4-Day Puerto Maldonado Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake tour

4-Day Puerto Maldonado Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake tour

from: $ 350.00

Explore the Amazon on this 4-day tour from Puerto Maldonado. Visit the Macaw Clay Lick, Sandoval Lake, and more. Includes kayaking, hiking, wildlife watching, and three nights in an eco-lodge deep in the Tambopata National Reserve. Perfect for backpackers and nature lovers looking for real adventure.

Tour at a glance

Difficulty Easy
Duration 4 days

Description

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Highlights

  • Your private bungalow with private bathroom deep in the Amazon jungle
  • Flexible arrival, breakfast is provided before 8:00 AM, luggage storage included
  • Pick up from the bus station or airport is included.
  • Visit Macaw Clay Lick, Lake Sandoval, mammal clay lick and do hikes, canopy tower, kayaking, night walk.

What is included

Included

  • Pick up at the bus station or airport in Puerto Maldonado
  • River and land transport from Puerto Maldonado
  • 3 nights at Collpas Tambopata Inn
  • All meals from day 1 breakfast (if arrival before 08:00 AM) to day 4 lunch
  • Drinking water at the lodge
  • Entrance fee to Tambopata National Reserve
  • Drop off in Puerto Maldonado city, close to Plaza Mayor.
  • Duffle bag for your stuff to will join you to the lodge.
  • Storage for your luggage that you don’t need at the lodge.
  • Bilingual local guide for all activities (max. 12 travelers per guide)
  • Guided excursions: hikes, canopy tower, kayaking, night walk, macaw & mammal clay licks, Sandoval Lake
  • Fishing with local methods
  • Rubber boots for jungle hikes
  • First aid kit on site

Not included

  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • Personal expenses
  • Extra drinks (soft drinks or alcohol)
  • Tips for guides and lodge staff

Itinerary

To visit Sandoval Lake, you must either arrive on day 1 before 9:00 AM or depart on day 4 after 5:00 PM. If this is not possible, we recommend our Puerto Maldonado 4 days Macaw Clay Lick tour.

Day 1 – Arrival and first jungle experience

Morning:
Pick up in Puerto Maldonado and transfer by bus and boat to Collpas Tambopata Inn. Welcome drink and lodge briefing.

Afternoon:
Short jungle walk through primary forest (2–3 km). Learn about medicinal plants and look for monkeys and birds.

Evening:
Climb the 50-meter canopy tower. Optional boat ride to see white and black caimans along the river.

Day 2 – Macaw Clay Lick and kayaking

Tip: Mornings can be cold, especially during boat rides to the Macaw Clay Lick bring a waterproof and warm layer to stay comfortable.

Early morning:
Visit Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. Have breakfast while watching macaws and parrots gather on the riverbank.

Late morning:
Return to the lodge and rest.

Afternoon:
Kayaking on the river or stream. Look for capybaras, turtles, and river birds.

Evening:
Night walk to look for frogs, insects, spiders, and more.

Day 3 – Mammal Clay Lick and fishing

Morning:
Hike 5–8 km to a mammal clay lick. Look for monkeys and peccaries.

Afternoon:
Jungle fishing in the Tambopata River using local methods. Possible to catch piranhas or catfish.

Evening:
Dinner and rest at the lodge.

Day 4 – Sandoval Lake and return to Puerto Maldonado

Tip: At Sandoval Lake, there’s little to no shade. Wear sun-protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen to stay protected during the canoe ride.

Morning:
Return to Puerto Maldonado and travel to Sandoval Lake. Hike 3 km and explore the lake by canoe.

Afternoon:
Lunch by the lake. Look for monkeys, birds, and possibly giant river otters.

Late afternoon:
Return to Puerto Maldonado. Drop off in Puerto Maldonado city, close to Plaza Mayor.

If your departure on day 4 is early, we may move the Sandoval Lake visit to day 1, but only if you arrive in the morning. This way, you still enjoy all activities.

Times are approximate and the order may change with weather, traffic, or local conditions.

Practical information

Trail and tour details

Difficulty
Easy
Tour duration
4 days

Where you will stay

Lodge inside

Lodge outside

Common area

Full tour description

Experience the real Amazon with our 4-day tour from Puerto Maldonado. Visit the colorful Macaw Clay Lick, explore Sandoval Lake Tambopata, go fishing, kayaking, and spot monkeys, caimans, and maybe even giant otters. This 4 day macaw clay lick and sandoval lake tour puerto maldonado is perfect if you love nature, want to see wild animals, and prefer small groups with expert local guides.

Experience the Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake in 4 days

This 4 day macaw clay lick and sandoval lake tour from Puerto Maldonado is the perfect way to experience the real Amazon rainforest on a budget. Designed for backpackers, and nature lovers. This group tour gives you great value without cutting back on quality. You’ll stay at a remote but comfortable jungle lodge, travel with expert local guides, and enjoy a full program of wildlife activities and Amazon exploration.

From the moment you arrive in Puerto Maldonado, you’ll feel the difference. We only work with local guides who truly know the jungle. This is not a show or a zoo, it’s real wilderness. We’ll help you spot monkeys, birds, and sometimes even giant river otters in their natural habitat.

Visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake Tambopata

You’ll visit two of the most iconic areas in the Tambopata National Reserve: the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake Tambopata. At the clay lick, dozens of colorful parrots and macaws gather at sunrise in a noisy and unforgettable spectacle. At Sandoval Lake, you’ll paddle through calm waters while watching for monkeys, birds, and maybe even caimans or otters.

