ON WILDLIFE TRIPS: 5-Day Amazon Adventure to Tambopata Macaw Clay Lick & Lake Sandoval Lodge
Explore the Wild Heart of the Amazon in Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve -Peru Rainforest Wildlife Expeditions
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime 5-day journey deep into the pristine Tambopata National Reserve. The Tambopata Macaw Clay Lick and Lake Sandoval Tour invites you to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles, encounter rare wildlife, and explore untouched rainforest guided by expert naturalists.
Located at Tambopata Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake Lodge,
- Length: 5 Days/4 Nights
- Location: Southern Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Puerto Maldonado
- Type of service: Private or Group
- Start Point: Pick-up from the Hotel/Airport or Bus Terminal in Puerto Maldonado
- Ending Point: Drop off the Hotel/Airport or Bus Terminal in Puerto Maldonado
- Departure: Every Day
- Activities: Adventures in the Sandoval Lake Reserve, Tambopata reaerve, Macaw Clay Lick Chuncho ,Amazon Photography, Sunrises and Sunsets, Night Walks, Palm lick to observe parrots, Macaws, Parakeets, Rowing Canoe Ride, Giant Otter Observation,
- Altitude: 182 – m.a.s.l.
- Best time to visit:March – November
Accomodation : 2 night in Our Lodge rivate Room with Mosquito Nets sandoval lake lodge and tambopata Lodge Inn , Private Showers and Bathrooms .
- Meals: 4 Breakfast /4 Lunch /4 Dinner
- Tour Guides : Professional bilingual local guide (well-equipped with guiding gear)
- Minimum of participants: 2
- Maximum of participants: 7
- Price per person: USD
Day-by-Day Itinerary Peru Rainforest Wildlife Expeditions
Day 1: Welcome to the Jungle – Arrival in Puerto Maldonado
Route: Puerto Maldonado → Tambopata River → Collpa Chuncho Suites
Begin your adventure as your English-speaking guide greets you at the airport or bus terminal in Puerto Maldonado. After a brief stop for essentials in the town center, travel 90 minutes through lush scenery to the river town of Filadelfia.
Board a motorized canoe for a scenic journey on the Tambopata River. Keep an eye out for gold miners, tropical birds, or monkeys along the riverbanks.
Upon arrival at Collpa Chuncho Suites, settle into your private jungle cabana—each named in honor of local Indigenous communities. Sip a welcome drink made from fresh Amazon fruits and take in the sounds of the surrounding Rainforest Photographer
Afternoon: Take a guided botanical walk through the rainforest. Learn about towering trees, medicinal plants, and spot wildlife like macaws, toucans, and monkeys.
Evening: After dinner, join a night walk to search for nocturnal creatures such as night monkeys, frogs, snakes, and tarantulas.
Day 2: Peru Rainforest Wildlife Expeditions – Sunrise at the Macaw Clay Lick – A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
Destination: Tambopata National Reserve – Collpa Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick
Begin with a sunrise boat ride to Collpa Chuncho, the world’s largest macaw clay lick. Watch flocks of vibrant macaws, parrots, and parakeets descend for their daily dose of mineral-rich clay—a stunning spectacle of sound and color.
Late Morning: Return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
Afternoon: Hike to a secluded Black Lake for catch-and-release piranha fishing. Along the way, you may spot hoatzins, herons, kingfishers, or even giant river otters.
Evening: Glide along the river on a caiman-spotting safari. Your guide will share stories under the starlit sky and point out constellations.
Day 3: Peru Rainforest Wildlife Expeditions to Lake Sandoval – Into the Amazon’s Tranquil Heart
Route: Collpa Chuncho → Puerto Maldonado → Lake Sandoval
After breakfast, return to Puerto Maldonado and securely store your main luggage at our office. Then, cruise the Madre de Dios River to reach the entrance of the Lake Sandoval Reserve.
A 3-kilometer walk through rainforest leads to a calm canal that opens into Lake Sandoval—one of the Amazon’s most scenic oxbow lakes. Check in at your eco-lodge and enjoy a freshly made Amazonian lunch.
Afternoon & Evening: Paddle silently across the lake in search of otter families, black caimans, and rare bird species. After dark, head out again with headlamps to find night-dwelling animals like owls and night monkeys.
Day 4: Deep Jungle Exploration & Wildlife Tracking
Full Day: Lake Sandoval Reserve
Wake up to a chorus of birds and prepare for a full day of rainforest discovery:
Spot howler monkeys, capuchins, scarlet macaws, and sloths.
Learn about plants like ayahuasca, chacruna, and sacha garlic, traditionally used by local healers.
Visit towering Brazil nut trees and discover sustainable harvesting methods.
Search for rare amphibians, tarantulas, and leafcutter ants along forest trails.
Evening: Join one final guided night walk to witness the rainforest’s nocturnal wonders.
Day 5: Farewell Amazon – Return to Puerto Maldonado
Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the serene waters of Lake Sandoval. Begin your return hike and boat ride back to Puerto Maldonado. After picking up your luggage, we’ll transfer you to the airport or bus station—leaving you with lasting memories of the Amazon’s natural magic. TRIPSADVISOR SANDOVAL LODGE
- A professional naturalist Tour Guide;
- Tour Motorboat transportation .
- Private vehicle land transportation ;
- Meals: 4x Breakfast, 4x Lunch, 4x Dinner and drinking water (Please note: vegetarian option upon request for no extra cost!);
- Accommodation: 4 Nights in the jungle lodge with private room and shower ;
- First aid kit, including a poison extractor, mosquito bite treatment and an antidote for a snake bite;
- Radio communications ;
- Water .
