BIRDING MACAW CLAYLICK OWBOW LAKES

Trip Type​: Birding
4 Days
Max 8 pax

Per person ?The price listed above is based on a minimum of 4 people in double occupancy. If you have any questions please refer to FAQ of send us a message.

Bird Watching, Photography, Owling, Easy hiking, Moderate hiking, Wildlife , Amazon lowlands
Amazon lowlands, Owbox Lake

Trip Outline

TAMBOPATA AMAZON BIRDING TOUR: MACAWS, OTTERS & LOWLAND SPECIALTIES

Step into the heart of Peru’s Amazon rainforest with this 4-day Tambopata birding tour—designed to immerse you in one of the planet’s richest birdlife regions. With easy access from Puerto Maldonado and comfortable lodge accommodations, this journey combines intense biodiversity, unforgettable wildlife spectacles, and classic lowland rainforest birding.

🌿 Why Bird in Tambopata? A South American Birding Icon

Tambopata is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth, home to over 600 bird species and the world’s most active macaw clay lick. This short expedition is packed with extraordinary opportunities to observe parrots, macaws, antbirds, cotingas, manakins, woodcreepers, toucans, and tanagers—many of which are only found in the Amazon basin.

With its combination of towering canopy platforms, oxbow lakes, bamboo thickets, and pristine riverine habitats, Tambopata offers an Amazon birding experience that’s both accessible and intensely rewarding.

🦜 Target Birds and Wildlife Highlights

This Tambopata birding tour focuses on both quality and spectacle. You’ll encounter a wide array of species, including:

  • Macaws & Parrots: Red-and-green Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Mealy Amazon, Yellow-crowned Amazon, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, White-eyed Parakeet, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Tui Parakeet
  • Canopy & Midstory Species: White-throated Toucan, Channel-billed Toucan, Spangled Cotinga, Plum-throated Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Gilded Barbet, Lemon-throated Barbet, Paradise Tanager, Green-and-gold Tanager, Masked Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Amazonian Pygmy-Owl
  • Oxbow Lake Specialties: Giant Otter, Hoatzin, Least Grebe, Anhinga, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Red-bellied Macaw, Amazonian Motmot, Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Black Skimmer, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher
  • Understory & Mixed Flocks: Fasciated Antshrike, Black-spotted Bare-eye, Goeldi’s Antbird, White-browed Antbird, Black-faced Antthrush, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Elegant Woodcreeper, Plain Xenops, White-winged Shrike-Tanager.
  • And much more—including nocturnal birds like the Amazonian Potoo and owls during optional night walks.

🚤 Comfortable Lodging in Remote Rainforest

You’ll stay at a well-equipped ecolodge accessible by boat, with comfortable rooms, excellent trails, and superb local meals. The lodge offers direct access to prime birding habitats and supports night walks, photography opportunities, and optional wildlife excursions.

💸 Compact, Affordable, and Unforgettable

This 4-day Tambopata birding trip is ideal for birders on a tight schedule or as an extension to a larger Peru birding itinerary. It’s easy to combine with tours in the Andes or visits to Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Whether you’re building your Amazon life list or seeking up-close views of iconic macaws and cotingas, this tour delivers big biodiversity in a compact and comfortable format.

Itinerary

Day 1
Scarlet-Macaw

Arrival in Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata River Birding & Lodge Transfer

Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado from Cusco or Lima, our birding adventure begins as we drive toward the Tambopata River, scanning the roadside and open habitats for early highlights. Possible species include Scaled Pigeon, White-tailed Kite, Southern Caracara, Brazilian Teal, Purus Jacamar, White-throated Jacamar, and the striking Point-tailed Palmcreeper.

We’ll then board a motorized canoe for a 45-minute boat ride into the heart of the rainforest, heading toward our remote ecolodge nestled in primary forest. As we settle in, the lodge trails offer a perfect opportunity to begin exploring the rich lowland habitats of Tambopata, with possibilities for mixed flocks, antbirds, and woodcreepers.

In the evening, a short night walk or owling session may reward us with nocturnal species such as Spectacled Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, or Amazonian Potoo.

🛏️ Overnight at Sachavacayoc Finca Lodge

Day 2

Macaw Clay Lick, Canopy Tower & Mixed Flocks in Tambopata

We begin the day before sunrise, setting off on a 45-minute boat ride to one of the Amazon’s most spectacular natural phenomena: the Macaw Clay Lick. As the light breaks over the riverbank, hundreds of parrots, parakeets, and macaws gather to feed on mineral-rich clay that helps neutralize toxins from their daily diet.

In the early wave, look for Mealy Amazon, Yellow-crowned Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot, Orange-cheeked Parrot, Dusky-headed Parakeet, Tui Parakeet, and White-eyed Parakeet. As the activity peaks, the forest erupts with color as the Red-and-green Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, and Blue-and-yellow Macaw descend to the clay wall together—an unforgettable moment for any birder or wildlife lover.

