• Heath River Wildlife Center 4D / 3N
• Sandoval Lake Lodge and Macaw clay lick 5D / 4N
• Sandoval Lake Lodge 4D / 3N
• Sandoval Lake Lodge 3D / 2N
• Wild Tambopata Candamo Amazon Expedition
• Wild Tambopata Candamo Amazon Expedition
• New Tambopata Candamo Expedition

Day 1 Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control.  (L, D).

We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.
When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.
After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)

We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos.  Then we return to the lodge to explore some trails.
After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails.
After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)

Day 4`Heath River Wildlife Center

Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado.  During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world. If time permits  If time permits we will also Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. (B)

End of our tour

Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control. After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (L, D).

We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.
When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.
After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)

We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. We return to the lodge to pack, and then it's back on the Madre de Dios River, box lunch in hand, for the trip to Sandoval Lake Lodge, located on the banks of one of the most beautiful lakes in Amazonian Peru.
During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world.
On the journey to Sandoval Lake Lodge we will also visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts.
We embark at the trail head to Sandoval Lake Lodge and walk for 45 minutes on a wide, flat trail through the forest, stopping to look at birds, butterflies, and towering trees. At the end of the trail, we board dugout canoes or catamarans, and are paddled across the lake in the golden afternoon light. We drift through flooded palm forest and listen to the babbling of Red-bellied Macaws overhead as they roost in treetops for the night. We arrive at the lodge around nightfall, and walk up the torch-lit path to dinner in the dining hall. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Sandoval Lake at Tambopata National Reserve
After an early breakfast, explore the western end of the lake in the catamaran or canoe. We might see Giant Otters that live on the lake, or encounter a Black Caiman lazily crossing the water, or see the huge splash of the Paichi, a 10-foot-long Amazonian fish, as it rises to the surface of the water to gulp down bubbles of air.
Later that morning, your naturalist guide will lead a hike through the forest, pointing out plants with medicinal uses, interesting insects, and colorful birds and butterflies.
Following lunch and a short siesta, in the late afternoon we once again board the catamaran or canoe and set off to explore the eastern end of the lake. Capuchin, Squirrel and Titi monkeys often forage along the lake's edge, and energetic guests can take another hike through forest on the other side of the lake.
After dinner, we go out on the lake to search again for the Black Caiman since they are most abundant on the lake at night as they forage. Floating in the middle of the lake, the brilliant stars light up the sky as the night sounds of the rainforest surround you. (B, L, D).

Day 5 - Sandoval Lake to Cusco or Lima
After a dawn breakfast, we paddle across the lake, perhaps encountering a family of macaws leaving their roost to forage or a troupe of monkeys greeting the day. We hike back out to the river and return to Puerto Maldonado for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. (B)

SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE 4D/3N

Located a 30 minutes motor canoe ride down the River Madre de Dios from Puerto Maldonado, Sandoval Lake Lodge is perched above what many rainforest specialists feel is the most attractive lake in Southern Peru, if not in the entire Peruvian Amazon.   

The whole complex is housed in one structure and includes 25 double occupancy rooms with private bath, hot showers, and a spacious dining room overlooking the lake.

For a more relaxed, complete introduction to the rainforest, we recommend a two nights stay.   However, with the easy access from Puerto Maldonado, for the first time it is possible to spend only one night in the rainforest and still get a good preliminary idea of the splendor of the Peruvian Amazon.

04 Days/03 Nights Program

Day One - Flight to Puerto Maldonado and Journey to Sandoval Lake Lodge.

After lunch and a brief rest to avoid the early afternoon heat, we will learn about the history of the lodge and the philosophy of its founders. Then we once again board the catamaran and set off to explore the entire west end of the lake.   Here, in the flooded palm forest we drift to the sounds of hundreds of Red-Bellied Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. This macaw species is found locally in parts of the Amazon, always living in flooded palm forests such as the beautiful palm stand at Sandoval Lake.  At 500-800 birds, this flock of macaws at Sandoval Lake is currently the largest reported in the world for this highly-specialized macaw.

As night falls we will look for the large and extremely rare Black Caimans. If it is a clear starlit night, we will also be able to float in the middle of the lake to marvel at the brilliance of the sky and listen to the sounds of the forest.

We return to the lodge for a short video or slide presentation and dinner. At any point, you could step out from the bar to admire the wide variety of nocturnal moths, beetles and praying mantis attracted to our black light in the lodge clearing.

For those with lots of energy, our guide will take us on a short night-walk into the forest behind the lodge.  (L,D)

A pre-dawn wake-up call will enable us to be on the lake for sunrise and a hopeful encounter with the family of Giant Otters who frequent the lake and are most active at this time of day.  Sandoval Lake offers abundant wildlife including over 40 species of birds resident to its lake margins, most of the fish-eating water birds around the lake actively fish in the early morning as well, and this outing should provide excellent views, of the prehistoric- looking Hoatzins, These are easy to observe and also photograph from the paddled canoes or catamarans.

