Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick + Sandoval Lake 4d/3n
- 10k reviews 4d/3n
Book with us the tour to the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick + Sandoval Lake 4 days 3 nights — with this tour, you will discover the beauty of the Peruvian Amazon.
In this program, you will enjoy various activities in the Tambopata National Reserve such as: Kayaking, caimaneo (caiman observation), and a nocturnal walk. You will also visit the Monkey Island, the famous Sandoval Lake where you can see river wolves, and on the last day, you will visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and enjoy the magnificent show of these birds. This program includes stays in two lodges, one located on the Madre de Dios River and the other on the Tambopata River.
Join us for the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick + Sandoval Lake tour in the Tambopata National Reserve and we will turn this journey into an unforgettable experience that will change your life.
Itinerary
- Pick-up from the airport, bus terminal or your hotel in Puerto Maldonado.
- Transfer by vehicle to our office (approximately 15 minutes).
- The pick-up time will be coordinated one day in advance.
- 8:00 You will visit the following attractions:
- Main Square of Puerto Maldonado.
- Grau Square Viewpoint, where you can admire the two great rivers:
- Madre de Dios River.
- Tambopata River
- 9:00 Transfer to Capitanía Port.
- 9:15 Boat trip from Capitanía Port to our lodge.
- The journey will take approximately 40 minutes.
- You will travel downstream on the Madre de Dios River until reaching our lodge
- 10:00 Familiarisation with our lodge.
- 10:40 Kayaking Activity.
- This activity starts at our lodge.
- Your guide will provide paddles, the kayak, and life jackets.
- A safety boat will accompany the group.
- You will have the chance to swim in the Madre de Dios River.
- 13:30 Local lunch with vegetarian options at our lodge.
- 14:30 Visit to Monkey Island.
- Located 20 minutes downstream from our lodge.
- You will observe black, white, and capuchin monkeys in their natural habitat.
- 16:30 Return to our lodge and take a break.
- 18:00 Caiman Spotting.
- You will embark on a boat equipped with spotlights.
- You will search along the riverbanks for caimans.
- You will observe white and dwarf caimans.
- 19:30 Return to our lodge + dinner with vegetarian options.
- 21:00 Overnight stay at the lodge.
- 8:00 Enjoy a delicious breakfast at our lodge.
- 9:30 Travel by boat to cross the river and reach the Sandoval Lake control post.
- 10:00 A 3-kilometre walk (approximately 1 hour) to Sandoval Lake.
- Along the way, you’ll see a wide variety of flora and fauna: birds, monkeys, reptiles, rodents, arachnids, amphibians, etc.
- 13:00 Local lunch by the shores of Sandoval Lake.
- 14:00 Explore Sandoval Lake.
- You’ll see some birds and “playful” river otters.
- 16:00 Return to our lodge.
- 18:30 Night walk.
- You’ll observe nocturnal wildlife.
- 19:30 Return to our lodge + dinner.
- 21:00 Overnight stay at the lodge.
- 8:00 Enjoy a delicious breakfast at our lodge.
- 9:00 Ride to our second lodge on the Tambopata River.
- The first part of the ride is by vehicle (approximately 2 hours).
- The second part is by boat along the Tambopata River (approximately 30 minutes).
- During this stretch upstream, you will have the chance to see many riverbank birds, capybaras, white caimans, and more.
- 13:00 Familiarisation with our lodge + lunch.
- 15:00 Walk through the forest filled with Amazonian flora and fauna, where you may see chestnut trees, insects, mammals, birds, and more.
- 18:00 Night walk to observe caimans, capybaras, and possibly a feline.
- 19:00 Dinner at the lodge.
- 21:00 If you still have energy, there will be another night walk in search of insects, arachnids, tarantulas, snakes, armadillos, nocturnal monkeys, or even a tapir near the lodge.
- 22:00 Overnight stay at the lodge.
- 4:30 Wake-up with a delicious cup of coffee.
- 5:00 Travel from the lodge to Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.
- Boat ride upstream along the Tambopata National Reserve (approximately 1 hour).
- Enjoy the spectacular scenery!
- You have a 20% chance of spotting a jaguar or an anaconda.
- 6:00 Arrival at Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.
- Watch the breathtaking macaw spectacle with expert guidance from your tour guide.
- 11:00 Enjoy a delicious breakfast overlooking Chuncho Clay Lick.
- 12:00 Short visit to the site museum to learn more about these birds.
- 13:00 Return to the lodge + lunch.
- 14:00 Visit Mississippi Waterfall.
- Take a refreshing dip in the waterfall.
- Learn about some of the local crops grown in this region.
- 15:00 approx. Return to Puerto Maldonado.
- First, a 20-minute boat ride downstream.
- Then, a 2-hour journey by vehicle.
- The exact return time will depend on your flight or bus schedule.
- You will coordinate this directly with your guide, the day before.
- 18:00 approx. Arrival in Puerto Maldonado.
- Drop-off at your hotel, bus terminal or airport, it’s your choice.
- End of our services.
Price
Group tours:
- $410 per person.
