Explorer's Inn

Cusco Office: Plateros 365, Cusco, Peru

Telephone: (51 84) 235 342

Main Office (bookings): Alcanflores No. 459, Miraflores, PO Box 10088, Lima, Peru

Telephone: (51 1) 447 8888 / 9475

Web Site: www.peruviansafaris.com

The Tambopata Reserve

The Tambopata Reserve Zone (TRZ) is located close to Cusco, in the south-eastern Peruvian, province of Madre de Dios, encompassing an area of 55 sq. km of undisturbed subtropical moist forest.
Research over the last two decades has shown that the TRZ has the greatest diversity of wildlife yet discovered in the world.  It has more species of birds (595 species), butterflies (over 1200 species) and  many other animal groups than  any other location of its size on earth (Guinness Book of Records).  This exceptional diversity is due to its privileged location at the meeting point of lowland Amazon forest with three other ecosystems, including Andean foothills, dry forest and pampas savannah.  At least seven major forest types can be distinguished at the TRZ. Because of its unique features, in 1977, this area was set aside as a Reserved Zone by the Peruvian Government prohibiting any hunting and lumber cutting.  In 1997 the 14,780 sq. km Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone (now known as the Tambopata Nature Reserve) was created which encompasses the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park created in 1996.

On the edge of the Tambopata Reserve Zone, 58km up the Tambopata river from the town of Puerto Maldonado, is the Explorer's Inn, a tourist lodge which is also one of the main research centres for scientific work in the Amazon basin.
The Explorer's Inn, built in 1977, is a complex of seven separated thatched roof bungalows constructed around a central hexagonal building.  It has 30 large screen protected twin bed rooms.  Each room with its private bath.  The design, though modern and comfortable, retains a typical jungle style.  All lighting is by candle light, to retain a natural atmosphere, with exception of the dining area which can be illuminated by solar energy if so wished.  An excellent network of approx. 30 kms of well marked trails depart from the lodge in several directions linking it with the TRZ's main attractions including several ox-bow lakes.
Biologist and/or ecologists of all nationalities form part of the Explorer's Inn permanent staff working as specialized guides for the visitors.  The lodge provides its guests with a small reference library to enable them to learn more about what they see.  There is a small garden with medicinal plants on the lodge's grounds.  A solar energy powered radio system links the lodge with its headquarters in Lima and Puerto Maldonado.
The Explorer's Inn gives its visitors a superb opportunity  to learn about the Amazon rainforest and the importance of its conservation in a magic and natural setting.  Its informal and warm atmosphere is ideal for explorers, wildlife and bird watchers, photographers, researchers, students and adventurers, or just people who enjoy nature at its best and want to escape the modern world for a while.
The Explorer's Inn is also the gateway to the "Colpa de Guacamayos" Macaw Clay Lick located further up the Tambopata river.  The National Geographic Magazine published an article of it in 1995.

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Andean Travel Web Guide to Peru. Office Address: La Casa Cultural, Avenida Pardo 540, Cusco, Peru (just 2 minutes walk from the Koricancha Inca Temple of the Sun). If you are coming to Cusco please bring a couple of second hand clothes, toys, school equipment and drop them off in our office. We will help distribute the items to people who really need them in small village schools and communities in the Andes. For more details visit our web page www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/projects  A map of our office can be found by clicking here.  Copyright Andean Travel Web Guide to Peru 2000-2008. All material used within this web site is original work and is subject to international copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the editor. This web page was last updated in April 2008.