After lunch and an hour or so to relax we once again board the catamaran to explore the eastern part of the lake, where we might see one or more of the five species of monkeys who live in the forest near the lake, such as the Brown Capuchin Monkey and Squirrel Monkey.

Before dinner we will again enjoy an informative natural history video or slide presentation.

We will leave after dinner to try and spot some Black Caimans on the lake, or to go on a short night walk through the primary forest. (B,L,D)

Day three – SLL - Macaws and Parrots Roosting site / Trail System
After a dawn breakfast, we will cross the lake by catamaran and take a short walk into the interior of the Mauritia palm forest to stand beneath and closely view the impressive morning congregations, this place has a very interesting concentration of parrots, parakeets and large and small macaws that can be observed using dead Mauritia palm trees,  some of them are resident nesters (Yellow headed Parrot, Mealy Parrot, Blue headed Parrot, Scarlet Macaw, blue and Yellow Macaw, Red and Green Macaw, Chestnut fronted Macaw, Dusky headed Parakeet, Red bellied Macaw, Cobalt winged Parakeet, Tui Parakeet).

Returning from the macaw show we will cross the lake to explore a primary forest trail and admire the impressive ancient rainforest trees and lianas with our knowledgeable resident naturalist guide. As we walk, the forest will be brought to life as your guide explains the ecology of the rain forest and its diverse flora and fauna.

We return for lunch, and then there is an optional rest for those who would like to escape the early afternoon heat.  For those still full of energy, there is an option to independently explore some of the forest trails using our trail map. You might stroll through our medicinal plant garden or watch hummingbirds visiting the nectar feeders, or the tanagers visiting our fruit feeders.

In the cooler late afternoon we will once again board the catamaran to explore the eastern end of the lake, and hopefully experience a spectacular sunset over the lake before returning to the lodge for dinner. For some people, an alternative afternoon activity would be to relax on benches inside the forest perched above a clear running stream in which a variety of bathing hummingbirds and forest birds visit.

After dinner, there is a final chance to look for Black Caiman on the lake, or to go on a short night hike through the forest. (B,L,D)

Day four Departure Day
After early breakfast we leave near dawn and we take a final, shorter paddle around the west end of the lake to try and glimpse the Giant Otters before returning by motor canoe for the 35 minutes return trip to the Puerto Maldonado Airport, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you fly to Cusco or Lima, where your jungle adventure ends.   (B)

Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.

SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE 3D/2N

Located a 30 minutes motor canoe ride down the River Madre de Dios from Puerto Maldonado, Sandoval Lake Lodge is perched above what many rainforest specialists feel is the most attractive lake in Southern Peru, if not in the entire Peruvian Amazon.   

The whole complex is housed in one structure and includes 25 double occupancy rooms with private bath, hot showers, and a spacious dining room overlooking the lake.

For a more relaxed, complete introduction to the rainforest, we recommend a two nights stay.   However, with the easy access from Puerto Maldonado, for the first time it is possible to spend only one night in the rainforest and still get a good preliminary idea of the splendor of the Peruvian Amazon.

03 Days/02 Nights Program

Day One - Flight to Puerto Maldonado and Journey to Sandoval Lake Lodge.

After lunch and a brief rest to avoid the early afternoon heat, we will learn about the history of the lodge and the philosophy of its founders. Then we once again board the catamaran and set off to explore the entire west end of the lake.   Here, in the flooded palm forest we drift to the sounds of hundreds of Red-Bellied Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. This macaw species is found locally in parts of the Amazon, always living in flooded palm forests such as the beautiful palm stand at Sandoval Lake.  At 500-800 birds, this flock of macaws at Sandoval Lake is currently the largest reported in the world for this highly-specialized macaw.

As night falls we will look for the large and extremely rare Black Caimans. If it is a clear starlit night, we will also be able to float in the middle of the lake to marvel at the brilliance of the sky and listen to the sounds of the forest.

We return to the lodge for a short video or slide presentation and dinner. At any point, you could step out from the bar to admire the wide variety of nocturnal moths, beetles and praying mantis attracted to our black light in the lodge clearing.

For those with lots of energy, our guide will take us on a short night-walk into the forest behind the lodge.  (L,D)

A pre-dawn wake-up call will enable us to be on the lake for sunrise and a hopeful encounter with the family of Giant Otters who frequent the lake and are most active at this time of day.  Sandoval Lake offers abundant wildlife including over 40 species of birds resident to its lake margins, most of the fish-eating water birds around the lake actively fish in the early morning as well, and this outing should provide excellent views, of the prehistoric- looking Hoatzins, These are easy to observe and also photograph from the paddled canoes or catamarans.

