5-Day Puerto Maldonado Amazon Tour: Macaw Clay Licks and Lake Sandoval; explore the Amazon jungle of Peru on this 5-day Puerto Maldonado tour. Visit Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, travel farther up the Tambopata River to a second macaw clay lick, and spend a full day at Lake Sandoval. Along the way, enjoy guided jungle walks, kayaking, fishing, and night walks while looking for wildlife in its natural habitat.

You will spend four nights at Collpas Tambopata Inn, a remote jungle lodge near the edge of Tambopata National Reserve. Local guides lead you through different rainforest habitats, from riverbanks and tall forest to quiet lakes and clay licks. This tour suits nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, and travelers who want several days to experience the Peruvian Amazon.

Experience Puerto Maldonado in 5 days

Five days gives you time to explore more of the Tambopata region and enjoy a wider range of jungle activities. Your trip combines two mornings at macaw clay licks with forest walks, river adventures, and a full-day Lake Sandoval tour. Each setting offers something different: parrots gathering above a riverbank, monkeys moving through the canopy, or birds feeding beside a peaceful lake.

Early starts are part of the experience, especially on the clay lick excursions. You will also have time at the lodge between activities to rest, enjoy a meal, or cool off in the swimming pool. With four nights in the same lodge, you can settle into the sounds and daily rhythm of the rainforest.

Why choose this 5-day Amazon jungle tour in Peru?

• Visit Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, one of Tambopata’s best-known birdwatching sites.
• Explore a second macaw clay lick farther up the Tambopata River.
• Enjoy a full day at Lake Sandoval, including a forest walk and a boat trip on the lake.
• Search for monkeys, macaws, river birds, and other wildlife with local guides.
• Walk to a mammal clay lick through forest with large trees, creeks, and ponds.
• Try kayaking and fishing with local methods.
• Discover frogs, insects, spiders, and other creatures during guided night walks.
• Stay four nights at Collpas Tambopata Inn in a room with a private bathroom.

Visit Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick in Tambopata

Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is one of the main highlights of this Puerto Maldonado jungle tour. Located in the upper Tambopata sector of the national reserve, it attracts parrots and macaws that come to eat mineral-rich clay from the riverbank. These natural feeding sites are known locally as collpas.

The experience begins early, with a boat journey along the Tambopata River. At the viewing area, your guide will help you watch without disturbing the birds. You may first hear their calls or see small groups gathering in the trees. When conditions are right, birds move closer to the exposed bank and begin feeding.

Possible sightings include scarlet macaws, red-and-green macaws, blue-and-yellow macaws, and several smaller parrot species. Watching their colors, movements, and interactions is rewarding even before they reach the clay. Bring binoculars if you have them, and allow time to observe quietly.

Wildlife activity changes from one morning to another. Rain, predators, and other natural factors can affect when birds arrive and whether they descend to feed. Your guide will explain what you are seeing, but the number of birds and their behavior cannot be guaranteed.

A second macaw clay lick experience in upper Tambopata

This 5-day itinerary includes another early excursion farther up the Tambopata River, to the clay lick area near the Tambopata Research Center. The additional morning gives you more time to observe wild parrots and macaws and experience another part of the rainforest.

The excursion also includes a guided forest walk and an opportunity to learn about macaw research and conservation in the area. Your guide will help you notice animal calls, tracks, plants, and smaller wildlife along the trail before the boat journey back to the lodge.

Explore Lake Sandoval on a full-day tour

Lake Sandoval, also called Sandoval Lake or Lago Sandoval, is an oxbow lake inside Tambopata National Reserve. An oxbow lake forms when a river changes its course and leaves an old bend separated from the main channel. Sandoval’s calm water, surrounding forest, and tall palms create a different setting from the flowing Tambopata River.

Your Lake Sandoval tour starts from Puerto Maldonado with a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River. After approximately 40 minutes, you will begin a forest walk of about three kilometers to reach the lake. The trail is part of the adventure, with opportunities to look for monkeys, birds, and insects along the way.

At the lake, continue by canoe or small boat with your guide. Moving slowly along the shore gives you time to watch the trees and water for wildlife. You may see monkeys in the branches, turtles resting near the water, or hoatzins among the lakeside vegetation. Caimans also live in the lake, although spotting them depends on conditions.

Can you see giant river otters at Lake Sandoval?

Lake Sandoval is home to giant river otters, one of the most memorable animals you might encounter during an Amazon tour in Peru. They spend much of their time in the water and may be seen swimming, fishing, or resting near the shore. Your guide will watch for movement and listen for their calls while keeping a respectful distance.

Otter sightings are possible but never guaranteed. A full-day visit gives you time to explore the lake and enjoy its scenery even when the otters are out of sight. Lunch is included near the lake before the return walk and boat journey to Puerto Maldonado.

For official information about Sandoval Lake and the Chuncho and Colorado clay lick routes, see SERNANP’s Tambopata National Reserve visitor guide.

Your 5-day Puerto Maldonado tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and your first rainforest experience

Arrive in Puerto Maldonado and begin the journey to Collpas Tambopata Inn. The transfer takes approximately two hours by road and another 30 minutes by boat, depending on conditions. After a welcome drink and a lodge briefing, settle into your room and join an introductory jungle walk.

Your guide will explain the forest around you and help you look for monkeys and birds. After dark, take a guided night walk to discover the smaller creatures that become active at night. Lunch and dinner are included, followed by your first night at the lodge.

