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 that are primarily for sport or entertainment—such as zip‑lines and canopy walks—and we do not visit attractions with questionable ethics, including places like Monkey Island, where a few pet monkeys are overfed daily by tourists, or staged “native family” visits that are not genuine.
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 recommended.
- Sandals or flip‑flops: Ideal for boat rides and inside the lodge (shoes are not allowed indoors).
- Hat or cap with a string: The wind on the boat can easily blow it away.
- Plastic rain poncho: Rain jackets do not work well in the rainforest; ponchos are the best option.
- Long socks: Useful for the rubber boots we provide during the rainy season.
- Reusable water bottle: We provide filtered, treated water for refills. We avoid single‑use plastics.
- Windbreaker: Humidity can make clothing feel cold, especially during windy boat rides.
- Long and short clothing: Shorts for the lodge; long sleeves and 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 is **degraded and wildlife is limited
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When Is the Best Time to Travel to the Amazon?
The Amazon has only two seasons: dry and rainy. In our experience, rain rarely prevents excursions. Each season has its own beauty and challenges, and both are excellent for visiting.
In Which Season Can We See More Animals?
Because temperatures do not change drastically and there are no droughts, Amazonian animals do not migrate. They are present year‑round. Some species are easier to see in the dry season, others in the rainy season, but overall the chances of seeing wildlife are the same throughout the year.
How Easy Is It to See Wildlife?
Wildlife is unpredictable, but certain habitats—especially oxbow lakes—are home to animals that are commonly seen. At lakes like Condenado and Sachavacayoc, you can observe several monkey species, caimans, abundant birdlife, and have high chances of seeing giant otters and even anacondas.
At Finca Sachavacayoc, it is common to see large groups of monkeys passing through the gardens, sometimes up to five species at once.
The Amazon can be frustrating if you visit the wrong places, and extraordinary if you visit the right ones. “In the Amazon, it is not about where you go—it is about who you go with.”
Is Malaria a Problem? Should I Take Malaria Tablets?
The area where we operate has not reported a malaria case in 25 years. There are no cases in the entire region. Malaria is not native to the Amazon; it was introduced in the 15th century by Europeans who had contracted it in Asia. It is not found in Amazon wildlife.
The best protection against biting insects is a good DEET repellent. Malaria is carried by humans and transmitted by certain mosquitoes, not by animals.
Is the Yellow Fever Vaccine Necessary?
Depending on your home country, your government may require the vaccine upon your return. The Peruvian government has not required the yellow fever vaccine since 2002. The previous requirement was part of an eradication effort, not because the disease posed a significant risk.
Where Is the Best Place to See Monkeys? What About Monkey Island?
The best places to see monkeys in the Tambopata National Reserve are oxbow lakes such as Condenado, Tres Chimbadas, and Sachavacayoc. Up to seven species live freely in these areas and are completely indifferent to humans.
In many parts of the Amazon, monkeys fear humans because farmers hunt them. Monkey Island is a small river island where 2–4 pet monkeys are fed by tourists. They can become aggressive if not given food. These are spoiled, captive monkeys, and we do not visit this place for ethical reasons. The name “Monkey Island” is used mainly as marketing hype.
What About Kayaking, Zip‑Lining, and Canopy Walking?
In areas with minimal wildlife, operators promote sport activities. When a tour highlights these activities, it usually means wildlife sightings will be limited.
If you want fun group activities, these tours may suit you. If you want authentic wildlife experiences, we are the right choice.
Zip‑lines and canopy walks are unregulated, often without insurance or legal protection in case of accidents.
What Happens If My Flight Is Delayed?
We will wait for you, no matter what. We track flights on our side and will reschedule shuttles and logistics as needed. You do not need to notify us.
How Much Luggage Can We Bring?
We recommend bringing only what you need for your stay at the lodge. Wheeled luggage is not suitable for our transport, and we do not provide porters. Backpacks or duffels are best. We can lend duffels if needed. Your main luggage will be stored at our headquarters.
How Easy Is It to See Anacondas or Jaguars?
The best place to look for anacondas is our exclusive Condenado Lake 2, inside the Tambopata National Reserve. The chance of seeing them is 20%, the highest in the Peruvian Amazon.
Jaguars are more difficult. The best opportunities are during boat navigation along the Tambopata River. Currently, the chance of seeing jaguars is 5%. Until 2018, sightings were around 60% due to the large population of white‑lipped peccaries, one of the jaguar’s main prey. When peccaries exhausted their food supply, they migrated—an extremely rare event—and jaguars dispersed as well.
Some operators still use outdated data to promote high jaguar‑sighting chances, but this is no longer accurate.
What if I want to do more activities but I don’t want free time?
Our itineraries are already very comprehensive and designed to maximize wildlife viewing by visiting the areas with the highest probability of sightings. If you wish to add activities that are not included in the itinerary, please consider the following:
We strictly respect national labor laws. The itinerary defines the working hours of our guides, and they also need time to rest. Additional activities may require overtime or hiring a second guide, both of which involve extra costs. These costs may include guide fees, additional entrance fees to attractions, and extra operational expenses. All additional activities are subject to availability and must be coordinated directly with your guide.
My flight arrives at 8:00 am and departs at 5:00 pm. Can I go straight to the lodge and leave late?
Because this is a shared service, we must wait for all participants arriving that day. The latest flight we expect—and recommend—is the one arriving at 12:45 pm from Cusco. In remote locations, customized transportation is not possible.
We must also respect the lodge’s check‑in and check‑out times, which operate similarly to hotel schedules. Our itineraries are designed to begin between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, which is the ideal time to navigate the river and observe wildlife. This is, by far, the best time to start a tour in the Amazon.
You are welcome to take earlier or later flights, and we will fully assist you until the tour begins. However, the tour itself must start at the scheduled time to ensure the best possible experience.
Do you offer air conditioning (AC)?
Remote jungle lodges are located far from the electrical grid to remain close to wildlife hotspots. Because we must generate our own energy through solar power or generators, high‑consumption equipment like air conditioning is not feasible.
Some lodges may offer one or two AC rooms, but they typically charge extremely high prices without providing additional value. Hotels near the city can offer AC because they are connected to the regular electrical grid.
We are one of the few remote lodges that provide ceiling fans in all rooms and common areas and are powered entirely by solar energy. Installing AC would require hundreds of solar panels, dozens of high‑capacity lithium batteries, insulated cabin redesigns, and nightly rates of at least $1,000 USD, which is not realistic in the current market.
More Questions?
If you need further clarification or have additional questions, feel free to email us at reservas@toursjunglepro.com. The more questions, the better!