Super Wild Amazon Stay for Photographers – Budget-Friendly & Epic 5D
5-day immersive wildlife photography adventure in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Explore the lush jungles of Puerto Maldonado, Monkey Island, and the biodiverse Tambopata Reserve, including the pristine Sandoval Lake. Capture vibrant parrots at clay licks, playful monkeys, majestic macaws, and elusive caimans. Enjoy sunrise kayak rides, canopy walks, and intimate encounters with native Machiguenga culture. Guided by expert naturalists, this journey offers exclusive access to rich ecosystems and perfect lighting for unforgettable shots. Ideal for photographers and nature lovers seeking raw beauty, rare species, and meaningful connection with the wild Amazon rainforest.
5d-Lk-Adv
Highlights
Tour Includes:
This is an “All inclusive tour from pick up till drop off”
Pick up from (Airport, bus station or hotel)
04 Nights accommodation in bungalow with private bathroom
1 Ticket entrance to natural reserve 1 to (Sandoval Lake)
1 Professional bilingual guide in the jungle
1 Motor boat transportation for all trips
Breakfast (4) Dinner (4) Lunch (4)
All activities listed in the itinerary
Purified Water 24 hours (To recharge your canteen)
Wellingtons (Rubber boots)
No additional payment for single room or (Solo traveler)
Storage room for large luggage
First aid kit
Drop off to (Airport or bus station)
Meals:
Top Attractions:
Activities:
Tour does not Include:
Drinks bought at the bar
Gratuities
Domestic Flights or Bus from/to Cusco, Lima
Extra snacks and drinks
Travel insurance
Health coverage
Extra snacks and drinks
Where you’ll be
Following Optional Jungle Hotels are available
Itinerary
Day 1.-
Your adventure begins the moment you land in Puerto Maldonado. We’ll greet you and help organize your luggage—you can leave behind anything you won’t need in the jungle. Then, we head to the Madre de Dios River and travel 15 minutes downstream in a motorized boat until we reach our Amazon lodge.
Once settled into our comfortable rooms, we’ll take our first guided walk through the jungle trails. It’s a sensory explosion—every rustle, chirp, and scent tells a story. Our naturalist guide will help you spot and understand the incredible biodiversity all around.
After lunch, we set off by boat again to the Monkey Island, a natural habitat for at least five species of monkeys. This is a golden opportunity for photographers to capture candid wildlife moments—squirrel monkeys, capuchins, and more leaping through the trees.
At sunset, the adventure turns nocturnal: caiman spotting by night. We’ll glide across the river with flashlights, searching for glowing red eyes along the banks. It’s an eerie, exciting encounter, and our guide will explain the secretive lives of these reptiles.
Overnight at our riverside lodge, lulled by the night sounds of the Amazon.
🎴 Optional: Participate in a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony guided by local shamans on the final night ($130 per person).
Day 2.-
At 5:00 AM, we set off for La Cachuela, one of the Amazon’s best parrot clay licks. Here, hundreds of parrots and parakeets gather at the riverbank, feeding on mineral-rich clay that aids their digestion. The air fills with vibrant colors and wild calls—a once-in-a-lifetime photo moment.
After breakfast, we change lodges and head deeper into the forest to the breathtaking Sandoval Lake, located inside Tambopata National Reserve. A 10-minute boat ride and an hour’s jungle walk take us to this mirror-like lake, one of the crown jewels of Amazon conservation.
From here, we explore in paddle canoes, perfect for silent wildlife photography. Watch for hoatzins, herons, monkeys, and possibly giant river otters. We’ll stay overnight in a family-run lodge inside the reserve, offering an authentic, immersive experience.
In the afternoon, a swim in the pristine lake offers a refreshing break. After dinner, we take a night walk to discover frogs, owls, tarantulas, and glowing fungi—unseen worlds that come alive after dark.
Overnight in a rustic jungle lodge within Tambopata, surrounded by nature’s soundtrack.
Day 3.-
At dawn, we paddle quietly across Sandoval Lake to observe the secret ritual of the Palm Tree Clay Lick. Here, vibrant macaws and parrots flock to feed on mineral-rich palm bark—an extraordinary chance to photograph these stunning birds in natural behavior.
Back at the lodge, we enjoy breakfast before setting off on new jungle trails within the reserve. Every walk brings surprises: unique insects, rare plants, monkey sightings. After lunch and some rest, we return to the lake in our canoe to enjoy the Amazon’s golden hour. As the sun sets over the water and nocturnal life stirs, caimans begin to emerge—adding suspense and drama to your lens.
Overnight once again in the heart of the reserve, perfect for stargazing and long-exposure shots.
Day 4.-
We rise early to capture the sunrise over Sandoval Lake, a mystical, mirror-like moment made for photography. After breakfast, we climb a 30-meter canopy tower, offering a panoramic view over the rainforest—ideal for spotting toucans, monkeys, and treetop landscapes.
Following lunch, we return by boat to our Amazon Lodge Tambopata on the Madre de Dios River, where the journey began. Settle in, enjoy a peaceful evening, and prepare for your final day of adventure.
Overnight in a comfortable jungle lodge with the river close by.
Day 5.-
After breakfast, we grab our kayaks and float along the Madre de Dios River to a nearby jungle adventure center. There, a short walk leads to a 20-meter canopy tower and hanging bridges, giving us a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest—a photographer’s dream come true.
After lunch and some downtime, we venture on a short trek to a nearby stream for traditional piranha fishing—a unique Amazon experience. Later, we visit a Machiguenga native family, where we’ll learn about their customs, traditional crafts, and way of life. It’s a rare cultural exchange filled with meaning and respect.
At the end of the day, we return to Puerto Maldonado, with memory cards full of wonder and hearts deeply moved by the Amazon.
