Questions about Tours

Why Real Nature Tours?

Our tours are designed for travelers seeking authentic wildlife experiences in the Amazon. We focus exclusively on nature and animals in their true, wild habitat. We avoid activities designed primarily for sport or entertainment—such as zip-lines, kayaking, and canopy walks—and we do not visit attractions with questionable ethics. This includes places like Monkey Island, where a few pet monkeys are overfed daily by tourists, staged “native family” visits, commercialized “cultural trips,” or activities involving legal, safety, or moral concerns, such as Ayahuasca.

We understand these activities are widely offered, especially in tours sold locally. However, we are a tour operator for travelers who want a real Amazon experience, enhanced by exceptional wildlife viewing, comfortable transportation, and superior lodging in the most biodiverse region of Tambopata.

What to Bring

For all our tours, you will repack and bring only the essentials. Your main luggage will be safely stored at our office. Because luggage is carried by hand to the boat and rooms, please avoid wheeled suitcases—backpacks and duffels work best.

We do not provide assistance with carrying luggage.

Recommended items:

Mosquito repellent: 15% DEET spray works best. Natural repellents are usually ineffective.
Flashlight: Headlamps are recommended; these are mostly handy for night walks.
Plastic sandals or flip-flops: Ideal for boat rides and inside the lodge (shoes are not allowed indoors).
Hat or cap with a chin strap: High winds on the boat can easily blow hats away.
Plastic rain poncho: Rain jackets do not perform well in the rainforest regardless of brand; inexpensive disposable plastic ponchos ($1–$2 USD) are the best option.
Long socks: Useful for the rubber boots provided during the rainy season.
Reusable water bottle: We provide filtered, treated water for refills to avoid single-use plastics.
Windbreaker: High humidity can make boat rides feel cold and windy.
Long and short clothing: Shorts for the lodge; long sleeves and lightweight pants for hikes and boat trips.

Why Is Sandoval Lake So Popular?

Most tours sold online or locally operate along the Madre de Dios River, an area close to the city where the forest has been degraded due to intensive farming. As a result, wildlife is very limited, which is why sporting activities are often highlighted to keep guests entertained. Sandoval Lake is the main destination along the Madre de Dios River for seeing non-evasive wildlife, making it a generic stop offered by most tour operators.

The Tambopata River, where we are located, offers a completely different experience: capybaras everywhere, pristine oxbow lakes, and significantly higher chances of spotting rare or uncommon wildlife.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to the Amazon?

The Amazon has only two main seasons: dry and rainy. In our experience, rain rarely interferes with excursions. Each season offers its own unique beauty and advantages, making both excellent times to visit.

In Which Season Can We See More Animals?

Because temperatures remain relatively stable and there are no extreme droughts, Amazonian wildlife does not migrate. Animals are present year-round. While certain species may be easier to spot during specific months, overall opportunities for wildlife viewing remain consistent throughout the year.

How Easy Is It to See Wildlife?

While wildlife is inherently unpredictable, specific habitats—particularly oxbow lakes—are reliable hotspots for sightings. At lakes such as Condenado and Sachavacayoc, visitors frequently observe multiple monkey species, caimans, diverse birdlife, and have high chances of spotting giant river otters and anacondas.

At Finca Sachavacayoc, large groups of monkeys regularly pass through the lodge grounds, sometimes with up to five distinct species appearing simultaneously.

The Amazon can feel vast and quiet if you visit low-density areas, but remarkable when guided through high-biodiversity ecosystems: “In the Amazon, it’s not just where you go—it’s who you go with.”

Is Malaria a Risk? Should I Take Prophylactics?

Our operational area has not reported a single case of malaria in over 25 years, and there are currently no cases in the region.

Malaria is non-native to the Amazon—it was introduced in the 15th century and is transmitted exclusively between humans by specific mosquito species, not by wild animals. The most effective protection against local insect bites is a high-quality DEET insect repellent.

Is the Yellow Fever Vaccine Required?

