+51 978 640 079 info@metaperu.travel Travel blog
Meta Peru Travel
Chat with us
Wooden canoe navigating a dense Amazon rainforest river during the Wild Amazon Expedition Chuncho Clay Lick and Lake Sandoval 5D/4N tour in Tambopata Peru

The Most Famous Hike in Peru & South America

Wild Amazon Expedition: Chuncho Clay Lick & Lake Sandoval 5D/4N)

5 Days & 4 Nights

Overview: Wild Amazon Expedition 5D/4N

The Ultimate Tambopata Rainforest Experience

Designed as our most comprehensive Tambopata journey, this expedition combines the famous Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick and majestic Lake Sandoval. First, you will explore pristine habitats through jungle treks, kayaking, and ziplining. Additionally, enjoy nocturnal caiman spotting and piranha fishing. Finally, cap off your adventure with an extraordinary night of riverside camping under the Amazonian stars.

Expedition Highlights

  • Top Wildlife Spectacles: Visit Chuncho Clay Lick for macaws and Lake Sandoval for giant river otters.
  • Action & Adventure: Experience kayaking, canopy ziplining, and night jungle walks.
  • Wilderness Camping: Spend a unique night stargazing along the Amazon riverbank.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1Immersion into the Tambopata Rainforest & Night Walk

The expedition begins with a warm welcome at the Puerto Maldonado airport and a transfer to your hotel, where you will enjoy a tropical juice and a short briefing. Depart on a 2-hour land journey to Filadelfia (47 km), followed by a 20-minute motorboat ride along the Tambopata River to our lodge (box lunch served on board). Spot riverbirds and, with a bit of luck, capybaras or caimans along the riverbanks. After settling into your room and taking a short rest, embark on a night walk through the rainforest to listen to nocturnal sounds and spot insects, amphibians, and nocturnal mammals. Conclude the day with dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

183 m / 600 ft: Maximum Altitude:
183 m / 600 ft: Minimum Altitude:
Warm & Humid | Difficulty: Easy: Climate:
1.5 hours: Approximate Walk:

Recommendation: Wear lightweight, long-sleeved clothing to protect against insects. Bring a headlamp with extra batteries for the night walk, sturdy hiking boots, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle.

Early morning departure (1.5-hour boat ride) upstream toward the famous Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick inside the Tambopata National Reserve. Look out for tapirs, capybaras, or jaguars on the shore before witnessing hundreds of parrots and macaws gathering to feed on the mineral-rich clay. Return to the lodge for free time to rest, swim in the Tambopata River, or fish. After lunch, take an ethnobotanical walk to learn about ancient Lupuna trees and medicinal plants. At night, enjoy a boat excursion with flashlights to search for caimans along the river. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

: 183 m / 600 ft: Maximum Altitude
: 183 m / 600 ft: Minimum Altitude
: Moderate: Climate: Warm & Humid | Difficulty
: 3 hours: Approximate Walk

Recommendation: Binoculars are essential for birdwatching at the clay lick from a distance. Bring a camera with good optical zoom and extra batteries, a sun hat, and high-SPF sunscreen for boat navigation.

After breakfast, begin the journey by boat and land transfer back toward our hotel in Puerto Maldonado. Drop off your luggage and board a boat for 30 minutes, followed by a 3 km walk to the shores of Lake Sandoval. Board a wooden paddle canoe to explore the lake and spot kingfishers, herons, monkeys, and the resident family of giant river otters. Enjoy jungle adventure activities including kayaking and ziplining. Return to Puerto Maldonado along the Madre de Dios River at sunset, followed by dinner and free time to enjoy the city. Overnight at the hotel.

183 m / 600 ft: Maximum Altitude:
183 m / 600 ft: Minimum Altitude:
Warm & Humid | Difficulty: Moderate: Climate:
3.5 hours (6 km round trip): Approximate Walk:

Recommendation: Wear footwear suitable for walking on wet or muddy terrain. Carry a rain poncho in your daypack and protect your electronics in dry bags during the canoe trip.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a special river excursion dedicated to adventure sports and nature connection. Experience piranha fishing along the river tributaries and prepare for an exclusive night of camping on the banks of the Amazon riverbank. Experience the magical nocturnal atmosphere of the jungle under the stars, followed by dinner prepared at the campsite.

183 m / 600 ft: Maximum Altitude:
183 m / 600 ft: Minimum Altitude:
Warm & Humid | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate: Climate:
2 hours: Approximate Walk:

Bring a power bank for your mobile devices, extra insect repellent, lightweight sleeping clothes, and a flashlight for night campsite navigation.

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel and coordinate your transfer to the Puerto Maldonado airport to board your return flight, concluding our services.

183 m / 600 ft: Maximum Altitude:
183 m / 600 ft: Minimum Altitude:
Warm & Humid | Difficulty: Easy: Climate:
N/A (Land Transfer): Approximate Walk:

Recommendation: Keep your ID card, passport, and boarding passes accessible in your hand luggage for smooth airport check-in.