After lunch and an hour or so to relax we once again board the catamaran to explore the eastern part of the lake, where we might see one or more of the five species of monkeys who live in the forest near the lake, such as the Brown Capuchin Monkey and Squirrel Monkey.

Before dinner we will again enjoy an informative natural history video or slide presentation.

We will leave after dinner to try and spot some Black Caimans on the lake, or to go on a short night walk through the primary forest. (B,L,D)

Day Three - Departure Day
After early breakfast we leave near dawn and we take a final, shorter paddle around the west end of the lake to try and glimpse the Giant Otters before returning by motor canoe for the 35 minutes return trip to the Puerto Maldonado Airport, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you fly to Cusco or Lima, where your jungle adventure ends.   (B)

Macaw Clay Lick & Sandoval Lake 5D / 4N

This is a new tour being offered by WASAI Lodge and Expeditions to offer a genuine rainforest wilderness experience and an excellent opportunity to see some of the wildlife that Tambopata is famous for. A complete program which combines the comfort of beautiful lodges with the experience to spend a night camping in the Bahuaja Sonene National Park.

Day 1  Arrive in the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the WASAI Maldonado EcoLodge. After a refreshing drink you will make the 4 hour journey up the Tambopata River into the primary rainforest of the Tambopata Reserve Zone with the opportunity to see local communities and wildlife along the banks of the river. You will arrive at the WASAI Tambopata Lodge in the late afternoon. After refreshments you will go on a short introductory walk into the forest. In the evening you will go on a night walk to look for some of the nocturnal creatures of the forest.
 
Day 2  You will wake before dawn and cross the Tambopata River to walk to the parrot clay lick on the banks of the River Gato. You will watch parrots and parakeets gather and feed on the clay. On the walk you  may see animals such as monkeys and other interesting plants and insects. After breakfast you can relax in the beautiful surroundings of the lodge, go fishing or swim in a nearby waterfall. After lunch you will make the 1  hour journey
further up the River Tambopata into the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. This journey is an excellent opportunity to see birds and animals such as capybara, jaguar and large caiman. You will arrive at the site of the Chuncho Collpa in the late afternoon and establish camp on the river beach. You will watch the sun set and can swim in the river or have a go at catching some of the abundant fish. In the night you will attempt to see animals visiting the clay river banks to eat clay - and the animals that hunt them such as jaguar and caiman.

Day 3 You will wake at dawn to the sound of Howler Monkeys and hundreds of parakeets wheeling  through the red morning sky. You will watch several species of macaw and many species of parrots and parakeets gather to eat clay in the first few hours after sunrise. You will have a simple breakfast on the beach followed by a short walk through the forest to look for birds and animals. you will travel back down the river to the WASAI Tambopata Lodge for a late breakfast. Ethno botanical trekking leaning about medicinal plants. Lunch. In the afternoon guided trekking through one of the trails or if you prefer you can relax, go fishing or swimming or visit a local community. After an evening meal you will go   out onto the river  to get a close view of caiman ( alligators).
 

Day 4  You will have breakfast and then make the journey back down the Tambopata River to Puerto Maldonado. You will arrive at WASAI Maldonado EcoLodge for lunch. In the afternoon you will Travel Down the Madre de Dios River and from there walk through the forest to the tranquil and beautiful Lake Sandoval. At the lake your guide will paddle you in a wooden canoe to look for Giant River Otters and birds such as Hoatzin and Aningha. You will walk back through the forest to look for some of the nocturnal creatures of the forest and them travel back to the lodge for a final evening meal.

Day 5 Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
PRICE PER PASSENGER IN DOUBLE ROOM: $573.00 + $ 36.00 Entrance fee to the National Park and Reserve

Includes: Transfer, transportation by road and boat, lodging, full meals, bilingual guide and rubber boots

Macaw Clay Lick & Sandoval Lake 4D / 3N

The trip is full of adventure, with possibilities to find wild animals and the most attractive landscapes: The amazing macaw clay lick "collpa" in the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park and the wonderful Sandoval lake in the Tambopata - Candamo Reserved Zone. This program includes walks   through the heart of the reserved area of Tambopata Candamo and the Bahuaja Sonene National park

Day 1  Reception at the airport and transportation to the WASAI Maldonado EcoLodge, where you will receive a welcoming tropical fruit beverage. You will embark for a 4 hour motorboat trip up the Tambopata river to WASAI Tambopata Lodge & Research Center (box lunch on route). During the trip we will be able to observe the local farms, while groups of birds pass over the boat. Opportunity to see families of Capybaras, the largest rodents in the world. Reception, accommodation at the lodge.
After a short rest we will have a brief introductory walk in the forest nearby to learn basic principles of ecology and hear some wildlife natural history. Return to the lodge for dinner.
After dinner we will make our first visit to the forest to observe the nocturnal life of insects, frogs of various colours, and an occasional encounter with nocturnal mammals. We will enjoy the diverse sounds of the jungle which will accompany our first night in Amazonia. Sleep in the lodge.

