5 days Puerto Maldonado Amazon tour | Upper Tambopata & Sandoval Lake – Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

Upon arrival at the airport or bus terminal, you will be greeted and transferred to the office of Amazon Garden Lodge for check-in and registration. Any luggage not needed during your jungle stay can be securely stored here to make your trip more convenient. Before heading to the lodge, you may visit the city’s Plaza de Armas and capture panoramic photos from the Plaza Grau Viewpoint, where the Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers meet—a truly stunning natural sight.

Next, we’ll board a traditional Amazonian boat at Triunfo Port for a 50-minute scenic ride along the Madre de Dios River to reach the lodge.

Upon arrival at the lodge:
Enjoy a welcome drink made from fresh local fruits.
Settle into your room and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Kayaking & Monkey Island Visit
After putting on life jackets, we’ll board a boat and transfer to kayaks for a peaceful and exciting paddle on the river. A support boat will accompany the group for safety at all times. You’ll also have the chance to swim in the Madre de Dios River, a refreshing way to unwind and disconnect from city life.

Directly across from Amazon Garden Lodge lies Monkey Island, home to several monkey species accustomed to human presence. You’ll have the unique opportunity to get up close, feed them, and observe the interactions among different species—a heartwarming and fun wildlife experience.

Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Relax with a drink from our bar while enjoying a spectacular sunset from hammocks along the riverbank, with views of Monkey Island in the distance.

Nighttime Alligator Watching (“Caiman Spotting”)
After nightfall, board a boat equipped with a spotlight to navigate the riverbanks in search of caimans (Amazon alligators). With a bit of luck, you may also spot nocturnal birds and capybaras—the world’s largest rodent.

End the day with dinner at the lodge, followed by rest and relaxation.

By 7:00 AM, you’re aboard a wooden motor canoe, cruising gently up the Madre de Dios River, the sunlight filtering through the jungle canopy. The boat ride is short but scenic, delivering you to the entrance of the Tambopata National Reserve, where Sandoval Lake is hidden like a jewel.

With your guide leading the way, you begin a walk along a 3-kilometer jungle trail. The air is thick with humidity and the scent of rich earth. Along the way, your guide points out playful squirrel monkeys darting through the trees, colorful butterflies fluttering across your path, and perhaps even a sloth hanging lazily overhead. The sounds of the forest grow louder and more alive with every step.

Arrival at Sandoval Lake
After about an hour’s trek, the forest opens to reveal Sandoval Lake, shimmering in the morning light—a vast, serene oxbow lake surrounded by lush palm trees and thick vegetation. You step into a wooden canoe, and with a few quiet paddles, you’re gliding across the still waters.

As you explore the lake, you may spot giant river otters swimming playfully in the shallows, black caimans sunbathing along the edges, and hoatzins, prehistoric-looking birds, rustling in the branches. Overhead, macaws and herons soar, and capuchin monkeys chatter in the trees. The lake is alive but calm—a mirror of the sky and the jungle beyond.

Jungle Picnic & Midday Rest
By midday, you return to a shaded rest area near the lake’s edge, where a picnic lunch awaits. You dine on Amazonian dishes—grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves, rice, fresh fruits, and cool drinks—surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest. Afterward, there’s time to relax, nap in a hammock, or journal your thoughts with the occasional call of a toucan echoing in the background.

Afternoon Wildlife & Sunset Magic
In the afternoon, you take a final gentle paddle across the lake. The light has changed—warmer, softer. This is one of the best times for wildlife viewing. You might spot capybaras near the shore, or a troop of howler monkeys making their evening rounds.

As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in gold and amber, you sit in stillness. The lake glows, and the jungle slows down. It’s a magical moment—a memory you’ll carry forever.

Return to the Lodge
As twilight deepens, you retrace your steps along the jungle trail, returning to the boat on the Madre de Dios River. The journey back to Amazon Garden Lodge is peaceful. With stars beginning to pierce the canopy above, you arrive just in time for a hearty dinner and a chance to reflect on the day’s wonders.

8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the lodge, enjoying fresh local ingredients and the tranquil sounds of the jungle waking up around you.

Cultural Encounter with Indigenous Traditions
In today’s fast-paced and globalized world, we often lose sight of the deep-rooted cultures that have existed for centuries in harmony with nature. This morning, you’ll have a unique opportunity to engage with an indigenous community—descendants of ancient warriors and skilled hunters.

Through a live demonstration of their traditions, you’ll witness their daily life, learn about their tools, rituals, and way of living. You’ll be invited to share stories, participate in simple activities, and connect with their rich ancestral heritage. Supporting them by purchasing handmade crafts or natural products is a meaningful way to contribute directly to their community’s livelihood and preservation of their culture.

