Tambopata’s Macaw clay lick – A vibrant Amazon journey
Embark on an unforgettable day trip into the heart of Tambopata Park. Visit the largest known macaw clay lick on the Tambopata River, where you’ll experience one of the best sunrises in the Amazon. See dozens of vibrant species, including red, blue and yellow macaws and green parrots, waking you up with their lively sounds. From a distance, watch these colourful birds gather in the treetops to feed on the salt- and mineral-rich clay that attracts them. This morning holds many other surprises for visitors, such as white caimans, capybaras, water turtles and a variety of birds, including herons, egrets and hawks, among others.
Overview
“Macaw Clay Lick Expedition: Dawn on the Tambopata”
At 3.30am our transport picks you up at your accommodation and we travel along the Interoceanic Highway to the Tambopata River. Your guide will accompany you on the journey until we board a boat at dawn and head upriver. The river fog lifts with the first rays of the sun and we enter the National Park as the river changes its shape and becomes more challenging for the intrepid boat, steered by an experienced boatman. Your guide will be responsible for wildlife viewing along the river banks. Macaws can be seen flying over the forest and after an hour’s journey we arrive at the macaw clay lick known as “8 Gallinas”. We leave the boat and walk to the viewpoint in front of the cliffs. The guide begins describing the area and identifying the macaws and parrots one by one, demonstrating his expertise and knowledge.
The birds approach in pairs and gather in the canopy. You will notice that they are very stealthy and only when they are completely sure that the place is safe will they gradually come down to feed, and in a few minutes they will all approach in groups to taste the clay.
The peak of activity ends and the birds fly back into the forest in pairs. We serve a picnic-style breakfast and enjoy it surrounded by nature.
We navigate the river upstream again and look for jaguar activity on the banks, with more or less chance depending on the time of year we visit the National Park.
We return to the lodge in Tambopata for lunch, with all the comforts of the restaurant.
At 2:30 PM, we will take the return boat, and our transportation will be waiting for us at the river’s edge to drive us back to Puerto Maldonado.
