During our 2025 visit to Peru, we spent 3 nights in an Eco-Lodge deep in the Amazon rainforests of southeastern Peru. Access was by boat traveling up the Tambopata River from a river landing one hour from the town of Puerto Maldonado. There are no roads where this lodge is located.
We spent our time here exploring the immediate region by boat and hiking along jungle trails.
A House Along the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
A House Along the Tambopata River. A locally-built river boat is moored at the foot of the river landing.
Oxbow Lake Off the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
An oxbow lake, formed by a change in the path of the Tambopata River. This lake is protected as part of the Cocha Tres Chimbadas Nature Reserve.
A Typical Passenger Boat Along the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
A Typical Passenger Boat Along the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru. These boats are designed to carry about 30 passengers. They are built with composite hulls and typically use a 45HP outboard for propulsion.
Side-Necked Turtles Along the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
Side-Necked Turtles Along the Tambopata River. This particular species of turtles are unique as they cannot pull their heads back into their shells. They can only swing their heads to one side of their shell.
Stern Sculling Our Catamaran Boat in Southeastern Peru
Our boat captain, an indigenous member of the local Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno, propels our boat by sculling. Boat engines are banned here because they discharge oils into the waters which in this environment would cause harm to local wildlife.
River Landing at the Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge in Peru
The river Landing at the Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge in Peru. Our guide explained that the water level of the Tambopata River varies widely between peak rainy season and peak dry season. We visited at the tail end of the rainy season. Our guide explained that three weeks earlier the river was almost ten feet higher. By end of the rainy season it would only be a narrow stream about 50 feet wide.
Bird of Paradise Flower
Bird of Paradise Flower, one of several species of this plant in the tropical jungle.
Early Morning on the Tambopata River of Southeastern Peru
Early Morning on the Tambopata River of Southeastern Peru
Giant River Otter in an Oxbow Lake of the Tambopata River
The oxbow lake off the Tambopata River is home to giant river otters. These are another rainforest endangered species due to habitat loss. They only live in protected lakes such as this oxbow lake.
Giant River Otter in an Oxbow Lake of the Tambopata River
The oxbow lake off the Tambopata River is home to giant river otters. These are another rainforest endangered species due to habitat loss. They only live in protected lakes such as this oxbow lake.
Tropical Birds on an Oxbow Lake of the Tambopata River
Tropical Birds on an Oxbow Lake of the Tambopata River
Sunset on the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
Sunset on the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
Sunset on the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
Sunset on the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
Our Room at the Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge in Peru
Our Room at the Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge. Notice the open exterior wall with only a railing separating us from the jungle. Upon check-in, we were advised to keep all snack foods in a locked cabinet in our room, else monkeys might pull a raid.
Winnie Shows off A Cacao Bean - Source of Chocolate
Winnie shows off a chunk of a cacao pod, which is the source of chocolate. In this pod, the whitish pulp is edible raw, while the seeds are roasted and ground into a powder which becomes the basis of chocolate. We were visiting a demonstration farm in the Amazon rainforest of Peru.
Picking a Cacao Pod in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru
Our rainforest tour guide picks a cacao bean from a tree on a demonstration farm in the Amazon rainforest of Peru. These beans are used to create chocolate.
Sunset on the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
Sunset on the Tambopata River in Southeastern Peru
Our Room at the Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge in Peru
Our Room at the Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge. Notice the open exterior wall with only a railing separating us from the jungle. Upon check-in, we were advised to keep all snack foods in a locked cabinet in our room, else monkeys might pull a raid. The hammock was very comfortable for naps.
The Dining Room at Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge in Peru
The Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge is a collection of buildings connected by open walkways. Given that is rained every day we were there, at the tail end of the rainy season, we used umbrellas while walking between buildings. This is the lovely dining room. All food served was locally sourced by local farmers.
The Spa Room at Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge in Peru
The Posada Amazonas Jungle Lodge is a collection of buildings connected by open walkways. This room was the lodge's wellness center, a massage room. Given that is rained every day we were there, at the tail end of the rainy season, we used umbrellas while walking between buildings.
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