SUMMARY
Tour Amazonas: Heath River Wildlife & Sandoval Lake Lodge with Macaw Clay Lick – 6 Days
Discover the Untouched Amazon on a 6-Day Journey through Tour Amazonas Heath River Widlife
Experience the raw beauty of the Upper Amazon Basin with our 6-day Amazon tour to Heath River Wildlife Center and Sandoval Lake Lodge. This unforgettable journey takes you deep into the most biodiverse region of South America, where Peru and Bolivia share a natural wonder — a sprawling expanse of protected rainforest teeming with wildlife.
Heath River Wildlife Center: Macaws, Monkeys & More
Nestled on the border between Tambopata National Reserve (Peru) and Madidi National Park (Bolivia), the Heath River Wildlife Center offers an exclusive view of the rainforest’s vibrant ecosystems. One of the tour’s highlights is witnessing the spectacular macaw clay lick, where flocks of scarlet, blue-and-yellow, and red-and-green macaws gather at dawn in a kaleidoscope of color and sound.
Here, you’ll also explore trails through pristine jungle, with chances to spot tapirs, monkeys, and hundreds of bird species. The nearby Pampas of Heath provide a unique transition between rainforest and savanna, offering even more biodiversity to discover on guided walks.
Sandoval Lake Lodge: Tranquil Waters & Giant Otters
After your adventure in Heath River, continue to the serene Sandoval Lake, located within the Tambopata Reserve near Puerto Maldonado. Accessible by a peaceful trail and canoe ride, Lake Sandoval is home to a resident family of giant river otters, black caimans, and numerous howler and squirrel monkeys.
Enjoy birdwatching, relaxing boat rides, and nature hikes through this calm and picturesque environment. Sandoval Lake is a perfect contrast to the wild energy of the Heath River, offering peaceful immersion in nature with the comforts of an eco-lodge.
Tour Amazonas Heath River Widlife
Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Maldonado → Heath River Wildlife Center
Arrival & Transfer: Meet at Puerto Maldonado airport; drive to boat dock.
Boat Journey: Motorized canoe on Tambopata → Madre de Dios River → Heath River (Peru-Bolivia border).
Scenery & Wildlife: Red cliffs, Cercopia trees, river birds (herons, hawks, cormorants), Capybaras.
Border Formalities: Cross into Bolivian side via river.
Evening: Arrive at Heath River Wildlife Center. Dinner and rest.
Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Tour Amazonas Heath River Widlife
Early Morning: Visit the parrot & macaw clay lick; floating platform breakfast. See hundreds of parrots and macaws.
Midday Jungle Hike: Explore forest trails; see huge trees (Kapok, Chestnut, Strangler Fig), medicinal plants, monkeys, and wild pigs.
Afternoon: Walk to the Pampas of Heath (savanna ecosystem); view from elevated platform.
Wildlife: Fork-Tailed Hummingbirds, Maned Wolves, Red-Bellied & Blue-and-Yellow Macaws.
Evening/Night: Return walk with headlamps – listen for frogs, insects, and night creatures (tarantulas, night monkeys, etc.).
Optional: Visit mammal clay lick to see Lowland Tapir.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 3: Tour Amazonas Heath River Widlife
Morning: Free choice:
Return to the macaw clay lick
More time on forest trails
Afternoon: Canoe around Cocha Guacamayo (oxbow lake)
Look for Giant Otters
Evening: Boat ride after dusk; search for Black Caiman (glowing orange eyes).
Meals: B/L/D
Day 4: Heath River → Sandoval Lake Lodge
Early Morning: Boat downstream (peak wildlife activity) – chance to see Capybaras, maybe Jaguar or Tapir.
Midday: Arrive at Port Sandoval, hike 3km through Tambopata National Reserve.
Afternoon: Canoe through flooded forest → Sandoval Lake (motors banned).
Wildlife: Paiche fish (100kg), Giant Otters
Evening: Short night walk to see nocturnal wildlife.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 5: Sandoval Lake Lodge
Early Morning: Sunrise canoe trip – Giant Otters, birds, Shansho (Hoatzin).
Midday: Walk through primary rainforest; see giant Chestnut trees.
Afternoon: Explore western side of lake; likely Capuchin monkeys.
Evening: Educational video presentation + optional night caiman spotting.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 6: Return to Puerto Maldonado → Flight to Cusco
Dawn: Cross the lake – chance to see macaws or monkeys waking.
Morning: Walk back to river → motorized canoe to Puerto Maldonado → transfer to airport for flight to Cusco.
Meals: B
ITINERARY
Tour Amazonas Heath River Widlife 6 days
Day 1 – Arrival: Puerto Maldonado → Heath River Wildlife Center
First views of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers
Morning: Our guide meets you at Puerto Maldonado Airport and escorts you to the river dock on the Tambopata. A scenic motorized canoe ride unfolds, revealing the dramatic red‑cliffed banks and lush riverside forest.
