average Temperature: 28 °C / 82 °F

Vaccinations
There is no vaccination officially required to enter Peru. Visitors that are planning to visit only highlands and coastal cities do not require any inoculation. However, travelers planning to visit jungle areas at altitudes below 2,000 m (6,500 ft) such as Tambopata, should consult their doctor regarding vaccinations against yellow fever before leaving their country. Since the effect of most vaccines is felt 10 days after they are given, visitors should take the necessary precautions in advance.

Water
Tap water in Peru is not safe to drink, especially for foreign stomachs. The best option is to drink bottled water, available in various sizes throughout the country. Boiling water for a couple of minutes and sterilization tablets are also good alternatives.

Insects
Although insects in the Tambopata region are not active transmitters of important diseases -as they can be in other zones of the lowland Peruvian jungle-, we recommend visitors use repellent in order to elude insect irritation and, if possible, cover their arms, legs and feet with a good layer of clothing. It is worthwhile to emphasize that all cabanas at RESERVA AMAZÓNICA are equipped with mosquito nettings that prevent insects during the night.

Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, known as Soroche in Peru, is a common problem for visitors, especially when traveling quickly from the coast or jungle regions to the high Andes (above 2,500 m or 8,200 ft). Arriving to Tambopata (180 m or 600 ft) is not a problem but passing though Cusco (3,300 m or 10,800 ft) could be

Ecology
The Tambopata rainforest holds world records in biodiversity and Reserva Amazónica has more than 200 species of native plants with different curative properties. Visitors can observe more than 500 species of native birds in an area of just 1,000 m2, which is comparable to the number of species existing in all of North America. Professor E.O. Wilson of Harvard University has recorded 362 species and 68 genera of ants in Reserva Amazónica, the highest number ever recorded worldwide.

What to bring:
Visitors should take only necessary clothing and equipment to RESERVA AMAZÓNICA, due to weight and space limitations in the boat. We recommend bringing:
-Sunblock, visitors should bring sunglasses and plenty of sun block to protect themselves against the sun's UV rays.
-Mosquito repellant
-Camera or video camera with protective case against humidity and rain
-Binoculars
-Lots of high speed film
-Recommended clothing: long slacks, long-sleeved lightweight shirts (against mosquitoes), sneakers or hiking boots, sunglasses, a cap and raincoat. Warm clothing is essential between June and August, as "friajes" or cold fronts arrive from southern Patagonia.
- Safety Measures: Although not required for entry into the country or the RESERVA AMAZÓNICA region, a yellow fever vaccination is recommended as an extra precaution. No yellow fever cases have ever been reported at RESERVA AMAZONICA.

Additional Facts
Departure/arrival flight time and explorations at RESERVA AMAZÓNICA may be modified without prior notice in due to weather. Programs do not include airfare, airport taxes, overweight baggage charge, additional nights in Puerto Maldonado due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled drinks, bar, personal insurance, laundry service, telephone calls, or other personal expenses.

Why do kids enjoy the Amazon Rainforest?
Nature has always been an ideal place for children to have fun; learning about flora and fauna, exploring rivers and mountains, and encountering local native cultures make the Amazon Rainforest a perfect spot for children to experience natural ecotourism, and perhaps even to discover their future vocation.

Why do families with kids choose to travel to the rainforest with us?
Our guides at RESERVA AMAZÓNICA have ample experience working with families, helping children to learn about living cultures and discover the mystery and wildlife of the rainforest.

We offer the special BONI Project (Children's Forest Project) in the native community of the Ese'ejas in Palma Real, where families and children can explore the rainforest from a child's perspective: Amazon myths, stories and experiences are described by local children, and even trails are guided by them.