After mid-morning, we return slowly by boat to the lodge, keeping a sharp eye out for Capybaras, Howler Monkeys, and even elusive species like Jaguars along the riverbanks.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the lodge trails and canopy tower, targeting understory mixed flocks and fruiting trees in the mid and upper levels of the forest. Possible sightings include: White-throated Toucan, Channel-billed Toucan, Spangled Cotinga, Plum-throated Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Amazonian Pygmy Owl, and dazzling tanagers such as: Paradise Tanager, Opal-rumped Tanager, Opal-crowned Tanager, Green-and-gold Tanager, Turquoise Tanager, Masked Tanager, Flame-crested Tanager, Yellow-bellied Dacnis, Black-faced Dacnis, Blue Dacnis, as well as other canopy specialists like Gilded Barbet and Lemon-throated Barbet.

🛏️ Overnight at Sachavacayoc Finca Lodge

Blue-and-Yellow-Macaw3
Day 3
Sunbittern

Oxbow Lake Birding

We begin our morning at Lake Chimbada, one of the most scenic oxbow lakes in the Tambopata region. Quietly gliding across the water by catamaran, we’ll search for a resident family of Giant Otters—a rare and thrilling sight in the wild.

The surrounding forest and lake margins are home to an impressive diversity of birds, including: Least Grebe, Anhinga, Hoatzin, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Amazonian Motmot, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Red-bellied Macaw, Epaulet Oriole, Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Black Skimmer, Fasciated Antshrike, Black-spotted Bare-eye

After lunch, we explore terra firme trails near the lodge, targeting secretive Amazonian understory specialists such as: White-browed Antbird, Goeldi’s Antbird, Rufous-capped Antthrush, Black-faced Antthrush, White-flanked Antwren, Plain-winged Antshrike, Ihering’s Antwren

Mixed flocks in this dense forest often bring fast-paced action, with possibilities for: Elegant Woodcreeper, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Dusky-throated Antshrike, Plain Xenops, Buff-throated Foliage-Gleaner, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher, White-winged Shrike-Tanager, Black-faced Antbird, and many more surprises.

🛏️ Overnight at Sachavacayoc Finca Lodge

Day 4

Last birding and out

On our final morning in Tambopata, we’ll enjoy a relaxed birding session in the lodge’s gardens—an excellent opportunity to observe canopy-edge and open-area species. Common visitors here include: Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Sulphury Flycatcher, Epaulet Oriole, Golden-bellied Euphonia, among others.

After breakfast and a final stroll around the lodge grounds, we’ll begin our journey out of the rainforest, following the trail to Lake Sandoval and then navigating the Tambopata River by boat back to Puerto Maldonado.

From here, we’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima or Cusco, concluding this unforgettable birding adventure in the Amazon.

END OF SERVICES

Chestnut-fronted-MAcaw

Trip Includes

Includes

Birding/Cultural bilingual guide
Expert birding driver
Ground Transportation during the trip
River transportation during the trip
Accommodations and Lodging based on double occupancy
Three meals per day (some will be taken at the field)
Snacks
Drinkable water during the trip
Entrance fees for all the described destinations
Transfer In
Transfer Out
Birding gear by use of the guide (Spotting Scope, Play back, Laser pointer, Light for owling, Field Guide)
First Aid Kit
Full time assistance in English or Spanish
Taxes of included expenses

Does not include

First breakfast and last dinner
Binoculars for personal use (available for rent)
Insurance of any kind
Personal expenses
International of Domestic flights (let us know if you require assistance)
Tips
Airport and luggage fees
Additional activities and lodging
Alcoholic drinks

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

🎯 What are the main bird and wildlife highlights of this tour?

This tour focuses on some of the most iconic lowland Amazonian birds and wildlife in Peru.

Major highlights include:

  • Scarlet Macaw
  • Red-and-green Macaw
  • Blue-and-yellow Macaw
  • Mealy Amazon
  • Yellow-crowned Amazon
  • Blue-headed Parrot
  • Orange-cheeked Parrot
  • White-throated Toucan
  • Channel-billed Toucan
  • Spangled Cotinga
  • Plum-throated Cotinga
  • Purple-throated Fruitcrow
  • Hoatzin
  • Pale-winged Trumpeter
  • Green-and-rufous Kingfisher
  • Amazonian Motmot
  • Black-spotted Bare-eye
  • Goeldi’s Antbird
  • White-browed Antbird
  • Black-faced Antthrush
  • Elegant Woodcreeper
  • White-winged Shrike-Tanager

Wildlife highlights may also include:

  • Giant Otter
  • Capybara
  • Monkeys
  • Black Caiman
  • Possible sightings of Jaguar along riverbanks

🎯 The Macaw Clay Lick and Giant Otter encounters are among the standout experiences of the tour.


