ABOUT TAMBOPATA CANDAMO RESERVED ZONE

The Tambopata Candamo Reserved Zone (TCRZ) is a 3.7 million acre reserve in southeastern Peru created in 1990 to protect the biological diversity of the entire watersheds of the Tavara and the Candamo Rivers and most of the watershed of the Tambopata River.

Over 1,300 bird species (including 32 parrot species - 10% of the world's total), 200 mammal species, 90 frog species, 1,200 butterfly species, 600 leaf beetles and 10,000 species of higher plants are within the zone. One of the four top commercial Macaw Licks are within the zone, next to the Tambopata Research Center and Lodge. Within the area are several native groups, including the Ese'eja native community, have been actively enlisted to help preserve the remaining wild populations.

Visiting Tambopata-Candamo is easier than Manu - easier to get there, easier once there - and yet still a stunning wildlife experience in addition to rainforest experience.

Gateway to Tambopata-Candamo is Puerto Maldonado, with daily air service from Lima via Cuzco. Flights are early morning to and from Puerto Maldonado, allowing a good first day in the rainforest and a very early morning on departure day. While the commercial 727 flight does not have luggage restrictions, as does Twin Otter service Cuzco-Boca Manu, you will still want to use a small duffel-type bag as it still will be carried, and lifted and moved many times over slick trails, in and out of boats. Traditional suitcases are simply not sensible in the rainforest.

Here are the lodges that LADATCO sells in this area:

1. Posada Amazonas (either alone or in conjunction with Tambopata Research Center)
2. Tambopata Research Center (only in conjunction with Posada Amazonas)
3. Sandoval Lake Lodge
4. Heath River Wildlife Reserve (alone or in conjunction with Sandoval Lake Lodge)
5. Reserva Amazonica

Only Tambopata Research Center is in the Tambopata Candamo Reserved Zone. The other lodges are located in the general area.