Macaw Lick Expedition (Peru)

On this 5-day Amazon adventure in Peru, you spend 2 nights at Tambopata Eco Lodge & 2 days at the macaw lick. From the Eco Lodge, you travel 4 hours upstream by canoe to a beach near the collpa (large clay cliff) and spend 1 or 2 nights camping nearby. A pre-dawn start is needed to get to the clay-lick before the birds arrive. They come in search of minerals and salts and the digestive properties of the clay particles themselves. On average several hundred Macaws and smaller parrots visit the clay-lick daily, including Scarlet, Blue and Yellow, Red and Green, and Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed parrots, among others. At night you will go searching for Caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by canoe along the Tambopata River.

Use these Activity Level Ratings as a general guide to help determine which of our adventures is best for you. Your perception of level of difficulty may vary from ours according to your own level of fitness and travel experience. Whether or not you stay in your comfort zone on the trip you select may also be influenced by the pacing we build into the itinerary, and your own preparation for the trip. While relatively high elevations are unavoidable when you're traveling in the Andes Mountains, we may judge a trip as "moderate" so long as passengers have sufficient time for acclimation. Our detailed trip itineraries give much more information about what you can expect. If you are unsure which trip is best for you, please call us. We'll help guide you toward the right fit.

Moderate

These adventures involve fairly easy travel. There is no camping: you sleep in hotels and country inns each evening. Trips may include short hikes and/or walks of two to three hours. Our itineraries include excursions in passenger mini-vans, over roads with many curves and potholes. Elevations rarely exceed 12,600'. At Machu Picchu and other Inca sites, we climb and descend relatively steep stone staircases. Trips to Amazon lodges involve travel by boat and canoe, plus hikes on forest trails at a moderate pace. In the rainforest, you may encounter rain, mud, and pooled water. Trips to the Galapagos include optional hikes on sometimes uneven rocky and/or slippery terrain. Passengers must get into and out of dinghies on beaches and at docks.

Active

These adventures include more hiking than in our moderate trips. You negotiate a variety of terrain, at elevations no more than 15,000'. Some trips include long days of overland travel. You sleep comfortably in hotels each evening.

Strenuous

While we rate all of our treks as strenuous, there is a substantial range of challenge between the easiest and the most demanding of our treks. Expect to hike 6-8 hours each day over steep and rugged terrain. You may hike to elevations of 17,000', with options to hike higher from several camps. Many include camping multiple nights at relatively high elevations. On most treks in the Andes, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing on one or more nights. On our Inn to Inn based treks, you'll spend each evening in a comfortable mountain lodge.

Extreme

Our toughest treks are suitable for those that enjoy a good physical challenge. You trek (and in some cases climb) over steep, rugged terrain at high elevations with substantial altitude gains. Some glacier travel requires knowledge of basic climbing techniques including use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes. These trips are in remote wilderness areas and include camping as high at 17,700'. Successful summit bids top out at 18,871' (Nevado Pisco), 19,347' (Volcan Cotopaxi) and 20,945' (Nevado Ausangate).

Departures: any day, all year, on request

2011 Rates, per person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Day 1  Flight to Puerto Maldonado, and canoe journey to the lodge

Following your early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima or Cusco, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the Tambopata Eco Lodge. On the journey the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rain forest. A box-lunch is provided on board.

On arrival you'll have a welcome drink and meet the rest of the staff. In the late afternoon you set off for an introductory walk into the "terra firme" forest behind the lodge (Trail 2), dominated by giant Brazil-nut and Dipteryx trees. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are Saddle-back Tamarins, Brown Capuchins, Agoutis, Pacas, Blue-Morpho butterflies, Trogons, Toucans and many other species of birds. After dinner you take a night walk to look for nocturnal animals or insects by “eye-shine,” a specialization that increases light, allowing them to see better. About 50% of the animals are nocturnal in the rainforest. Overnight at Tambopata Eco Lodge.(L,D)

Day 2: Trip to the Macaw Clay-lick (Collpa)

After breakfast, return to the canoe for the 4-hour journey upstream to an area deep within the National Reserve where the isolated Collpa is located. The Collpa is one of the large clay cliffs lining the Tambopata River in this area. After lunch you and your guide have the afternoon to explore the trail system. Camp on the beach near the Collpa. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Full day at Collpa

We start before dawn to get to the clay-lick before the birds. They arrive in search of minerals and salts and the digestive properties of the clay particles themselves. On average, several hundred Macaws and smaller parrots visit the clay-lick daily, including Scarlet, Blue and Yellow, Red and Green, Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed parrots, among others. This clay-lick is considered one of the largest in the world.

Then we’ll take a late morning hike to search for some of the nine species of monkeys present in the area, including Spider monkeys, Squirrel monkeys and Dusky titi monkeys as well as the elusive large mammals like Tapir, White-lipped peccaries and Jaguar. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing trip up river to explore a clear forest stream where you can take a bath. Camp on the beach near the Collpa. (B,L,D).

Day 4: Visit the Collpa, return to Tambopata Eco Lodge and hike to an Oxbow Lake

This morning, you have a second opportunity to witness the wonders at the lick. Then you return to Tambopata Eco Lodge early afternoon in time for lunch. After lunch you hike to the Condenado Oxbow Lake, where you see a special kind of ecosystem created in hundred of years for the chance of the river source, rich in bird and aquatic life. A family of Giant Otters live in the vicinity of the lake and are often observed. Birds abound especially Rufescent Tiger-herons, Great Egrets, Wattled Jacanas, Hoatzin, the noisy Donacobius and many others. Remember to bring your hat and sun cream for there is no shade out on the water. Return to the lodge in time for dinner. At night you go searching for Caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by canoe along the Tambopata River. Overnight at Tambopata Eco Lodge. (B,L,D).

Day 5: Return canoe trip to Puerto Maldonado / Fly back to Lima or  Cuzco

At dawn you begin the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado with memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stakeout their territories. On arrival in Puerto Maldonado your guide will handle your airport check-in prior to your departure. (B)

Additional days at the Macaw Lick or Collpa: You may add any number of extra days to this program in the Collpa. These can be guided or unguided according to your preference and interests. During these days you can explore the trail system in more depth, go further afield along trails not visited before; visit a small lake hidden among the trees with a floating viewing platform on it; take a trip upriver to explore a clear forest stream teeming with fish. Full board is included each day.

Included in your Macaw lick trip: all meals and accommodation (camping gear) from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on your final day. All transport from your arrival at Puerto Maldonado to your return to the airport. All guided excursions described in the itinerary (including additional days, if you wish). One night river excursion to look for Caiman.

Not Included: flights to and from Puerto Maldonado; entrance fee to the TNR (approx. US$36); airport taxes, tree climbing (with harnesses and ropes). Any drinks you may purchase from the bar. Tips to guides and staff.   

Coming Soon!

• 5 days / 4 nights
• 2 nights at Tambopata Eco Lodge
• 2 nights at the macaw lick
• view colorful macaws and parrots as they feed on nutrients
• rain forest hikes and canoe excursions to view wildlife
• All meals and lodging included 

Contact Us

Coming Soon!