6-Day Tambopata Amazon Tour: Chuncho Macaws & Reserved Zone
Embark on an unforgettable 6-day Tambopata jungle expedition designed for true nature and adventure lovers. This immersive journey combines the deep biodiversity of the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park with the protected wildlife sanctuary of the Tambopata National Reserve (Sandoval Lake).
From witnessing hundreds of colorful macaws at the famous Chuncho clay lick to sleeping deep inside the reserve and experiencing high-adrenaline canopy adventures, this comprehensive program offers the ultimate Peruvian Amazon experience.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Maldonado & Navigation to the Jungle Lodge
Your adventure begins upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, where our team will welcome you and transfer you to the river port. From there, you will embark on a scenic 4-hour motorboat journey up the Tambopata River to our remote camping lodge (enjoying a box lunch along the way). Keep your eyes open for riverbanks dotted with local farms, sunbathing turtles, and families of capybaras—the world’s largest rodents.
After settling in and taking a short rest, you will head out on an introductory twilight walk. Furthermore, your guide will introduce you to basic rainforest ecology while you listen to the nocturnal symphony of insects, spot colorful frogs, and occasionally cross paths with nocturnal mammals. Return to the lodge for a peaceful night surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon. (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick & Cascadas del Gato
An early start at 4:30 AM sets the tone for today. After a light coffee or mate, you will take a 40-minute boat ride upstream to witness one of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife events at the El Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick (Bahuaja-Sonene National Park). Hundreds of parrots, parakeets, and vibrant macaws gather on the clay walls to feed on mineral-rich earth, creating an explosion of color and sound.
Afterward, you will walk along the river beach looking for fresh animal tracks before returning to the lodge for a full breakfast and downtime.
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Midday Activity: Around 11:00 AM, take a short boat trip to Cascadas del Gato, where you can swim in a refreshing natural jacuzzi or try fishing for some of the 250 local species.
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Afternoon & Evening: Following lunch, dive deeper into the rainforest on an ethnobotanical walk along the Tambopata cross path to learn about medicinal trees, walking palms, and giant lupunas. As night falls, embark on a caiman-spotting safari along the riverbanks. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: River Expedition & Safari Camp Setup
After breakfast, enjoy another fantastic morning observing active birds and parrots feeding along the riverbanks. Following lunch at the lodge, you will travel 30 minutes downstream to establish a remote safari campsite for the night.
As evening descends, scan the river for glowing caiman eyes, capybaras, and nocturnal birds. Later, gather around a crackling campfire as your expert guide shares fascinating stories and legends of the jungle. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Indigenous Culture, Canopy Zipline & Sandoval Lake Lodge
Begin your morning with an early breakfast before traveling downstream by boat to visit a local native family. They will share insights into their ancestral culture, traditions, and hand-crafted hunting artifacts. Afterward, head to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
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Canopy Adventure: Get ready for an adrenaline rush at a 27-meter-high observation tower. Cross an 89-meter suspension bridge suspended high among ancient tree branches, followed by an exhilarating 190-meter zipline flight over the jungle canopy.
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The Journey to Sandoval Lake: Following your canopy adventure, a motorized boat will take you to the port of Sandoval Oxbow Lake. From there, you will hike for about one hour through the Tambopata-Candamo reserve trails to reach the cozy Maloka Sandoval Lodge, located right inside the reserve zone. Enjoy dinner and a night walk around the lake to spot resting wildlife. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Macaw Palm Lick, Wildlife Trekking & Giant Otters
Rise early to visit the Macaw Palm Lick, a unique ecosystem where macaws and parrots gather to feed on decomposing, mineral-rich palm trees essential for their digestion. After breakfast back at the lodge, embark on a guided trek through primary forest. Consequently, you will have excellent opportunities to spot mammals such as monkeys, deer, peccaries, sloths, and anteaters.
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Afternoon: After a relaxing lunch, you can safely swim in designated areas of the lake. Later in the afternoon, explore Lake Sandoval by wooden canoe, searching for the resident family of giant river otters, black caimans, and prehistoric hoatzin birds (shanshos).
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Night Excursion: Wrap up the day with a nocturnal hike to track tarantulas, scorpions, and crystal frogs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Return to Puerto Maldonado & Transfer to Airport/Bus Station
After a relaxed breakfast, you will retrace your steps along the scenic jungle trail back to the port, where a vehicle will transfer you directly to the Puerto Maldonado airport or bus station for your onward journey to Cusco or Lima. (Breakfast)