puerto maldonado peru

Refugio Amazonas is a well- respected lodge in the region that offers a variety of family activities and educational opportunities for kids to learn about the flora and fauna of the jungle. It is located approximately 3 hours from the city of Puerto Maldonado, and is arrived at by boat.

Some of the brightest and most vibrantly colored species of parrots and macaws arrive daily at the Chuncho Clay Lick to ingest the minerals in the clay. This is the largest macaw clay lick on earth, and is a must-see for visitors to the region.

Visitors often have the chance to view several different species of monkey during their stay in one of the jungle lodges outside of the city. These may include squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys (who create quite a din with their loud, strange howls that can be heard for miles), capuchin, titi monkeys, and spider monkeys.

Another animal you may spot during your stay is the capybara, the largest rodent in the world. They live in large social groups and are herbivores that feast on jungle grasses and other plants. Capybaras look something like a very large guinea pig and may weigh up to 190 lbs.!

Lake Sandoval, the largest oxbow lake in the Tambopata National Reserve, is a great spot to view many wildlife species at once. An oxbow lake is a still water lake that has no natural outlet. This is the preferred habitat for the endangered giant river otter, which may be spotted searching for fish in the still waters.