How Do You Choose Between a Sandoval Lake Tour and a Collpa Chuncho Tour?
Can You Visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick from Puerto Maldonado in 2 Days?
August 1, 2026How Physically Demanding Is a 3 Days Tambopata Jungle Tour?
August 14, 2026How Do You Choose Between a Sandoval Lake Tour and a Collpa Chuncho Tour?
Sandoval Lake Tour
If you’re contemplating an adventure in the Peruvian Amazon, two tours may have captured the attention of you: a tour of Sandoval Lake and a Collpa Chuncho tour. Both are exceptional ways to see the Tambopata rainforest, but they are quite different on the wildlife encounter. So how do you determine the most suitable tour for your trip? In our hotel Tree House Inn, we accompany every day travelers to make this choice and this guide clearly presents what both tours will give you so that you won’t make a wrong choice.
What Is a Sandoval Lake Tour?
A Sandoval Lake tour will transport you inland to the rainforest where you can explore an oxbow lake that hosts giant river otters, black caimans, hoatzins and monkey troops swinging their way through the lush canopy. The travel is also an adventure. Your guide will first take you on a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River and afterwards you will hike through a primary rainforest area until you reach the lake at which point, a canoe ride will take you on a close wildlife encounter.
It is quite common that this tour is done with a longer holiday, and some tourists pick up the Sandoval Lake Tambopata 3 Days Adventure which, besides a full time exploration of the lake, offers you time to take advantage of the animal movement both at sunrise and sunset when their activities peak. It is really convenient to stay in one of the lodges located in or around Sandoval Lake area since this will give you a short-distance walk or a paddle to the lake.
What Is a Collpa Chuncho Tour?
The whole idea of a Collpa Chuncho tour is centered on one magnificent event – hundreds and hundreds of colorfully-plumed parrots and macaws coming together at some naturally occurring clay lick to feast upon the clay soil enriched with minerals. Chuncho clay lick is one of the biggest and most active macaw clay licks of the Amazon and the moment when red, blue, and green macaws come out to make the river bank colorful during sun rise is something which no words can adequately describe.
One day you start early morning, board a boat that brings you down the river towards the Tambopata National Reserve where you will find the clay lick. It’s worth doing a Collpa Chuncho if you can see that birds in the flesh. Bird lovers, nature observers, and photography enthusiasts are In particular the ones that would love this experience.
Key Differences to Consider
At Sandoval Lake you can see the wide variety of animals in Tambopata, such as terrestrial mammals and reptiles and waterfowl like the hoatzin, a bird that looks very much like dinosaur. But, Collpa Chuncho is a location dominated with macaws and parrots.
Dawn time: It is necessary to leave very early to visit clay lick sites, usually well before sunrise, since macaw activity decreases as it gets hotter during the day. Sandoval Lake visitors have more free time to decide when they go, and excellent views in morning as well as late afternoon hours are likely.
Mental and physical exertion: Sandoval Lake trip entails a hiking trek (of moderate grade) and canoe travel whereas Collpa Chuncho is First and foremost traveling by boat with only a short walk to get the viewing platform.
Proximity to Tambopata: Sandoval Lake is located a bit farther from Puerto Maldonado and is a better option when the time available is short. The site of the Chuncho clay lick is more remote and it is usually located well inside the Tambopata National Reserve, so the travel time will be longer in general.
Can You Do Both?
Of course, that’s just one of the reasons why many people opt for an adventurous three-day jungle exploration of Tambopata combined with bird watching. When you have a carefully planned 3 days tour you will be able to see the giant otters at Sandoval Lake as well as all other animals one day. Then, after sunrise, we go directly to the place with the macaw clay lick which way of using the time allows you do the two major activities on different days, but still without making a fast decision between them.
Our Tree House Inn 3-day tour of the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is arranged in such a way that you are able to enjoy both major attractions without any effort. The whole itinerary is open to your discovery.
Which Tour Should You Choose?
If you’re looking for a one-day adventure and are birding enthusiasts, go with Collpa Chuncho if possible. Yet, if your interests lie in giant otters, caimans, and a serene lake, you’ll be best served by a trip to Sandoval Lake. Yet, if your time permits for a 3-day trip, visiting both should give you the most comprehensive glimpse of the biodiversity of the rainforest around Tambopata.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How early do I need to wake up for the Collpa Chuncho tour?
Almost all departures start very early, normally 4:00 to 5:00 AM, because macaws come earliest in the morning to the clay lick.
Q: Is Sandoval Lake suitable for families with kids?
Yes, most people of different ages can manage the trail and a canoe ride without great difficulty, while the short hike still calls for a certain level of mobility.
Q: What's the best time of year to see the Chuncho macaw clay lick?
The best period is the dry season, from May until October, which normally has the most regular macaw activity and easiest travel conditions.
Q: Do I need a permit to visit the Tambopata National Reserve?
Yes, a permit is required for entering the reserve which is usually handled by your tour operator or lodge as part of the package.
Q: Which Sandoval Lake Lodges are closest to the lake?
A couple of lodges situated along the Madre de Dios River near the Sandoval Lake trailhead offer quick and short access. You will spend much less time on travel each day.
Q: Can beginners join a multi-day Tambopata jungle tour?
Absolutely, a 3-day itinerary is paced for travelers of all experience levels, with guides handling logistics, wildlife spotting, and safety throughout.
Ready to experience both the giant otters of Sandoval Lake and the macaw spectacle at Collpa Chuncho? Check out our full itinerary at Tree House Inn and start planning your Tambopata adventure today.
