Peru: Rainforest Lodges of the Madre de Dios

On this tour we stay in two jungle lodges which use local materials in the construction of the cabins, here an example from Los Amigos…
On this tour we stay in two jungle lodges which use local materials in the construction of the cabins, here an example from Los Amigos…
…and here some cabins at Tambo Blanquillo. photo Luis Raffo
…and here some cabins at Tambo Blanquillo. photo Luis Raffo
The interiors are simple, but clean and with en suite bathrooms. photo Luis Raffo
The interiors are simple, but clean and with en suite bathrooms. photo Luis Raffo
The common areas are inviting, well-built structures as well. photo Luis Raffo
The common areas are inviting, well-built structures as well. photo Luis Raffo
To get to these lodges we use a combination of an internal flight, a ride in a van, and finally a covered, motorized canoe.rn Peru
To get to these lodges we use a combination of an internal flight, a ride in a van, and finally a covered, motorized canoe.rn Peru
We’re in a jungle wilderness at both places; Los Amigos sits on a high bluff overlooking the Madre de Dios River.
We’re in a jungle wilderness at both places; Los Amigos sits on a high bluff overlooking the Madre de Dios River.
We spend much of our birding time on the trails, but one of the highlights at Tambo Blanquillo is a canopy platform.
We spend much of our birding time on the trails, but one of the highlights at Tambo Blanquillo is a canopy platform.
One of the most delightful and memorable outings will be our paddle on a serene oxbow lake, looking for several special birds and Giant Otters.
One of the most delightful and memorable outings will be our paddle on a serene oxbow lake, looking for several special birds and Giant Otters.
Both have a variety of habitats within the Amazonian rainforest biome, here a palm swamp at Los Amigos.
Both have a variety of habitats within the Amazonian rainforest biome, here a palm swamp at Los Amigos.
The bird lists are famously long. We’ll see some birds in familiar families, such as the oddly colored Cream-colored Woodpecker…
The bird lists are famously long. We’ll see some birds in familiar families, such as the oddly colored Cream-colored Woodpecker…
Or the impressively big Red-necked Woodpecker.
Or the impressively big Red-necked Woodpecker.
And most people should easily recognize members of the parrot family, even on their first trip to the tropics.  White-bellied Parrots are more often heard than seen.
And most people should easily recognize members of the parrot family, even on their first trip to the tropics. White-bellied Parrots are more often heard than seen.
We’ll have a chance to visit a collpa or clay lick to get close views of Red-and-green Macaws, among other parrots.
We’ll have a chance to visit a collpa or clay lick to get close views of Red-and-green Macaws, among other parrots.
Distantly related to ducks and geese is the Horned Screamer, which we might see on a gravel bar in one of the rivers.
Distantly related to ducks and geese is the Horned Screamer, which we might see on a gravel bar in one of the rivers.
But probably entirely unfamiliar to birders first visiting the American tropics are members of the cotinga family, such as this Purple-throated Fruitcrow.
But probably entirely unfamiliar to birders first visiting the American tropics are members of the cotinga family, such as this Purple-throated Fruitcrow.
Bare-necked Fruitcrow is a canopy dweller, like many other cotingas.
Bare-necked Fruitcrow is a canopy dweller, like many other cotingas.
The Cinereous Mourner, a relative of the becards and tityras, is easily overlooked in the midstory of the forest.
The Cinereous Mourner, a relative of the becards and tityras, is easily overlooked in the midstory of the forest.
Not so for the showy members of the tanager family. In good light the colors on this Masked Tanager glow.
Not so for the showy members of the tanager family. In good light the colors on this Masked Tanager glow.
Another neotropical family with many colorful members are the manakins. Band-tailed Manakin maintains leks along some of our trails.
Another neotropical family with many colorful members are the manakins. Band-tailed Manakin maintains leks along some of our trails.
The relatively plain Fiery-capped Manakin must been seen well to be appreciated.
The relatively plain Fiery-capped Manakin must been seen well to be appreciated.
Peru is rich in jacamar species. Purus Jacamar can be found in the stunted vegetation around the edges of oxbow lakes.
Peru is rich in jacamar species. Purus Jacamar can be found in the stunted vegetation around the edges of oxbow lakes.
White-throated Jacamar is scarcer, and family groups prefer small clearings around tree falls in the forest.
White-throated Jacamar is scarcer, and family groups prefer small clearings around tree falls in the forest.
Bluish-fronted Jacamar is a more widespread member of the family in Peru, found in many edge habitats.
Bluish-fronted Jacamar is a more widespread member of the family in Peru, found in many edge habitats.
Very widespread but everywhere extraordinarily rare is the fabled Harpy Eagle; we could get this lucky.
Very widespread but everywhere extraordinarily rare is the fabled Harpy Eagle; we could get this lucky.
We’ll take a few night walks, where you never know what you’ll find – here an Amazonian Mottled Owl.
We’ll take a few night walks, where you never know what you’ll find – here an Amazonian Mottled Owl.
As we slowly walk through the forest, many other forms of life will draw our attention, such as this metalmark.
As we slowly walk through the forest, many other forms of life will draw our attention, such as this metalmark.
There are many confusing species of clearwing butterflies that flit in the forest understory.
There are many confusing species of clearwing butterflies that flit in the forest understory.
There is also a high diversity of mammals here, and we’ll pause in our birding to admire them, such as these Peruvian Spider Monkeys.
There is also a high diversity of mammals here, and we’ll pause in our birding to admire them, such as these Peruvian Spider Monkeys.
Photo credit: Rich Hoyer
Nov 2-13, 2026
Tour Price to be Determined
2028
Tour Price to be Determined
Maximum group size eight with one WINGS leader
Tour balances paid by check/bank transfer may carry a 4% discount

The rainforests of southeastern Peru have long been known as the most species-rich in the world. Starting in the mountainous regions of Cusco and Puno, several rivers drain off the Andes into the river called Madre de Dios—Mother of God—before joining waters flowing northeast out of Bolivia and eventually making their way down to the Amazon River. 

On their way to the Amazon, these rivers pass through Manu National Park and the Los Amigos Conservation Concession, huge areas of protected forest that abut even larger areas of wild, if at present unprotected, land. We’ll visit two lodges in this watershed, both on the Madre de Dios itself. We’ll cover an amazing variety of habitats, from open riverbanks to closed oxbow lakes and from seasonally flooded forest to tall upland forest well above the rivers. We’ll also sample the area’s high concentration of bamboo-dominated forest, which has a whole host of its own specialists. Topping off the list will be visits to a dirt bank used by hundreds of parrots and macaws each morning as well as a canopy platform to see the world from a unique angle. Besides birds, we’ll have a chance to look for several exciting mammals, such as Giant Otter, while also taking time to observe the myriad reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and other invertebrates, enriching the entire natural history experience.  

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Maximum group size eight with one WINGS leader

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