Refugio Amazonas

Overview

Description

Refugio Amazonas is located four hours upriver from Puerto Maldonado in the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. The lodge is ideal for a 3-4 day visit to enjoy nature and learn about local Amazonian culture. Guests can choose from several adventure activities such as kayaking, canopy tours, bicycle rides, and fishing.

Refugio Amazonas is a great place for a family vacation - teenagers can enjoy adventures and children can have fun while they learn about the rainforest on our interpretative trails.

The adjoining Tambopata National Reserve and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, within in the department of Madre de Dios in southeastern Peru, encompass an area that is 1.5 times the size of Costa Rica. These conservation units protect more than 3.7 million acres (1.5 million hectares) of diverse habitats that include the Andean foothills and the lowlands of the Amazon basin. Holding one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world, the region is home to healthy populations of species that require large ranges such as the jaguar, giant river otter, tapir, macaw, and harpy eagle.

The 680,000-acre (275,000-hectare) Tambopata National Reserve is dedicated to the protection of flora and fauna and spectacular landscapes, and the sustainable use of its natural resources. The Reserve harbors more than 1,300 species of birds including 32 species of parrots (10% of world’s parrot population), 200 species of mammals, 90 species of amphibians, and 10,000 species of vascular plants.

Rooms

32

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 16

Percentage of local employees: 89%

Rainforest Expeditions manages three lodges in Tambopata: Posada Amazonas, the Tambopata Research Center, and Refugio Amazonas. In addition to the staff employed by the lodge, Rainforest Expeditions works with 35 to 40 guides who provide tours to guests at the three lodges. Fifty percent of our guides are local.

By involving local farmers and gatherers, Refugio Amazonas contributes to the sustainable development of local communities. As well, the lodge hires local people from the local community of Infierno, who have received training at Posada Amazonas.

For the past two years, Rainforest Expeditions has participated in the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable tourism program.

Rates

$150 and up

$150 and up per night. Rates include lodging, meals, transportation, activities, and guides.

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.perunature.com/rates (available in English, German and Spanish).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Lima (LIM)

Nearest local/national airport: Puerto Maldonado (PEM)

Travel time to nearest airport: 4 hours

You can reach Puerto Maldonado in 90 minutes by plane from Lima or 45 minutes from Cuzco.

Refugio Amazonas is a four-hour trip from Puerto Maldonado – one hour by bus and three hours by boat.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

Rainforest Expeditions, the company that owns Posada Amazonas, was the winner of the following awards and recoginitions:

• Latin American Travel Association's Customer Service Award, 2011.
• Finalist in the Tourism for Tomorrow awards, 2008.
• "Highly recommended" by Travel 2006.
• TO DO! 2005.
• Finalist in the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Equator Initiative.
• Best Ecotourism Tour Operator Award, July 2000.
• Conservation International's Excellence in Ecotourism, July 2000.

Date This Information Was Provided

July 2012.

Photos courtesy of Refugio Amazonas, Peru, for SustainableTrip.org.