Preparation and packing guide for your Tambopata visit
07 November 2020 (1216 visits)Tambopata is a rainforest destination that travelers who love the natural world and who are planning a Peru vacation or South America holiday should add to their Cusco and Machu Picchu itinerary. Travelers visiting Tambopata can expect contact with nature, including wildlife observation, and birdwatching.
The average annual temperature of Tambopata’s humid subtropical is 26°C, with peaks and lows between 38°C and 10°C. And although the rainy season runs from October to March, it can rain at any time of year, even during the height of the dry season, from June to August.
This means that, even if you choose to visit Tambopata on one of our all-inclusive full board packages, good preparation is the key to a rainforest experience that will be memorable for all the right reasons. When you plan your Tambopata visit, be sure to prepare well and pack everything you’ll need. And if you have any doubts about how to prepare, don’t hesitate to contact one of our own travel experts.
All travel requires early preparation and insider knowledge, and this is particularly true when traveling in the rainforests of South America, perhaps the most exotic travel destination on the planet. When you visit Tambopata, you’ll need to be prepared for the presence of mosquitoes and other insects, the ever-present possibility of intermittent showers or heavy rain, intense sunshine and heat, and –above all- high humidity.
When you visit Tambopata, you will travel partly by road, but mostly by motorized canoe, and you will be walking on muddy trails that may be partially flooded at times. A heavy duty duffle bag is the best luggage option for your gear, plus a daypack for your daily rainforest excursions. Reputable eco-lodges like our own Tambopata Ecolodge provide their guests with canvas duffle bags for transferring their gear from Puerto Maldonado to the lodge.
While it’s always good to travel light, make sure you pack everything you will need during your eco-lodge stay and Amazon forest excursions. First and foremost, remember that along with heat and high humidity comes the presence of insects. In the rainforest, insects are just a fact of life, accounting for more than 90% of animal species. So, make sure you pack a good quality insect repellent, as well as long-sleeved –preferably breathable- shirts, and long trousers.
When the sun goes down, in the rainforest temperatures can drop significantly. But this does not mean a lessening of insect activity. Insects tend to be most active at sunrise and sundown. That is why at our own Tambopata Ecolodge, all our facilities are screened against insects, and beds are fitted with mosquito nets. Make sure your mosquito net is covering your bed completely before you go to sleep! And when you get up the next morning, check your footwear for any tiny unwelcome guests before you put it on! Also, remember that as part of your rainforest itinerary, you won’t just be sleeping at night. Your experienced naturalist guide will be inviting you to explore the nighttime forest, so be sure to pack a flashlight or –better still- a headlamp.
And when you’re out on guided excursions, make sure you pack everything you’ll need for the day. Items in your daypack should include sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, a hat or cap, waterproof raingear, a warm jacket for early mornings on the river, and of course your camera, to capture all those special moments and wildlife sightings. And if you enjoy birdwatching, take along a good pair of binoculars. By following these simple insider tips, you’ll be sure to get the most from your Tambopata ecotourism jungle adventure!
