Host a Field Course or Workshop in the Peruvian Amazon

Host Service Overview:

The Las Piedras Amazon Center provides the perfect space for field learning and group immersion into the wild. Whether your group is interested in science, yoga, business planning, team building or bird watching, together with our team at Amazon Academy we will do our utmost to make your trip a huge success. Groups will be able to explore our trail system which traverses 4,460 hectares of conservation area. This will allow group planners to offer the forest and a chance to encounter some of the incredible species which live on the reserve, to their participants. Animals which can be seen include some 9 monkey species, 500 bird species, and elusive terrestrial mammals such as Jaguar, ocelot, short-eared dog, giant ant-eater, tapir and peccary.

Group activities may include a number of cool experiences. Two waterfalls drain thousands of liters of water into the Las Piedras River each minute. There is the macaw claylick located on the banks of the Las Piedras River which is frequented daily by up to 40 Red-and-green macaws (Ara chloropterus) and about 5-6 other species of parrot. The Central Stream that runs diagonally across the reserve allows for kayaking trips in the wet season, and is known to be a good habitat for Dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus) and Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus). Just across the Las Piedras River from the reserve is a high, sheer cliff. From the top of this cliff one gets panoramic views across the forest canopy and from which it is possible to see clearly across a large portion of the reserve. In the northwestern part of the reserve is located a large mammal claylick

. With special permission it may be visited to observe for the numerous mammal and large bird species that come to feed on the salt and clay particles in the soil here. At several points on either side of the Central Stream are to be found small, miniature-sized oxbow lakes to watch Hoatzin birds, kingfishers, and herons. Our partner Brazil nut concession provides a perfect opportunity to see how this regionally important nut is collected, bagged, and transported to market for sale. The nearby communities of Lucerna and Palma Real offer the opportunity to experience real lives of local people who live from the resources that the land and forest can provide them. Visits to meet community members to pick and sample agroforestry products such as bananas, papaya, pineapples, cacao etc. is an excellent learning activity and helps generate much needed income for locals. Within the heartland forests of the reserve there are large tracts of high canopy forest containing large charismatic trees; the epitome of Amazon rainforest.

Groups will normally be accompanied by one of our guides or researchers. There is also an option to hire specific experts based on the group’s need, for example a biologist, community leader or permaculture expert. Group activities could also include the rare opportunity to go out into the forest with our team of wildlife researchers and volunteers to witness the work they are doing first-hand.