Birdwatching in Peru Sandoval Lake and Macaw Clay Lick 3 days

Birdwatching in Peru Sandoval Lake Macaw Clay Lick 3 days

Experience the extraordinary birdlife of the Birdwatching in Peru Sandoval Lake Macaw Clay Lick  and Tambopata tour combining Lake Sandoval, primary rainforest, river excursions, and the spectacular Macaw Clay Lick.

This itinerary is designed for birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts who want to explore the Tambopata National Reserve while looking for colorful macaws, parrots, toucans, tanagers, trogons, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and many other Amazonian species.

Alongside birdwatching, you will have opportunities to observe monkeys, caimans, capybaras, giant otters, and other rainforest wildlife during daytime and nighttime excursions.

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata River – Sandoval Lake

Your Amazon adventure begins with a morning flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to Peru’s southern Amazon.

After meeting your guide, travel by boat along the Tambopata River toward the entrance to Lake Sandoval. Keep your binoculars ready, as the river and surrounding forest provide opportunities to spot herons, macaws, kingfishers, raptors, and other tropical birds.

From the reserve entrance, follow a guided rainforest trail toward Lake Sandoval. The walk provides your first opportunity to explore the remarkable biodiversity of the Tambopata ecosystem while looking for birds hidden among the canopy and forest vegetation.

Continue by canoe across the peaceful waters of Lake Sandoval to your rainforest lodge. The area is particularly interesting for birdwatchers, with species such as the Red-shouldered Macaw and a variety of cotingas, tanagers, kingfishers, and other Amazonian birds.

After dinner, head out on a night wildlife excursion. With the help of your guide and a flashlight, search the riverbanks and forest edges for Black Caimans, Giant Otters, frogs, insects, and other nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight: Sandoval Lake Lodge

Day 2: Sandoval Lake – Tambopata National Reserve Birding  Tour .

Wake early for a final birdwatching excursion around the lodge. Early morning is one of the best periods for bird activity, when many species become active before the heat of the day.

After breakfast, return by canoe and boat to Puerto Maldonado.

From the city, continue by private tourist transportation toward the Tambopata River port. From there, board a motorized boat and travel deeper into the Tambopata National Reserve.

The journey itself is part of the experience. Watch the riverbanks for herons, kingfishers, cormorants, parrots, macaws, capybaras, turtles, and other wildlife. With luck, you may also encounter larger mammals along the river.

Upon arrival at your lodge, settle into your accommodation and enjoy a welcome drink before beginning your afternoon exploration.

After lunch, take a guided birdwatching walk through primary rainforest. Your guide will help identify birds by sight and sound while explaining the ecology of the forest. Look for colorful tanagers, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, motmots, flycatchers, and other rainforest species.

In the evening, take a night boat excursion in search of caimans and other nocturnal wildlife. Depending on conditions, you may also encounter capybaras, owls, frogs, bats, and other creatures active after sunset.

Overnight: Tambopata rainforest lodge.

Birds you may encounter

Species vary according to season, weather, habitat, and local conditions, but potential sightings include:

• Scarlet Macaw
• Blue-and-yellow Macaw
• Red-and-green Macaw
• Hoatzin
• Amazon Kingfisher
• Tiger Heron
• King Vulture
• Neotropic Cormorant
• Paradise Tanager
• Blue-crowned Motmot
• Wattled Jacana
• Amazonian woodpeckers
• Trogons
• Black-necked Aracari
• Black-billed Toucan
• Oropendolas

Day 3: Tambopata Birdwatching & Macaw Clay Lick

Rise before sunrise for one of the highlights of your Amazon birding adventure: a visit to the Macaw Clay Lick.

Travel by boat and arrive early at the clay lick, where macaws, parrots, and parakeets may gather to consume mineral-rich clay. When conditions are favorable, the sight of brightly colored birds assembling along the clay bank is one of the most memorable experiences in the Tambopata rainforest.

Potential sightings include Scarlet Macaws, Red-and-green Macaws, Blue-and-yellow Macaws, Mealy Parrots, Blue-headed Parrots, Orange-fronted Parakeets, and other parrots and parakeets.

After returning to the lodge, enjoy breakfast and some time to relax before continuing your final rainforest exploration.

Depending on your departure schedule, take a final guided walk through the reserve. This is another opportunity to look for species such as Toco Toucans, toucanets, trogons, woodpeckers, tanagers, flycatchers, antbirds, and woodcreepers.

