3-Day Visit Tambopata Macaw Clay Lick : Nature, Adventure, and Wildlife
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise at the Visit Tambopata Macaw Clay lick, one of the region’s most breathtaking natural spectacles. Here, colorful macaws, parrots, and parakeets gather on the clay cliffs, creating a stunning visual and auditory symphony that will leave you in awe.
At night, take a guided walk to discover the mysterious world of Amazonian nocturnal wildlife. With a bit of luck, you may spot tarantulas, tree frogs, bioluminescent insects, and more.
Your journey concludes with a visit to Lake Sandoval, a peaceful lagoon surrounded by lush vegetation. Paddle across its calm waters and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Amazon rainforest.
3-Day Tambopata Wildlife Expedition
- Length: 3 Days/2 Nights
- Location: Southern Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Puerto Maldonado
- Type of service: Private or Group
- Start Point : Pick-up from the Hotel/Aiport 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 Tambopata Reserved, Amazon Photography, Sunrises and Sunsets, Night Walks, Macaws, Parakeets .
- Altitude: 182 – m.a.s.l.
- Best time to visit:March – November
Accomodation : 2 night in Our Lodge rivate Room with Mosquito Nets, Private Showers and Bathrooms .
- Meals: 2 Breakfast /2 Lunch /2 Dinner
- Tour Guides : Professional bilingual local guide (well-equipped with guiding gear)
- Minimum of participants: 2
- Maximum of participants: 8
Itinerary Visit Tambopata Macaw Clay 3 days
Day 1: Visit Tambopata Macaw Clay to Amazo Rainforest Lodge Inn
Your Amazon adventure begins with a warm welcome in Puerto Maldonado. We’ll pick you up from the bus terminal or airport and escort you to our main office for check-in. After organizing your belongings, we’ll embark on a private 2-hour transfer to the Tambopata port.
From the port, a boat and guide await to navigate the Tambopata River, where you’ll spot diverse wildlife including colorful birds, turtles, capybaras, and possibly white alligators. Keep an eye out for the elusive jaguar sunbathing on the riverbanks—a true highlight of the rainforest.
Upon arrival at Tambopata Lodge Inn, enjoy a traditional Amazonian refreshment and lunch, then settle into your comfortable room. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through the primary rainforest, home to ancient trees, countless insects, butterflies, monkeys, birds, and other rainforest species.
After dinner, experience a thrilling night boat ride to observe nocturnal animals such as caimans, capybaras, and night monkeys. Return to the lodge to rest, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.
Day 2: Macaw Clay Lick Visit and Jungle Exploration
Rise early at 5:00 AM for a boat journey upriver to the famous Macaw Clay Lick (Chuncho). Witness hundreds of vibrant macaws, parrots, and parakeets gather noisily to feed on mineral-rich clay—an unforgettable display of nature’s colors and sounds.
Enjoy breakfast while watching this spectacular wildlife show. Afterwards, explore the nearby control station and visit the local museum to learn about the Tambopata-Candamo Reserve and its rich biodiversity.
Return to the lodge for lunch and rest before an afternoon jungle walk to discover more flora and fauna. Our expert guide will introduce you to medicinal plants and diverse animal species that thrive in this protected area.
After dinner, embark on a night walk to hear the symphony of the rainforest—listen to frogs, insects, tarantulas, snakes, and night monkeys. End the day relaxing in your private room, equipped with mosquito nets and private bathroom facilities.
Day 3: Final Visit Tambopata Macaw Clay and Return to Puerto Maldonado
Wake to the sounds of birds and howler monkeys. After breakfast, take a final jungle trek to visit the mammal clay lick and explore ancient trees over 500 years old. Learn about traditional medicinal plants like quinine, cat’s claw, and ayahuasca used by indigenous communities.
Return to the lodge for lunch, then pack your bags for departure. Travel by boat down the Tambopata River to the port, followed by a 2-hour transfer back to Puerto Maldonado. From there, you’ll be taken to the airport or bus station for your onward journey.
Optional Visit Tambopata Reserve
Depending on your flight schedule, additional morning activities can be arranged before returning to Puerto Maldonado.
Why Choose Visit Tambopata Macaw Clay ?