What is Included & Excluded in the Wild Amazon Expedition 5D/4N?

What is included?

  • Transfers: Round-trip arrival and departure transfers (Airport – Lodge/Hotel – Airport).
  • Accommodation: 2 nights stay at Wasai Tambopata Lodge, 1 night stay at Wasai Puerto Maldonado Hotel, and 1 night riverside camping setup.
  • Meals: Full board meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches/box lunches, and 4 dinners).
  • Excursions & Activities: Guided tours to Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, Lake Sandoval, ethnobotanical walks, caiman search, kayaking, ziplining, and piranha fishing.
  • Guiding: Professional bilingual guide (English / Spanish) for all activities.
  • Equipment & Connectivity: Complimentary use of rubber boots for jungle treks, camping gear, and Wi-Fi access in lodge common areas.

What is not included?

  • Reserve Entrance Fee: Official ticket to Tambopata National Reserve ($40 USD / S/ 40 per passenger).
  • Flights: Domestic flights or airline tickets to and from Puerto Maldonado.
  • Beverages: Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and personal laundry services.
  • Extras: Gratuities (tips) for guides and lodge staff, or personal expenses.

Pricing & Rates

Choose the option that best fits your travel style. All prices are in USD per person and include all excursions, meals, guides, and transfers as detailed in the itinerary.

Tour TypeGroup SizePrice per Person
Standard Group Service2 – 8 Travelers$0 USD
Private Service (2 Passengers)2 Travelers$0 USD
Private Service (4+ Passengers)4+ Travelers$0 USD

Rates & Discounts Information

  • Child Rate: Children between 3 and 11 years old enjoy a 15% discount off the adult rate when sharing a room with two adults.
  • Solo Traveler Supplement: A single room supplement applies for solo travelers requesting private accommodation.
  • Payment & Booking: A 30% deposit is required to confirm your reservation, with the remaining balance due prior to arrival or at check-in in Puerto Maldonado.

Note: Prices do not include domestic flights to/from Puerto Maldonado or the entrance fee to the Tambopata National Reserve.

What to Pack & Essential Recommendations for Tambopata 5D/4N

To ensure a comfortable and safe experience deep inside the Amazon rainforest, we recommend packing light, breathable clothing and essential gear for jungle trekking and boat expeditions.

Clothing & Footwear:

  • Lightweight Long-Sleeve Shirts & Pants: Protect against mosquitoes and sun exposure while keeping you cool.
  • Waterproof Gear: Rain poncho or lightweight waterproof jacket for sudden rain showers.
  • Footwear: Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, plus sandals or flip-flops for relaxing at the lodge. (Note: High-top rubber boots are provided for muddy trails).
  • Swimwear: For a refreshing swim in the Tambopata River during your free time.

Essential Gear & Equipment:

  • Lighting: Headlamp or strong flashlight with spare batteries for night walks and boat excursions.
  • Optics & Photography: Binoculars (essential for viewing macaws and wildlife at the clay lick) and a camera with good optical zoom, extra batteries, and memory cards.
  • Protection & Dry Storage: Dry bags or waterproof pouches to protect your electronics, camera gear, and documents during boat trips.
  • Sun Protection: Wide-brimmed sun hat or cap, UV-blocking sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.

Health, Hygiene & Extras:

  • Insect Repellent: Eco-friendly or DEET-free repellent to protect yourself on jungle trails.
  • Hydration: Reusable water bottle or canteen to stay hydrated throughout the daily activities.
  • Personal Care: Small personal first-aid kit, personal medication, and eco-friendly toiletries.
  • Documents & Cash: Original passport/ID and local currency (Soles) in small denominations for park entrance fees, tips, or personal souvenirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dry season (May to October) offers easier trail conditions and lower river levels, which makes wildlife spotting on riverbanks very active. The rainy season (November to April) yields lush vegetation and higher fruit yields that attract birds and monkeys, though brief heavy downpours occur.

Yellow fever vaccination is highly recommended for all travelers visiting the Peruvian Amazon basin. It is advisable to get vaccinated at least 10 days before your arrival.

Wasai Tambopata Lodge provides solar-powered electricity during scheduled hours to charge devices. Basic Wi-Fi is available in common areas, but connection speeds may vary due to the remote location.

The physical difficulty ranges from easy to moderate. Trails can be muddy or uneven, and the walk to Lake Sandoval is about 6 km round trip. Rubber boots are provided to make mud navigation easy and comfortable.

