Lake Sandoval Full Day Tour in Tambopata
The classic one-day taste of the Peruvian Amazon: a boat up the Madre de Dios River, a forest walk and a paddle on a quiet oxbow lake where giant otters, caimans, hoatzins and monkeys are the draw.
Peru
Puerto Maldonado & Tambopata
Puerto Maldonado is the river town at the meeting of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers in southeastern Peru, and the main gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve, one of the richest stretches of lowland Amazon rainforest.
From here, boats and short drives lead to Lake Sandoval and its giant otters and caimans, to oxbow lakes for piranha fishing, to canopy walkways and sloth trails, and to the clay licks where macaws and parrots gather at dawn. This guide covers the experiences worth booking: full-day lake trips, Chuncho and Cachuela clay lick visits, sunset caiman and night walk outings, multi-day jungle programs, lodge stays with Inkaterra and Rainforest Expeditions, a Lake Valencia expedition and a local farm and shelter visit. It also explains the seasons, how lodges and day trips differ and matches you to a hotel, from simple town stays to comfortable riverside lodges, because here where you sleep decides how much of the forest you see.
Don't miss
Lake Sandoval Full Day Tour in Tambopata
The classic one-day taste of the Peruvian Amazon: a boat up the Madre de Dios River, a forest walk and a paddle on a quiet oxbow lake where giant otters, caimans, hoatzins and monkeys are the draw.
Full Day Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Tour in Tambopata
A very early start for one of the great wildlife shows in the Amazon: hundreds of macaws, parrots and parakeets gathering to feed on the mineral-rich clay of the Chuncho riverbank.
2 Day Tambopata Jungle Express Tour
The shortest overnight in the rainforest: two days and one night in the Tambopata area with a lodge stay, guided walks, a river journey and a first taste of the Amazon.
3 Days 2 Nights Tambopata Jungle Tour
The sweet spot for most visitors: three days and two nights in the Tambopata area, with time for forest walks, a lake, night activities and wildlife watching at an unhurried pace.
Things to do in Puerto Maldonado & Tambopata
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Full Day Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Tour in Tambopata
A very early start for one of the great wildlife shows in the Amazon: hundreds of macaws, parrots and parakeets gathering to feed on the mineral-rich clay of the Chuncho riverbank.
Peruvian Amazon Chunco Macaw Clay Lick 2-Day Small-Group Tour
A small-group, two-day version of the Chuncho trip that sleeps near the river, so you reach the macaw clay lick fresh at first light instead of after a pre-dawn marathon.
Collpa Cachuela Tambopata Parrot Clay Lick Adventure
A short, affordable clay lick visit close to Puerto Maldonado, where parrots and parakeets gather on a riverbank in the morning, a gentler alternative to the long Chuncho journey.
Piranha Fishing on Lake Yacumama
A fun, hands-on half day on a calm oxbow lake near Puerto Maldonado, learning to fish for piranhas with a simple rod and watching birds, caimans and monkeys from the boat.
Canopy Walkway, Zip Line, Kayak and Monkey Island in Tambopata
A multi-activity day that mixes a suspended canopy walkway, a zip line, kayaking and a visit to Monkey Island, a good fit for active travelers and families who like variety.
Sunset and Caiman Search in Tambopata
A short evening boat trip as the light fades and the forest changes shift, searching with torches for caimans and night birds along a quiet river or lake.
Night Walk and Search for Tarantulas and Sloths
A guided evening walk into the forest with torches, looking for tarantulas, frogs, insects and sleeping or slow-moving animals that are impossible to find in daylight.
Search for Sloths with Suspension Bridge and Viewpoint
A gentle forest outing near Puerto Maldonado that combines a hunt for sloths and other canopy wildlife with a suspension bridge and a viewpoint over the treetops.
2 Day Tambopata Jungle Express Tour
The shortest overnight in the rainforest: two days and one night in the Tambopata area with a lodge stay, guided walks, a river journey and a first taste of the Amazon.
