Description
Most important tour information
- Pickup time
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Pickup window from your accommodation Details: Your exact pickup time or meeting details are sent via WhatsApp no later than the evening before departure.
Highlights
- Private bungalow with private bathroom in Tambopata National Reserve
- Visit Macaw Clay Lick, Mammal Clay Lick, 5km jungle trail, canopy tower, kayaking, night walk
- Pick up from the bus station or airport is included.
- Flexible arrival, breakfast is provided before 8:00 AM, luggage storage included
What is included
Included
- Pick up at the bus station, airport or your stay 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
Day 1: Arrival and first Amazon jungle experience
Morning
Arrive in Puerto Maldonado and travel by bus and boat to the lodge. Receive a welcome drink and briefing.
Afternoon
Short hike in primary rainforest to learn about plants and spot monkeys and birds.
Evening
Optional boat ride to see black and white caimans along the Tambopata River.
Day 2: Macaw Clay Lick and river activities
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 the Puerto Maldonado macaw clay lick. Watch macaws and parrots feeding at dawn. Breakfast at the site.
Afternoon
Kayaking on the river with chances to see capybaras, turtles, and river birds.
Evening
Night walk to find insects, frogs, spiders, and other nocturnal animals.
Day 3: Mammal Clay Lick and fishing
Morning
Hike a five to eight kilometer trail to the mammal clay lick. Possible sightings include howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and peccaries.
Afternoon
Fishing activity using local techniques with good chances to catch Amazon fish.
Evening
Free time to relax at the lodge.
Day 4: Lake visit and return to Puerto Maldonado
Morning
Cross the river and walk to Quiroz Lake to observe alligators, turtles, and floodplain forest.
Afternoon
Return to the lodge and prepare for departure.
Evening
Boat and bus transfer back to Puerto Maldonado city center. We should be back around 3:30 PM.
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
This Puerto Maldonado 4 days Macaw Clay Lick tour is perfect for travelers who want to explore deep rainforest, spot wildlife, and visit the famous macaw clay lick in the Tambopata National Reserve. The tour begins in the city of Puerto Maldonado, where you will travel by bus and boat into the Amazon. The journey takes you far from the city into a remote area with untouched forest and many animal species.
You will stay at Collpas Tambopata Inn, a comfortable eco-lodge located close to the reserve. The lodge has a swimming pool, bar, and buffet meals. Every room has a private bathroom and an open window facing the jungle. Guides lead small groups so you can enjoy a more personal Puerto Maldonado amazon tour.
During the tour you will hike in primary rainforest, climb a 50 meter canopy tower, and explore the river by boat. The highlight is the visit to the Puerto Maldonado macaw clay lick. Here large macaws and parrots gather at dawn to eat minerals from the riverbank. It is one of the most colorful wildlife events in the Amazon. You will also visit a mammal clay lick, go kayaking, try night walks, and relax in nature.
On the final day you will return to Puerto Maldonado by boat and bus. The tour ends in the city center of Puerto Maldonado. Your visit supports conservation projects in Tambopata and helps protect wildlife and rainforest communities.
Activities included during this backpacker Puerto Maldonado amazon tour
- Wildlife hikes in primary rainforest
- Visit to the macaw clay lick at dawn
- Kayaking on the Tambopata River
- Night walk to spot insects, frogs, and other nocturnal animals
- Boat trip to search for caimans
- Climb a canopy tower with views across the forest
- Visit to a mammal clay lick inside the reserve
- Fishing activity with local techniques
- Ecology and nature walk to Quiroz Lake
- Transfers to and from Puerto Maldonado airport or bus station
- All meals, tea, coffee, and guided excursions
More about Puerto Maldonado Amazon – Tambopata national reserve
The Tambopata region of Peru is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. This part of the Amazon has hundreds of bird species, healthy populations of monkeys, and rare animals like giant river otters and tapirs. The Puerto Maldonado macaw clay lick is famous worldwide because dozens of macaws come together in one place to eat clay. Scientists believe the clay helps them digest fruit toxins.
The rainforest around Collpas Tambopata Inn sits between the Tambopata River and the protected zone of the national reserve. This area has very little human impact, which means animals are often easier to observe.
This Puerto Maldonado 4 days Amazon jungle tour is suitable for backpackers of all ages who want close contact with nature and a comfortable stay in the Amazon. It offers a balance of adventure, wildlife viewing, and relaxation, while contributing to the protection of the rainforest for the future.
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
Is Puerto Maldonado better than Manu for an Amazon tour in Peru?
That depends on the type of experience you want. Tours in Manu National park are a good option for travelers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination. On the way from Cusco, you pass mountains, cloud forest, and jungle, which makes the trip very diverse. Puerto Maldonado tours are a better fit if you want to arrive in the Amazon more quickly and focus more directly on jungle wildlife. In general, Manu offers more variety in ecosystems, while Puerto Maldonado offers easier logistics and more time in the lowland rainforest.
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.