- * $ = american dollars.
- Group = shared service with other tourists.
- * If your group is large, contact us for discounts.
Details
Included:
Day 1: Reception + Kayak + Monkey Island + Caiman Spotting
| Included | Group Tours |
| Flight or bus tickets to get to Puerto Maldonado | ❌ |
| Pick-up from the airport, bus terminal, or hotel in Puerto Maldonado | ✅ |
| Breakfast | ❌ |
| Lunch and dinner with vegetarian options | ✅ |
| Professional guide authorised by the Government | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle and boat for transfers/tours | ✅ |
| Equipment for Kayak | ✅ |
| First aid kit | ✅ |
| Expenses not mentioned | ❌ |
| Overnight stay in a tourist lodge | ✅ |
Day 2: Sandoval Lake Tour + Giant River Wolves
| Included | Group Tours |
| Breakfast, lunch and dinner with vegetarian options | ✅ |
| Professional guide authorised by the Government | ✅ |
| Tourist boat for transfers/tours | ✅ |
| First aid kit | ✅ |
| Expenses not mentioned | ❌ |
| Overnight stay in a tourist lodge | ✅ |
Day 3: Ride to our second lodge + activities
| Included | Group Tours |
| Breakfast, lunch and dinner with vegetarian options | ✅ |
| Professional guide authorised by the Government | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle and boat for transfers/tours | ✅ |
| First aid kit | ✅ |
| Expenses not mentioned | ❌ |
| Overnight stay in a tourist lodge | ✅ |
Day 4: Chuncho Macaw clay lick + return to Puerto Maldonado
| Included | Group Tours |
| Breakfast with vegetarian options | ✅ |
| Lunch and dinner | ❌ |
| Professional guide authorised by the Government | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle and boat for transfers/tours | ✅ |
| First aid kit | ✅ |
| Expenses not mentioned | ❌ |
| Return transfer to the airport, bus terminal, or hotel in Puerto Maldonado | ✅ |
| Return transport to your country (flights, buses) | ❌ |
| Hotel | ❌ |
Characteristics of our guides:
- They are graduates of the National Amazonian University of Madre de Dios and other educational institutions.
- All have completed first aid courses.
- They are 100% responsible, professional, experts in ecotourism, and Amazonian biodiversity.
- They speak fluent Spanish and English.
Tourist Lodge
This Amazonian tour includes a stunning lodge with private bathrooms, hot showers, and mosquito nets. The most important thing is that our lodge is designed to blend with the natural environment of the Amazon, ensuring minimal visual impact on the surroundings.
Meal
We provide local food with vegetarian options available at no extra cost. Please inform us in advance of any dietary restrictions on the booking form and remind your guide upon arrival at the lodge.
Equipment for Kayak
For the Kayak activity, our guide will provide you with paddles, a kayak, and a life jacket.
More details:
Type of tour:
- 100% group tours (shared service with other tourists).
- Group size: 5 to 20 tourists per group. We usually handle small groups.
Schedules of the tours: Please, see itinerary.
Language of the guided tour: Spanish and English simultaneously.
Accessibility: Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
What do I bring?
- Basic:
- Valid original passport.
- Extra cash in US dollars or Peruvian soles preferably.
- Personal medication.
- Sunscreen factor 70 or more.
- Water bottle.
- Insect repellent.
- Personal care products.
- Clothing:
- Hiking boots and ankle-high shoes.
- Sandals for walking around the lodge.
- Light-coloured cotton long trousers.
- Bermuda shorts.
- Light-coloured cotton long-sleeve shirts.
- Waterproof jacket.
- Rain poncho.
- Hat to protect your face and neck.
- UV-protection sunglasses.
- Equipment:
- Small backpack (10 – 15 liters).
- Recommended:
- Camera equipment (bring your long lens).
- Power bank.
- Binoculars.
- Swimwear.
- Towel.
- Headlamp with extra batteries.
- Snacks: energy bars, sweets, chocolates, nuts, etc.
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Notes
Before you go to the Tambopata National Reserve
The best time to take the tour
Visit it during the dry season, which lasts from April to November. May and October offer the best weather conditions.
Is this for me?
Recommended for all travellers seeking adventure in the Peruvian jungle. No acclimatisation is needed as it is located at 183 m a.s.l. (600 ft).
Minimum age
There is no minimum age limit, but we recommend children aged 5 and above.
Visiting the Tambopata National Reserve independently
It is not possible to visit the Tambopata National Reserve independently. The authorities of the Tambopata National Reserve require that entry be accompanied by a professional guide for the protection of the reserve and the safety of visitors. Hiring a travel agency such as Inkan Milky Way offers the advantage of having experienced guides who know the Tambopata Reserve area well.
Mobile phone coverage
There is sporadic mobile phone coverage; however, there is no internet signal.
The climate
The climate in the Tambopata Reserve is very warm.
Difference between the Tambopata National Reserve and the Manu National Park
In a National Reserve, resources can be used, but with regulations that limit economic activities in that area. However, in a National Park, the direct use of resources is not allowed. In both cases, the goal is to protect biodiversity.