Day 2: Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, kayaking, and a night walk

Leave before sunrise for Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. Spend the morning watching for parrots and macaws as they gather near the riverbank. Later, return to the lodge for a meal and some time to rest.

In the afternoon, go kayaking on the river or a nearby stream, depending on water and weather conditions. Look along the banks for capybaras, turtles, and river birds. Another guided night walk offers a chance to find frogs, insects, spiders, and other nocturnal wildlife. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Day 3: Upper Tambopata clay lick and a longer forest walk

Start early for a boat journey of approximately two hours farther upriver to a second macaw clay lick near the Tambopata Research Center. After observing the birds and having breakfast in the area, explore a different forest trail on a guided walk of around three hours.

Learn about the wildlife and conservation work associated with this part of Tambopata. Return toward the lodge by boat, with lunch along the way. Spend the evening relaxing after a full day of exploration. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Day 4: Mammal clay lick and fishing on the Tambopata River

Follow a forest trail of approximately five to eight kilometers to a mammal clay lick. The route passes large trees, creeks, and ponds. Your guide will look for wildlife and signs of animal activity while explaining the surrounding forest.

Later, try fishing with local methods on the Tambopata River. Learn how the techniques work and enjoy time on the water. Fishing results depend on river conditions and the activity of the fish. Return to Collpas Tambopata Inn for your final night. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Day 5: Full-day Lake Sandoval tour and departure

Return to Puerto Maldonado for breakfast, then continue to the city port for the Lake Sandoval excursion. Travel by boat, walk through the forest, and explore the lake while looking for monkeys, birds, and giant river otters.

After lunch near the lake, return to Puerto Maldonado for your onward journey. Breakfast and lunch are included. Confirm your flight or bus schedule before booking so there is enough time to complete the lake visit and your departure transfer.

Stay at Collpas Tambopata Inn

Your accommodation is Collpas Tambopata Inn, a jungle lodge near the boundary of Tambopata National Reserve. Rooms have private bathrooms and windows facing the surrounding forest. The lodge also has a swimming pool, a bar, and spaces to relax between excursions.

Meals are included from lunch on day 1 through lunch on day 5, depending on your arrival and departure time. You will spend all four nights at the lodge, with daily excursions to the river and forest. Tell us about dietary requirements when booking so we can check the available arrangements.

The lodge is part of the rainforest environment. Bird calls, insects, and other jungle sounds are normal throughout your stay. Keep food in sealed bags and check your shoes before putting them on.

Jungle walks, kayaking, and wildlife watching

The guided walks help you understand what makes the Amazon rainforest so rich in life. Your guide will point out plants, animal tracks, and signs of feeding or nesting. You may encounter squirrel monkeys, capuchins, or howler monkeys, while quieter moments can reveal insects and other small creatures that are easy to overlook.

Kayaking offers a closer view of the riverbanks, while the longer boat journeys let you experience the scale of the Tambopata landscape. Night walks reveal another side of the jungle, when frogs call, insects become active, and spiders wait near their webs.

Wildlife moves freely throughout the region. Your guide will choose suitable places and times to look for animals, but sightings always depend on natural conditions.

How much walking is involved?

This tour includes early mornings, boat journeys, and walks in warm, humid weather. The longest planned forest walk is approximately five to eight kilometers on Day 4. Visiting Lake Sandoval involves walking about three kilometers to the lake and the same distance back.

Trails can be muddy, slippery, or uneven. You should be comfortable walking for several hours with breaks. If you have mobility concerns or are unsure whether the longer walks suit you, contact us before booking to discuss the route.

Best time to visit the Amazon jungle near Puerto Maldonado

Tambopata is warm and humid, and rain is possible throughout the year. SERNANP recommends May through October for visits and identifies December through March as the main rainy period. Clear mornings can offer favorable conditions for watching activity at the macaw clay licks.

Bring rain protection whatever month you travel. Early morning boat journeys can feel cool, while the sun can be strong during the Lake Sandoval boat trip.

What to pack for your 5-day Amazon tour

• Light clothes that dry quickly, including long trousers and long-sleeved shirts.
• A rain poncho or waterproof jacket.
• A fleece or light warm layer for early boat journeys.
• Comfortable walking footwear and extra socks.
• A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for time on the water.
• Insect repellent.
• A small day bag and a waterproof bag for electronics.
• A reusable water bottle.
• A flashlight or headlamp for moving around after dark.
• Binoculars and a camera if you enjoy wildlife watching or photography.
• Swimwear for the lodge pool.

Arrival, departure, and itinerary flexibility

The tour begins and ends in Puerto Maldonado. Send us your arrival and departure details before booking so we can check the transfers and the time available for each activity. Lake Sandoval is planned for day 1 or day 5, so a late arrival or an early departure that day may not allow enough time for the full excursion.

If your departure is early, ask whether the lake visit can be arranged earlier in the tour. This depends on your arrival time and the final program. Boat travel times and the order of activities may also change because of weather, river levels, or local conditions.

Explore the Peruvian Amazon with Wander Free Peru

This 5-day Puerto Maldonado Amazon tour brings together macaw clay licks, Lake Sandoval, forest walks, and life beside the Tambopata River. With four nights at Collpas Tambopata Inn and several days of guided activities, you have time to observe, listen, and enjoy the rainforest at different hours of the day.

Contact Wander Free Peru with your travel dates and arrival details to check availability and plan your five days in the Amazon jungle of Peru.