SUMMARY
The Tours Amazon Trip Macaw Clay 4 days
Explore the Jewel of the Peruvian Amazon: Tambopata, a Refuge of Wonders
Immerse yourself in a hidden world, where the tropical rainforest of a Tambopata–Chuncho Expedition becomes the stage for an astonishing display of biodiversity. In this paradise, thousands of species find their home, and among them, the majestic macaw struggles to survive, making this land its last stronghold in South America.
The Tours Amazon Trip Macaw Clay
- Tambopata Expeditions
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Service type: Private or Group
Location: Southern Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Puerto Maldonado
Activities: Reserve expeditions, Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, Sandoval Lake
Altitude: 183–250 m.a.s.l.
Best time to visit: All year round
Departure: Daily
Minimum participants: 2
Maximum participants: 10
Price per person: USD
Amazon Trip Tours – Macaw Clay Lick | 4 Days
Lake Sandoval and the The Tours Amazon Trip Macaw Clay 4 days are must-see natural gems of the Tambopata National Reserve, deep in the Peruvian Amazon, very close to Puerto Maldonado. These destinations offer a unique connection with Amazonian biodiversity and unforgettable experiences that stay with travelers forever.
Lake Sandoval enchants visitors with its mirror-like waters surrounded by lush rainforest, home to the iconic giant river otters, as well as monkeys, caimans, and an impressive variety of birds such as macaws and kingfishers. Reaching the lake involves an interpretive walk from the river, ideal for observing flora and fauna in their purest state. reserved sandoval lake
The Chuncho Clay Lick, meanwhile, is one of the best birdwatching sites in Peru. Every morning, hundreds of parrots and macaws gather along the riverbank to feed on clay, creating a unique natural spectacle filled with vibrant colors and immersive sounds. It is considered one of the largest gatherings of parrots in the Amazon.
Exploring Lake Sandoval and the Chuncho Clay Lick means discovering the living essence of the tropical rainforest—an ideal destination for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure tourism enthusiasts in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon.
Itinerary The Tours Amazon Trip Macaw Clay 4 days
Day 1: Puerto Maldonado – Lake Sandoval Reserve
Reception in Puerto Maldonado and transfer by boat along the Madre de Dios River to the Lake Sandoval Reserve. Jungle walk and canoe ride to the lodge. At night, a guided night walk to observe active wildlife such as frogs, insects, and nocturnal monkeys. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Lake Sandoval Reserve – Flora and Fauna -The Tours Amazon Trip Macaw Clay .
Canoe exploration on Lake Sandoval to observe giant river otters, birds, and reptiles. Guided forest walk to learn about medicinal plants and wildlife. In the afternoon, another canoe excursion and nighttime caiman observation. Dinner and rest.
Day 3: Lake Sandoval – Tambopata Chuncho Expedition The Tours Amazon Trip Macaw Clay .
Return to Puerto Maldonado and travel toward the Tambopata River. Boat navigation with wildlife sightings such as capybaras, caimans, and birds. Arrival at Tambopata Lodge Inn. Walk through primary rainforest and a nighttime excursion in search of jungle wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Tambopata Chuncho – Puerto Maldonado
Boat navigation along the Tambopata River with visits to local communities and natural attractions. Observation of the Amazonian environment and native culture. Return to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport or bus terminal. End of the tour.
ITINERARY
The Tours Amazon Trip Macaw Clay 4 days
Day 1: Puerto Maldonado / Lake Sandoval Reserve
Upon arrival in the city of Puerto Maldonado—either at the airport or the bus station—you will be welcomed by one of our local guides to begin the Tambopata Chuncho Expedition. You will be transferred to our main office, where you can reorganize your luggage and take only what is necessary for the tour to the Lake Sandoval Reserve.
We will start our adventure at the Tourist Port (Capitanía Port), where we will board a motorized boat for a 45-minute trip downriver. Our first stop will be Monkey Island, after which we will continue to the Sandoval port, the entrance to the famous Tambopata National Reserve. From here, we will take a walk of approximately 3 km (about one hour; during the rainy season the trail can be muddy) until reaching a small dock, where we will board a rowing canoe.
After about 30 minutes of paddling, we will arrive at our lodge, our accommodation in the area. We will be welcomed with a refreshing tropical juice and given a brief introduction to the lodge and the planned activities. You will then have time to rest in your comfortable rooms.
Equipped with flashlights or headlamps, we will set out on a night walk through the forest in search of the elusive nocturnal monkey (Musmuqui), as well as frogs, snakes, and insects that become active at night. After the walk, we will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Lake Sandoval Reserve – Canoe Exploration of Flora and Fauna
We will start early in the morning with an exciting activity. Using a rowing canoe, we will navigate Lake Sandoval in search of the giant river otters, the largest in the world and a protected species essential to this ecosystem. These otters live in small family groups and are highly territorial. In the early hours of the day, they hunt fish in the lake, and it is amazing to observe how they can consume up to 4 kilograms of fish per day. After this unique experience, we will return to the lodge for breakfast and a short rest.
Next, we will venture on a walk through the terra firme forest. Our guide will explain the use of native medicinal plants and introduce us to the diurnal mammals of the region, such as monkeys, wild cats, and peccaries. We may also spot beautiful birds like toucans and macaws. We will learn about the ecological importance of the Brazil nut tree, a keystone species that plays a crucial role in protecting surrounding flora and fauna.