🐦 What type of birding should I expect?

This is a classic lowland Amazon birding tour, combining major wildlife spectacles with productive trail birding.

Birding includes:

  • River-edge birding
  • Boat-based birding
  • Canopy tower birding
  • Oxbow lake exploration
  • Lodge trail birding in terra firme forest
  • Optional night walks or owling sessions

💡 The experience combines spectacle species, understory specialists, and mixed-flock birding in one compact itinerary.


🚶 How physically demanding is the tour?

The tour is easy to moderate in physical demand.

Expect:

  • Short to moderate walks on forest trails
  • Easy access around lodge grounds
  • Boat and canoe excursions
  • Warm and humid conditions

⚠️ Some trails may be:

  • Muddy
  • Slippery
  • Uneven, especially after rain

👟 Lightweight waterproof hiking shoes or boots are recommended.


📏 What elevations do we cover?

Tambopata is a lowland Amazon rainforest tour, so elevation is not a major issue.

Approximate elevation:

  • Puerto Maldonado and Tambopata lowlands: ~180–300 m (590–980 ft)

🌿 This means there are no altitude concerns, unlike Andean birding tours.


🌦️ What weather conditions should I expect?

Tambopata is typically warm, humid, and tropical.

Conditions usually include:

  • Hot daytime temperatures
  • High humidity
  • Possibility of rain at any time
  • Cool (even cold in June – July) early mornings on the river

⚠️ Rain showers can appear suddenly, so waterproof protection is essential.


🚤 What type of transport is used during the tour?

Transport is part of the experience and includes:

  • Vehicle transfer from Puerto Maldonado
  • Motorized boat ride to the lodge
  • Boat excursions to the Macaw Clay Lick
  • Catamaran or canoe-style navigation on oxbow lakes

🎯 Travel times are relatively short and help make this one of the most accessible Amazon birding tours in Peru.


🏨 What kind of lodge should I expect?

You will stay at a comfortable rainforest ecolodge with direct access to excellent birding habitat.

The lodge offers:

  • Comfortable private rooms
  • Good meals
  • Access to forest trails
  • Boat access to key sites
  • Opportunities for night walks and wildlife observation

⚠️ It is a remote Amazon lodge, so comfort is good, but the setting is immersive rather than luxurious.


🎒 What should I pack for this tour?

Recommended items include:

  • 🎒 Daypack
  • 👟 Lightweight waterproof hiking shoes or boots
  • 🌧️ Rain jacket or poncho
  • 🦟 Strong insect repellent
  • 👕 Lightweight long-sleeved clothing
  • 🧢 Hat and sun protection
  • 🔋 Power bank and spare batteries
  • 🥤 Reusable water bottle
  • 📸 Binoculars and camera gear in dry protection bags

🎯 Quick-dry clothing works especially well in Tambopata.


🔌 Will I be able to charge my devices?

Yes, the lodge provides 24/7 electricity.

⚠️ However, power availability may be more limited than in city hotels, so it is wise to bring:

  • Spare camera batteries
  • Power bank
  • Charging adapters if needed

🦉 Is there night birding on this tour?

Yes — optional night walks or short owling sessions can be very rewarding.

Possible nocturnal species include:

  • Common Potoo
  • Tropical Screech-Owl
  • Spectacled Owl
  • Nightjars
  • Other nocturnal forest wildlife

🎯 Night birding depends on weather, trail conditions, and group interest.


👥 What kind of birder is this tour best for?

This tour works very well for:

  • Birders with limited time
  • Travelers adding an Amazon extension to a Peru trip
  • First-time Amazon birders
  • Experienced birders wanting classic lowland specialties
  • Wildlife enthusiasts interested in birds and mammals

💡 It is an excellent short tour with a very strong reward-to-time ratio.


🌎 What makes Tambopata so special for birding?

Tambopata is one of the most biodiverse lowland rainforest regions in South America.

What makes it especially rewarding is the combination of:

  • Spectacular Macaw Claylick
  • Very high bird diversity
  • Easy access from Puerto Maldonado
  • Oxbow lake specialties
  • Strong chances for iconic Amazon wildlife
  • Comfortable lodge-based birding

🎯 Few places offer such a rich Amazonian experience in only four days.


💎 What makes this tour different from other short Amazon trips?

This is not just a general jungle excursion.

It is designed to combine:

  • Classic Amazon wildlife spectacles
  • Efficient logistics
  • Comfortable access
  • Excellent value for a short extension

The result is a compact but highly productive Amazon birding experience that fits easily into a broader Peru itinerary.

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The Best Proposition

The most most outstanding aspects of Peru in a week. Including accesible birding in remote areas, impressive Inca monuments like Machupicchu and Manu Park counted as the most biodiverse place on earth. Representing the essence of the country.