After lunch, travel downstream along the Tambopata River toward the port. Your tourist transportation will be waiting to take you back to Puerto Maldonado Airport for your onward flight.

Birds You May See on the Tambopata Birdwatching Tour

Tambopata is renowned for its exceptional bird diversity. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, this itinerary offers opportunities to observe a wide variety of Amazonian birds in different habitats, including oxbow lakes, riverbanks, clay licks, and primary rainforest.

• Macaws and parrots
• Scarlet Macaw
• Red-and-green Macaw
• Blue-and-yellow Macaw
• Mealy Parrot
• Blue-headed Parrot
• Orange-fronted Parakeet
• Toucans and related species
• Toco Toucan
• Black-billed Toucan
• Black-necked Aracari
• Toucanets
• Forest and canopy birds
• Paradise Tanager
• Turquoise Tanager
• Violaceous Trogon
• White-tailed Trogon
• Blue-crowned Motmot
• Amazonian Flycatchers
• Woodcreepers
• Antbirds
• Amazonian Woodpeckers
• River and wetland birds
• Hoatzin
• Amazon Kingfisher
• Tiger Heron
• Neotropic Cormorant
• Wattled Jacana
• Birds of prey
• King Vulture
• Black Hawk
• Bat Falcon

Included in the Birdwatching in Peru Sandoval Lake and Macaw Clay Lick 3 days

• A professional naturalist Tour Guide BIRDIWATCHING   ;
• Motorboat transportation  .
• Transfer transportation to the airport  .
• Meals: 2 Breakfast, 2 Lunch, 2 Dinner and drinking water (Please note: vegetarian option upon request
• for no extra cost!);
• Rooms with private bathroom 1 nights Tambopata Lodge Inn  AND 1 NIGHT SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE ;
• First aid kit,
• Rubber boots. .

Not included in the Birdwatching in Peru Sandoval Lake and Macaw Clay Lick 3 days

• Any flight nor airport departure taxes .
• Travel insurance;
• Vaccination;
• Breakfast on the first day and Lunch on the last day;
• Drinks;
• Tips to local staff.
• Entrance fee to the Reserve; Sandoval Lake and Tambopata Reserve

What to take with you to the  Birdwatching in Peru Sandoval Lake and Macaw Clay Lick 3 days

• Mosquito repellent (DEET 35 recommended as a MINIMUM), in the tour expedition
• Original passport,  .
• Small backpack,
• Long sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green coloured),
• Long cotton trousers,
• Cotton long socks (to be put into your trousers),
• Comfortable walking shoes, .
• Sandals or light shoes,
• Rain gear (e.g. rain poncho) .
• Swimsuit; in travel expedition .
• Binoculars (we also rent it),
• Camera and its charger,
• Plastic bags to be used for clothes and a camera.
• A hat as a protection against the Sun or rain,
• Toiletries,
• Small towel,
• Toilet paper,
• Sun cream, .
• Sunglasses .
• Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries) .
• A bottled water (1 litre as a minimum), .
• Pocket money (Soles) to buy some beverages and souvenirs as well as to tip in the expedition..

Frequently Asked Questions

What birds can I see in Tambopata?

Tambopata is home to an impressive variety of birds, including macaws, parrots, toucans, tanagers, trogons, motmots, kingfishers, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and birds of prey. Exact sightings depend on season, weather, habitat, and wildlife activity.
Is Lake Sandoval good for birdwatching?

Yes. Lake Sandoval and the surrounding rainforest offer diverse habitats for birdwatching. Early morning excursions are particularly useful for observing active birds around the lake and forest.

What is the Macaw Clay Lick?

A macaw clay lick is a natural area where parrots and macaws gather to consume mineral-rich clay. Tambopata’s clay licks are among the region’s best-known wildlife attractions and can provide spectacular birdwatching opportunities when conditions are favorable.
Is this tour suitable for photographers?

Yes. The combination of river journeys, rainforest trails, Lake Sandoval, and the Macaw Clay Lick provides numerous opportunities for wildlife photography. A camera with a telephoto lens and binoculars are recommended.

What is the best time for birdwatching in Tambopata?

Birds can be observed throughout the year, although weather, water levels, seasonal movements, and local conditions can influence which species are encountered and how active they are. Your local guide can adapt excursions to current conditions.

Can I see macaws every day?

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Macaw activity varies according to weather, food availability, season, and other natural factors. The Macaw Clay Lick visit is specifically planned to maximize the opportunity to observe parrots and macaws.