Chuncho Lodge Review: Where To Stay In Tambopata National Reserve

Last Updated: January 13 2024

In our opinion, no trip to Peru is complete without visiting the Amazon Jungle, with Tambopata National Reserve being one of the best places to spot wildlife in the country (as well as the Ballestas Islands).

For the best experience, we’d recommend staying at the incredible Chuncho Lodge. This place is located in the remote jungle and offers fantastic wildlife-watching opportunities.

We’ll quickly say too, that our stay at Chuncho was in no way funded or sponsored. We paid for this experience out of our own pocket, and we’re so glad that we did!

This guide is going to detail why you should stay at this jungle lodge and everything that it has to offer!

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Where is Chuncho Lodge located?

Chunco Lodge is located adjacent to Tambopata National Reserve, along the Río Tambopata. This river is a major tributary of the Río Madre de Dios and offers ample wildlife-watching opportunities.

No matter what tour you choose, you’ll get to explore the wilderness of this reserve. Tambopata covers an impressive 274,690 hectares and is incredibly biodiverse. In fact, you’ll find endless flora and fauna here.

Some of the most popular species you can spot in this reserve include monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, giant otters, and even pumas.

Better yet, you can spot plenty of mammals right from the lodge, especially monkeys and snakes!

How to get to Chuncho Lodge, Peru

To reach Chuncho Lodge, you’ll first need to travel to Puerto Maldonado. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Southern Amazon’, this incredible destination is the Peruvian Amazon’s Southernmost city.

Puerto Maldonado can be reached by air from Lima or Cusco, or you can take an overnight bus from Cusco, with the latter taking around 10 hours.

Once you’ve got to the city, a member of staff or the lodge owner will pick you up from the airport or bus terminal. From there, you’ll be taken to the head office, where you can drop off any belongings that you don’t need.

You’ll then be driven for around 1.5-2 hours to the river, with a good chunk of the drive taking place on rugged roads within the rainforest. Once you’ve got to the river, you’ll hop on a boat for around 10 minutes, where you can look out for wildlife along the way!

Facilities at Chuncho Lodge

Accommodation

At Chuncho Lodge, you’ll have an individual jungle cabin so you’ll have plenty of space to relax after an action-packed day.

There are several cabins, all located away from the main lodge, and some of them back onto the forest itself. When it comes to rooms, you’ve got the option of double, triple, and matrimonial, so there’s something for everyone.

All of the cabins here have a private bathroom, so you won’t have to wander out at night. With mesh, curtains, and mosquito nets, these units offer privacy and a break from the jungle’s many bugs!

You may even be able to spot wildlife right from your cabin, as we saw a snake and monkeys right from our bathroom (outside, of course, don’t worry!). Not to mention, the amazing noises you’ll get to hear at night.

You’ll also have a fan in the room, but electricity is only available for a couple of hours per day, as the lodge tries to be as eco-friendly as possible!

Restaurant & Bar

We can guarantee that you’ll spend plenty of time in the main lodge during your stay, as it’s home to the site’s restaurant and bar. There’s also lots of space to relax with lots of seating, and it’s all lit up at night (when the generator is on), which makes it even more special.

The main lodge is where you’ll come to eat breakfast, lunch, and tea, and you’ll be treated to the most delicious Peruvian cuisine. You’ll generally eat with your guide too, so you’ve got a chance to get to know each other and ask any questions!

The best thing about this area is that you can spot a variety of monkeys and birdlife right from your table. There are also posters up in this area of the wildlife that can be found, so you can easily identify the species for yourself.

Hammock area

During your time at Chuncho Lodge, you’ll have some free time to relax. Honestly, there’s no better place to do this than the hammock area, which features three large hammocks.

From here, you’ll be treated to striking views of the Río Tambopata. As such, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you’re swinging away, living your best life. Better still, this area is shaded, so you’ll get a break from the beaming sun.

Whether you’re looking to have a snooze or read a book, make sure you spend some time chilling out in the hammocks during your stay. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

Canopy Tower

Chuncho Lodge has its own canopy tower which is just a short walk away. This 40-metre (131-foot) tower offers stunning views of the rainforest canopy and is best enjoyed at sunrise and sunset.

From the top of the canopy tower, you’ll have ample wildlife-watching opportunities. For the best experience, take some binoculars up the tower so you can spot the birdlife found in this area, including macaws and toucans.

Just be aware, that hiking up this tower isn’t really suitable for those with a fear of heights, as it’s extremely daunting walking up. Not only that but a good level of fitness is required to conquer all the steps!

Our Tour Experience: The 4-Day Tambopata Expedition

There are a variety of Chuncho Lodge tours to choose from but we opted for the 4-day Tambopata Expedition. In our opinion, this is one of the best Tambopata tours out there, so we’d highly recommend checking it out.

