Peru
Peru – Tambopata and Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick (4 days)
Peru – Tambopata and Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick (4 days)
Duration
4 days
Start/End
Puerto Maldonado
Tour type
Individual · Group
Level
Simple
Overview
Traveling by land, you'll traverse an extraordinary diversity of habitats – from the arid Puna plains to elven and cloud forests, all the way to the tropical lowlands. By boat, you'll journey down the rivers to Manu National Park, visiting Lakes Cocha Salvador and Cocha Otorongo, and the Manu Wildlife Center with its parrot and tapir licks.
The Tambopata National Reserve in southeastern Peru is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. On this four-day tour from Puerto Maldonado, you travel up the Tambopata River to the Finca Sachavacayoc eco-lodge, set in a large garden with trails and two lakes nearby. The highlight is the Chuncho clay lick, one of the largest in the world: early in the morning, hundreds of macaws and parrots gather here to eat mineral-rich clay – an unforgettable spectacle of color and sound. In the afternoon, you explore the remote oxbow lake Condenado by paddle canoe; on the third day you look for giant river otters on an oxbow lake and learn about rainforest ecology, and night walks reveal the hidden life of the rainforest. Our experienced naturalist guides lead you in small groups (on average 6–8 people) – ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
Tour Code
Maximum altitude
Itinerary
Day 1
Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata River – Finca Sachavacayoc
Finca Sachavacayoc
Boat trip of approx. 3 h, rainforest walk and night walk
Our team welcomes you at the airport of Puerto Maldonado and takes you to our office, where you can leave the luggage you don't need in the rainforest. We then board a motorized canoe and travel up the Tambopata River for about three hours – with good chances of seeing capybaras, caimans, turtles, waterbirds and, with luck, monkeys. A box lunch (vegetarian on request) and cold drinks are served on board. After checking in at Finca Sachavacayoc and a short rest, we take an introductory walk into the rainforest, where your guide explains its plants and medicinal trees. After dark, a night walk reveals nocturnal creatures such as tree frogs, insects and the impressive bird-eating tarantula.
Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata River – Finca Sachavacayoc
Day 1
Finca Sachavacayoc
Boat trip of approx. 3 h, rainforest walk and night walk
Our team welcomes you at the airport of Puerto Maldonado and takes you to our office, where you can leave the luggage you don't need in the rainforest. We then board a motorized canoe and travel up the Tambopata River for about three hours – with good chances of seeing capybaras, caimans, turtles, waterbirds and, with luck, monkeys. A box lunch (vegetarian on request) and cold drinks are served on board. After checking in at Finca Sachavacayoc and a short rest, we take an introductory walk into the rainforest, where your guide explains its plants and medicinal trees. After dark, a night walk reveals nocturnal creatures such as tree frogs, insects and the impressive bird-eating tarantula.
Day 2
Chuncho macaw clay lick – Lake Condenado
Finca Sachavacayoc
Boat trip to the clay lick, canoe trip on the lake and night walk
We set off at 4:00 am and travel upstream by boat for about two hours to arrive at the Chuncho clay lick before the birds. Breakfast is served on board, and along the way we may see capybaras, caimans and, with great luck, a jaguar or tapir. At the clay lick, one of the largest in the world, hundreds of red-and-green, scarlet and blue-and-yellow macaws and many parrots gather to eat the mineral-rich clay – a unique spectacle. After lunch at the lodge and a rest, we walk for about an hour to the remote oxbow lake Condenado. From a paddle canoe, we look for monkeys, caimans, hoatzins and macaws flying to their roosts – and with luck even an anaconda. Back at the lodge, there is the option of another night walk.
Chuncho macaw clay lick – Lake Condenado
Day 2
Finca Sachavacayoc
Boat trip to the clay lick, canoe trip on the lake and night walk
We set off at 4:00 am and travel upstream by boat for about two hours to arrive at the Chuncho clay lick before the birds. Breakfast is served on board, and along the way we may see capybaras, caimans and, with great luck, a jaguar or tapir. At the clay lick, one of the largest in the world, hundreds of red-and-green, scarlet and blue-and-yellow macaws and many parrots gather to eat the mineral-rich clay – a unique spectacle. After lunch at the lodge and a rest, we walk for about an hour to the remote oxbow lake Condenado. From a paddle canoe, we look for monkeys, caimans, hoatzins and macaws flying to their roosts – and with luck even an anaconda. Back at the lodge, there is the option of another night walk.
Day 3
Oxbow lake and rainforest ecology
Finca Sachavacayoc
Lake excursion, botanical walk and night walk
After breakfast, we set off on a morning excursion to an oxbow lake in search of the giant river otter families that live here, as well as kingfishers, horned screamers and black caimans. After lunch at the lodge, we walk along forest trails where your naturalist guide explains the interactions between plants and animals, giant hardwood trees such as the ceiba, fungal networks and traditional medicinal uses of plants. After dinner, a final night walk takes us in search of nocturnal mammals, owls and amphibians.
