3-day Amazon tour: Sandoval Lake and parrot collpa

Three days in the jungle watching monkeys, otters and parrots at the clay lick

A 3-day Amazon wildlife tour based at Monte Amazónico Lodge, with a live English or Spanish-speaking guide, meals and accommodation included. You travel by boat to Monkey Island, hike three kilometers to Sandoval Lake to spot giant otters and caimans, walk the 30-meter canopy bridge, and wake before dawn on the final morning to watch dozens of parrot species feed on clay at the collpa: one of the most biodiverse sites on the planet. Pickup from the airport or bus station is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Isle of Monkeys visit

• Reception and transfer to lodge office
• Boat transfer to hostel and welcome meeting
• Lunch at hostel
• Visit Isle of Monkeys
• Night alligator and wildlife spotting
• Dinner and overnight at hostel

Day 2: Lake Sandoval and canopy walk

• Early breakfast
• Boat ride to Lake Sandoval entrance
• Hike to Lake Sandoval
• Boat navigation on Lake Sandoval
• Return and lunch at hostel
• Canopy Walk-Way exploration
• Night hike for nocturnal animals
• Dinner and overnight at hostel

Day 3: Collpa of Parrots visit and return

• Early morning boat to Collpa de Parrotes
• Observe parrots feeding on clay
• Breakfast
• Return to city

The experience

The tour starts with a one-hour boat ride from the port to Monte Amazónico Lodge on the Mother of God River, where you settle into your room and meet the guide. That afternoon you cross the river to Monkey Island to watch brown capuchin, squirrel monkey, marmoset and white capuchin species in their habitat, then return at dusk for a night search along the riverbanks for caimans and capybaras: the world's largest living rodent, weighing up to 60 kilos. Dinner and the first night happen at the lodge.

Day two starts before sunrise with a short boat ride to the entrance of Sandoval Lake, followed by a three-kilometer walk through the jungle to reach the lake itself. Once there, you board a rowing boat to navigate the water and watch for giant otters, caimans, monkeys and bird species. After lunch back at the lodge, you climb the canopy walkway (a series of bridges suspended 30 meters high), to see the forest from above. That evening a guided night hike takes you through the jungle to spot insects, amphibians, reptiles and nocturnal animals active after dark.

The third day begins very early: you take the boat to the parrot collpa, where dozens of parrot species descend to feed on the clay that their metabolism requires. After breakfast you return to the city. The entire tour includes all meals, two nights at the lodge, boat transport, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish.

What’s included

• All meals.
• two nights at Monte Amazónico Lodge.
• boat transport to Monkey Island, Sandoval Lake and the parrot collpa.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• the canopy walkway at 30 meters high.
• airport or bus station pickup and transfer to the lodge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 70 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Monte Amazonico Lodge

Is this one for you?Three days is long enough to reach the remote sites (Sandoval Lake and the collpa) that day trips cannot cover, but short enough to fit inside a longer Peru itinerary without eating your whole week in the jungle.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

What monkeys will I see on this Amazon tour?

Monkey Island is home to brown capuchin, squirrel monkey, marmoset and white capuchin species, all visible from the boat as they move through the trees across the Mother of God River.

How far is the hike to Sandoval Lake?

The walk from the lake entrance to Sandoval Lake is three kilometers through the jungle, and it takes place on the second day after an early boat ride from the lodge.

What is the parrot collpa and why do parrots go there?

The collpa is a clay bank where different parrot species gather to feed on clay, which is necessary for their metabolism. You visit it on the final morning before breakfast and return to the city.

Does the tour include meals and accommodation?

Yes, all meals are included throughout the three days, along with two nights at Monte Amazónico Lodge. You also get a guide in English or Spanish and all boat transport.

What happens on the night hike?

On the second night, the guide leads you through the jungle after dark to spot insects, amphibians, reptiles and other animals that are active at night, using a flashlight to search the riverbanks and forest floor.