What people say about us

Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Salkantay experience with Christian I fell ill right at the start of our Salkantay trip, but Christian was absolutely incredible. He made sure I got all the right medicine and went above and beyond to help me recover and get back into shape so that I could still enjoy the rest of the trek. Beyond that, Christian is genuinely one of the best guides you could ask for. He’s funny, incredibly helpful and full of great recommendations. Whatever questions we had, he seemed to know the answer, and if we needed something, he somehow made it happen. More than anything, it felt less like having a tour guide and more like travelling with an old friend who just happened to know everything about the area. He made the whole experience so much more enjoyable. Highly recommend Christian to anyone doing the Salkantay trek!
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Patrick M profile picture
Patrick M
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
More than a guide — a friend in Peru We were lucky to have the same guide, Cristian, for both our Sacred Valley tour and the Salkantay Trek, so we ended up spending quite a few days together. He really became a big part of our Peru trip. He knows so much about Inca history, Peruvian culture, the mountains, and local life, and we loved how naturally all of that came up in our conversations along the way. He was also very patient and always paid attention to how we were doing during the trek. On Salkantay, he even suggested adjusting our itinerary based on the weather conditions so we could have the best possible experience, which we really appreciated. He never rushed us, was happy to stop whenever we needed, and was just very easy and fun to be around. By the end of the trip, it honestly felt less like we had hired a guide and more like we had made a friend in Peru.
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
適亨 楊 profile picture
適亨 楊
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
4d Salkantay trek and Sacred Valley day tour We were so lucky to have Cristian as our guide on our first trip to Cusco. He’s such a smart, thoughtful, and organized person. We did both the Sacred Valley tour and the Salkantay Trek with him. Whenever there was something to explain, he was incredibly knowledgeable, and during the trek he was also just a really fun person to talk to. He always paid attention to how everyone was feeling, made sure everyone was doing okay, and took care of what each person needed. I’m really happy that this trip to Peru gave us not only so many amazing memories, but also a wonderful new friend.
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
憶甄李 profile picture
憶甄李
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Esperienza perfetta Esperienza bellissima, Cristian la nostra guida ci ha ricoperto di attenzioni e ha fatto in modo che tutto fosse perfetto, e a parte questo è una persona adorabile con la quale è stato bellissimo condividere il cammino e che ci ha veramente aiutati a capire tante cose di questo paese meraviglioso e della sua società. Altamente raccomandato!
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Tato3672 profile picture
Tato3672
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Great experience at MachuPicchu Great experience with guide Krystian doing the baby trail to MachuPicchu via Sun Gate. Capable and knowledgeable guide !
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Koen D profile picture
Koen D
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Short Inca Trail review Cristian guided our family through the short version of the Inca Trail. The views were amazing and the hike made the whole experience even more unforgettable. Cristian provided us with interesting stories about the history of the Inca civilization and was very enthusiastic! A very friendly man who had a good feeling with the needs of the group. I highly recommand this trail and Maccu Pichu visit!
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Lucas D profile picture
Lucas D
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Superleuk! Het was een supertof ervaring! De gids(Cristian) wist veel over de natuur en over de Machu Picchu. Hij kon ons interessante feitjes vertellen en dat maakte de hike en de belevenis nog toffer.
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Arthur D profile picture
Arthur D
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Short-Inca trail review Mega leuke wandeltocht met geweldige uitzichten. Cristian, onze gids, legde alles op een leuke manier uit met interessante weetjes, wat de tocht nog leuker maakte.
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Trek19589988553 profile picture
Trek19589988553
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Inca trail with Cristian and our family of 6 1 day inca trail with our guide who was very enthusiastic and motivated, giving lots of explanations and tips. Really an unforgettable experience!
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Veronique profile picture
Veronique
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verificada
Short Inca Trail - Perfect experience! Christian was an amazing guide on our short Inca Trail trip. Everything was perfectly organized, he made sure we feel comfortable and shared a lot of interesting insights. Thanks again for this great day, which was the highlight of our vacation in Peru.
Publicado en Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Ti_Carpenter profile picture
Ti_Carpenter

Similar tours that may interest you

Wooden canoe navigating a dense rainforest river during the Tambopata Wild Amazon Chuncho Clay Lick and Lake Sandoval 4D/3N tour in Peru
Peru Packages

Tambopata Wild Amazon Chuncho Clay Lick & Lake Sandoval (4d/3n)

Embark on an extraordinary journey deep into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. First, this immersive...

Max Altitude: 183
Duration: 4 days - 3 nights
Price per person USD $ 0
View Package
Colorful macaws and parrots gathered at the clay lick in the Amazon rainforest of Puerto Maldonado Peru
Peru Packages

Eco Amazonia Parrot Clay Lick 4d/3n

Immerse yourself in the heart of the Southern Peruvian Amazon with an extended 4-day expedition. Fir...

Max Altitude: 183
Duration: 4 days - 3 nights
Price per person USD $ 0
View Package
Amazon Eco Magic Lodge 3D/2N tour showcasing Lake Apu Victor and Monkey Island in Puerto Maldonado Peru
Peru Packages

Amazon Eco Magic Lodge 3d/2n: Lake Apu Victor & Monkey Island Adventure

Escape the routine and immerse yourself in the pure magic of the Amazon rainforest on this 3-day eco...

Max Altitude: 183
Duration: 3 days - 2 nights
Price per person USD $ 0
View Package

Certified & Trusted by Leading Organizations

Meta Peru Travel is a licensed and certified luxury travel agency recognized by Peru’s leading tourism and sustainability organizations, ensuring every journey meets the highest international standards.