After returning to the lodge for lunch and some rest, we will head out on another afternoon adventure. We will once again board the canoe to explore Lake Sandoval, focusing on spotting monkeys (capuchins, squirrel monkeys, red howler monkeys), as well as herons, kingfishers, cormorants, and hoatzins that inhabit the lake area.
As night falls, on our return to the lodge, we will use our flashlights to spot the glowing eyes of black caimans hunting along the lake’s shoreline. We will approach carefully to take photos, while our guide shares fascinating information about their natural behavior. We will end the day with dinner and rest at the lodge.
Day 3: Lake Sandoval Reserve / Tambopata Chuncho Expedition
After a delicious breakfast, we will prepare for an exciting change of scenery. First, we will return to Puerto Maldonado and then to our main office. At 8:30 a.m., we will depart in private transportation for an approximately 2-hour drive to the Tambopata port. There, a motorized boat will be waiting to take us along the Tambopata River for about 50 minutes.
During the journey, we may spot various species such as birds, turtles, capybaras, and white caimans. With some luck, we might even see the majestic jaguar resting or sunbathing along the riverbanks.
We will arrive at our accommodation, Tambopata Lodge Inn, where we will be welcomed with a traditional Amazonian refreshment. After settling into our rooms, we will enjoy lunch at the lodge.
In the afternoon, we will take a guided walk through primary rainforest, where ancient trees coexist with a wide variety of wildlife. We will observe insects, spiders, ants, frogs, butterflies, monkeys, and other mammals, gaining a unique insight into the complex jungle ecosystem.
After dinner, we will embark on an exciting night activity, exploring areas near the river in search of caimans, capybaras, and possibly a feline hunting in the darkness. This is a unique opportunity to experience the nocturnal life of the jungle. We will then return to the lodge to rest.
Day 4: Tambopata Chuncho Expedition / Return to Puerto Maldonado
Today marks the final day of this exciting tour. We will wake up early to enjoy breakfast, pack our backpacks, and board our boat for the last leg of the journey along the Tambopata River. Along the way, we will make strategic stops to visit local communities, Lake Condenado, Tres Chimbadas, and the native community of Infierno.
These visits offer a valuable opportunity to learn about the lifestyle, traditions, and culture of the native people, as well as their natural environment and the region’s rich biodiversity.
In the afternoon, we will arrive back in Puerto Maldonado, where the tour concludes. You will be transferred to the bus terminal or airport, depending on your next destination. With this service, we conclude the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Tour in Tambopata.
INCLUDED (NOT)
Included in the Tour – Reserve Expedition Macaw Clay Lick Tambopata
- Professional guide
- Motorized boat transportation
- Private land and river transportation
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and drinking water
(Note: Vegetarian option available upon request at no extra cost) - Accommodation: 3 nights in jungle lodges
- First-aid kit, including venom extractor, mosquito bite treatment, and antivenom for snake bites
- Radio communication equipment
- Rubber boots
Not Included in the Tour – Reserve Expedition Macaw Clay Lick Tambopata
- Any departure flights and airport taxes
- Travel insurance
- Vaccinations
- Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
- Drinks and beverages
- Entrance fees to Lake Sandoval Reserve and Tambopata Reserve
What You Need to Bring – Reserve Expedition Macaw Clay Lick Tambopata
- Mosquito repellent (minimum 35% DEET recommended)
- Original passport
- Small backpack
- Long-sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green)
- Long cotton pants
- Long cotton socks (to tuck into pants)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals or light shoes
- Rain gear (e.g., rain poncho)
- (Only for tours starting in the Andes or cloud forest) Sweater
- Swimsuit
- Binoculars (also available for rent)
- Camera and charger
- Plastic bags for clothes and camera
- Hat for sun or rain protection
- Small towel
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries)
- Bottled water (minimum 1 liter)
- Pocket money (Peruvian soles) to buy drinks or personal items
GALLERY LODGE
FREE INFO
Reserve Expedition – Tambopata – Lake Sandoval | 4 Days
Tambopata is located in Madre de Dios, a department in southeastern Peru. In terms of biological diversity, the forests of Madre de Dios are among the richest in the world. The Tambopata Reserved Zone (TRZ) is a relatively small area (5,500 hectares) within this vast rainforest. Research conducted over the last 16 years in the TRZ has shown that it contains more species of birds (587), butterflies (1,230), and many other animal groups than any other place of comparable size on Earth. More than 150 species of trees have been found within an area of just 100 square meters.
Madre de Dios encompasses one of the world’s recognized centers of plant diversity. Given results such as these, it is understandable why the departmental capital, Puerto Maldonado, is known as “the biological capital of the world.”
In 1990, Peru’s Ministry of Agriculture declared that an area of 1,479,000 hectares, including the existing Tambopata Reserved Zone, would become protected under the name Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone (TCRZ). This area, which also borders the Heath River National Sanctuary, is only slightly smaller than Manu National Park and is approximately the size of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. The area has been designated in recognition of its undisturbed populations of flora and wildlife, as well as its many functions of great cultural and scientific importance.



















