3-day Tambopata ziplining and jungle hikes in Puerto Maldonado

Capybaras weigh up to 60 kilos, and you'll see them on the Madre de Dios River.

A 3-day Amazon tour based in Puerto Maldonado covers ziplining through a 35-meter canopy tower, boat rides on the Madre de Dios River, a two-mile hike to Sandoval Lake, and an early-morning visit to the parrot and parakeet clay lick. The package includes lodge accommodation, all meals, a professional guide, and entrance fees. Small groups and personalized attention are standard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and jungle activities

• Arrive at Puerto Maldonado airport or bus station
• Transfer to office for check-in
• Have lunch
• Canopy Tower tour and ziplining
• Boat ride on Madre de Dios River to see caimans and capybaras
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 2: Sandoval Lake exploration

• Early breakfast
• Hike to Sandoval Lake
• Rowboat tour to see birds and monkeys
• Lunch at lodge
• Evening night walk to see nocturnal animals
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 3: Clay lick and departure

• Early visit to parrot and parakeet clay lick
• Return to lodge for breakfast
• Boat ride back to Puerto Maldonado
• Transfer to airport or bus station

The experience

The first day starts with a transfer from Puerto Maldonado airport or bus station and lunch before you zipline through the jungle canopy on a 35-meter tower. After that, you board a boat to search the Madre de Dios River for caimans and capybaras. The world's largest rodents, which can weigh up to 60 kilos. Dinner and your first night are at the lodge.

Day two begins before dawn with a short hike (two miles) to Sandoval Lake, one of the largest piranha habitats in the Tambopata National Reserve. You'll rowboat with your guide to spot hoatzins, cormorants, jacanas, herons, eagles, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, black capuchins, tamarins, and sloths. If you're lucky, you'll see a family of endangered giant river otters, each nearly two meters long, or the largest caiman ever recorded at over four meters. A traditional lunch follows at the lodge, and in the evening you take a night walk to see insects, amphibians, reptiles and other nocturnal animals. Another night at the lodge.

On the final morning, you leave very early for the parrot and parakeet clay lick, where hundreds of birds arrive to eat the mineral-rich clay that neutralizes toxins from their diet. You're back at the lodge by 7 a.m. for breakfast, then board the boat back to Puerto Maldonado at 10:30 a.m. and transfer to the airport or bus station. Arrival flights must be before 1 p.m. on day one. Return flights after 1 p.m. on day three.

What’s included

• All equipment for each excursion.
• all transportation between activities.
• two nights of hostel accommodation.
• all meals.
• entrance fees to every site visited.
• airport or bus station pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (25 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 80 years) · Youth (18 to 24 years) · Child (11 to 17 years) · Infant (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Zarate Adventours

Is this one for you?Small groups with personalized attention suit travelers who want the Amazon without the crowds or the logistics of arranging it themselves. Children are welcome from age 5, making this a family-friendly option for the region.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 24 years); Child (11 to 17 years); Infant (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What animals will I actually see on the Madre de Dios River boat rides?

Caimans are the main target, and capybaras are commonly spotted on the riverbanks. The river is also home to caimans, and with luck you'll see giant river otters, each nearly two meters long, or the largest caiman ever recorded at over four meters.

How difficult is the hike to Sandoval Lake?

The hike to Sandoval Lake is two miles (three kilometers) and happens after an early breakfast on day two. It's short enough to fit before the rowboat activity and the rest of the day's schedule.

What is the parrot clay lick and why do the birds go there?

The parrot and parakeet clay lick is a site where hundreds of birds gather each morning to eat mineral-rich clay. The clay provides salts and minerals they need to metabolize and neutralize toxins and acids from the flowers, fruits and seeds they feed on.

Do I need to be in good physical shape for this tour?

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health.