Afternoon: At the Peru–Bolivia border, we cruise along the Heath River. Look out for herons, hawks, cormorants, geese, orinoco ducks, and maybe a Capybara family—up to 55 kg in weight!
Evening: We arrive at the cozy Heath River Wildlife Center. Dinner is served riverside under the jungle canopy.
Insider tip: Use key phrases like “Amazon canoe ride,” “Puerto Maldonado wildlife lodge,” and “border river cruise”
Day 2 – Parrot & Macaw Clay Lick + Jungle Trail & Pampas Vista
‑lick spectacle + forest wanderings + pampa sunset
Dawn: Head to the riverbank to witness the parrot and macaw clay lick—a kaleidoscopic dawn ritual lasting 2–3 hours as hundreds of colorful parrots, parakeets, Chestnut‑Fronted, and Red‑and‑Green Macaws dine on mineral‑rich clay.
Breakfast: Served on our hidden floating platform—perfect for capturing shots of birds in action.
Late morning: Jungle trek among giant Chestnut, Kapok, and strangler fig trees. Guides introduce medicinal plants, and you may spot eight monkey species or catch the scent of wild pigs’ scent marking.
Afternoon: Hike to the edge of the Heath Pampas, South America’s largest tropical savannah. From the observation tower, enjoy sweeping grasslands dotted with palms—keep an eye out for Fork‑Tailed Hummingbirds and possibly the elusive Maned Wolf.
Sunset: Return through the pampa for more birdlife watching, especially Red‑Bellied and Blue‑and‑Yellow Macaws.
Night walk: After dinner, venture out with headlamps to experience the jungle’s nocturnal orchestra—frogs, tarantulas, night monkeys, and if lucky, a shy Lowland Tapir at the mammal clay lick.
“macaw clay lick Amazon,” “Amazon jungle night walk,” “Heath River wildlife viewing.”
Day 3 – Flexible Day: Choose Macaw Lick or Otter Canoe + Caiman Search
Tailor your adventure with wildlife–rich choices
Option A: Return to the clay lick—see the parrot parade all over again.
Option B: Canoe to Cocha Guacamayo, an oxbow lake in Bahuaja‑Sonene National Park. With luck, you’ll observe a playful giant otter family, and later at dusk, spot endangered Black Caimans with glowing eyes.
giant otter canoe tour,” “Amazon caiman spotting,” “Bahuaja‑Sonene wildlife.”
Day 4 – Heath River → Port Sandoval → Sandoval Lake Lodge
River wildlife en route + world‑famous Sandoval
Dawn: Canoe back downstream—excellent time to spot Capybaras, and with fortune, a swimming Jaguar or Tapir crossing the river.
Late morning: Arrive to trek from Port Sandoval to Sandoval Lake, navigating a flooded forest canal by rowboat (no-motor zone). Keep watch for giant Paiche surfacing or the unmistakable call of the Giant Otter.
Evening: Enjoy dinner, then an optional short nocturnal trail walk around the lodge, spotlighting frogs, spiders, and insects.
“Sandoval Lake canoe tour,” “row‑boat Amazon wildlife experience,” “no‑motor lake sanctuary.”
Day 5 – Sunrise & Rainforest Trails at Sandoval Lake
Sunrise otter views + canopy birdlife + primate spotting
Pre‑dawn: Paddle at sunrise—ideal for Giant Otter family interactions and birdlife like Hoatzins fishing at dawn.
Breakfast: Back at the lodge, refuel with a hearty meal before exploring primary rainforest trails lined with ancient Chestnut trees.
Afternoon: Leisure time to watch Capuchin monkeys and other primates in the forest.
Pre‑dinner: Educational video on Amazon ecology, followed by nighttime caiman-spotting on the lake.
Sandoval Lake sunrise tour,” “Hoatzin birdwatching Amazon,” “Amazon rainforest primate trek.”
Day 6 – Return to Puerto Maldonado & Departure to Cusco
Final morning paddle + journey home
Early morning: Another lake crossing—keep an eye open for macaws returning to roost or monkey troops awakening.
Mid‑morning: Motorized canoe ride back to Puerto Maldonado dock and onward to the airport.
End of tour: Arrive early enough for flights to Cusco or onward destinations.
SEO opportunities: “Puerto Maldonado to Cusco flight,” “Amazon departure logistics.”
INCLUDED (NOT)
Services included in your Macaw lick trip:
- All meals and accommodation (camping gear) from lunch on Day 1 to Breakfast on your final day (inclusive).
- All transport from your arrival al Puerto Maldonado to your return to the airport (inclusive).
- All guided excursions describes in the itinerary (including on additional days, if you wish).
- One night excursion on the river looking for Caiman.
Services Excluded in your Macaw lick trip:
- Flights to and from Puerto Maldonado, The entrance Fee to the TNR $ 40.00 per person, airport taxes. Any drinks you may purchase from the bar, Tips.
