Tambopata Birding – Macaw Clay Lick & Sandoval Lake 4 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: Riverine Birding & Nocturnal Amazon Wildlife Search

Our expert transfer team will meet you upon arrival at the Puerto Maldonado airport. After a brief stop at our office to secure non-essential luggage, our birding adventure begins with a scenic road and river journey. We travel to the port of Filadelfia in the upper Tambopata, where we board our motorized boat.

The 40-minute river journey to the lodge is our first opportunity for Riverine Birding. Keep your binoculars ready for species that frequent the riverbanks, including the elegant Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus), Pied Lapwing (Vanellus cayanus), and the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger). Upon arrival at the Chuncho Lodge, you will be welcomed and settled into your accommodation before a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, we embark on an introductory walk, focusing on Forest Understory Birding along the lodge trails. Our expert guide will help you spot various species of Antbirds, Manakins, and Woodpeckers, while also observing troops of Howler Monkeys and Squirrel Monkeys.

As dusk settles, we prepare for an exciting Nocturnal Amazon Wildlife Search. This one-hour night walk offers a unique chance to encounter elusive nocturnal birds like the Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis) and the Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata). The focus will also be on finding a variety of amphibians and reptiles, including colorful Poison Dart Frogs and shy snakes, providing excellent opportunities for macro-photography.

Day 2: Collpa Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Spectacle & Canopy Birding

We rise before dawn for the highlight of the tour: the Collpa Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. A 30-minute motorized boat trip takes us deep into the reserved zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. The journey itself is a prime time for wildlife photography, with potential sightings of the majestic Jaguar (Panthera onca) resting on the riverbanks, families of Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), and the imposing Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger).

Upon arrival at the collpa, we position ourselves for the natural spectacle. This is one of the Amazon’s most spectacular clay licks, attracting hundreds of parrots and macaws. Our primary target species include the three largest macaws: the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), the Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus), and the Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna). We will observe their social interactions and the mineral-rich clay consumption essential for their digestion.

After returning to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest, the afternoon is dedicated to Canopy Birding. We ascend the 50-meter-high Observation Tower, offering a unique perspective over the forest canopy. This elevation provides unparalleled viewing and photographic angles for mid- and upper-level species, including various Toucans (e.g., White-throated Toucan), colorful Tanagers, and large nesting colonies of Oropendolas. We conclude the day by enjoying a beautiful sunset over the Tambopata River.

Day 3: Oxbow Lake Birding at Sandoval & Giant Otter Search

We begin the day with an early morning walk to a nearby Mammal Lick. This natural mud scene attracts various mammals, including Tapir, White-lipped Peccaries, and Red Brocket Deer, offering a unique Wildlife Photography opportunity.

Following breakfast, we return to Puerto Maldonado and continue our expedition toward the renowned Sandoval Lake. After registering at the control post, we undertake a 3 km (45-minute) walk through primary rainforest, where we can observe immense trees and diverse flora.

Upon reaching the shores of Sandoval Lake, a classic Amazonian Oxbow Lake, we transition to silent, paddle-powered canoes. This tranquil environment is perfect for Oxbow Lake Birding. Our main target here is the bizarre, yet iconic, Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), which is abundant in the lake’s palm swamps. We will also search for various Kingfishers, Herons, and the Red-bellied Macaws that roost in the surrounding aguaje palms.

Sandoval Lake is one of the most reliable locations in the Amazon to observe the endangered Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). We will spend the late afternoon searching the lake edges for these magnificent, social mammals. The day culminates with a spectacular sunset over the lake, followed by a dedicated search for Black Caiman at night, providing excellent low-light photography practice.

Day 4: Final Giant Otter Viewing & Forest Understory Birding

We embark on an early morning canoe trip on Sandoval Lake for a final, dedicated search for the Giant Otters. This time of day offers the best light and activity levels for observing and photographing these piscivorous mustelids as they fish and patrol the lake in their family groups.

After returning to the lodge for breakfast, we take a final Ethnobotanical Walk. This is reframed as a final opportunity for Forest Understory Birding, where our guide will focus on locating elusive species such as Antbirds and Manakins before the forest warms up. The guide will also explain the medicinal and practical uses of the immense natural wealth of the rainforest.

The excursion concludes with the trip back to Puerto Maldonado, where you will be transferred to the airport or bus terminal for your return journey