3-day Tambopata & Sandoval Lake tour from Puerto Maldonado

You'll see giant otters, black caimans and seven parrot species in a single trip.

A 3-day guided tour of the Tambopata National Reserve from Puerto Maldonado includes 2 nights at an Amazon eco-lodge, boat rides on the Madre de Dios River, a sunrise visit to Sandoval Lake, and the parrot clay lick at La Cachuela. Your bilingual guide leads jungle walks, canopy bridge crossings, and night safaris to spot monkeys, sloths, caimans, giant otters and nocturnal wildlife. Airport or hotel pickup is included. The tour departs at 9:10 a.m. depending on your arrival time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Amazon jungle adventure begins

• Arrival in Puerto Maldonado
• Pick up and registration
• Boat ride on Madre de Dios River
• Welcome and lodge check-in
• Visit Monkey Island for wildlife viewing
• Amazonian lunch at lodge
• Guided jungle walk
• Walk canopy hanging bridges
• Optional canopy zipline
• Night boat safari on river
• Dinner at lodge

Day 2: Sandoval Lake and jungle exploration

• Early morning boat ride to Sandoval Lake
• 3 km walk to lake
• Row canoe exploration of Sandoval Lake
• Return to lodge for lunch
• Afternoon deep jungle guided walk
• Night walk in rainforest
• Dinner and rest at lodge

Day 3: Parrot clay lick and return

• Early boat ride to parrot clay lick
• Observe parrots and parakeets feeding
• Return boat ride to lodge with wildlife spotting
• Breakfast at lodge
• Return transfer to Puerto Maldonado

The experience

The tour starts the moment you land. Your guide meets you at Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or hotel, and after a brief registration at the office, you head straight to the dock for a 30-minute boat ride up the Madre de Dios River. The first stop is Monkey Island, minutes from the lodge, where you watch different monkey species in their natural habitat and spot exotic birds. Back at the lodge you settle in, eat a typical Amazonian lunch with local ingredients, then walk the jungle to see giant trees and medicinal plants before climbing the canopy hanging bridges: a suspended walkway where toucans, macaws and monkeys move through the treetops above you. At nightfall, a flashlight boat safari on the river reveals caimans, owls and other creatures that only hunt after dark.

Day 2 is built around Sandoval Lake. You leave the lodge before dawn to navigate the river at sunrise, then walk 3 km through dense vegetation to reach the water. A row canoe takes you out onto the lake, one of Peru's most intact ecosystems, where giant otters, black caimans, turtles, herons and macaws are common sightings. The afternoon deepens into the forest with your guide. You'll see trees over 600 years old and encounter monkeys, parrots, reptiles and frogs. Another night walk with flashlights reveals sloths, porcupines, nocturnal monkeys and owls moving through the darkness.

Your final morning is the parrot clay lick. An hour upstream by boat at sunrise brings you to La Cachuela, where dozens of parrots and parakeets gather on the river cliffs to feed on mineral-rich clay. Telescopes let you watch the display of colors and sounds up close. On good days up to seven species appear. The return boat ride often brings more wildlife sightings before you reach the lodge for a final breakfast and the drive back to Puerto Maldonado, arriving before noon.

What’s included

• Two nights at an Amazon eco-lodge.
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• boat rides on the Madre de Dios River.
• access to Sandoval Lake and the parrot clay lick at La Cachuela.
• jungle walks, canopy bridges and night safaris.
• meals with local Amazonian ingredients.
• airport or hotel pickup in Puerto Maldonado.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupUp to 12 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peru Jungle Trips

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided three-day lodge-based stay where your guide handles all navigation and wildlife spotting in one location, rather than moving between multiple sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What animals am I most likely to see on this 3-day tour?

Giant otters, black caimans, turtles and herons are common at Sandoval Lake; monkeys, sloths, porcupines and nocturnal owls appear on the jungle walks and night safaris; and up to seven parrot and parakeet species gather at the clay lick on Day 3.

How much walking is involved each day?

Day 1 covers 5 to 10 km with canopy bridges and a night boat safari; Day 2 includes a 3 km walk to Sandoval Lake plus a 6 to 10 km deep jungle hike and night walk; Day 3 is mostly by boat with an easy-to-moderate difficulty level.

What's included in the accommodation?

Two nights at an Amazon eco-lodge are included. Meals are typical Amazonian dishes made with local ingredients, and your bilingual guide is with you for all activities.

Does the tour include the optional canopy zipline?

The canopy zipline is available as an add-on during Day 1's canopy bridge crossing. It is not included in the standard tour price.

What time does the tour start and when do I get back to Puerto Maldonado?

Pickup happens at your airport, hotel or bus terminal, with the tour departing at 9:10 a.m. depending on your arrival time. You return to Puerto Maldonado before noon on Day 3.