Tambopata 2 Days Tour: Sandoval Lake and the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

Paddle across Sandoval Lake, home of giant river otters, and watch hundreds of macaws at sunrise, with a night in a jungle lodge on the Tambopata River.

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4.9 Excellent · 2,800+ reviews on Google & Tripadvisor

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2 DAYS - 1 NIGHT

Tour Overview

The Amazon in Just 2 Days

Tambopata 2 Days Tour: Sandoval Lake and Macaws at Sunrise

The Tambopata 2 Days Tour combines the two best wildlife experiences of the Tambopata National Reserve, near Puerto Maldonado, in a short Amazon tour Peru travelers can fit into any itinerary.

You paddle a canoe across Sandoval Lake, home of giant river otters and black caimans, spend a night in a jungle lodge on the Tambopata River and watch hundreds of macaws at the Chuncho Clay Lick at sunrise. Small groups of 6 to 8 travelers with a bilingual guide.

This Tambopata 2 day tour costs USD 270 per adult (students and children 5 to 17 USD 250). It starts in the morning in Puerto Maldonado, a short flight from Cusco, with pickup at the airport, bus terminal or your hotel, and ends there in the late afternoon of Day 2. Boats, 1 lodge night, 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and a bilingual guide are included; the reserve entrance is paid in soles.

Duration2 days / 1 night

PriceFrom USD 250

Start / EndPuerto Maldonado

Group6–8, max. 12

DifficultyEasy to moderate

Sandoval Lake

A paddle canoe on the lake, with giant otters, caimans and monkeys.

Chuncho Clay Lick

Scarlet, red-and-green and blue-and-yellow macaws at dawn.

Rainforest Walk

A 3 km guided trail through the Tambopata rainforest.

Jungle Lodge

A night on the Tambopata River, with meals included.

Read the full Tambopata 2 Days Tour description

On Day 1 we meet you at the Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or your hotel, travel by boat on the Madre de Dios River, walk 3 km through the rainforest and paddle across Sandoval Lake. In the afternoon we continue to our lodge on the Tambopata River.

This is the shortest of our Tambopata tours, a Sandoval Lake and clay lick tour that shows you the two highlights of the Tambopata National Reserve in 2 days.

On Day 2 we leave at 4:00 AM by boat to the Chuncho Clay Lick to watch the macaws arrive, then return to Puerto Maldonado. Wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed, as all animals live freely.

More time in the jungle? Choose the Tambopata National Reserve 3 Days Tour or the Tambopata National Reserve 4 Days Tour.

Private Tambopata Tour

Enjoy the Tambopata Tour at your own pace with a private tour for you, your family or friends: flexible departure times, a personalized itinerary and a private guide. Send us your preferred date and group size for a custom quote.

Special Price for Returning Customers

Have you traveled with Machu Picchu Team before? Contact us before booking to receive a special returning-customer rate for the Tambopata Tour, subject to verification of your previous booking.

For more information or help, contact us and our team will reply as soon as possible: 💬 WhatsApp +51 974 217 700 · 📧 info@machupicchuteam.com

Availability & Booking

How to Book the Tambopata 2 Days Tour

We run the Tambopata 2 Days Tour in the Tambopata National Reserve every day of the year, subject to lodge, guide, boat and transport availability. Book ahead, especially in the busiest months.

Check availability online and choose your date.

Enter your details and your Puerto Maldonado flight, bus or hotel.

Pay a 50% deposit or the full amount; the balance is due by 10:00 PM the day before.

Receive your final confirmation from our team.

DeparturesDaily, all year

ArriveEarly on Day 1

LeaveLate afternoon, Day 2

Group size6–8, max. 12

Special Discount for Returning Customers

Have you traveled with us on the Salkantay Trek, the Inca Trail or a Machu Picchu tour? Contact us before booking so we can verify your previous booking and offer you a special rate.

Questions? Our team will reply as soon as possible: 💬 WhatsApp +51 974 217 700 · 📧 info@machupicchuteam.com

Highlights

Why You’ll Love the Tambopata 2 Days Tour

Nine reasons to discover the Tambopata National Reserve in 2 days with Machu Picchu Team.

✓Sandoval Lake by Canoe
Home of giant river otters and black caimans.
✓Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick
Hundreds of macaws and parrots at sunrise.
✓Rainforest Walk
A 3 km guided trail through the Tambopata jungle.
✓Night in a Jungle Lodge
On the banks of the Tambopata River.
✓River Navigation
Motorized boats on the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers.
✓Rich Wildlife
Monkeys, capybaras, caimans, toucans and tropical birds.
✓Perfect for Short Trips
Just a short flight from Cusco.
✓All Transfers Included
From and to the Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or hotel.
✓Small Groups
Usually 6 to 8 travelers (max. 12) with a bilingual guide.

BOOK ONLINE

FROM

USD 270 per person

Duration 2 DAYS - 1 NIGHT

Starts in Pickup at the Puerto Maldonado Airport

Group size Max: 12 People per group

Departures Daily Departures Available

Physical level Easy

Trip style Jungle & Wildlife

Meals 1 B, 2 L, 1 D

4.9 Excellent · 2,800+ reviews

"Une superbe expérience ! L’équipe est au top, une superbe ambiance un tracé magnifiqu..."

Bouhet M 28/09/2026

"Just finished 4 days with Yuri & Jose, they were both amazing, super helpful and attent..."

BoardingPass605159 28/09/2026

"Great experience, an unforgettable adventure all thanks to Eduardo and Marx. Big thank ..."

Kristina K 27/09/2026

"Eduardo is the best guide! Really tailored our experience around our pace and flexibili..."

Zak L 27/09/2026

"This experience was amazing. The guys are really nice and the landscapes seems like AI...."

Jose Alejandro Navarro 27/09/2026

"I had such a great time on this guided tour! Everything was really well organised, and ..."

Mihai 26/09/2026

"Incredible, a very polite and attentive person, he knows a lot about the mountain, a to..."

Renato C 26/09/2026

"Nothing to say about the trek itself. The landscapes are magnificent and the organizati..."

lara j 25/09/2026

"The trek is magnificent, the landscapes are breathtaking, and the organization is decen..."

nuno29 25/09/2026

"We did the 2-day trail and were very satisfied with our guides Miguel and Alice. The wa..."

Thomas L 25/09/2026

Tambopata 2 Days Itinerary

Puerto Maldonado → Madre de Dios River → Sandoval Lake → Tambopata River Lodge

Your Tambopata National Reserve 2 Days Tour starts with pickup at the Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or your hotel. A motorized boat takes us along the Madre de Dios River to the trailhead.

We walk about 3 km through the rainforest (flat, but it can be muddy) and paddle a canoe across Sandoval Lake, looking for giant river otters, black caimans, monkeys, hoatzins and macaws.

In the afternoon we travel by road and boat to our jungle lodge on the Tambopata River for dinner and the night.

DifficultyModerate

WalkAbout 3 km

ActivityPaddle canoe

MealsLunch, dinner

Good to know: Arrive early in Puerto Maldonado: late arrivals may miss the Sandoval Lake excursion.

Included Today

✓Reception and transfers
✓Motorized boat
✓Sandoval Lake canoe
✓Lunch and dinner
✓Bilingual guide

Night 1: Jungle Lodge on the Tambopata River

A comfortable lodge surrounded by rainforest.

Tambopata 2 Days Tour: Sandoval Lake and the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

Tambopata River Lodge → Chuncho Clay Lick → Lodge → Puerto Maldonado

We leave at 4:00 to 4:30 AM on a 1 to 1.5-hour boat trip to the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. From the observation area we watch scarlet, red-and-green and blue-and-yellow macaws, parrots and parakeets gather on the clay wall.

We have breakfast during the excursion, return to the lodge and travel back by boat and road to the Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or your hotel.

DifficultyEasy to moderate

Wake-up4:00 AM

Boat1–1.5 hours

MealsBreakfast, lunch*

Good to know: Book your flight or bus out of Puerto Maldonado for the late afternoon. *Lunch depends on your return time.

Included Today

✓Boat to the clay lick
✓Breakfast during the excursion
✓Return transfer to Puerto Maldonado

End of the Tour

Drop-off at the airport, bus terminal or your hotel.

What Is Included in the Tambopata 2 Days

Reception and Transfers

At the Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or your hotel, and return transfer on Day 2.

Ground and Boat Transport

Motorized boats on the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers.

1 Night in a Jungle Lodge

On the Tambopata River.

Meals

Lunch and dinner on Day 1; breakfast and lunch on Day 2 (depending on your return time).

Professional Bilingual Guide

English and Spanish.

Sandoval Lake Excursion

Rainforest walk and paddle canoe on the lake.

Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

Early-morning visit with access to the observation area.

Safety Equipment

Life jackets and basic safety equipment.

Tambopata National Reserve Entrance

Paid in Peruvian soles.

Flights or Bus to Puerto Maldonado

To and from Puerto Maldonado.

Breakfast on Day 1

Have breakfast before your arrival.

Alcoholic and Extra Drinks

Not included.

Travel Insurance

Strongly recommended.

Tips and Personal Expenses

Tips for the guide and staff, souvenirs.

Tambopata Packing List: What to Bring

For the Tambopata National Reserve 2 Days Tour pack light: a small backpack with the essentials for 2 days in the rainforest.