The Peruvian government does not require the yellow fever vaccine for entry into this region (the previous requirement was part of a historic eradication campaign). However, entry or re-entry requirements may vary depending on your home country or subsequent travel destinations, so checking your local travel health guidelines is recommended.

Where Is the Best Place to See Monkeys? What About “Monkey Island”?

The optimal locations for viewing wild monkeys in the Tambopata National Reserve are oxbow lakes such as Condenado, Tres Chimbadas, and Sachavacayoc. Up to seven native species live freely here and are accustomed to peaceful observation.

We explicitly do not visit Monkey Island. This small river island features captive or semi-habituated pet monkeys that depend on hand-outs from tourists and can display defensive behavior. We avoid this location for ethical and animal welfare reasons, as the attraction functions primarily as commercial marketing rather than authentic wildlife conservation.

What About Kayaking, Zip-Lining, and Canopy Walks?

We do not do this.

In areas with lower wildlife density, tour operators frequently emphasize recreational sports to fill itineraries. Highlighting these activities often indicates that natural wildlife encounters will be minimal.

We do authentic wildlife observation: Our focus remains dedicated strictly to natural history and eco-guided excursions.

Additionally, many local zip-lines and canopy walks operate without standard safety oversight, regulatory licensing, or comprehensive liability coverage.

What Happens If My Flight Is Delayed?

We track incoming flights continuously. If your arrival is delayed, we will wait for you and adjust our shuttles and boat transfers accordingly—you do not need to worry about calling or notifying us while in transit. We will adapt to any variables!

How Much Luggage Can We Bring?

We recommend bringing only necessary items to the lodge in a backpack or soft duffel bag. Standard rolling suitcases are impractical for boat loading and forest trails, and porter service is not available.

High-capacity storage for excess luggage is provided free of charge at our city headquarters.
Duffel bags are available to borrow at our office if needed for repackaging.

How Likely Are We to See Anacondas or Jaguars?

Anacondas: The best location for tracking anacondas is Condenado Lake 2, located deep within the Tambopata National Reserve, where historical sighting rates average around 20%—among the highest in the Peruvian Amazon.
Jaguars: Sightings occur primarily along the banks of the Tambopata River during boat travel, with a current probability of around 5%. Sighting rates were historically higher (~60%) prior to 2018, when large herds of white-lipped peccaries (a primary food source) naturally migrated out of the immediate river corridor. We provide accurate, realistic expectations rather than outdated marketing statistics.

Can We Add Extra Excursions Outside the Standard Itinerary?

Our schedules are structured to optimize wildlife viewing during peak animal activity hours. If you wish to request custom or additional activities beyond the standard program, please note:

Labor Regulations & Guide Rest: We strictly enforce fair working hours and mandatory rest periods for our professional guides.
Additional Costs: Custom outings during off-hours require paying guide overtime or hiring an additional specialized guide, as well as paying supplemental park entry fees and operational transportation costs. Any additions are subject to guide availability and local conditions.

Can I Arrive Early or Depart Late Outside the Group Schedule?

Because our transfers operate as a shared service, group transport is synchronized around daily incoming flights (with the main group arriving on the flight from Cusco around 12:45 PM).

Check-in / Transfer Times: Main river departures take place between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, which aligns with optimal wildlife activity along the riverways.
Independent Schedules: You are welcome to book earlier arrival or later departure flights; our team will assist you upon arrival in town until the main departure time, but boat transport operates on the fixed daily group schedule.

Do the Lodge Rooms Have Air Conditioning (AC)?

Our lodge is located deep within primary forest, far removed from the municipal electrical grid. To minimize environmental impact and noise pollution, we operate on 100% solar energy.

Running high-draw appliances like air-conditioning compressors would require industrial generators or vast solar/battery arrays, significantly increasing environmental impact and pushing nightly rates above $2,000 USD.
Instead, we provide high-efficiency 24H ceiling fans powered by our solar system in all guest rooms and common areas, ensuring comfort while preserving the peaceful surroundings of the reserve.