Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake, Colpa Chuncho, Yacumama Lake (5 days)

Itinerary Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake, Colpa Chuncho & Yacumama Lake

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata National Reserve

Upon arrival at the airport or bus station, we warmly welcome our travelers and transport them to the Peru Amazon Trips office for registration. Subsequently, we embark on a roughly one-hour drive to the community of Filadelfia. From there, a brief 10-minute boat ride upstream along the Tambopata River leads us to the hotel.

Before checking into your rooms, a guide will provide a thorough briefing on hotel policies. Following lunch and a brief respite, we commence a two-hour trek through the dense tropical forest. Accompanied by an expert guide, this expedition showcases various medicinal plants and ancient trees, such as the Brazil nut and tonka bean tree.

As we navigate the trails and ascend the 45-meter-high bird-watching tower, keep a keen eye out for wildlife, including monkeys, toucans, parrots, and more. Experience the enchantment of the Tambopata National Reserve before we return to the hotel at sunset.

After nightfall, we venture out on our boat to observe nocturnal animals along the Tambopata River banks. Anticipate sightings of caimans, owls, and with luck, the large rodent known as the Capybara.

On clear nights, take in the splendor of the Milky Way and shooting stars. We conclude the evening with a leisurely ecological walk before dinner.

Day 2: Eco Lodge – Lake Yacumama

What could be better than savoring a cup of tea or coffee to kick off our thrilling journey to the macaw and parrot clay lick?

At dawn, we board our boat for a captivating voyage along the Tambopata River, a journey lasting over half an hour. En route, we may have the fortune of spotting majestic creatures like the Jaguar or Anaconda.

Upon arriving at the parrot and macaw clay lick Chuncho, we’re treated to a mesmerizing spectacle of colors and sounds as these magnificent birds grace us with their presence for over three hours. Amidst this breathtaking display, we indulge in a hearty country breakfast.

Later in the morning, we set out again on our boat to explore the intricate waterways of the Tambopata River, seeking encounters with diverse wildlife including capybaras, tapirs, monkeys, and caimans, all amidst the stunning backdrop of the Tambopata National Reserve and its rivers.

In the afternoon, we return to the city following the same route that brought us to our initial hotel.

Lake Yacumama

Upon arrival, we embark on a short 15-minute journey to Lake Yacumama, renowned for its lush scenic beauty and spectacular sunsets, offering a sanctuary for hundreds of macaws, parrots, and parakeets. Here, we may also catch glimpses of black caimans, herons, cormorants, wild ducks, swallows, and four varieties of piranhas, with luck even spotting a family of river otters.

Exploring Lake Yacumama, we navigate its tranquil waters in a small rowing boat, pausing to fish for piranhas, a task made easy with small hooks.

Any piranhas we catch are photographed and released back into their aquatic habitat to preserve the natural balance of the ecosystem.

As dusk approaches, we return to the pier, where our boat awaits to transport us back to our hotel, allowing us to unwind and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Day 3: Eco Lodge – Sandoval Lake – Matsiguenka Tribe

One of the best times to see abundant wildlife is at sunrise or sunset. In our case, we choose to leave at dawn in our boat heading to Sandoval Lake located within the Tambopata National Reserve. Witnessing the exuberant biodiversity that Sandoval Lake offers is simply incomparable.

To reach Sandoval Lake, we walk along a wooden path of almost 3 km (1.8 miles).

Along the walk, we are always surprised by the rich fauna that this place has. At the end of the trail, we find a small dock where we take a rowboat to make our tour of Lake Sandoval. In this journey, we can see black caimans, giant otters, herons, turtles, monkeys, macaws, wild ducks, and much more. We return to the lodge before noon for our lunch.

In the afternoon, we leave to visit a family of natives belonging to the “Matsigenka” culture where we will interact with them, learning part of their culture.

We will learn to use bows and arrows, to spin and weave cotton to make their clothing called (Cushma).

They also teach us to make ropes using the bark of plants and finally show us their ingenuity to make fire just using nature. At sunset, we return to our hotel.

At dusk, the jungle begins to offer us a majestic night life, very different from the usual day life.

For this tour, we will have to go out with our flashlights and we will go into the trails in search of nocturnal wildlife such as porcupines, sloths, arachnids, insects, reptiles, opossums, night monkeys, owls, among others. We return to the hotel for dinner and then rest.

Day 4: Eco Lodge – Monkey Island

Following a hearty breakfast and a rejuvenating rest, we’ll embark on a visit to Monkey Island, nestled in the midst of the Madre de Dios River just minutes away from our hotel.

Home to various monkey species, including a hybrid capuchin monkey, the island offers opportunities to feed them with local fruits.

With a stroke of luck, we might even catch sight of sloths and turtles. We’ll return to the hotel before noon.

In the afternoon, after a brief siesta, we’ll trek along a trail adorned with towering trees, some of which are over 700 years old.

Here, we’ll encounter hanging bridges suspended amidst the canopy, offering panoramic views of the rich fauna inhabiting this elevated forest level. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for toucans, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, monkeys, lizards, orchids, and epiphytic plants.

Continuing our adventure, we’ll take to the waters in kayak boats, paddling along the banks of the Madre de Dios River in search of more wildlife.

Keep watch for endangered turtles, white caimans, kingfishers, herons, and with a bit of luck, an anaconda. Safety is paramount, so life jackets provided by our guide must be worn for this exhilarating journey.

Day 5: Eco Lodge – Optional Activity – Puerto Maldonado

Following a restful night and a satisfying breakfast, our final excursion takes us to visit a local farm where we delve into the art of plant grafting and gain insights into various soil types. Here, we’ll also have the opportunity to taste and explore typical crops of the rainforest, including coffee, various types of cocoa, citrus fruits, ingas, bananas, and more.

We return to the hotel by noon.

Later in the morning, we head back to the city to retrieve any luggage left at the office before proceeding to the airport or bus station for departure, depending on your travel arrangements.

TOUR AMAZON GARDEN LODGE’S PICTURES

FAQs

Q: What is the weather like in Tambopata National Reserve?

A: Bring a raincoat or poncho for potential rain showers, as the rainforest climate can be unpredictable. It’s also a good idea to pack bathing clothes for a refreshing stream bath. For exploring the trails, rubber boots are available in various sizes.

Q: What should I bring for my Tambopata National Reserve tour?

A: Bring flashlights with extra batteries, binoculars, insect repellent with at least 30% DEET, and a water bottle for the first day.

Q: What should I wear for my Tambopata National Reserve tour?

A: For forest walks, wear light, loose-fitting clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts, as well as waterproof shoes or rubber boots. In the hostel, you can change into shorts and sandals. It’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater for early morning jungle walks.

Q: Are vaccinations required before visiting Tambopata National Reserve?

While no vaccinations are mandatory in Peru, it’s recommended to get vaccinated against typhoid, hepatitis, and polio before traveling. Consult your doctor or local clinic for more information.

Q: Do you have any concerns about health or allergies?

A: Yes, please let us know if you have any allergies or illnesses so we can provide the best possible service and accommodate your needs.

Tambopata Adventure Tour Video

The Tambopata National Reserve Awaits!

If you have any inquiry for this tour or other affairs, please, contact us!