- Expert local guides with deep knowledge of Amazon wildlife
- Comfortable accommodations at Tambopata Lodge Inn
- Unique wildlife sightings: jaguars, macaws, caimans, and more
- Immersive experiences in the pristine Amazon rainforest
- Sustainable and responsible tourism practices
Included in the Tambopata Expeditions :
- A professional naturalist Tour Guide;
- Motorboat transportation:
- Private vehicle land transportation;
- Entrance fees to the Reserve Tambopata ;
- Meals: 2x Breakfast, 2x Lunch, 2x Dinner and drinking water (Please note: vegetarian option upon request for no extra cost!);
- Accommodation: 2 Nights in Tambopata lodges Inn;
- First aid kit, including a poison extractor, mosquito bite treatment and an antidote for a snake bite;
- Radio communications;
- Rubber boots.
Not included in the Tambopata Expeditions:
- Any flight nor airport departure taxes;
- Travel insurance;
- Vaccination;
- Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day;
- Drinks;
- Tips to local staff.
What to take with you to the Tambopata Expeditions
- Mosquito repellent (DEET 35 recommended as a MINIMUM!!),
- Original passport,
- Small backpack,
- Long sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green coloured),
- 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),
- Sweater (for the beginning of the tour in Andes and the cloud forest only),
- Swimsuits;
- Binoculars (we also rent it),
- Camera and its charger,
- Plastic bags to be used for clothes and a camera,
- A hat as a protection against the Sun or rain,
- Toiletries,
- Small towel,
- Toilet paper,
- Antibacterial gel,
- Sun cream,
- Sunglasses for jungle trips,
- 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 as to tip.
Effects of Diet, Migration, and Breeding on Clay Lick Use by Parrots in Southeastern Peru
Introduction
Soil consumption, or geophagy, is a common behavior among many mammals worldwide, including primates, rodents, and ungulates. While less studied in birds, soil-eating is particularly prevalent among parrots and pigeons. This behavior is especially notable in the Amazon, where parrots frequently visit clay licks—natural deposits of mineral-rich soil—to consume specific clays.
Scientists have proposed several reasons why animals engage in geophagy: to aid digestion through grit, to supplement essential minerals (especially sodium), and to neutralize dietary toxins. For parrots in southeastern Peru, studies show that soil is not consumed for grit since they select fine clays unsuitable for grinding. Instead, clay consumption primarily serves to provide vital minerals like sodium, which are scarce in their plant-based diets, and to bind harmful toxins found in many seeds and unripe fruits.
This article presents data collected at the Tambopata Research Center, exploring how parrot use of clay licks varies seasonally and how these patterns relate to changes in diet, migration, and breeding behaviors.
Study Overview
The study was conducted at the Tambopata Research Center, located in the southwestern Amazon Basin, Peru. The site experiences over 3,000 mm of annual rainfall and features a large clay lick formed by river erosion. Data were collected over multiple years, documenting bird visitation patterns, species diversity, breeding activity, and crop samples from parrot chicks.
Key Findings
Species Diversity: Sixteen parrot species, along with guans and pigeons, regularly use the clay lick, with over 1,300 birds sometimes present simultaneously.
Seasonal Clay Lick Use: Parrot visitation peaks between August and January, coinciding with breeding seasons, and dips from February to July. These patterns do not directly correspond with wet or dry seasons but align with local food availability and parrot migration.
Breeding and Clay Use: Peak clay lick activity occurs during chick-rearing rather than egg-laying. Adults appear to feed clay to young chicks, which likely require the minerals for rapid growth and to detoxify their seed-rich diets.
Chick Development: Soil was found in most crop samples from chicks aged 20–30 days, but rarely in older chicks, indicating the importance of clay during early development.
Migration: Parrots likely migrate away during periods of low food availability, though their exact destinations remain unknown.
Conclusion
Clay lick use by parrots in southeastern Peru is a complex behavior influenced by diet, breeding, and migration. The consumption of mineral-rich clay supports nutritional needs and toxin management, particularly critical for young chicks during early growth stages. Understanding these behaviors enhances conservation efforts and enriches our knowledge of Amazonian wildlife ecology.
Jungle Trek Adventure & Wildlife Experience
Experience Highlights:
Witness a breathtaking sunrise at the Chuncho macaw clay lick, where vibrant macaws, parrots, and parakeets gather on clay cliffs, creating a stunning natural spectacle. At night, explore the mysterious Amazonian nocturnal wildlife on guided walks, spotting tarantulas, tree frogs, and bioluminescent insects. End your journey with a peaceful visit to Lake Sandoval, paddling its calm waters surrounded by lush rainforest.