The rich Amazon basin is alive with native plant and animal life. Be prepared to be adventurous and experience the Amazon Jungle.

The Tambopata Candamo Nature Reserve is on the banks of the Tambopata River, slit between the Peruvian regions of Puno and Madre Dios. The reserve is home to an immense number of plant and animal species that live in a tightly knit and protected eco-system.

Visitors are startled by the richness of the jungle area; the colors, the sounds and the diversity. It is a sharp contrast to the city area of Peru and the world where many visitors come from.

This uniqueness is what has drawn people to the Amazon region and encouraged its protection. There are however a range of economic activities that exist in the area, primarily tourism.

The growth in tourism is a good way to provide a sustainable income for local people, without the commercial exploitation of the natural resources. Illegal logging and then in turn, using cleared land for cattle farming has a detrimental effect on the wider eco-system.
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Tourism on the other hand encourages the protection of the area, and has a much lesser environmental impact. Many of the tourist lodges are isolated, ecologically managed and run, using solar power and sustainable low impact techniques.

Also tourists want to visit areas of outstanding natural beauty, which provides the primary incentive for protection and conservation.

The locations of the lodges are also a disincentive to illegal activity as the lodges are aware of local activity, acting almost as look outs.

The Madre Dios region is home to about 25 registered lodges, 11 of these are in the reserves surrounding buffer zone, with 2 actually located inside the reserve.

Tourists to the reserve are required to pay a flat fee for entrance. This money goes towards conservation of the reserve as well as people that work to protect it, providing an alternative income source for the local population.

The lodges in the reserve provide a number of activities that encourage visitors to explore the great jungle. The lodges are surrounded by a great many of trails to different jungle sites. Most lodges are near to the river, so offer boat trips to various places such as the Tres Chimbadas Lake, to macaw clay licks and other wildlife hot spots.

You can also arrange a number of adventure activities such as rafting, kayaking and zip wiring. You may even like to try swimming in the river, contrary to belief piranhas are unlikely to bite and the only people at risk would be women during the menstrual cycle (the fish are attracted to blood).

The best time to visit is between June and October, which is the dry season. The rainy season means the rainforest is wet, and many of the bugs and insects are more active at this time. The only bad thing about dry season is that river travel takes much longer as the flow of water is much slower.

To make the most of your trip, make sure you visit with a guide who can explain the local region and ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit.