Best Jungle Tours in Peru
Experience the Majesty of the Amazon: Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Tour – Tambopata National Reserve
Day Tour to Tambopata
Price $200
Explore the heart of the Amazon with our Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Tour. Journey into Tambopata National Reserve to see hundreds of macaws, parrots, and diverse wildlife like jaguars and tapirs. An authentic jungle experience from Puerto Maldonado.
AVAILABILITY
March to January
DURATION
Day Tour
DIFFICULTY
Easy
LANGUAGE
English & Spanish
ACCOMODATIONS
Lodges
TOUR TYPE
Wildlife
Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Expedition
Witness hundreds of macaws at the world's largest clay lick, Chuncho, in Tambopata National Reserve. Spot jaguars, tapirs, and capybaras on our immersive jungle tour from Puerto Maldonado. Book your Amazon adventure!
Your incredible Tambopata adventure begins bright and early at 3:00 AM. We will pick you up directly from your accommodation and transport you in our comfortable vehicle along the interoceanic highway. This scenic journey takes approximately 2 hours (48 km paved road, 18 km through lush Amazon rainforest) until we reach the Tambopata River.
Here, our waiting outboard motorboat will embark on a fascinating 1.5-hour journey deep into the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve. Our destination: the magnificent Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, renowned as the largest in the world! Witness hundreds of colorful parrots and macaws gathering to consume clay, a vital supplement to their daily diet, right alongside the majestic Tambopata River.
During your boat journey to the clay lick, keep your eyes peeled for an incredible opportunity to spot diverse Amazon wildlife. You might see mammals such as capybaras (ronsocos), elusive tapirs, graceful deer, and, on many occasions, the largest South American feline – the jaguar! Our guests frequently report breathtaking encounters with this endangered big cat, making for truly unforgettable memories.
Upon arrival at the parrot and macaw observation area, we'll comfortably settle into our chairs, ready to witness this spectacular natural bird show. Once the vibrant activity concludes, we'll return by boat to the cozy Chuncho Lodge. Here, a delicious breakfast awaits you.
After a brief rest, embark on an immersive jungle walk through the beautiful rainforest surrounding the lodge. Discover the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon jungle. We then return to the lodge for a midday excursion to the refreshing El Gato waterfall, a perfect spot to relax and cool off from the tropical sun.
Following a satisfying lunch, we will arrange your transfer back to the departure point for your return journey to the city of Puerto Maldonado. This marks the end of our exceptional services.
Included
- Professional Guide
- Land and River Transport (or "Ground and Fluvial Transport")
- Entrance ticket to the Tambopata National Reserve
- Breakfast and Lunch
Excluded
- Travel Gear
- Tips
- Travel Insurance
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR MANU JUNGLE TRIP?
The Manu Jungle in Peru is an incredible destination, and packing correctly is key to a comfortable and enjoyable trip. Here's a breakdown of what you should consider bringing:
Clothing:
Lightweight, Long-Sleeved Shirts and Pants: Essential for protection against sun, insects, and dense vegetation. Opt for quick-drying materials. Aim for 3-5 sets.
Swimsuit: If your lodge has a pool or you plan on river activities.
Comfortable Walking Shoes/Hiking Boots: Waterproof is a bonus, as trails can be muddy.
Sandals or Flip-Flops: For relaxing at the lodge.
Socks: Several pairs, preferably moisture-wicking.
Rain Gear: A lightweight rain jacket or poncho is crucial.
Hat: Wide-brimmed for sun protection.
Toiletries & First Aid:
Biodegradable Soap and Shampoo: To minimize environmental impact.
Insect Repellent: High DEET content is often recommended for jungle environments.
Sunscreen: Even under the canopy, sun exposure can occur.
Personal Medications: Including any prescription drugs.
Basic First Aid Kit: Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, anti-itch cream.
Hand Sanitizer: For convenience when water isn't available.
Gear & Accessories:
Daypack: For daily excursions, to carry water, snacks, camera, etc.
Water Bottle: Reusable, to stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste.
Headlamp or Flashlight: With extra batteries, as electricity can be limited or unavailable.
Camera and Binoculars: To capture wildlife and stunning scenery. Don't forget extra memory cards and batteries!
Dry Bags: To protect electronics and other valuables from moisture.
Power Bank: For charging devices.
Small Backpack or Duffel Bag: For your main luggage, easy to transport.
Important Considerations:
Vaccinations: Consult your doctor about necessary vaccinations (e.g., yellow fever) well in advance.
