Madre de Dios is home to endless forests, winding rivers, and abundant natural life. It is a reserve of flora and fauna, as well as a refuge for endangered species such as the maned wolf and the swamp deer.
Madre de Dios is a jungle, as extensive as the sea, but almost infinite green where one of the largest quantities of plant and animal species in the world live and are concentrated in harmony. It seems an untamed land, generous in natural, mineral, water, and tourist resources. It is one of those places that when you visit, you have the overwhelming feeling that nature is perfect and overwhelming. To think that this beautiful territory is part of Peru is a source of pride.
Its name is due to the Madre de Dios river that runs through it, as well as other waterways such as the Ucayali. Its capital, Puerto Maldonado, is on its banks, a place of intense heat, overwhelming greenery, and tasty dishes typical of the Peruvian jungle, in recent years with the promotion of the Amazonian products pantry, it has acquired a special attraction for lovers of good food and chocolate, because its cocoa is exceptional.
But the beauty of its national parks such as Manu and the Tambopata National Reserve has made it a destination for lovers of photography, observing animals in their natural habitats, as well as scholars of the biodiversity of the Amazon as well as people who they find in the jungle a fascinating place to connect with nature and rest, which does not exempt those who love adventure and adrenaline-pumping sports. Yes, Madre de Dios, it is one of the most attractive destinations in Peru to discover.
The department of Madre de Dios is located in the southeast of Peru, within the territory known as the Amazon Rainforest; and covers an area of 85,300. 54 Km2.
Madre de Dios is located in the Amazon region of southeastern Peru, on the border with Brazil and Bolivia. Puerto Maldonado is the capital of the Madre de Dios region. The city is located in Tambopata, one of the three provinces of the region.
The climate in Madre de Dios is quite hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30ºC or 77 to 86 ° F. However, in June and July, the temperature can drop due to the wind coming from the South. The rainy season usually begins in November and runs through April.
It is suggested to visit Puerto Maldonado, the capital of the region. You can visit the main square, eat at local restaurants and enjoy your time before or after your trip to the jungle.
Two popular natural parks are located in Madre de Dios and offer tourists the exciting possibility of discovering the Peruvian jungle: Manú National Park and Tambopata Natural Reserve.
At a tourist level, the department of Madre de Dios includes an important range of ecological attractions, among which we can mention:
It is located within the districts of Tambopata and Inambari. It was created in 1990 and covers an area of 15.5 million hectares. The cause of its protection is based on the fact that the Tambopata territory comprises one of the most complete demonstrations of the sub-tropical humid forest in the country. Within this reserve it is important to visit the Colorado Macaw Clay Lick in which these birds carry out their colpeo ceremony.
Private conservation area covering an area of 35.74 hectares. It was considered as a conservation area in 2010 with the purpose of favoring the preservation of the ecosystem found in the area as well as to function as a buffer zone for the Tambopata National Reserve.
It is located in the province of Tambopata and covers an area of 1,091,416 hectares. This was created as such with the intention of protecting the only portion of the Humid Savannah that exists in the country.
A part of it is in the territory of the mountains of Cusco and another in the territory of the Amazon Rainforest of Madre de Dios. It comprises an area of 1,532,806 hectares that are divided into three parts, of which only the area known as Reserved Zone presents restricted income. This is important not only because of the biological diversity that inhabits its territory, but also because it encompasses ethnic populations, many of which are not in contact with the outside world.
The department of Madre de Dios is also attractive for the festivities it presents, among which we can recognize:
These take place in the month of February (or part of March). The carnivals become, in this area of the country, a good excuse to revalue the customs of the area; This recovery of traditional values can be observed in the contests that take place, such as that of privateers and floats, where the theme is always some indigenous motif. Other events of the carnival are the tomb of the Ushna, among others.
An event that takes place in the month of September. This has the intention of convening the participation of the native communities so that they can show their customs and also their traditions through dance competitions, food exhibitions, demonstration of ritual ceremonies, and others.