Clothing and Footwear

✓Light, quick-dry clothes
✓Long-sleeved shirts and light long pants
✓Closed walking shoes with good grip
✓Lodge sandals
✓Rain jacket or poncho
✓Hat and sunglasses

Gear

✓Original passport
✓Strong insect repellent and sunscreen
✓Headlamp and spare batteries
✓Binoculars and camera
✓Power bank
✓Waterproof bags for electronics
✓Quick-dry towel

Money and Health

✓Cash in soles (for the reserve entrance)
✓Personal medication
✓Reusable water bottle
✓Hand sanitizer

Prices and options

Official Rates & Pricing Plans

* All rates are in USD per person

Book online

Passenger Type	Price per person
ADULT	$270 USD
STUDENT	$250 USD
CHILD	$250 USD

2026 & 2027 prices: the rates above are valid for bookings with travel dates in 2026 and 2027.

Tambopata 2 Days Tour Price: What’s Included?

One price for the Tambopata National Reserve 2 Days Tour in the Amazon rainforest, starting and ending in Puerto Maldonado: transfers, boat trips, a lodge night, meals, guiding, Sandoval Lake and the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick.

Adult

USD 270

per person

Student

USD 250

25 or younger, university ID

Child

USD 250

ages 5 to 17

A 50% deposit (USD 135 per adult, USD 125 per student or child) confirms your booking; pay the balance online at any time, or at our office in Cusco, until 10:00 PM the day before the tour.

Day 1

Sandoval Lake

Morning pickup at the Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or your hotel
Motorized boat on the Madre de Dios River and a 3 km rainforest walk
Paddle canoe on Sandoval Lake, home of giant river otters, black caimans and monkeys
Transfer and boat to your jungle lodge on the Tambopata River
Lunch and dinner

Day 2

Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick

Early boat departure at 4:00 to 4:30 am
Sunrise at the Chuncho Clay Lick, with scarlet, red-and-green and blue-and-yellow macaws
Breakfast during the excursion and lunch on your return
Drop-off at the Puerto Maldonado airport, bus terminal or your hotel in the late afternoon

Not included: the Tambopata National Reserve entrance fee (paid in Peruvian soles), flights or bus tickets to Puerto Maldonado, breakfast on Day 1, extra drinks, tips and travel insurance.

Plan your arrival: arrive in Puerto Maldonado early on Day 1, and book your flight or bus back for the late afternoon of Day 2.

Health tip: the yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory to enter Peru or to join this tour. Health authorities recommend it for the Amazon, so ask your doctor; if you get it, do so at least 10 days before your trip. Bring insect repellent, a rain jacket and light long-sleeved clothes.

Easy to moderate: a flat but sometimes muddy jungle walk, canoeing and a very early start on Day 2. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Group Size

Our groups usually have 6 to 8 travelers, with a maximum of 12.

Book solo, as a couple, with family or friends: you’ll join travelers from around the world who booked the same departure.

Student & Child Price

Available to travelers who:

are 5 to 17 years old and travel with an adult, or
are 25 years old or younger with a valid, original university student ID (ISIC cards are not accepted).

When you book, send us a clear photo of both sides of your student ID by email or WhatsApp.

Check the full student price requirements →

Daily Departures

We depart every day of the year, subject to lodge and boat availability.

Combine it with your Cusco and Machu Picchu trip: Puerto Maldonado is a short flight from Cusco.

Cancellation Policy

72 hours or more before: 100% of your deposit refunded. Between 72 and 24 hours: 50% of your deposit refunded.

Less than 24 hours before, or no-show: no refund.

Travel information

Booking Guide

How to Book the Tambopata National Reserve 2 Days Tour

Book online or at our office in Cusco, and plan your flights to Puerto Maldonado around the tour times.

Option 1

Book Online

Pay by bank transfer at no extra cost, or by debit or credit card (3.99% processing fee).

Option 2

Book in Person

At Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, Cusco, open every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pay in soles, US dollars or by card.

Book in 5 Easy Steps

Click BOOK NOW

Open the availability calendar.

Choose your date and travelers

Adult, student or child (5 to 17).

Enter your details

Names, passport, contact, diet, medical conditions and your Puerto Maldonado flight, bus or hotel.

Pay your deposit

A 50% deposit (USD 135 per adult, USD 125 per student or child), or the full amount.

Receive your confirmation

Our team verifies your details and sends the final confirmation.

Tambopata Booking Policy

1. Booking Deposit: 50%

A deposit of 50% of the tour price confirms your booking: USD 135 per adult and USD 125 per student or child. You can also pay the full amount.

2. Payment of the Remaining Balance

Pay the balance online at any time, or at our office in Cusco (open 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM), until 10:00 PM the day before the tour.

3. Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be sent in writing to our official email. 72 hours or more before departure: 100% of your deposit is refunded. Between 72 and 24 hours before: 50% of your deposit is refunded. Less than 24 hours before, or no-show: no refund. Card fees and bank charges are non-refundable.

