MACAWS CLAYS LICK & SANDOVAL LAKE 4D-3N

The trip is full of adventure, with possibilities to find wild animals and the most attractive landscapes of Tambopata : The amazing macaw clay lick "collpa" in the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park and the wonderful Sandoval lake in the Tambopata - Candamo Reserved Zone. This program includes walks through the heart of the reserved area of Tambopata Candamo and the Bahuaja Sonene National park . A special birding tour for nature lovers in the heart of the Peruvian amazon.

ITINERARY:

Day 1

Reception at the airport and transportation to the WASAI Maldonado Lodge, where you will receive a welcoming tropical fruit beverage. You will embark for a 3 to 4 1/2 hour motorboat trip tour up the Tambopata river to WASAI Tambopata Lodge & Research Centre (box lunch on route). During the trip we will be able to observe the local farms, while groups of birds pass over the boat. Opportunity to see Amazon wildlife such as: families of capybaras, the largest rodents in the world. Reception, accommodation at the lodge, and lunch.
After a short rest we will have a brief introductory walk in the forest nearby to learn basic ecology principles, hear some wildlife natural history and see different kinds of animals that lie there. Return to the lodge for dinner.
After dinner we will make our first tour to the Peruvian Amazon, to observe the nocturnal life of insects, frogs of various colours, and an occasional encounter with nocturnal mammals and other typical wild animals. We will enjoy the diverse sounds of the jungle which will accompany our first night in the Amazon. Sleep at Wasai Tambopata Lodge.

Day 2

Wake up early (5 am) and travel up the Tambopata River for an hour and half to the Bahuaja- Sonene National Park to begin with our birding tour . You will see a magical sunrise and it is a great opportunity to see wild animals such as capybaras, tapir, jaguar, and deer in the surrounding virgin amazon rainforest. Then, a tour especially made for birdwatchers: w e will visit The Macaw clay lick and observe (from an appropriate distance) one of the greatest spectacles of the rainforest where many bird species gather to eat. Also , The Parrot clay lick where hundreds of parrots and parakeets enjoy their diet of mineral salts on a river bank.

We will have a hot drink and a snack whilst watching birds at The Macaw clay lick and go for a short walk to look for animals such as monkeys. We will return to the lodge to have a late breakfast, and rest.

After lunch we will enter the verdant jungle on a special trail to observe the Amazon wildlife and enjoy birdwatching . We will then enter the territory of peccaries, deer, and other animals , with the possibility to hear or see the tracks of them, or discovering a troop of monkeys traveling through the forest in search of food. Time permitting, we will be able to enjoy a relaxing swim in the cascade of the cat, one of the main attractions of Tambopata .

After dinner we can make another trip through the jungle, search for caimans in a river journey or relax in our lodge surrounded by exotic nocturnal animal sounds.

Day 3

After breakfast we will make a boat trip to the WASAI Maldonado Lodge, in Puerto Maldonado where we will relax in our bungalows and enjoy a tasty lunch. After that, we will leave and have a twenty minute journey through the Madre de Dios River , to the access trail to Sandoval Lake , a beautiful typical Amazon rainforest oxbow lake. 5 km hike to the banks of the lake. There we will board a canoe to paddle around the lake, enjoy the beauty of the landscape, observing the Amazon wildlife, enjoy birdwatching and also observe different animals like: kingfishers, herons, hoatzins (unique pre historic looking birds), monkeys, etc. If we are lucky we could see other animals like giant otter families which live in the lake. We will have the opportunity to observe piranhas eating some pieces of meat and swimming in the lake!. Prepare yourself for the spectacular sunset of Tambopata .

It is time to begin our return hike to the Madre de Dios River to return to Puerto Maldonado. There we will stay in the modern and comfortable bungalows of WASAI Maldonado Lodge. After dinner we will be able to rest or go around the city on foot or on bicycle. We can enjoy the pool and its cascade surrounded by the amazon verdant vegetation. Rest of the night free to enjoy the night life of this welcoming city.

Day 4:

Breakfast and transportation to the airport.
 

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