Review: Tambopata River Night Boat Tour from Puerto Maldonado

So, you are possibly thinking about adding a night boat tour on the Tambopata River to your Peru adventure, and I mean, who wouldn’t be? The Amazon at night? Sounds pretty epic. We gave it a shot during our visit to Puerto Maldonado, and I thought I’d give you the rundown on what it was like, so you can make the call if it is up your alley. That way, you’ll know just what to prepare for, from the possible wildlife sightings to the general vibe of being on the water when the sun goes down.

What is the Tambopata River Night Boat Tour?

Well, basically, the Tambopata River night boat tour involves gliding along the Tambopata River in a motorized canoe. You see, it is something that happens once it is totally dark to spot creatures that usually show their faces only when it is nighttime. Usually, the boats are fitted out with spotlights, which the guide uses to try and find animals on the riverbanks and in the water. The guides are very used to knowing where certain critters usually hang out, which means they have a decent chance of spotting something! It is usually pretty quiet other than the buzz of the motor and the jungle noises, so it’s almost super peaceful, in a way. Tours generally run for a few hours, taking you a short distance up or down the river from Puerto Maldonado.

What Can You Expect to See?

So, what is everybody really wondering? What animals are you likely to see? Arguably, the most sought-after sighting would be the caiman, that being the Amazonian crocodilian. During the tour, the guide uses a spotlight to search along the riverbanks, hoping to catch the reflective glow of their eyes. It’s really kind of thrilling when they actually spot one. You might even spot other creatures, like capybaras, which are like the biggest rodents you have ever seen, or maybe some night birds that perch along the shoreline. Of course, what you will see can vary a bit based on the time of year, the weather, and frankly, a bit of luck. Yet the guides are usually pretty good at finding something cool to look at.

Our Experience on the River at Night

Okay, so, speaking from my own view, being out on the Tambopata River at night was certainly very memorable. The darkness just surrounds you. Like, the sounds of the rainforest come alive in a totally different way. At first, it can be a bit spooky, in a way, when the boat is heading along and the guide is pointing the spotlight. But, as I was saying, the guide spotted a couple of caiman, which was really pretty awesome to view. We got really close. We did not spot a ton of wildlife that evening, though it was really neat just being out there and experiencing the jungle environment after dark.

Tips for a Great Night Boat Tour

If you are thinking this tour is totally your thing, there are some things you can do that, you know, will possibly make it even better. Bring bug spray with a high DEET percentage, just because the mosquitos can get to you even once the sun goes down. Layering is usually the best plan, since the temperature may change a bit when you are on the river. If you have a decent zoom camera or binoculars, bring them so you can get a good view of the wildlife without disturbing it too much. Most importantly, just go in with realistic expectations; as I was saying, you may not spot a ton of animals, yet the overall experience can still be pretty magical.

Is the Tambopata River Night Tour Worth It?

Okay, here is the million-dollar inquiry: Should you actually do this? In general, I feel it depends on what you are into. You see, if spotting a lot of wildlife is important to you, possibly, you would be happier with a daytime tour. Yet, if experiencing the atmosphere of the Amazon rainforest at night sounds really, very exciting, then I do feel that this excursion will not let you down. Just being out there under the stars, listening to the jungle, is really quite amazing. I feel it is a very worthwhile adventure for someone who loves the environment.