Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Full Day Experience
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Overview
The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is one of the best places in the Amazon to witness hundreds of parrots and macaws in their natural behavior. On a clear morning, dozens of vibrantly colored macaws such as Red-and-Green, Scarlet, and Blue-and-Yellow, Red-bellied and Chesnut-fronted Macaws, and Blue-headed & Mily Parrot, gather at the riverbank along with many species of parrots to eat mineral-rich clay.
This incredible gathering, once featured in National Geographic, is best observed in the early morning light, from a safe and discreet distance of 50–80 meters. It’s an unforgettable, noisy, and dazzling display of Amazonian wildlife.
Included/Exclude
- Car pickup from hotel in Puerto Maldonado and transfer on last day
- River boat transfers
- Amazonian lunch, fresh juice of seasonal fruit, snacks and mineral water
- Entrance tickets to the Macaw claylick
- Solar powered electricity available to charge devices in common areas
- Guiding included in Spanish, English or German by a local naturalist guide
- Available to borrow on site: rubber boots, rain ponchos, flashlight and spotting scope
- Additional Services
- Travel Insurance
- Sodas and Alcoholic drinks
- Flights
Tour Plan
We begin our full-day adventure bright and early at 3:30 AM, picking you up from your hotel. We’ll drive 1.5 hours by car followed by a 1-hour boat ride along the Tambopata River, heading deep into the Tambopata National Reserve, home to one of the most spectacular natural wildlife displays on Earth. We will wait to the macaws to arrive flying over the sunrise, toward the Clay lick, while you enjoy the show, we will serve a delicious outdoor breakfast right at the clay lick site.
As we explore the Tambopata River, keep an eye out for incredible wildlife such as capybaras ( the world's largest rodents) as well as river turtles, caimans, and a variety of colorful river birds. With a bit of luck, you might even spot a tapir, which has about a 20% chance, or if you're really fortunate, catch a glimpse of a jaguar, which occurs roughly 10% of the time, a truly thrilling highlight for any visitor!
Before lunch, we'll visit the tallest canopy tower in the area, providing a breathtaking 360° view of the Amazon rainforest’s canopy. From above, you’ll get a real sense of the jungle's vastness and might even spot toucans or monkeys. If you’re up for it, we can also explore our suspension bridge that crosses a beautiful forest stream—another great spot for photos and a peaceful jungle experience.
Afterward, we’ll head to Collpas Lodge for a freshly prepared lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing kayaking session on the river or a nearby stream, depending on water levels and your preferences. This tranquil activity offers more chances to see capybaras, turtles, and river birds while soaking in the peaceful rhythm of paddling through the Amazon.
Later, around 4:00 PM, we’ll begin our journey back. It's about a 15-minute boat ride followed by 1.5 hours by car to your hotel or the bus terminal in Puerto Maldonado, where you'll say goodbye, taking with you unforgettable memories of your Amazon adventure.
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Review Scores
4 thoughts on “Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Full Day Experience”
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5
An incredible day in the Amazon! The early morning boat ride was magical, and seeing the macaws flying in as the sun rose was unforgettable. I didn’t expect to enjoy the kayaking so much — it was relaxing and full of little surprises like turtles and river birds. The lunch was delicious too! This tour offers so much in just one day — totally worth it.
4.6
Wat een fantastische dag! De tocht begon vroeg, maar de moeite werd ruimschoots beloond met een indrukwekkend schouwspel van papegaaien en ara’s bij de kleiwand. De gids was professioneel en vertelde veel interessante dingen over de dieren. In de middag hebben we gekajakt, en zagen we capibara’s en veel vogels. Alles was goed georganiseerd. Een aanrader voor iedereen die van natuur en avontuur houdt.
4.6
Une journée absolument inoubliable ! Le réveil à 3h30 a été difficile, mais quel spectacle ! Des dizaines de magnifiques aras aux couleurs éclatantes volant au-dessus de nos têtes, des sons incroyables, une vraie immersion dans la nature sauvage. Le guide était très sympathique et passionné. J’ai aussi adoré le moment de détente en kayak l’après-midi. Une expérience authentique et magique dans la jungle !
4.8
This tour was the highlight of my trip to Peru. Waking up early was so worth it — watching dozens of macaws and parrots gather at the clay lick was like a scene out of a nature documentary. The guides were passionate and very knowledgeable, and the breakfast by the river made the experience even more special. I loved the kayaking in the afternoon — peaceful and full of wildlife. I highly recommend this to nature lovers!