Puerto Maldonado, capital of the department of Madre de Dios, is one of the most important cities of the southern jungle of Peru. It seats on the banks of the Madre de Dios river, which connects with Rivera Alto in Bolivia and Assis in Brazil. Virgen forests cover 98% of its territory. For adventure lovers, Puerto Maldonado is a virgin and frontier land full of mysteries.
The department’s capital is a dynamic, young and bustling frontier city. The main economic activities are foresting and gold panning, although farming and the ecological tourism are being developed. The city is the jumping off point for the surrounding nature reserves.

Main Tourist Attractions

Manu National Reserve
Covering 1,881,000 hectares of government-protected land Manu has the largest and most varied biodiversity on the planet. It contains more plant and animal species than any other park of its kind, including some that have become extinct in other regions and other that have only recently been discovered. Covering 1,881,000 hectares of government-protected land Manu has the largest and most varied biodiversity on the planet. It contains more plant and animal species than any other park of its kind, including some that have become extinct in other regions and other that have only recently been discovered.

Tambopata-Candamo National Reserve
Covers 1,478,000 hectares. Scientists here have recorded the existence of 750 species of birds, over 1,100 types of butterfly, 181 dry land tree species and 155 alluvial forest species, many species of monkeys, as well as giant otters and four classes of feline. . Covers 1,478,000 hectares. Scientists here have recorded the existence of 750 species of birds, over 1,100 types of butterfly, 181 dry land tree species and 155 alluvial forest species, many species of monkeys, as well as giant otters and four classes of feline.

Cusco Amazonian Reserve
Covers 10,000 hectares containing a wide range of wild animals and many different species of trees and aquatic plants.. Covers 10,000 hectares containing a wide range of wild animals and many different species of trees and aquatic plants.

Lake Sandoval
Located an hour by launch from Puerto Maldonado on the right bank of the Madre de Dios River, this beautiful lake is surrounded by tall aguaje palms and provides a haven for ducks, parrots, turtles, caimans, otters, crocodiles, herons, and numerous species of fish. The lake is reached following a shaded trail inland from the river for about 5 km.. Located an hour by launch from Puerto Maldonado on the right bank of the Madre de Dios River, this beautiful lake is surrounded by tall aguaje palms and provides a haven for ducks, parrots, turtles, caimans, otters, crocodiles, herons, and numerous species of fish. The lake is reached following a shaded trail inland from the river for about 5 km.

Lake Valencia
Located four hours by launch along the Madre de Dios from Puerto Maldonado, this lake is almost on the border with Bolivia and is even richer in river animals and birds than Lake Sandoval.. Located four hours by launch along the Madre de Dios from Puerto Maldonado, this lake is almost on the border with Bolivia and is even richer in river animals and birds than Lake Sandoval.