4-day kayaking in Tambopata National Reserve: Macaw clay lick

Macaws at dawn, kayaks at midday, anacondas after dark

A 4-day guided tour of Tambopata National Reserve combines lodge stays with daily expeditions: a pre-dawn boat ride to watch dozens of macaws feed at clay walls, kayaking on the Madre de Dios River, a 3 km hike to Sandoval Lake, zipline and hanging bridge crossings, and night walks to spot nocturnal species. A bilingual local guide leads all activities. Meals, transport and entrance fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Jungle Arrival & Night River Safari

• Boat ride to eco-lodge
• Welcome drink and lunch
• Guided jungle walk
• Night river excursion
• Optional romantic dinner

Day 2: Macaw Clay Lick Expedition & Kayak

• Early departure to clay lick
• Spot wildlife en route
• Watch macaws feeding
• Jungle breakfast birdwatching
• Return to lodge for lunch
• Kayak on Madre de Dios River
• Dinner and optional bonfire

Day 3: Sandoval Lake & Zipline Adventure

• Early hike to Sandoval Lake
• Wildlife spotting at lake
• Afternoon zipline and bridges
• Jungle sunset boat ride
• Night walk for reptiles and insects

Day 4: Tapir Trail & Optional Sport Fishing

• Morning hike on Tapir Trail
• Lunch at the lodge
• Optional sport fishing
• Return to city at 4 PM

The experience

The tour starts with a 40-minute boat ride up the Madre de Dios River to an eco-lodge in the rainforest. After lunch and an orientation walk past ancient trees, you head out on a night river excursion to spot caimans and nocturnal animals. The second day begins at 2:30 AM. You travel by boat and car to the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, where dozens of macaws, parrots and parakeets gather at dawn to feed on mineral-rich clay walls. On the way you may see capybaras, tapirs and, rarely, jaguars. After a jungle breakfast while birdwatching, you return to the lodge for lunch, then kayak the Madre de Dios River in the afternoon, watching for turtles and butterflies.

Day three takes you on an early 3 km hike through palm forest to Sandoval Lake, where black caimans, giant river otters, monkeys and hoatzins live. The afternoon brings a zipline and hanging bridge adventure above the canopy, followed by a sunset boat ride and a night walk to find reptiles, insects and amphibians under moonlight. On the final morning, a 3-hour hike on the Tapir Trail leads through jungle where wild pigs and toucans move through the understory (note: the trail floods and hosts anacondas from November to April). You return to the city at 4 PM after lunch at the lodge.

All entrance fees, activities, lodge accommodation and meals are included, with vegetarian and vegan options available. A local bilingual guide leads every excursion and explains the ecosystem as you move through it. Drinking water is provided during the day. River and land transport between sites is part of the package. The operator asks for at least moderate physical fitness, since the days combine early starts, boat rides, hikes and water activities.

What’s included

• All entrance fees and activities.
• lodge accommodation for four nights.
• all meals with vegetarian and vegan options.
• drinking water during excursions.
• a local bilingual guide for every activity.
• river and land transport between sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (5 to 60 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 effort

Operated by Machupicchu Holiday

Is this one for you?You kayak, hike and zipline yourself rather than watch from a vehicle, and a local guide leads every outing, so this suits anyone wanting hands-on rainforest time with expert knowledge of where to find wildlife. The 4-day length fits the full circuit (macaw clay lick, Sandoval Lake, Tapir Trail and river activities) in a single trip without rushing any of it.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and why do macaws gather there?

The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is a mineral-rich clay wall where dozens of macaws, parrots and parakeets congregate at dawn to feed on nutrients the clay provides. You arrive before sunrise by boat and car to watch them arrive and feed in their natural habitat.

Can I kayak if I have never paddled before?

The kayaking happens on the Madre de Dios River as part of day two, and the tour is open to anyone with at least moderate physical fitness. The guide leads the paddle and can adjust the pace. No prior experience is stated as a requirement.

What wildlife might I see on the night walks?

Night walks on days one and three focus on nocturnal species: caimans and other animals during the river excursion on arrival, and reptiles, insects and amphibians under moonlight on day three. The guide leads you to spots where these creatures are active after dark.

Is the Tapir Trail safe if anacondas are present during certain months?

The Tapir Trail floods and is home to anacondas from November to April. During those months, the hike still happens as part of the itinerary, but the guide will be aware of conditions and lead accordingly. Outside that window, the trail is passable and you may spot wild pigs, toucans and other jungle species.

How much time do I spend at Sandoval Lake?

Sandoval Lake is visited early on day three with a 3 km hike through palm forest to reach it. You spend the morning there spotting monkeys, black caimans, giant river otters and birds before returning to the lodge for lunch and the afternoon zipline activity.