About two hours away from Moyobamba, Tingana is in the heart of an amazing patch of flooded forest and swamps abundant with aguaje and renaco palm trees.

Almost 3,500 hectares of this fragile and endangered ecosystem is currently protected in the Área de Conservación Regional Municipal Aguajales Renacales del Alto Mayo, a long name for an area with high numbers of flora and fauna, including orchids, bromeliads, river otters, monkeys, snakes, and a great variety of birds, which can be observed in canoe rides along the Río Avisado.

Tingana is a self-sustained joint venture between the German Cooperation Agency (GTZ) and Tingana’s own nonprofit organizations (tel. 042/56-4000, www.tingana.org). Tours are available (full-day US$54 pp, two days/one night US$63), including transportation from Río Huascayacu to Tingana and back, all meals, lodging in cabins with mosquito net, guide, and boat trips.

Tour prices do not include transportation from Moyobamba to Río Huascayacu, which can be done via combi (US$3) or private four-wheel-drive for four people (US$25).