Rustic Jungle Fishing
In the afternoon, we head out on the river once more. Our boat will take us to a quiet ravine—an ideal spot for traditional rustic fishing. Guided by local knowledge, you’ll try your hand at catching Amazonian fish like catfish, maiden fish, sardines, and even the elusive piranha. It’s a relaxed, interactive experience that brings you closer to the natural rhythms of the jungle.

Evening Return
After the adventure, we return to the lodge just in time to watch the sunset over the Madre de Dios River. A hearty dinner awaits, followed by time to relax, share stories, or simply rest to the soothing chorus of the jungle at night.

7:30 AM – Departure from Amazon Garden, We begin our adventure early in the morning, departing from Amazon Eco Lodge Paradise at 8:30 AM. The journey starts with an hour-long drive along the Interoceanic Highway, offering scenic views of the Amazon basin. We then take a quieter, less-traveled road that leads us to the banks of the Tambopata River.

Awaiting us there is our private boat and experienced river navigator. We board and continue upriver for approximately 30 minutes, keeping our eyes open for riverside birds, capybaras, and possibly even white caimans basking on the muddy banks.

Arrival at Collpas Tambopata Inn
Upon arrival at Collpas Tambopata Inn, you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing local drink and introduced to the lodge and its facilities. After a brief orientation, you’ll receive your room key and have a chance to settle in. A short guided walk around the property will help you get familiar with the surroundings and local flora and fauna.

Lunch & Rest
Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with local ingredients. Afterward, take some time to relax before heading into the forest for your next adventure.

Afternoon Jungle Trek: Forest Life & Local Economies
In the afternoon, we’ll explore a primary rainforest filled with towering ancient trees and diverse vegetation. As we walk, your guide will share insights into the region’s major economic activities, including agriculture, gold mining, logging, Brazil nut (chestnut) harvesting, and the growing importance of ecotourism.

This trail also offers excellent opportunities to observe monkeys, squirrels, and other mammals in their natural environment. With luck, you may spot some of the jungle’s shier residents as we quietly make our way through the forest.

Sunset Wildlife Viewing & Caiman Spotting
As the sun begins to set, we return to the river, flashlights in hand, ready for a nocturnal boat ride. With the fading light, the jungle transforms. We’ll look for alligators, capybaras, and—if we’re lucky—a jungle feline, such as an ocelot or jaguarundi, prowling the banks in search of prey.

Dinner & Optional Night Walk
Back at the lodge, dinner will be served—an ideal time to relax and share stories from the day. For those still feeling adventurous, we offer an optional night walk through nearby trails. With the help of your guide, you’ll search for insects, tarantulas, snakes, and perhaps encounter nocturnal creatures like armadillos, night monkeys, or even a tapir roaming near the lodge.

We begin our day before dawn, rising early to enjoy a hot cup of Amazonian coffee under the stars. By 5:00 AM, we’re back on the river, heading upstream for about an hour into the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve.

As the sun slowly rises over the rainforest, the boat ride becomes a serene and unforgettable experience. The morning mist drifts over the river, casting golden reflections on the water. With nature all around and no one else in sight, it feels as if the sunrise was made just for us. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled—we have a 20% chance of spotting a jaguar stealthily patrolling the riverbanks or perhaps catching a glimpse of an anaconda basking near the water’s edge.

Spectacle at Collpa Chuncho: Macaws & Parrots in the Wild
Around 6:00 AM, we arrive at the famous Collpa Chuncho, one of the largest macaw clay licks in the region. As the first rays of sunlight touch the treetops, the show begins: hundreds of parrots and macaws swoop down in vibrant flocks to feast on the clay-rich soil of the riverbank.

This behavior, essential to their diet, helps them detoxify seeds and fruits they eat in the wild. You’ll learn about this fascinating phenomenon while watching the birds display an incredible array of colors, calls, and social behavior—an unforgettable wildlife spectacle that lasts until around 11:00 AM.

Meanwhile, enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast with a front-row view of this natural show, right beside the clay lick.

Educational Stop at the Ranger Station
Following the macaw experience, we make a brief stop at the reserve’s checkpoint, where a small interpretive center and museum offer more insight into the biodiversity, conservation efforts, and the challenges faced in preserving this pristine region.

Lunch & Jungle Refresh at Quebrada El Gato
We return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch, savoring local flavors and recharging after a morning full of wonder.

After a short rest, we’ll head out to Quebrada El Gato, a secluded jungle stream and waterfall. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in cool, crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush vegetation. It’s a perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Before heading back, we’ll visit a nearby community farm to learn about the agricultural richness of Madre de Dios. Discover how locals cultivate products like cacao, yucca, bananas, and the region’s iconic Brazil nuts, which form a key part of both the economy and the forest’s ecological balance.

Return to Puerto Maldonado
As the day winds down and the golden hour sets in, we take our canoe for a final 20-minute ride downstream. From there, our vehicle will be waiting for a comfortable two-hour drive back to Puerto Maldonado, arriving in the early evening with hearts full and cameras full.