PROGRAM CHU04 CHUNCHO (4 Days / 3 Nights)
(Operative from April 1rst to October 31th)

Day l: Flight to Puerto Maldonado, and journey to the lodge. Following your early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado from Lima or Cusco, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the lodge. On the journey the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rain forest. A box-lunch is provided on board. On arrival you'll have a welcome drink and meet the rest of the staff. In the late afternoon you set off for an introductory walk into the "terra firme" forest behind the lodge (Trail 2), dominated by giant Brazil-nut and Dipteryx trees. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are Saddle-back Tamarins, Brown Capuchins, Agoutis, Pacas, Blue-Morpho butterflies, Trogons, Toucans and many other species of birds. After dinner a night walk to find nocturnal animals or insects by the eye-shine a specialization for increasing the light and see better, about 50% of the animals are nocturnal in the rainforest. (L,D)

Day 2: Day 2: Hike to Lake Condenado & trip to the Macaw & parrot Clay-lick "EL CHUNCHO"(Collpa). After an early breakfast you and your nature guide will board the motorized canoe once again for the short journey to the trail head to begin a morning's exploration by foot and paddle canoe of the lake system of Condenado, rich in bird and aquatic life. A family of Giant Otters live in the vicinity of the lake and are often observed. Birds abound especially Rufescent Tiger-herons, Great Egrets, Wattled Jacanas, Hoatzin, the noisy Donacobius and many others. Remember to bring your hat and sun cream for there is no shade out on the water. You will return to the lodge in time for lunch. After lunch you return to the canoe to continue the journey upstream, a further 2 hrs, to an area deep within the Tambopata National Reserve where the isolated MACAW & PARROT CLAY LICK "EL CHUNCHO" is situated. This Collpa is actually the second large clay cliffs lining the Tambopata River in this area. After dinner you will go searching for some animals like a Capybaras, Caimans, Tapirs, and the famous Jaguar by walk along the banks of the Tambopata River, Many foot prints of these animals are daily observed on the banks. Camping on the beach near the Collpa "EL CHUNCHO". (B,L,D)

Day 3: Visit the Collpa "EL CHUNCHO" and return to Libertador Tambopata Lodge. A pre-dawn start is needed to get to the clay-lick before the birds. They arrive in search of minerals and salts and the digestive properties of the clay particles themselves. On average several dozens Macaws and smaller parrots visit the clay-lick daily, including Scarlet, Blue and Yellow, Red and Green, and Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed parrots, among others. Following a late morning hike we return down river to the lodge for lunch. At night you will go searching for Caimans (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by canoe along the Tambopata River. Night in Libertador Tambopata Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Departure. A dawn start is required for the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado giving memorable views of the sun rise over the river. Lookout for the early morning wildlife which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stakeout their territories. Your guide will take care of you on arrival in Puerto Maldonado and will deal with all the necessities at the airport prior to you departure. (B)

Additional days at the Macaw Lick or Collpa: Any number of extra days in the vicinity of the Collpa, over and above the aforementioned program, are possible. These can be guided or unguided according to your preference and interests. During these days you can either; explore the trail system in more depth, going further a field along trails not visited before; visit a small lake hidden amongst the trees with a floating viewing platform situated in it; take a trip up river to explore a clear forest stream teeming with fish. Full board is included during each of these days.

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 (Aprox US$20), airport taxes, Tree climbing (with harnesses and ropes). Any drinks you may purchase from the bar. Tips.