Puerto Maldonado 3 days Macaw Clay Lick and Mammal Clay Lick tour

• Passport (copy)
• Mosquito repellent (high DEET)
• Light, comfortable clothes
• Long sleeves and long pants
• Fleece or jacket for cold mornings
• Rain poncho (especially Jan–Mar, but in the Amazon jungle it can rain at any time, any day)
• Hat and sunglasses
• High-SPF sunscreen
• Flashlight
• Binoculars
• Slippers
• 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)
• Camera, charger, extra battery
• Small amount of cash

Explore the Amazon jungle on this Puerto Maldonado 3 days Macaw Clay Lick tour. Stay at Collpas Tambopata Inn, a cozy eco-lodge deep in the rainforest. This lodge is deep inside the Tambopata National Reserve, surrounded by wildlife, rivers, and primary rainforest. This tour is a good fit for backpackers who want a real jungle experience and strong chances to see animals.

Our local guides will take you on exciting jungle hikes, kayaking trips, a canopy tower climb, and night walks to spot animals like monkeys, frogs, and maybe even a caiman or snake. It’s a fun, active, and affordable jungle tour, perfect for young travelers and nature lovers.

You will visit the famous Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick at sunrise, go kayaking on jungle waters, hike through rainforest trails, and enjoy guided activities from a remote eco-lodge.

Tour highlights

• Sunrise visit to Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick
• Stay inside the Tambopata National Reserve
• Good chances to see macaws, parrots, monkeys, and caimans
• Guided rainforest hikes in primary forest
• Kayaking on the river or a jungle stream
• Canopy tower with views over the forest
• Night walk to spot frogs, insects, and other nocturnal wildlife
• Eco-lodge with pool, bar, and private rooms

Day 1: Welcome to the Tambopata National Reserve

Arrive in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios. From here you travel about 2 hours by bus and about 30 minutes by boat to reach the lodge. On arrival you receive a welcome drink and a short briefing about the lodge and the activities.

You stay at Collpas Tambopata Inn, a spacious and friendly eco-lodge located at the edge of the Tambopata National Reserve. It is one of the most remote lodges from Puerto Maldonado, surrounded by monkeys and many bird species. Our private bungalows have a private bathroom open windows facing the forest.

After settling in, you join a short guided hike of about 2 to 3 km through primary rainforest. Your guide explains important medicinal plants and helps you look for wildlife. You may spot different monkey species and many birds. You also visit the 50-meter canopy tower for wide views over the forest.

In the evening, you can choose an optional boat ride to look for black and white caimans along the Tambopata River.

Day 2: Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and jungle adventure

Very early in the morning you travel by boat to the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. On clear mornings, dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots gather on the riverbank to eat mineral-rich clay. From a discreet viewpoint, you can observe green-winged macaws, scarlet macaws, blue-and-gold macaws, and several smaller parrot species.

In the afternoon you go kayaking on the river or on a jungle stream, depending on conditions. This is a relaxing activity with good chances to see capybaras, turtles, and river birds.

After dark you join a night walk. This is a good time to look for frogs, insects, and other nocturnal wildlife.

Day 3: Explore the mammal rainforest and return

Today you walk a 5 km trail through classic Amazon rainforest with tall trees, small creeks, and ponds. Along the way you pass fig trees, ceibas, and shihuahuacos. You visit a mammal clay lick, where animals come to eat natural minerals. You may see squirrel monkeys, brown capuchin monkeys, red howler monkeys, and peccaries.

After the walk, it is time to say goodbye as the expedition comes to an end. You then travel back by boat and bus to Puerto Maldonado, with drop-off in the city center of Puerto Maldonado.

Good to know about our wildlife tours in Tambopata

Wildlife sightings in the Amazon are never guaranteed. You are visiting a real and wild ecosystem, and what you see depends on factors such as the time of day, season, and weather. Our experienced guides will always take you to the best places, such as the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, but nature remains unpredictable.

For this reason, the itinerary may sometimes change. Heavy rain or high river levels can affect boat travel or trail access. We will always do our best to follow the program and make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

During high season, two groups may travel at the same time, with a maximum of 12 people per guide. The two groups may use the same transport but will be guided separately.

Animals around the lodge

Collpas Tambopata Inn is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. It is normal to hear animals at night and to see monkeys and birds around the lodge during the day. Insects can sometimes enter your room. This is part of staying in a real jungle environment.

Please do not leave food or sweets in your room or outside. This can attract animals and insects. Keep your snacks in sealed bags. Always shake your shoes before wearing them and store them upside down when not in use.

More information about the Macaw Clay Lick

The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is one of the largest clay licks in the world. Every morning, large groups of scarlet macaws, blue-and-gold macaws, and green-winged macaws gather on the riverbank to eat clay. This clay helps them digest their food and remove toxins from their diet. The experience is colorful, loud, and unforgettable.

Collpas Tambopata Inn is located far from the city and deep inside nature. With its friendly staff, good meals, and simple comfort, it is a relaxing place between jungle activities. You can often hear birds and monkeys from your room.