Throughout this amazon tour puerto maldonado 4 days, you’ll go on jungle hikes, climb a 50-meter canopy tower, kayak through jungle rivers, go fishing with local methods, and take a night walk in search of frogs and insects. It’s a complete tambopata jungle tour, with plenty of wildlife, small groups, and a relaxed but well-organized program.

This tour is ideal for travelers who want a real adventure without spending too much. It’s perfect if you want to experience the jungle in a deep, exciting, and natural way. But still appreciate a clean bed, good meals, and guidance from people who care about your experience.

What to wear and pack during your Amazon tour

The Amazon is warm and humid, but it can also be surprisingly cold at times, especially during early morning boat rides. It’s often chilly on the way to the Macaw Clay Lick, during the boat transfer to the lodge, and again when returning to Puerto Maldonado on the last day. We recommend bringing a warm layer like a fleece or light jacket for these moments. During the day, especially at Sandoval Lake, the sun can be intense with no shade, so make sure to bring sun-protective clothing, a hat, and high SPF sunscreen. Quick-dry clothes, long sleeves, and a good rain poncho will help you stay comfortable in any weather.

Why this 4-Day Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake tour is special

  • Visit two of the best wildlife places in Tambopata: Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake
  • Stay in Collpas Tambopata Inn, a remote jungle lodge surrounded by monkeys and birds
  • Go on real Amazon adventures: hiking, kayaking, night walks, and fishing
  • All guides are local and very experienced.
  • This is not a zoo, it’s the wild Amazon. But we know where to go to find animals.

Included activities on this 4-Day Macaw Clay Lick and Sandoval Lake tour

  • Visit to Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick
  • Sandoval Lake tour
  • Kayaking on the Tambopata River
  • Guided hikes in primary rainforest
  • Night walk to see frogs and insects
  • Fishing with local techniques
  • Monkey and bird watching
  • River boat rides

Please note: If your flight or bus departs early on day 4, we may adjust the itinerary to ensure you don’t miss Sandoval Lake. In that case, we’ll visit the lake on day 1, right after your arrival, as long as you arrive in the morning. You’ll then be dropped off in Puerto Maldonado city before traveling by van and boat to the lodge, arriving in the early evening. This way, you can still enjoy all planned activities with maximum flexibility.

Good to know about our Amazon jungle tours

During Amazon jungle tours, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. This is a real and untouched part of nature, and animals move freely in their natural habitat. While our experienced local guides know the best areas and times to look for wildlife, what you see always depends on factors like weather, time of year, and luck.

For the same reason, we sometimes need to be flexible with the itinerary. Heavy rain or river conditions may require us to adjust the order or timing of activities. We’ll always do our best to follow the planned route and make sure you have a rich and safe jungle experience.

During high season, we may have 2 groups (max. 12 persons) traveling together with 2 guides. One guide takes care of a maximum of 12 people. If there are more, a second guide will join. The two groups may share the same transport.

Wildlife around the lodge

You’ll be staying in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, and that means nature is all around, including at the lodge. It’s normal to hear the sounds of the jungle day and night. It’s also possible to have insects inside your room, even though we keep things clean and protected. This is part of the real jungle experience. Please don’t leave food or sweets uncovered in your room or outside, as it can attract more animals. Always store food in sealed bags. We also recommend turning your shoes upside down when not in use. Give them a shake before putting them on, just in case a curious insect has found its way inside.

About the area: Tambopata National Reserve and Puerto Maldonado

Tambopata National Reserve is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. It’s home to over 1,000 bird species, 600 butterfly species, and many types of monkeys, cats, reptiles, and trees.

The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is one of the best spots in the Amazon to watch parrots and macaws gather at sunrise.

Sandoval Lake is a calm oxbow lake known for its beautiful setting, peaceful canoe rides, and wildlife, including giant otters.

What to bring

  • Passport (copy)
  • Mosquito repellent (high DEET)
  • Light, long-sleeved clothing
  • Warm layer for cold mornings and boat rides
  • Rain jacket or poncho (especially Jan–Mar, but in the Amazon jungle it can rain at any time, any day)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • High-SPF sunscreen
  • Water bottle (to refill for free at the lodge)
  • Snacks or other food (meals are enough, but bring your own snacks if you want extra. Nothing can be bought at the lodge)
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Binoculars
  • Slippers
  • Camera with batteries or power bank
  • Comfortable hiking shoes or sandals
  • Cash for tips and extras

Frequently asked questions

What makes Manu different from Puerto Maldonado tours?

The biggest difference is the travel style and the type of experience. Manu National Park tours are more about the full route from Cusco into the jungle, with changing landscapes, good birdwatching, and a more adventurous feeling. Puerto Maldonado tours are more focused on entering the Amazon quickly and spending more time in the rainforest. This makes Puerto Maldonado a strong option for travelers who want efficient access to jungle wildlife, while Manu is ideal for those who want a more complete nature journey through several regions of Peru.

What is the difference between the Backpacker and Premium Puerto Maldonado tours?

Both tours take place in the Tambopata Amazon near Puerto Maldonado and include the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, jungle walks, and wildlife spotting. The Premium Puerto Maldonado 4-day tour offers more comfort, with a private bungalow, hot water shower, 24/7 electricity, better meals, and smaller groups. It is a better choice for travelers who want a more comfortable stay and a stronger focus on wildlife observation. The Backpacker Puerto Maldonado 4-day tour includes a simpler private bungalow with limited electricity, but offers more activities such as kayaking, fishing, and a visit to Sandoval Lake. It is a better option for travelers who want a more active jungle experience at a simpler comfort level. You can also read our full comparison guide here: Premium Lodge vs Backpacker Tour Puerto Maldonado Guide.

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