Expect the unexpected!
We used Adventure Life to schedule our trip to the Tambopata Research Center as they easily scheduled our flights and the 2 extra days in Lima. Great job Erin and Sullivan!
We chose the 5 day 6 night adventure with the first night at Refugio Amazonas and the remainder at TRC. I have to say our trip was fabulous due to our very knowledgeable guide. Sorry to you other travelers out there but our guide Cesar was the BEST!!! As nature enthusiasts we selected the Amazon for the tropical birds and Cesar did not disappoint us. We saw 105 different birds in the 5 day period along with the 7 different monkeys, reptiles and insects. Cesar would call to the birds sometimes using his own voice and other times using his I-Pod. One night he called a Screech owl for us and it came in to a tree just above our heads. If you want to take pictures make sure you bring at least a 400mm lens…I only had a 300 and so most shots were too far away.
We expected to see the Macaws and other birds at the lick and did not expect to see a Jaguar. We did not know this was the low season for the licks so did not see Macaws at the lick and since the second arrival of guests saw a Jaguar on the riverbank coming in we did not expect to see a second Jaguar. But guess what at a beautiful overlook at TRC Cesar spotted a Jaguar casually crossing the low part of the river from the mainland onto the island. It was a huge beautiful animal…since the sighting happened in a matter of seconds we didn’t get a chance to take photos but it is something we will never forget. And as if that wasn’t enough on a night walk Cesar spotted an Ocelot… it happened so fast but we did get to see its eyes glowing among the jungle flora. So how could we be disappointed???
After reading other reviews we did not expect luxurious accommodations. The rooms were simple with comfortable beds and open to nature. We loved it! We got a kick out of the three Macaws who came to visit us.
We thought the food was delicious and the presentation lovely. Given the fact we are miles into the jungle we did not expect gourmet food and elaborate presentations. There was always plenty to eat.
If you are nature enthusiasts you must have this experience it is simply amazing! The other nice thing is you meet some wonderful people who have the same interests.

We spent 4 nights on the Tambopata River, the first at Refugio Amazonias and then 5 hours further upstream at TRC. We had a wonderful time roaming around the jungle in gum boots provided by TRC with our wonderful guide Delford who delighted in finding all manner of wildlife for us to see from small insects to frogs, monkeys, birds to plant life. Although May is the low season for the appearance of parrots at the clay lick we still saw plenty of bird life action around the jungle. Capybara families, caymans, turtles and native pigs all made an appearance. Comfortable rooms, great food, macaws visiting for a breakfast raid (that is not encouraged by the researchers) and lounging around in hammocks. It was with great reluctance that we returned to civilization again. A must do for all nature lovers.

It may be highly rated, but our three nights there were very disappointing. The food was tasteless, poorly presented and boring. Breakfasts were only marginally better. The cook (was there one?) definitely needs to go back to school. Bar service was poor (no Pisco Sour because of lack of ice). Lodge ran out of gas so cold showers only. Forget the clay-licks in May, although you will be taken out there before sun-rise just in case a parrot has his/her calendar mixed up. There is nothing around at that time of the year I think. All in all the place looked terribly understaffed and poorly managed. On the bright side the guides are very good and worth a special recommendation. The lodge also offers a good selection of bad-weather gear.