Manu Macaw Lick

Introduction
Amazon Peru
On this trip to Heath River and Sandoval Lake you’ll find pristine rainforest and the most comfortable wildlife lodges in the Upper Amazon Basin. They offer a combination of distance and accessibility by airport and then through the local river system.

Our two lodges are within the reserves of Tambopata and Madidi, between Peru and Bolivia. Madidi National Park in Bolivia has a total of 18,900 km² (7,297 mi²), while reserves adjacent, Candamo and Bahuaja Sonene across the border, account for more than 13,700 km² (5,290 mi²). Together they form the second largest area of nature conservation and by far the most biologically diverse of all South America.

In the Heath River Wildlife Center we witness one of the most exciting sights of nature; a tumultuous gathering of brightly colored macaws and parrots on a clay lick along the Heath River. The area offers numerous activities to occupy yourself during your visit. You can admire wildlife along the trails in this remote jungle, and perhaps view the mammal clay lick and the elusive Tapir, the largest mammal in the Amazon. There is an amazing diversity of environments that can be experienced in the short walk from the river to the Pampas of Heath; a trip that passes through a nesting place for the Blue and Yellow Macaw.

At Sandoval Lake you can enjoy a more relaxing experience, through a short hike on the trails or a pleasant boat ride around the lake; which is extraordinarily beautiful and rich in wildlife. Sandoval Lake is a large body of water that is home to a family of giant otters,
numerous monkey troops, and a variety of birds.

Accomodation


Accommodations
Please, note that no Wi-Fi is available at any of the lodges. There is electricity at the lodges, but it is only available from 06:00am to 09:00pm.

6-day trip Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1, 2 & 3: Heath River Wildlife Center
Night 4 & 5: Sandoval Lake Lodge

5-day trip Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1, 2 & 3: Heath River Wildlife Center
Night 4: Sandoval Lake Lodge

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In 2024 the Heath River Wildlife Center is closed so itineraries are have been adapted accordingly

4-day trip Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 to 3: Sandoval Lake Lodge

3-day trip Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Sandoval Lake Lodge


Heath River Wildlife Center Lodge
The wild Heath River marks the remote Amazon-region border between Peru and Bolivia. Bordering two radically different ecosystems of rainforest and lowland savannah, it runs through the heart of the Tambopata-Madidi reserve areas of Peru and Bolivia, a vast and largely inaccessible wilderness totaling more than 13,700 sq. km./5,290 sq. miles. Heath River Wildlife Center is the only eco-lodge on this river. And it offers the world's only large macaw clay lick reachable in half a day from a jetport with daily connections to the outside world.
The lodge itself offers a small, comfortable and intimate environment, built of environmentally-sound local materials, such as “driftwood” mahogany, and palm-thatch. It has a total of 10 (double rooms) private bungalows, with private facilities, hot showers, and a spacious, high-roofed dining, bar and lounge area.
Main room area has electricity (from 4:00 to 5:30, 12.00 to 14:00 and from 17:30 to 21:00 hours), kerosene lamps and candles. Camcorders can be recharged from our generator, but please note that guests may need to bring a special adaptor to plug into the generator.


Sandoval Lake Lodge
Located deep in Peru's Tambopata National Reserve, the Sandoval Lake lodge overlooks sparkling, palm-rimmed Sandoval Lake, the most beautiful and wildlife-rich of all lakes in Tambopata-Madidi. This privileged location gives you exclusive access to the lake in the early morning and late afternoon, the choice hours for wildlife viewing and photography. No other lodge in Tambopata-Madidi is on the banks of a protected oxbow lake.
The Lodge is one extended structure consisting of a large screened main dining room/lounge with 25 fully-screened double-occupancy rooms, arranged in two wings:
- one wing features 16 rooms (32 beds)
- the other wing includes 9 rooms (18 beds).
 Each room is equipped with en suite facilities with hot-water showers, electricity (*) & fans.
Sandoval Lake Lodge is built out of ecologically-correct driftwood mahogany and is owned jointly by a nonprofit conservation group and five families of indigenous Brazil nut collectors.

(*) Three times per day: from 5:00 to 6:00 am, from noon to 4:00 pm and from 17:30 to 22:30 pm. Camcorders can be recharged from our generator, but please note that guests may need to bring a special adaptor to plug into the generator.