- Rubber boots .
Not included in the Tours.
- Any flight nor airport departure taxes;
- Travel insurance ;
- Vaccination;
- Drinks;
- Tips to local staff.
- Breakfast on the first and the last day Lunch;
- Entrance Fee Include .
What to Take With You to the Amazon.
- Mosquito repellent (DEET 35 recommended as a MINIMUM!!),
- Original passport take for the tour ,
- Small backpack bring with you ,
- Long sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green coloured) for the tour jungle.,
- Long cotton trousers ,
- Cotton long socks (to be put into your trousers),
- Comfortable walking shoes ,
- Sandals or light shoes ,
- Rain gear (e.g. rain poncho) during the trip ,
- Swimsuits;
- Binoculars (we also rent it) ,
- Camera and its charger ,
- Plastic bags to be used for clothes and a camera bring with you.,
- A hat as a protection against the Sun .,
- Toiletries,
- Small towel,
- Toilet paper,
- Antibacterial gel,
- Sun cream,
- Sunglasses ,
- Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries),
- A bottled water (1 litre as a minimum),
- Pocket money (Soles) to buy some beverages and souvenirs as well a
Highlights of This 5-Day Amazon Rainforest Tour:
- Visit the world’s largest Macaw Clay Lick at Collpa Chuncho.
- Navigate the peaceful waters of Lake Sandoval, home to otters, monkeys, and prehistoric birds.
- Enjoy day and night jungle walks, boat safaris, and piranha fishing.
- Discover native flora, ancient trees, and medicinal plants used by Indigenous cultures.
- Stay in comfortable jungle lodges with fresh, locally sourced meals and private cabañas.
Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick: A Vibrant Avian Spectacle
Location
The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick (Collpa Chuncho) lies along the Tambopata River, a remote area accessible only by boat from the jungle city of Puerto Maldonado. It sits deep within the Tambopata National Reserve, a protected region of the Peruvian Amazon.
Unique Wildlife Encounter
Every morning, hundreds of macaws, parrots, and parakeets descend upon the exposed riverbank walls to feed on mineral-rich clay. This behavior, believed to neutralize toxins found in their diet of unripe fruits and seeds, creates a stunning natural display of color and sound.
- You’ll likely spot:
- Scarlet Macaws
- Blue-and-yellow Macaws
- Chestnut-fronted Macaws
- Mealy and Blue-headed Parrots
What to Expect on a Chuncho Tour
- Most tours to the Chuncho Clay Lick include:
- Scenic boat rides through the Amazon
- Bilingual naturalist guides
- Eco-lodge stays
Pre-dawn excursions to witness peak bird activity
Best Time to Visit
The best viewing times are early in the morning, typically between 5:30 AM and 9:00 AM, when the birds are most active. The dry season (May to October) offers better accessibility and clearer views.
Sandoval Lake: Serene Amazonian Exploration
Location
Located just outside Puerto Maldonado and within the Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake is a beautiful oxbow lake formed by a meander of the Madre de Dios River. It’s a favorite stop for travelers seeking a quieter, immersive nature experience.
Rich Biodiversity and Calm Waters
Sandoval Lake is home to a range of iconic Amazon wildlife, including:
- Giant river otters
- Black caimans
- Capybaras
- Squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys
- Hoatzins, herons, and kingfishers
- Because the lake is navigated by paddle canoes, the silence enhances wildlife sightings and minimizes environmental impact.
Activities and Eco-Tours
- Visitors can enjoy:
- Sunset canoe rides
- Birdwatching at dawn
- Night hikes
- Nature walks on elevated boardwalks
- Accommodations are typically in eco-lodges near the lake, offering rustic yet comfortable stays.
Combine the Best of Both Worlds
Why Choose a Combined Chuncho + Sandoval Lake Tour?
For the ultimate Tambopata experience, many travelers opt for a multi-day Amazon tour that includes both Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake. These eco-adventure packages offer:
- A diverse range of wildlife experiences
- Both active exploration and serene observation
- Cultural encounters with local communities
- Full immersion in two very different ecosystems of the Amazon
Such tours often begin in Puerto Maldonado, followed by travel via river and jungle trails. Professional naturalist guides enhance your understanding of the region’s incredible biodiversity and ecological importance.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Pack light but smart: Insect repellent, long-sleeved clothing, rain gear, and binoculars are essentials.
- Book tours with certified operators that focus on sustainability and support local conservation efforts.
- Respect wildlife and park rules: The Tambopata Reserve is a protected area; responsible tourism ensures its future.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re marveling at the colorful congregation of macaws at Chuncho or gliding across the quiet waters of Sandoval Lake, the Tambopata region offers a unique gateway into the heart of the Amazon. For eco-travelers and wildlife lovers, these destinations provide not just a trip, but a deeply enriching and ethical jungle adventure.
- Tambopata National Reserve
- Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick tour
- Sandoval Lake Amazon Peru
- Puerto Maldonado Amazon tours
- Best time to visit Tambopata
- Amazon wildlife experience Peru
Top Highlights of the Peru Rainforest Wildlife Expeditions
- Visit the World’s Largest Macaw Clay Lick
Witness hundreds of macaws and parrots in a breathtaking morning ritual.
- Explore Tambopata National Reserve
Spot jaguars, giant river otters, sloths, and over 1,000 bird species.
- Discover the Hidden Beauty of Lake Sandoval
Canoe through a mirror-like lake home to endangered black caimans and playful otters.
- Stay in Authentic Amazon Lodges
Enjoy comfort and cultural charm in eco-friendly jungle accommodations.