3 Days 2 Nights Tambopata Jungle Tour
The sweet spot for most visitors: three days and two nights in the Tambopata area, with time for forest walks, a lake, night activities and wildlife watching at an unhurried pace.
4 Day Tambopata Jungle Tour with Local Guide
A longer jungle program of four days with a local guide, giving time for a lake, forest trails, night walks and the chance to add a macaw clay lick on the way.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
Madre de Dios River
A well-established riverside rainforest lodge on the Madre de Dios, known for comfortable thatched cabanas, a canopy walkway and naturalist-led excursions. The upscale pick for travelers who want comfort in the forest.
Check rates →
$$$Posada Amazonas
Tambopata River
A well-regarded rainforest lodge operated in partnership with a local Indigenous community, with open-sided rooms, a canopy tower and guided walks. A thoughtful choice for travelers who want a locally rooted stay.
Check rates →Refugio Amazonas
Tambopata River
A remote riverside lodge on the Tambopata, positioned for access to deeper forest and clay lick areas. A good fit for wildlife-focused travelers who accept a longer journey.
Check rates →Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion
Madre de Dios River
A mid-range Inkaterra lodge on the river with private rooms, a lodge atmosphere and guided excursions. A comfortable option between a basic camp and a luxury retreat.
Check rates →EcoAmazonia Lodge
Las Piedras area
A friendly, thatched riverside lodge a short boat ride from Puerto Maldonado, with guided walks, a canopy tower and a relaxed pace. An easy, good-value introduction to the Amazon.
Check rates →Wasai Puerto Maldonado Eco Lodge
Puerto Maldonado
A well-known eco lodge based near Puerto Maldonado, useful as a comfortable gateway stay before or after a jungle trip, with the town and airport within easy reach.
Check rates →IKAM Riverview Amazon Lodge
Tambopata River
A riverview Amazon lodge associated with the Casa Andina hotel group, offering a comfortable rainforest base with the support of a known Peruvian hotel brand.
Check rates →Copasu Hotel
Puerto Maldonado
A town hotel in Puerto Maldonado for travelers who prefer a regular hotel with a private room, a practical base for day trips and airport connections.
Check rates →Libelula Hotel
Puerto Maldonado
A simple, budget-friendly stay in Puerto Maldonado for travelers who want a clean bed in town and plan to spend most of their time on tours.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Lake Sandoval Full Day Tour in TambopataStay
Inkaterra Reserva AmazonicaMadre de Dios River
Do
Full Day Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Tour in TambopataStay
Refugio AmazonasTambopata River
Do
2 Day Tambopata Jungle Express TourStay
Posada AmazonasTambopata River
Puerto Maldonado & Tambopata guides
First Time in Puerto Maldonado: Getting There, What to Book and How Many Days
A plain-English first-timer guide to Puerto Maldonado and the Tambopata area: how to arrive, what to book ahead, how lodges and day trips differ and how many days to allow.
Best Time to Visit Tambopata: Dry Season, Wet Season and Everything Between
When to visit Puerto Maldonado and the Tambopata area: dry and wet seasons, river levels, clay lick activity, cold snaps and what each month means for your trip.
Macaw Clay Licks Explained: Chuncho, Cachuela and How to Choose
What a clay lick is, why parrots and macaws visit, how Chuncho differs from smaller licks like Cachuela, and how to pick a trip that suits your time and budget.
Where to Stay in Puerto Maldonado and Tambopata: Town Hotels, River Lodges and Remote Camps
A guide to where to sleep around Puerto Maldonado: town hotels, riverside lodges near the city, and remote lodges on the Tambopata River, with who each suits.
Puerto Maldonado in Three Days: A Practical Itinerary for the Amazon
A realistic three-day plan for Puerto Maldonado: arrival, a day on Lake Sandoval, a night in the forest and a macaw or town-based finish.
Wildlife of Tambopata: What You Might See and How to Spot It
A field guide for visitors: the birds, mammals, reptiles and insects of the Tambopata area, where to look, when to look and how to be a good wildlife watcher.