Single and triple occupancy:
Triple occupancy is possible based on availability, please inquire.
Single supplement is mandatory if you are traveling by yourself.



Meals
All meals are included in the trip from.

We believe that our guests should experience as much of the Peruvian cuisine as possible and this is reflected in the range of Peruvian dishes offered, with an occasional international twist. Typical lunch and dinner dishes served are lomo saltado (a spicy mix of stir fried beef, tomato, peppers, onion and French fries) and arroz con pollo (a mildly spicy mix of saffron rice, chicken and vegetables). When possible, fruit and vegetables are bought from the few families who live in the area.

Alcoholic drinks are not included with lunch or dinner. We a have a bar in the lodges where you can purchase alcohol.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions if given prior notice. Our experienced kitchen personnel can also cater for special dietary requirements, such as low or no salt, low or no sugar, low or no fat, and vegetarian (strict "vegan" or "ovo-lacto vegetarian), upon request.

Riding

In Case Of Flight Cancellation
If the plane is canceled whilst the guests are waiting to return to Cusco, arrangements must be made with their guide for accommodation. Guests must pay for any additional costs incurred during this extra night. If the guests decide to go to Manu Wildlife Center for an additional night (SPACE PERMITTING), and return to Boca Manu the following day, the guests must pay an additional USD 60.00 for the extra night and boat transportation (USD 190 irrespective of the number of passengers) .

Health
Though we have never heard of anyone contracting yellow fever anywhere in Peru or neighboring countries Peru nevertheless requires a current yellow fever vaccination for trips to the rain forest regions. This vaccination normally is required or recommended for all rain forest regions around the world. This vaccination, which is valid for 10 years, must be administered AT LEAST 10 days before the guest's arrival in Peru.
Our lodge has a basic first aid kit, which also includes anti-venom.   The lodge is equipped with a short-wave radio and is in contact with our Puerto Maldonado and Cusco office every morning and evening.  

Hidden Trails highly recommends that our clients obtain a comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travel to Manu and anywhere in the world.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: 6-day program - subject to changes

The 6-day and 5-day programs are not available in 2023 & 2024!

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
Our staff will welcome you at the airport in Puerto Maldonado and drive you through the city to the boat dock on the Tambopata River. Here we board a motorized canoe and head towards the nearby confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios River to the mouth of the Heath River, which is the natural border of Peru and Bolivia. In the haven of this important Amazonian tributary we have a vision of the diversity of the riverside environment; cliffs of red earth with outreaching forest are interspersed with thick banks of Cercopia trees and couch grass. After brief formalities at border crossings, we take the boat through the narrow waters for a couple of hours, enjoying the intimacy of the mysterious forest on both sides. Occasional sightings of native children splashing along the banks are interspersed with long, silent stretches where we can locate herons, hawks, cormorants, geese, orinoco, and perhaps a family of Capybaras, which is the world's largest rodent can weigh up to 55Kg. After this interesting trip we arrive at our simple, but comfortable accommodation of the Heath River Wildlife Center, just in time for dinner.
Meals included: Boxed Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Heath River Wildlife Center

Day 2: Heath River Wildlife Center
Today we start very early to visit the most spectacular attraction of this area: the parrot and macaw clay lick along the river. Here these colorful birds gather to eat the clay in the cliffs on the riverbanks to neutralize certain toxins in their daily diet (poisonous berries and hallucinogenic plants). Sometimes they congregate in the hundreds, pushing and squabbling over the best place to eat. This noisy and unforgettable show can go on for two or three hours, and can gather many varieties of parrots, parakeets, Chestnut Fronted Macaws and their larger cousins, the Red and Green Macaw. This extraordinary display occurs in only a handful of places in the Upper Amazon Basin. Our floating platform provides us with comfort and is completely hidden, so here we will enjoy a full breakfast during the show.
We make land back down the river will walk back along a section of the extensive jungle trails. Here we will find huge Chestnut, Kapok and fig trees; along with the dark strangler fig whose strategy of life is as sinister as its name implies. Our guide will point out and explain the medicinal use and trade of dozens of plants and trees, while keeping eyes and ears open for birds or one of the eight species of monkeys found in this region. We could run into a small herd of the two species of wild pigs that are common in this area. In order to mark their territory they use scent glands so powerful that they can be smelt long before being seen.
After lunch we hike along the trail leading to the point where the forest abruptly gives way to the vast plains of the Pampas of Heath. This unique land is a result of poor soil and extreme climatic cycles of droughts and floods. It is the largest intact tropical savanna in the Amazon is the habitat of endemic birds and mammals, such as the Fork-Tailed Hummingbird and the Maned Wolf. Just beyond the edge of the forest you can climb to an elevated platform that allows for a great view of this vast expanse of grasslands and shrubs, dotted with palm trees.
The palm tree Mauritia flexuosa produces nuts rich in palm oil and dry hollow stems that provide vital food and shelter for nesting pairs of Red Bellied Macaws and the rare Blue and Yellow Macaws. We aim to arrive around sunset, when the parrots are returning from their daily search for food to gather in this place.
We return to the lodge at night using headlamps and flashlights, and perhaps stopping here and there in total darkness to listen to the ever-changing sounds of frogs, insects, and other animals; the magic of the jungle at night. We may run into frogs the size of small rabbits, homes of hairy tarantulas or night monkeys hanging from the trees; there is a huge and unpredictable collection of nocturnal creatures in the night. After dinner some guests may choose to visit the lick of mammals, with the hope of seeing the Lowland Tapir, the largest mammal in the jungle.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Heath River Wildlife Center