Day 2 Wake early (4.30 am) and travel up the Tambopata River for an hour to the Bahuaja- Sonene National Park. You will see a magical sunrise and it is a great opportunity to see animals such as capybaras, tapir, jaguar, and deer in the surrounding virgin forest. We will observe ( from a save distance) one of the greatest spectacle of the rainforest: Hundreds of parrots, parakeets and macaws of various species, enjoying their diet of  mineral salts on a river bank. We will have  a hot drink and a snack whilst watching birds and go for a short walk to look for animals such as monkeys. We will return to  the lodge to have a late breakfast. Ethno botanical trekking through one of the trails learning about medicinal plants.
After lunch we will enter the verdant jungle on a special trail to observe wild life. We will then enter the territory of peccaries, deer, and others, with the possibility to hear or see the tracks of them, or discovering a troop of monkeys travelling through the forest in search of food. Time permitting; we will be able to enjoy a relaxing swim in the cascade of the cat.
After dinner we can make another trip through the jungle, search for caimans or relax in our lodge surrounded by exotic nocturnal sounds. 

Day 3 After breakfast we will make a trip in boat to the WASAI Maldonado EcoLodge, in Puerto Maldonado where we will relax in our bungalows and enjoy a tasty lunch. After lunch we will leave and travel for thirty minutes on the Madre de Dios River, to the access trail to Lake Sandoval,  a beautiful typical rainforest lake. 3 km hike to the banks of the lake. There we will board a canoe to paddle around the lake enjoying the beauty of the landscape and observing the wildlife, such as kingfishers, herons, hoatzins (unique pre historic looking birds) , monkeys, etc. If we are lucky we could see the family of giant otters which live at the lake. We will have the opportunity to swim in the lake.
It is time to begin our return hike to the Madre de Dios River to return to Puerto Maldonado. There we will stay in the modern and comfortable bungalows of WASAI Maldonado EcoLodge. After dinner we will be able to rest or go around the city on foot or on bicycle. We can enjoy the pool and its cascade surrounded by verdant vegetation. Rest of the night free to enjoy the night life of this welcoming city.

Day 4 Breakfast and transportation to the airport.

PRICE PER PASSENGER IN DOUBLE ROOM: $ 431.00 + $ 24.00 Entrance fee to the National Park and Reserve
Includes: Transfer, transportation by road and boat, lodging, full meals, bilingual guide and rubber boots

Macaws Clay Lick & Cascades  3D / 2N 
  
 The trip is intensive, full of adventure, with possibilities to find wild animals and the most attractive landscapes: Visit to the most attractive place of the region, the amazing macaw clay lick "collpa" in the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park.

Day 1 Reception  at the airport and transportation to the WASAÍ Maldonado EcoLodge, where you will receive a welcoming tropical fruit beverage. You will embark for a 4 hour motorboat trip up the Tambopata river to WASAI Tambopata Lodge & Research Center (box lunch on board). During the trip into the heart of the rain forest  we will be able to observe clouds of butterflies,  typical Amazon communities , while groups of birds pass over the boat and animals such as capybaras turtles and caiman.  Reception and accommodation at Wasai lodge.

Introductory  walk to understand rainforest ecosystems and see some of the amazing trees . Return to the lodge for dinner.
We will enjoy diverse sounds of the jungle which will accompany our first night in the amazon. Sleep in the lodge.

 Day 2  Wake early (4.30 am) and travel up the Tambopata River for an hour to the Bahuaja- Sonene National Park. You will see a magical sunrise and it is a great opportunity to see animals such as capybaras, tapir , Jaguar, and deer in the surrounding virgin forest. We will observe ( from a save distance) one of the greatest spectacle of the rainforest: Hundreds of parrots, parakeets and macaws of various species, enjoying their diet of  mineral salts on a river bank. We will have  a hot drink and a snack whilst watching birds and go for a short walk to look for animals such as monkeys.  We will return to to the lodge to have a late breakfast.

We will then have an Ethno botanical trekking through one of the trails, learning about medicinal plants. We will enter the territory of peccaries, deer, and others, with the possibility to hear or see the tracks of them, or discovering a troop of monkeys travelling through the forest in search of food. Lunch . In the afternoon we will be able to enjoy a relaxing swim in the cascade of the cat.
After dinner we can make another trip through the jungle or search for caimans. 

Day 3 After breakfast we will return by boat to Puerto Maldonado to take our flight to Lima or Cuzco.

PRICE PER PASSENGER IN DOUBLE ROOM: $ 324.00 + $ 12.00 Entrance fee to the National Park
Includes: Transfer, transportation by road and boat, lodging, full meals, bilingual guide and rubber boots