By Equipo PAT
The macaw clay lick in Tambopata is a clay bank where dozens of birds arrive each morning to eat mineral-rich earth. Dawn is the key hour, when the show peaks. To see it, you travel to Puerto Maldonado and boat upriver. Our four-day program includes it.
What is a macaw clay lick and why do the birds go?
A clay lick is a wall of clay on a riverbank. In Peru’s rainforest it is also spelled «colpa» or «collpa». Macaws and parrots fly down to peck at that mineral-rich earth. Scientists believe the clay helps them tolerate the toxic seeds they eat. In addition, it supplies salts that are scarce in the jungle.
For that reason, the scene repeats almost every day. First a few birds arrive and watch from the trees. Then they drop in as a group and cover the wall in color. However, there is no fixed schedule: if something scares them, they all fly off at once and wait before returning.
Where is the Tambopata macaw clay lick?
Tambopata is in the Madre de Dios region, in Peru’s southern Amazon. The gateway is Puerto Maldonado. From there you reach the lodge by boat along the Madre de Dios River or the upper Tambopata, depending on the program.
On our tours, it helps to tell two places apart:
- Gamitana River: on the four-day route, day three includes a macaw clay lick along the way, together with the river trip.
- El Chuncho clay lick: on the five-day route, you visit at dawn. Our program describes it as the largest concentration of macaws on the planet.
Tambopata National Reserve is also a protected area. You can learn how it is managed on the official page of SERNANP, the agency that runs it.
What time is best to visit the clay lick?
You should arrive before the sun comes up. On the five-day program we wake at 4:30 am, have a hot drink and boat upriver in the dark. That way we reach the wall at sunrise. You eat breakfast in the blind while the birds come down, between 6:30 and 11:00 am.
That is why the early start pays off. If you arrive late, you miss the first wave. The soft morning light is also the best for photographing the colors. Bring a camera with a good zoom and a light jacket, because the river is cool at dawn.
Which birds can you see at the clay lick?
Macaws are the stars. On the five-day program we mention three species: the scarlet macaw, the red-and-green macaw and the blue-and-yellow macaw. Clouds of parrots and parakeets also come down, in smaller and noisier groups.
However, the jungle is more than the clay lick. On the same trip you may see capybaras, caimans, turtles and monkeys. For example, the four-day program includes Monkey Island and Perdida Lake. No animal keeps a fixed schedule, so bring patience and a pair of binoculars.
Which tour should you pick to see the macaw clay lick?
This table compares the two routes that include a clay lick. Prices come from our catalog and do not include flights.
| Tour | Length | Clay lick | Lodging | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tambopata and Macaw Clay Lick | 4 days, 3 nights | Gamitana River, day 3 | Bungalows at Ecoamazonia Lodge | $529 |
| Tambopata 5 days | 5 days, 4 nights | El Chuncho clay lick at dawn | 3 nights in a lodge and 1 camping | $799 |
As you can see, the four-day route is the most accessible and has an easy difficulty rating. You can book Tambopata and Macaw Clay Lick from $529. By contrast, if you want the biggest concentration of birds and a night of camping, choose Tambopata 5 days, rated moderate.
If you only have three days, look at Tambopata 3 days. It focuses on Sandoval Lake and the night caiman spotting. All routes run year-round.
How do you get to Tambopata from Cusco?
First you fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. It is a short flight of about one hour. Then we pick you up at the airport and take you to the river port. After that, the trip continues by boat to the lodge.
Flights are not included in the price, so buy them early. In addition, schedules change by airline and season. Always confirm your itinerary before you book a hotel in Cusco.
If you are torn between this jungle and another, read our comparison Manu or Tambopata: which jungle to pick.
When is the best time to visit Tambopata?
You can travel all year. The dry season, from May to October, usually brings less rain and easier trails. However, from November to March it rains more and the forest looks greener. On the other hand, very rainy days can reduce bird activity at the wall.
So adjust your expectations: nature does not follow a script. For more information on the destination, see the PromPerú page on Tambopata National Reserve.
How should you behave at the clay lick?
Macaws are easily startled. For that reason, your guide will ask for silence and slow movements. These rules help the group enjoy the show for longer:
- Speak softly and avoid sudden gestures.
- Turn off your flash and camera sounds.
- Wear neutral colors: green, beige or gray.
- Bring binoculars, insect repellent and a rain poncho.
- Do not try to approach the wall or feed the birds.
So, if you want to experience the jungle in four days, start with our clay lick route and write to us to confirm dates.
Frequently asked questions
What time can you see the macaw clay lick?
At sunrise. On our five-day program the birds come down to the clay wall between 6:30 and 11:00 am, which is why we leave before dawn.
Do you see macaws every day?
That is the usual pattern, but it is not guaranteed. If it rains a lot or something scares them, the birds take longer to come down. An expert guide helps pick the best moment.
Which Tambopata tour includes the clay lick?
The four-day Tambopata and Macaw Clay Lick tour, from $529, and the five-day tour with the El Chuncho clay lick, from $799.
Are flights to Puerto Maldonado included?
No. Our prices include transfers, meals, lodging and guides, but not the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Cusco flight.
Is it a hard excursion?
The four-day route is rated easy. The five-day route is moderate because it includes a night of camping in the jungle.