4. Refunds

Processed through the original payment method; bank processing times vary.

5. Date Changes

Subject to the availability of lodges, guides, boats and transport. Additional costs are paid by the traveler.

6. Arrival and Departure Times

Arrive in Puerto Maldonado early on Day 1 and leave in the late afternoon of Day 2. Late arrivals may miss the Sandoval Lake excursion, without refund.

7. Weather and River Conditions

We may modify or cancel activities if weather, river, road or operational conditions make them unsafe.

8. Student and Child Price

Students 25 or younger with an original university ID (ISIC cards are not accepted), and children 5 to 17 years old traveling with an adult.

FAQs

Tambopata 2 Days Tour: Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much is the Tambopata 2 days tour?

The Tambopata 2 days tour costs USD 270 per adult and USD 250 for students (25 or younger, university ID) and children (5 to 17). A 50% deposit confirms your booking, and you pay the balance until 10:00 PM the day before.

2. What does the Tambopata National Reserve 2 days tour include?

The Tambopata National Reserve 2 days tour includes transfers in Puerto Maldonado, motorized boats, a 3 km rainforest walk, a paddle canoe on Sandoval Lake, 1 night in a jungle lodge on the Tambopata River, the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick at sunrise, 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and a bilingual guide.

3. Is this a good short Amazon tour in Peru?

Yes. It is our shortest Amazon tour: Puerto Maldonado is a short flight from Cusco, and in 2 days you see Sandoval Lake and a macaw clay lick, the two highlights of the reserve. For more time in the jungle, choose the Tambopata 3 Days Tour.

4. What happens on the Sandoval Lake and clay lick tour?

On Day 1 you walk about 3 km to Sandoval Lake and paddle a canoe looking for giant river otters, black caimans, monkeys and hoatzins. On Day 2 you leave at 4:00 to 4:30 AM by boat to the Chuncho Clay Lick to watch macaws, parrots and parakeets at sunrise.

5. How do I get to Puerto Maldonado?

By a short flight from Cusco or Lima, or by bus. Arrive early on Day 1 and book your flight or bus back for the late afternoon of Day 2.

6. What animals can I see?

Macaws, parrots, monkeys, caimans, capybaras, giant river otters, toucans and tropical birds. Sightings can’t be guaranteed, as animals live freely.

7. How difficult is it?

Easy to moderate: a flat but sometimes muddy 3 km trail, canoeing and a 4:00 AM start on Day 2.

8. Is the reserve entrance fee included?

No. The Tambopata National Reserve entrance is paid on site in Peruvian soles, so bring cash.

9. Which meals are included?

Lunch and dinner on Day 1, and breakfast and lunch on Day 2 (lunch depends on your return time). Breakfast on Day 1 is not included.

10. Do I need a yellow fever vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory to enter Peru or to join this tour, and we do not ask for a vaccination certificate. International health authorities recommend it for travel to the Amazon, so ask your doctor before you travel. If you decide to get it, do so at least 10 days before your trip, as that is when it becomes effective.

11. What is the cancellation policy?

72 hours or more before departure: 100% of your deposit is refunded. Between 72 and 24 hours before: 50% of your deposit is refunded. Less than 24 hours before, or no-show: no refund.

12. What should I bring?

Light long-sleeved clothes, a rain jacket, closed shoes with good grip, strong insect repellent, sunscreen, a headlamp, your original passport and cash in soles for the reserve entrance.

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Why choose Machupicchu Team

The Machu Picchu Team Difference

Why Book the Tambopata National Reserve 2 Days Tour with Machu Picchu Team?

Two Highlights in 2 Days

Sandoval Lake and the Chuncho Clay Lick in one short trip.

Small Groups

6 to 8 travelers, with a maximum of 12.

All Transfers Included

Airport, bus terminal or hotel in Puerto Maldonado, plus all boats.

Bilingual Guides

Local guides who know where to look for wildlife.

Direct Local Operator

A Cusco-based team that can combine Tambopata with Machu Picchu.

Plan your trip with our team in Cusco

Hi! We are Raquel, Robert, Estefany and Noemi, your local team in Cusco. Real people, no bots: we all speak English, answer every message personally and help you choose the right tour for your dates and fitness.

Raquel Machu Picchu Tour Expert
Robert Experienced Local Guide
Estefany Peru Trip Planner
Noemi Cusco Tours Specialist

Message us on WhatsApp

+51 974 217 700
info@machupicchuteam.com
Every day, 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Peru time)
Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, Cusco

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Just finished 4 days with Yuri & Jose, they were both amazing, super helpful and attentive. Thank you to the kitchen staff as well! Definitely a challenge, but in the end it all worth it!

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Bouhet M

Level Easy

Group Max: 16 People

Departures Daily Departures Available

From US $ 13 Promotional Price

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Price from

$ 270 USD per person