Amazon: Tambopata or Manu?

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fortfun
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Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:31 pm

Amazon: Tambopata or Manu?

Post by fortfun »

Looking at a week in the Amazon while we are in Peru and Ecudar. Which would you recommend?
2babogle
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:55 am

Re: Amazon: Tambopata or Manu?

Post by 2babogle »

I know I won't be of any help because when I read the title I assumed this was a discussion of two made up Chinese brand names commonly found on Amazon.com!
Penguins4ever
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2019 2:02 am

Re: Amazon: Tambopata or Manu?

Post by Penguins4ever »

fortfun wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:25 pm Looking at a week in the Amazon while we are in Peru and Ecudar. Which would you recommend?
TL;DR My vote is Tambopata, and if you enjoy it, consider returning for Manu, but based on a while ago, so may be different. Make sure to see a parrot clay lick!

My heart jumped when I saw your message, couldn't help but reply :)

I was in the Tambopata about 13 years ago. I chose it because flying into/out of Puerto Maldonado was much easier (quick flight from Cusco) than the very long and seemingly dicey trip into Manu. I hope it's improved but I imagine that can have consequences too, since both areas are so delicate. Back then it took many many hours to reach Manu, with risks of roads being unnavigable.

A lot will depend on the lodge you stay in and what they offer. My lodge was not that far from Puerto Maldonado, but felt like a world away from civilization (or whatever Puerto Maldonado is, not a place I wanted to linger in...) but the activities and how demanding physically you can have it be will guide you a lot, since many places Tailor 3,4,5+ day trips with activites.

Not knowing anyone who had been before or what to expect, I absolutely loved my time there. Going to see a parrot clay lick was an expérience that i'll never forget. Highly recommend it in either place.

From my lodge (Corto Maltés, again, this was a while ago now, so make sure to do your research) in/near Tambopata, I had a simple, but fantastic experience and the price offered excellent value, with pre-planned activity layout based on days, but I was able to change my activities to best match what I wanted. I liked being close to a clay lick, Lago Sandoval, Taricaya animal Rescue center, canopy walks, night hikes, caiman trips, all without excessive hassle to get there... I remember seeing some illegal mining in the area, I hope it's stopped, but fear it might just spread.

While I haven't seen Manu, I'm sure it is spectacular as well. For a first timer in the Amazon, I think I would recommend Tambopata might be a better choice if you don't know how you will like the climate, which is difficult to handle at times, remoteness, the bugs, and other creatures (you are in dense jungle). From the moment I arrived I regretted not maxing out the potential days, it's just so special.

Have an awesome trip, whatever choose. Don't forget, choose a place with a clay lick excursion offered, and even if it's an early rise, do it! I think Tambopata is more green parrots, I've seen pictures of walls of scarlet macaws in Manu. Both are fascinating displays of nature, but can be long and hard to get to, depending on lodge. Just a spectacular but fleeting display of nature and how things are balanced that rewards patience and work to get there. The trip sparked a passionate love of birding in me I still have today. Enjoy!

P.S. (as if I haven't said enough, look into Mindo when in Ecuador)
bobn60014
Posts: 542
Joined: Tue May 21, 2024 6:59 pm

Re: Amazon: Tambopata or Manu?

Post by bobn60014 »

2babogle wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 10:10 pm I know I won't be of any help because when I read the title I assumed this was a discussion of two made up Chinese brand names commonly found on Amazon.com!
+1, adding trip in the title would help.
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