Tambopata-Candamo Macaw Clay-Lick

At the confluence of the rivers Madre de Dios and Tambopata is Puerto Maldonado, a port at the entrance of the rainforest of the Peruvian Amazon, which is part of the Natural Reserve of Tambopata-Candamo and the Manu National Park.
To the south of Puerto Maldonado over the Tambopata river, it is possible to access the Tambopata National Reserve. In this place are abundant flora and fauna of the zone, a good example being the Collpa of the Macaws populated by the grand colors of these exotic birds. Also next to this reserve is the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park.

A few kilometers away from Puerto Maldonado is Sandoval Lake and Valencia Lake, in which it is possible to fish and observe tropical vegetation. Somewhat further away from the city are the Pampas de Heath, the only zone in Peru with typical savannah vegetation.
The largest protected area of the country is the Manu National Park which forms part of the Manu Biosphere Reservation, which extends almost 20,000 km2. This reservation is characterized by having a great variety of climates and landscapes as well as exotic animal and plant species among which is the Andean bear, the taruca (guemal), the black lizard, and freshwater sea lions.

Tambopata - Candamo Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Puerto Maldonado and journey to the lodge
Following your early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima (1:20hours) or Cusco (25 minutes), you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a motorized dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the 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 Saddleback Tamarins, Brown Capuchins, Agoutis, Pacas, Blue-Morpho butterflies, Trogons, Toucans and many other species of birds. Night in Tambopata Jungle Lodge.

Day 2: Trip to the Macaw Clay-lick (Collpa)
After breakfast you return to the canoe to continue the journey upstream, a further 4 hrs, to an area deep within the Reserve Zone where the isolated Collpa is situated. The Collpa is actually 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 in the area. Camping on the beach near the Collpa.

Day 3: Full day at Collpa and exploring forest trails
A pre-dawn start is needed 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 After lunch we will return to the trail system in search of 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. Camping on the beach near the Collpa.

Day 4: Visit the Collpa and return to Tambopata Jungle Lodge
A second opportunity to witness the wonders at the lick. You will return to the Tambopata Jungle Lodge in the early afternoon in time for lunch. After dark you will go searching for Caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by canoe along the Tambopata River. Night in Tambopata Jungle Lodge

Day 5: Return to Puerto Maldonado
A dawn start is required for the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado giving memorable views of the sun rise over the river. Lookout for the early morning wildlife which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard as they stake-out their territories. Your guide will take care of you on arrival in Puerto Maldonado and will deal with all the necessities at the airport prior to your departure.

Additional days at the Collpa: Consult us for any number of extra days in the vicinity of the Collpa, before and after this program. These can be guided or unguided according to your preference and interests. During these days you can either; explore the trail system in more depth, going further afield along trails not visited before; visit a small lake hidden amongst the trees with a floating viewing platform situated on it; take a trip up river to explore a clear forest stream teeming with fish. Full board is included during each of these days.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• Your stay at the lodge is all inclusive from your arrival in Puerto Maldonado until your departure:
• 2 nights accomodation at the lodge.
• 2 nights camping near the Collpa.
• All applicable taxes.
• Meals included from lunch on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 5.
• Non-bottled beverages.
• Bilingual guides.
• All excursions mentioned in the itinerary.
• One night excursion on the river looking for Caiman.
• All land and river transportation from your arrival at and return to the Puerto Maldonado airport.

IMPORTANT: As of Aug 01/98, INRENA began charging an entrance fee to the Tambopata Candamo Reserved Zone this US$2.00 fee is not included in our program rates, and must be paid directly by each participants at the moment of entering the reserved zone. The fee for Macaw Lick Programs is $20.00 for each participant.

Note: Air tickets, Tambopata Candamo Reserved Zone entrance fee, airport taxes, expenses incurred by flight delays/cancellations, tips and drinks bought in our bar are not included in our rates.

If you have a larger group, please contact us info@peruabsolut.com