The Tambopata National Reserve covers an area of 274,690 hectares (2,746.9 km² or 1,060.5 mi²) of pure nature, similar in size to the iconic Yosemite National Park in the USA.
Thanks to its immense variety of well-preserved habitats, Tambopata is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, with over 1,000 species of butterflies, 100 species of mammals, 600 species of birds, and hundreds of species of trees and plants. During your visit, you are likely to see monkeys, parrots, macaws, caimans, toucans, and much more.
The Manu National Park is located in the Cusco and Madre de Dios departments, covering an area of 1,716,300 hectares (17,163 km² or 6,626 mi²), with a great variety of altitude levels and biodiversity of flora and fauna. Nearly 160 species of mammals, over 1,000 species of birds (mostly resident), more than 140 species of amphibians, 50 species of snakes, 40 species of lizards, 6 species of turtles, 3 species of caimans, 210 species of fish, etc., have been recorded.
Store your luggage at our office
During your trip, you can store your main luggage at our office in the city of Puerto Maldonado. You can leave it safely and free of charge.
You can also leave your luggage at your hotel, as most hotels offer this service. Please do not leave any valuable item in your luggage; store them in the hotel safe and get a detailed receipt.
Lost property
Please pay close attention to your belongings. You are solely responsible for all your belongings during the tour.
How to get to Puerto Maldonado?
From Lima:
- The best option is to take a direct flight.
- Lima-Puerto Maldonado flight: 1h 45min.
- We recommend arriving in Puerto Maldonado in the morning, before 9 AM, or if necessary, arrive the day before your tour.
- LATAM Airlines is the best option, their flights always depart on time, and cancellations are very rare.
From Cusco or Puno:
- The best option is to take a bus the day before your tour.
- Estimated bus travel time: 9 to 10 hours.
- We recommend arriving in Puerto Maldonado in the morning, before 9 AM, or if necessary, arrive the day before your tour.
- There are flights available, but direct flights are quite difficult to find, as most flights have a layover in Lima.
Tips (gratuity)
Leaving a tip during the Tambopata tour is common; the guides and lodge staff appreciate it. Although they receive fair wages, an extra tip is always welcome as they work hard to provide an excellent experience. Typically, all collected tips are shared among the entire team.
Pick-ups and schedules
- All pick-up and transfer times are approximate and will be coordinated one day before the tour.
- Your guide will arrange all the details for the start time of the hike one day before the event.
- The arrival times at the attractions are approximate.
- All start and end times of the hike are approximate.
Vehicle type and seats
- All vehicles are:
- 100% tourist-class and super comfortable.
- Authorised by the Peruvian Ministry of Transport.
- Your booking secures a seat on the bus, but not necessarily a specific seat number.
- Travel companions or couples sit together 99% of the time; on rare occasions, seating may vary as part of the tour dynamics.
Tourist boats
- Authorised by the Peruvian Ministry of Transport.
- The boats are 100% suitable for wildlife and flora observation.
- Capacity: 10 to 20 passengers.
Terms
We are an upfront team: As a traveler, you have the right to information before making a purchase. We don’t hide any information from you. The more informed you are, the better you’ll enjoy your trip.
Operability
The Tambopata National Reserve is open all year round; however, we recommend visiting during the dry season, which lasts from April to November. May and October offer the best weather conditions.
This tour is subject to changes without prior notice due to weather conditions, strikes, or any other events that may affect the normal operation of the tour.
Additional costs
There may be additional costs without prior notice due to political instability, strikes, landslides, etc.
Delays
There may be delays in the hike without prior notice due to political instability, strikes, weather conditions, etc.
Modification of itinerary
There may be changes to the itinerary (places to visit along the route) without prior notice due to landslides, safety reasons, strikes, political instability, illnesses, or unforeseen circumstances.
Rescheduling travel date
Can I reschedule my visit to the Tambopata National Reserve?
Yes, but you must request it at least 7 days in advance.
Can I reschedule my visit to Tambopata if there are strikes?
- If the strike is 100% confirmed and we are absolutely sure it will affect the tour, we will reschedule your visit to Tambopata.
- We remain optimistic—despite announced strikes, we will do our best to carry out the tour as originally planned. In many cases, announced strikes do not take place, and even when they do, they often do not impact the tour.
Cancellations
Cancel at least 7 days in advance for a partial refund, otherwise there will be no refund.
Refunds
- Inform us at least 7 days in advance for a partial refund.
- We do not issue refunds for delayed flights, landslides, bad weather, or strikes that affect the tour.
- A 15% administrative fee will be charged based on the total amount paid.
- We do not provide a breakdown of costs incurred during the tour.
- We will process your refund within 7 business days.
Refund process:
- We will preferably refund you via PayPal; otherwise, we will use Western Union.
- When sending your refund, we do not include the usual PayPal or Western Union fees. These money transfer companies will charge their respective commissions on your refund.
- The money transfer commission charged by PayPal or Western Union is approximately 5%.
- If you paid by card, we will refund you less than 5% of the total payment you made. This is due to the 5% fee charged by the banks.
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