Day 3: Heath River Wildlife Center
On our second full day in at the lodge we can choose from a wide range of activities available in this diverse and unique tropical environment. Many people choose to make a second visit to the macaw clay lick or spend more time on the trails.
Later we can take a canoe tour around the Cocha Guacamayo, an oxbow lake that is home of a family of giant otters. The lake is located inside the Bahuaja Sonene National Park, a short distance by boat from the lodge.
We return by boat after dusk looking for caimans; a crocodile cousin that lives in the Amazon. This region is home to the Black Caiman, which is endangered, and almost always distinguishable along the river’s edge with its glowing orange eyes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Heath River Wildlife Center

Day 4: Heath River Wildlife Center to Sandoval Lake Lodge
We leave at dawn for the return journey downstream. The mornings are the peak of wildlife activity, so keep a sharp eye on the banks of the river where we may see families of Capybaras and maybe be rewarded with a rare glimpse of Jaguar or Tapir swimming through the stream.
We arrive at Port Sandoval where we will walk to Sandoval Lake, which is protected by Tambopata National Reserve. Along the trail there are birds and butterflies; and after 3km (2mi) the trail leads to a narrow canal lined boats. This flooded forest leads to the open waters of Sandoval Lake. In the golden light of afternoon our crew will row the boats across to the lodge (motors are banned here). We can see the appearance of turbid lake while a huge Paiche breaks the surface (an Amazonian fish that can weigh up to 100Kg/220 lbs.). Or you may hear strange and unsettling screams and see heads peering from the surface of the lake,
which will mark our encounter with Pteronura brasiliensis, the Giant Otter of the Amazon. After dinner we can finish the day with a short night walk, spotting some nocturnal creatures along one of the trails near the lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Sandoval lake Lodge

Day 5: Sandoval Lake Lodge
Just before dawn we will be on the lake for what is often a spectacular sunrise; and hope for an encounter with the Giant Otters that roam the lake in a close-knit family, very active at this time of day. At this time most of the birds that inhabit the lake are also very active. There will be time and tranquility to observe the birds fishing, while they stalk and capture prey. We will also have close-up views of the primitive Shansho
(Ophistocomus hoazin) eating leaves. After enjoying a late breakfast, we’ll walk the trail through the cool understory of the powerful primary rainforest that surrounds the lake. We will see the great Chestnut trees that abound here.
After lunch we rest for an hour and then explore the west side of the lake where we will have chances to observe one or more species of monkey, including the most common Capuchin
Monkey.
Before dinner there is a video presentation on the Peruvian Jungle and after dinner we will have an opportunity to spot caimans in the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Sandoval lake Lodge

Day 6: Departure
After breakfast at dawn we cross the lake, perhaps finding a family of macaws leaving their roost or a troop of monkeys waking in the morning light. We will walk back to the river where our motorized canoe quickly leads upstream to the boat dock in Puerto Maldonado, and then on to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

Important notes:
Please note all itineraries may vary slightly to maximize wildlife viewing. This will depend on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides.
Please note that the Heath Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports will be required to pass the Bolivian control of documents.
Beginning 02 March 2017 Bolivia requests that all passengers must hold the proof of vaccination for Yellow Fever, that will be requested upon arrival to the Peru/Bolivia Border in order to enter the country.This vaccination, which is valid for 10 years, must be administered AT LEAST 10 days before the guest’s arrival in Peru.