Oxbow lake and rainforest ecology
Day 3
Finca Sachavacayoc
Lake excursion, botanical walk and night walk
After breakfast, we set off on a morning excursion to an oxbow lake in search of the giant river otter families that live here, as well as kingfishers, horned screamers and black caimans. After lunch at the lodge, we walk along forest trails where your naturalist guide explains the interactions between plants and animals, giant hardwood trees such as the ceiba, fungal networks and traditional medicinal uses of plants. After dinner, a final night walk takes us in search of nocturnal mammals, owls and amphibians.
Day 4
Finca Sachavacayoc – Puerto Maldonado
Boat trip and transfer to the airport
After an early breakfast, we say goodbye to the rainforest and travel by boat down the Tambopata River to Puerto Maldonado – a last chance to see the wildlife of the reserve. At our office, you collect your luggage, and our team then takes you to the airport for your flight to Cusco or Lima.
Finca Sachavacayoc – Puerto Maldonado
Day 4
Boat trip and transfer to the airport
After an early breakfast, we say goodbye to the rainforest and travel by boat down the Tambopata River to Puerto Maldonado – a last chance to see the wildlife of the reserve. At our office, you collect your luggage, and our team then takes you to the airport for your flight to Cusco or Lima.
Price from
€690.00
Services
What's included
Pre-Tour Briefing: Our team contacts you before departure to give you all the information and answer your questions.
Transfers: Pick-up and drop-off at the airport of Puerto Maldonado and secure luggage storage at our office.
Transportation: Motorized canoe and land transport throughout the itinerary.
Accommodation: 3 nights at Finca Sachavacayoc (double occupancy) in cabins with private bathroom, hot water and electricity 24 hours a day.
Meals: All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day; vegetarian options and special diets on request.
Naturalist Guide: Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish) with in-depth knowledge of rainforest ecology.
Entrance Fees: Tambopata National Reserve.
Activities: All excursions according to the itinerary in a small group.
What's not included
Flights: Flights to and from Puerto Maldonado and airport taxes.
Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Drinks & Personal Expenses: Alcoholic and soft drinks outside the main meals, laundry and souvenirs.
Tips: Gratuities for guide, boat driver and lodge staff (optional).
Delays: Extra nights or services due to flight changes or cancellations.
Character of the trip
Fitness
Simple
Altitude
Low (up to 200 m)
Culture / nature
Balanced
Fitness – easy to moderate: Boat trips and walks of 1–3 hours on mostly flat rainforest trails, with some very early starts. A basic level of fitness is enough.
Altitude – low: The whole tour takes place in the lowland rainforest at around 200 m / 656 ft – no altitude problems.
Culture & nature – nature-focused: The Chuncho macaw clay lick, oxbow lakes, giant otters, monkeys, caimans, hoatzins and nocturnal rainforest life, plus a botanical walk with a focus on medicinal plants.
Lodge: 3 nights at Finca Sachavacayoc in comfortable cabins with private bathroom.
Dates and prices
Individual dates
Groups of 6 or more: contact info@silvertip.at for special rates and tailor-made options.
Notes on the trip
Good to know
Tambopata National Reserve: 274,690 ha (1,061 sq mi) of protected lowland rainforest, riverine forest and oxbow lakes, home to around 632 bird species, 169 mammal species and more than 1,200 butterfly species – one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
Climate: 2,500–3,500 mm (98–138 in) of rain per year, mostly from November to April; the average temperature is 28 °C (82 °F). In the dry season, cold fronts (friajes) can bring temperatures down to 15 °C (59 °F).
Clay lick: The Chuncho clay lick is most active from July to October; sightings depend on weather and season.
Program: The itinerary may vary slightly to maximize wildlife sightings.
Tips: As a guideline, many guests give about USD 20 for the lodge staff, USD 30 for the guide and USD 20 for the boat crew per stay – entirely at your discretion.
What to bring
Clothing: 3–4 lightweight, quick-dry long-sleeved shirts, 2–3 lightweight long trousers (no jeans), a fleece or windbreaker for early boat trips, a broad-brimmed hat and a rain poncho or waterproof jacket.
Footwear: Waterproof or quick-drying hiking shoes, tall socks and sandals for the lodge.
Equipment: Daypack (20–30 l), headlamp with spare batteries, binoculars, reusable water bottle and dry bags to protect cameras and phones.
Protection: Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin), sunscreen, sunglasses and personal medication.
Documents: Original passport (mandatory) and some Peruvian soles.