Las Piedras Amazon Center

Waking up to howler monkeys, spotting an agouti scurrying away, and hearing peehaws calling all around the forest made the stay feel surreal. LPAC protects more than 4,000 hectares of rainforest, and you can see the positive effects on the land and wildlife. Even a short walk on the trails can bring an incredible range of wildlife, trees, and mushrooms into view. It's a magical place.

People from all over the world visit Las Piedras and become part of the lovely ARCAmazon community. The river system is easily the most beautiful I've ever seen, and anyone arriving at the Las Piedras Amazon Center will feel at home.

The staff who work there full time are kind and really helpful, and they know so much about the surrounding jungle. Their commitment to protecting it is worth supporting. The place itself is amazingly beautiful, and the kitchen team makes delicious food. The sleeping arrangements are rustic but clean.

The daily walks through the reserve were a great way to see its plants and animals, and we could choose from activities in the day or at night. Each day's options changed, and nobody pressured us to join in. We went on river walks, climbed trees for sweeping views over the canopy, took boat rides upriver to swim at nearby waterfalls, looked for caiman by boat at night, and visited a local cacao farm to make chocolate and cacao soap. We shared a secluded outdoor platform with two bunk beds for six nights in July 2017, along with three friends. It was peaceful and quiet, so the sounds of the jungle came through. The beds were very comfortable, with clean bedding, nice pillows, and secure mosquito nets. A new outdoor shower and compost toilet were just a five metre walk away. The meals were fantastic. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were made with locally sourced produce by a small, dedicated team of locals who took pride in preparing tasty, nourishing food. We had special diet requests and allergies, and they kindly accommodated us. David and his team were warm and welcoming from the pickup in Puerto Maldonado until we left. They made sure we were comfortable and safe, and shared lots of knowledge about the reserve's native plants, animals, people, and resources. We were grateful for all they taught us. Visiting the LPAC reserve was easily one of the best things I've done. It's hard to put such a memorable experience into words, and there's so much to see and do. I can't wait to return next year and explore more of the beautiful reserve.