The 5-day / 4 night trip ends on Day 5 of the above itinerary.

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Sample Itinerary: 4-day program

In 2024 the Heath River Wildlife Center is closed so itineraries are have been adapted accordingly

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado to Sandoval Lake
Our staff will welcome you at the airport in Puerto Maldonado and drive you through the city to the boat dock on the Tambopata River. Here, you board a motorized canoe and head towards the nearby confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios River, the source of the Amazon tributary. Just 30 minutes down river you arrive at the port that will lead to Sandoval Lake.
You walk on a short trail of 3 Km (2 mi), stopping to watch birds and butterflies, up to a narrow canal boats. From there, we navigate the flooded forest of palm trees that leads to the open waters of this peaceful lake. Our crew will row the boats across to the lodge (motors are prohibited on the lake). Under the surface of the lake, we may see the huge Paiche (an Amazonian fish that can weigh up to 100Kg/220lbs). On the other hand, you may hear strange and unsettling screams and see heads peering from the lake surface, which will mark our first encounter with Pteronura brasiliensis, the Giant Otter of the Amazon.
After a brief rest, we start exploring again by boat the entire eastern end of the lake, following the sound of hundreds of Blue-and-Yellow and Red-Breasted Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night.
Our view from the boat often allows close and extensive encounters with birds and mammals. In Sandoval Lake the Capuchin Monkey, in particular, has nearly lost its fear of humans.
We return to the lodge at dusk for dinner. Afterwards we take the boat again, in search of caimans, which are now extremely rare in the Amazon, but are still common in this protected lake. They grow up to 4m long, and dispute their share of fish with the otters. On clear nights, we go by boat farther into the lake for a view of the vast southern sky, unobstructed, with its magnificent views of constellations and the Milky Way.
Meals included: Boxed Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Sandoval Lake Lodge

Day 2: Sandoval Lake
Just before dawn we will be on the lake for what is often a spectacular sunrise. We hope for an encounter with the Giant Otters that roam the lake in a close-knit family, very active at this time of day. This is also when most of the birds that inhabit the lake are very active. There will be plenty of time to observe the birds fishing, while they stalk and capture prey. We will also have close-up views of the primitive Shansho (Ophistocumus hoazin) eating leaves.
After enjoying a late breakfast, we will walk the trail through the cool understory of the impressive primary rainforest that surrounds the lake. We will see the great Chestnut trees that abound here.
In the afternoon, we rest for an hour and then explore the west side of the lake where we will have chances to observe different species of monkey, including the most common Capuchin Monkey.
Before dinner, there is a video presentation on the Peruvian Jungle and after dinner, we will have the opportunity to spot caimans in the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Sandoval Lake Lodge

Day 3: Flora of the Amazon
This can be a very relaxed or very active day according to your desires. If you are one of the many visitors who love this lake and its unique environment or if you would like to get a closer meeting with the Giant Otters, we can make another early start in the day.
We return to the lodge for breakfast and afterwards take a break and enjoy the panoramic view from a high point in the lake before leaving to walk through a special circuit, which will investigate and learn the use of dozens of medicinal Amazonian plants.
We will see the Pamicho, the plant that provides the material for thatched roofs of our houses, the ginger candle for anti-inflammatory medicine, and the Cinchona tree, whose bark has saved millions from the agony of malaria.
After lunch, we take a break and prepare for a walk through the quietest and most secluded part of the forest on the north shore of the lake.
In the evening, we have one last opportunity to seek the Black Caiman along the lakeshore, or go for a short walk for your last night in the woods.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Sandoval Lake Lodge

Day 4: Sandoval Lake to Puerto Maldonado
After breakfast, we make a final paddle through palm swamps on the west end of the lake. On the clearer mornings, a glorious sunrise and its reflection can be seeing in the lake. We return to the Madre de Dios River and head towards Puerto Maldonado and from there on to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

The 3-day / 2 night trip ends on Day 3 of the above itinerary.

Rates and Dates for Manu Macaw Lick

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Puerto Maldonado airport
Airport: Puerto Maldonado airport
Transfer: Puerto Maldonado airport

Climate:
                                        Puerto Maldonado area