Malaria Prophylaxis: Discuss with your doctor if anti-malarial medication is recommended for your specific itinerary.
Lightweight Luggage: You might have weight restrictions on small planes or boats.
Plastic Bags: Useful for separating wet or dirty clothes.
Local Currency (Peruvian Soles): For tips, souvenirs, or small purchases.
Copy of Passport/Travel Documents: Keep a digital and physical copy separate from the originals.
Positive Attitude and Sense of Adventure!
Where can I leave my luggage? Hotels normally offer free storage if yours doesn’t we will be very happy to store your luggage for you.
What time does the tour starts? All our tours to the Reserved Zone start at 5 am and our tours to the Cultural Zone might start at 6am.
What time do we return to Cusco from the Jungle? We normally reach Cusco between 4pm to 8pm.
What is the weather typically like? The weather is typically hot and humid. There are normally eight months of rain and four months of dry weather. During the day the temperature can reach 38 degrees Celsius but it will feel hotter because of the humidity. The humidity is around 90%.
What are the Lodges like? All lodges that Manu Explorers provides are wooden lodges and the windows are covered with metal mosquitoes nets. Lodges include basic amenities like: Shared and Private bathrooms with showers and toilets, double based rooms, beds with bedding and mosquito nets. Some lodges will have hot water but most are just cold water.
What is included in the tour? see Included tab list
What to bring into the Jungle? see bring tab
Are there mosquitoes? Yes, there are mosquitoes and sand flies. The mosquitoes are most active in the mornings and at dusk. We recommend that you bring a very good mosquito repellent with you to help avoid these mosquitoes while you are walking in the jungle. All the lodges provide mosquito nets for your beds and also the tents which are used have a mosquito net as well.
What are the dangers of visiting the jungle? There are really no specific dangers in the jungle. In general, the animals are not dangerous. The most dangerous species in the jungle are the snakes, the most common and dangerous ones are the Fer-de- lance snakes. However, these snakes are rarely seen. Precautions are taken which include wearing rubber boots while going on jungle walks to avoid any possible dangers.
Do we need a Health and Travel Insurance? Yes, the weather conditions in the Rainforest are unpredictable. The months of April to October are the driest months of the year, but some times during these months and the remainder of the year, we do have some rain and the roads may become inaccessible due to landslips/landslides. For that reason we recommend travel insurance to cover these unpredictable weather conditions, as claims for compensation cannot be considered. The insurance should also cover cancellation of tours, cancellation of flights, accident, loss of personal luggage, hospitalization, etc.
How many people are in a group? The groups are normally between 2 to 10 people. Three people is the minimum group size, smaller groups can depart in private service.
Will we need hiking boots? Yes, hiking shoes are good for the first day as well as for the last day. We rovide rubber boots for the trekkings in the jungle.
Do we need sleeping bags? Yes, but only for the tours that include camping.
Do you provide clean drinking water? Yes, all tour prices include mineral water throughout the entire trip with the exception of the first day. The expeditions include mineral water as well but when you are deep in the jungle the river water is normally boiled which makes it suitable to drink. On the expeditions, we highly recommend that our passengers bring water purifying pills.
What types of animals and wildlife will we see? Manu National Park has the highest concentration of wildlife in the world, therefore the probability of seeing animals and wildlife is very high. There are over 150 species of mammals, 99 species of reptiles, 140 species of amphibians, 1000 species of birds, including the beautiful and rare Macaw, 200 species of fish, 1000 species of butterflies, 130 species of dragonflies, and an unknown amount of insect species. However, even though this is a wide variety of wildlife, the area we will be visiting is not a zoo and therefore it is never certain what animals and wildlife you will see during your tour, is depends on luck.
What type of food will we eat and are there choices if you are a vegetarian? The food we provide during these tours will be mostly foods native to the jungle. It will include fish, chicken, beef, rice, and vegetables. Fresh native jungle fruit such as pineapple, bananas, plantains, and passion fruit will be provided. Drinks during the tour will include natural juices like pineapple, star fruit, papaya, and passion fruit, mineral water, café, tea, and hot chocolate. We also make accommodations for vegetarians.
Do you provide a first-aid kit? Yes, we do have a very comprehensive first aid kit with us, but we also recommend that you carry a small first aid kit of your own, which includes all the basic items of a first-aid kit.
