Birdwatching Adventure at the Explorer’s Inn

Upon arrival at Puerto Maldonado Airport, our expert birding guide will greet you and take you to our office for a short briefing. Here, you’ll have the chance to repack and store any unnecessary items before we continue to the Infierno port, where our adventure truly begins.

During our drive, we’ll keep an eye out for our first bird sightings, including the elusive Great Potoo, Purus Jacamar, and White-Throated Jacamar. Once at the port, you’ll enjoy the sight of colorful oropendolas, tanagers, and flycatchers before we board our boat.

During the scenic river journey to Explorer’s Inn, you’ll receive a boxed lunch while keeping watch for Cocoi Herons, Capped Herons, parrots, and macaws flying overhead. With luck, we may even spot Sand-Colored Nighthawks along the riverbanks.

Upon arrival, our lodge manager will welcome you with a short orientation. After a short rest, we’ll head out on our first night walk, searching for Tawny-Bellied Screech-Owls, Great Horned Owls, and other nocturnal species.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Highlights:

• Personalized airport pickup & transfer to our lodge.
• First bird sightings along the way, including Great Potoo & Purus Jacamar.
• Scenic boat ride along the Tambopata River with lunch onboard.
• Evening walk to spot nocturnal birds like the Tawny-Bellied Screech-Owl.

We start the day before dawn with a short boat ride to the parrot clay lick, where you’ll witness an unforgettable spectacle as Yellow-Crowned Parrots, Orange-Cheeked Parrots, Chestnut-Fronted Macaws, and Blue-Headed Parrots gather to feed on mineral-rich clay.

Afterward, we’ll return to the lodge on foot, passing through various habitats where we may spot Striated Antbirds, Pectoral Sparrows, Pale-Winged Trumpeters, and Blue-Crowned Motmots.

Following lunch, we’ll set off for Lake Chica, a short walk from the lodge, to observe toucans, aracaris, Black-Capped Donacobius, and Little Cuckoos. As the sun sets, we’ll search for owls and other nocturnal species before heading back for dinner.

Highlights:

• Early morning visit to the parrot clay lick for incredible sightings.
• Walk through diverse ecosystems, spotting rare antbirds and motmots.
• Afternoon birdwatching at Lake Chica, home to toucans & aracaris.
• Evening search for owls and night birds.

After an early breakfast, we set out on an exciting 6 km hike through the untouched Amazon, covering trails such as “Main” and “Tapir”. This immersive walk gives us the chance to encounter mixed flocks of birds, possibly including Semicollared Puffbird, White-Winged Shrike-Tanager, Pavonine Quetzal, Round-Tailed Manakin, and Scale-Backed Antbird.

We return to the lodge in the afternoon for a well-deserved rest before dinner.

Highlights:

• Full-day hike through primary and secondary forests.
• Observation of rare mixed flocks & secretive species.
• Boxed lunch in the heart of the jungle.

We’ll climb the 42-meter high canopy tower, offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the rainforest. Expect sightings of Gilded Barbets, Paradise Tanagers, Amazonian Pygmy-Owls, and possibly even a Harpy Eagle.

After lunch, we’ll embark on a trek through different forest types, maximizing our chances of spotting Blue-Throated Piping Guans, Band-Tailed Manakins, and Cream-Collared Woodpeckers before returning for dinner.

Highlights:

• Sunrise birdwatching from a 42-meter canopy tower.
• Spectacular sightings of macaws, toucans, and tanagers.
• Exploration of multiple forest types on a diverse walking route.

An early morning 5.5 km hike leads us to Lake Cocococha, where we’ll witness an array of specialist lake birds, including Horned Screamers, Anhingas, and Red-Bellied Macaws. We’ll also keep a lookout for Giant River Otters and the elusive Agami Heron.

After rowing across the lake, we return to the lodge for rest before an optional night boat ride in search of caimans and nocturnal birds like Ladder-Tailed Nightjars and Common Potoos.

Highlights:

• Sunrise hike to Lake Cocococha for prime birdwatching.
• Rowboat exploration of the lake, spotting Hoatzins, Horned Screamers & Giant River Otters.
• Evening boat ride for caiman spotting & night birds.

This day is flexible, allowing guests to revisit favorite trails or explore new areas for any unseen species. A final night walk offers one last chance to discover Amazonian night birds and nocturnal creatures.

Highlights:

• Last opportunities to spot new species.
• Optional night walk for rare owl sightings.

After an early breakfast, we say goodbye to the Amazon and return to Puerto Maldonado by boat, where guests are transferred to the airport for onward flights.

Highlights:

• Scenic boat ride back to Puerto Maldonado.
• Airport transfer for departure flights.