Is there malaria in the region? No, there has not been a confirmed case of malaria in the region of Manu National Park since the 1980. However the area is still considered a malaria region and therefore we highly recommend that you take anti-malaria medication during your time in the jungle. Please check the CDC web site for any vaccinations that they recommend at: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.aspx.
What are the chances to see a Jaguar? During the year the best time to see jaguars is from July to October along Manu River in the Reserved Zone, we had tourist that have seen 5 Jaguars in one morning along Manu River, between these months from 5 of our tour groups 3 of them have the chance to see a Jaguar.
What is the best area of Manu Park to see animals? Without a doubt the best area to see animals is the Reserved Zone of Manu Park, the main reason why we do see a lot more animals in the Reserved Zone than in the Cultural Zone is because the area is very well protected; to the area only authorize travel agencies, tour guides as well as tourist can access and they are not allowed to hunt, fishing, logging or do any other extractive activity because it is penalized by the authorities of Manu Park as well as by the Peruvian state, while in the Cultural Zone you can do all the extractive activities mentioned above and because that most of the animals are gone.
What kind of gear is provided in the tours? We do provide rain ponchos and rubber boots; our tour guides do always travel with a pair of Vortex, Nikon and Swarovski binoculars, and beside the binoculars they also carry with them spotting scopes. They also carry a Peruvian Bird book as well as mammal, orchid and amphibian plates.
What kind of tour guides are used in the tours? Inca Trail Trek Peru is partnert of Manu Explorers in tours to Manu Park that uses professional tour guides who have lived by the jungle of the Madre de Dios river all of their lives. Our guides are professionally trained and have extensive knowledge of the Manu area and the flora and fauna that abounds in the jungle. Most our tour guides have general knowledge; if you wish to have in tour a tour guide that is specialized of bird watching or biologist we will be very happy to arrange it for you with no extra charge.
What happened when the tour in cancelled?
The weather conditions in the Highlands same as in Rainforest are unpredictable. The months of April to October are the driest months of the year, but some times during these months and the remainder of the year, we do have some rain and the roads may become inaccessible due to landslips/landslides. For that reason we recommend travel insurance to cover these unpredictable weather conditions, as claims for compensation cannot be considered. The insurance should also cover cancellation of tours, cancellation of flights, accident, loss of personal luggage, hospitalization, etc. We do not accept responsibility for cancellation, loss, tropical medical problems, damage or injury to property or persons.
For cancellations made after the tour is booked / reserved no refund will be given. If during the tour the client decides to separate themselves from the tour and the rest of the group it will be the responsibility of the client to pay for any expenses that are associated with their early return to Cusco. In case of tour cancellations please ask at our office for a tour cancellation certificate, this certificate will be provided within 24 hours of the request date.
Is Inca Trail Trek Peru a Jungle tour operator? NO, but our Partnet Manu Explorers Peru is.
Can I combine a regular tour with a birding tour? Yes, we will be very happy to customize a birding tour after or before a regular tour.
Do I have photography opportunities in this tour? Yes, you will have great photography opportunities, please bring the following gear:
- Camera with spare batteries.
- Macro camera lenses. 10 - 65 mm
- Long distance camera lenses 200mm, 400mm or 600mm.
- Wide Angle Lenses
- Camera lens extension 1.4x or 2x.
Are going out for night walks? Yes, you will be going out for night walks in all jungle tours.
Can I smoke? Please do not smoke on our jungle tours, please remember that our tours are in group service and to avoid discomfort in the other members of the group and to increase your chances of seeing animals and for not scare them away please DO NOT smoke.
Is there Phone signal and Wi-Fi? Phone signal as well as Wi-Fi is limited in our jungle tours. There will be signal in the first day as well as in the second day in the morning after that NO signal; there will be Wi-Fi at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge and Yanayacu Lodge.
Is there electricity at the lodges? Yes, there will be electricity in most of the lodges but in some lodges electricity is limited. Please bring a power bank.
For tour requests please email us to incatrailtrekperu@gmail.com, with your tour request indicate what kind of tour you would like to book with us, travel date, number of people and leave us you telephone number if you would like us to contact you.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
We have had our customers report that our email replies to their questions regarding tours are going directly to SPAM or JUNK folders for some email providers. For this reason we recommend that you check your SPAM or JUNK folders for our reply if you do not receive a reply within 24 hours of sending us your questions. If this occurs please add our email incatrailtrekperu@gmail.com, to your contact list or address book to ensure the remainder of our email communications goes directly to your INBOX.
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