Day 1:

After arriving in Puerto Maldonado early in the morning from an overnight bus, the lodge owner picked us up at the station. From there, we headed to the lodge office which is located in the city.

After meeting up with our guide, we began the 1.5-hour journey to Chuncho Lodge, which consisted of a car journey through the jungle and a short riverboat ride.

After having some lunch (and time to relax) at the lodge, we headed out into the jungle to explore. The highlight of the day had to be the canopy tower, as we were treated to striking views of the rainforest below!

Although the walk up to the tower was daunting, it was one of our favourite experiences in Peru. Not only did we get to watch the sunset, but we also spotted a whole host of birdlife from up here. Afterwards, we headed out on a night jungle walk!

Day 2:

Day two started early, with a 1.5-hour boat trip to a clay lick. While here, we had breakfast on the river bank, but that wasn’t the best part.

This clay lick is full of nutrients and as such, it attracts a variety of birdlife including macaws and parrots. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to spot monkeys on the clay lick, like we did!

After spending some time on the river, we headed back to the main lodge. Here, we had some lunch and time to relax, which is when we took advantage of the hammock area.

Afterwards, it was time for an ethnobotanical walk where we got to learn all about the different types of plants found in the forest. This included local fruits, medicinal plants, and vegetables, and we got to try plenty of them.

Day two ended with another night walk, where we spotted a variety of creepy crawlies including tarantulas and a snake!

Day 3:

On day three, we headed to the beautiful Sandoval Lake after having breakfast at Chuncho Lodge. The journey back to Puerto Maldonado took around 1.5 hours, and then we hopped on another boat.

This boat journey took us around 40 minutes, and then we headed to the reserve entrance, where our guide had to sign us in. The walk to the lake was around 3 km (1.8 miles), and the scenery along the way was beautiful.

Once you reach the shore, you’ll head out on a boat trip to the lodge. Along the way, keep an eye out for giant otters (unfortunately, we didn’t get to spot any) and caiman. You’ll often see monkeys swinging along in the trees too!

After getting to the partner lodge, we then headed out on a night cruise to spot Caiman. Not only that, but we got to see an epic sunset, shooting stars, and the Milky Way.

Day 4:

Day four was our last day (booo!). After an early wake-up, we headed out on another cruise of Sandoval Lake. After enjoying the sunrise, we kept our eyes peeled for giant otters, although again, we didn’t get to spot them – just another excuse to come back!

However, our fantastic guide Marco did manage to spot a sloth for us, and seeing one of these beautiful creatures in the wild had been on our bucket list for so long. Not only that, but we got to spot a variety of birdlife.

After a relaxing cruise, it was time to hike back to the reserve entrance. Upon exiting the reserve, we got a fantastic passport stamp, before heading back to the boat, which took us to Puerto Maldonado, and then to Chuncho’s office.

After saying our goodbyes, the lovely lodge owner Jorge, kindly organised (and paid) for a taxi to take us back to the airport.

Tour Packages at Chuncho Lodge, Tambopata

The great thing about Chuncho is that there are a variety of tours to choose from. These differ in price, physicality, and duration, so there’s something for everyone!

Some of the tours give you a fantastic overview of the reserve, where you’ll get to visit a variety of destinations. Others specialise in specific areas such as birdwatching and wildlife photography.

Chuncho’s tours are suitable for those 8+ making this operator an excellent option for families, as well as couples and groups. The majority of the tours aren’t very taxing either which is always good to know.

No matter what you’re looking for, we’re sure you’ll find it here!

1. Birdwatching in Tambopata

⌛ Tour Duration: 5 Days

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 2/10

If you’re a keen birdwatcher then this may be the tour for you! Not only will you benefit from a specialized program, but you’ll have an expert guide with you throughout.

This Tambopata tour includes jungle walks and boat rides where you’ve got the chance to spot a variety of birdlife. This includes hawks, kingfishers, macaws, toucans, and owls among other species. If you’re lucky, you might even get to spot the rare harpy eagle!

2. 3 Days & 2 Nights, Canopy tower + Macaw Clay Lick + Lake Sandoval

⌛ Tour Duration: 3D/2N

🚶‍♀️ N/A

For those who have a short amount of time, this tour is a fantastic option. In just 3 days, you’ll get to visit one of the area’s tallest canopy towers, a large clay lick, and the beautiful Lake Sandoval.

This action-packed tour includes a ton of awesome activities and offers you plenty of wildlife-watching opportunities. Although you’ll have plenty to do, you’ll also get to enjoy some relaxation time too. Just be aware, that the tour finishes at around 3 pm on day three.

3. 3 Days Tambopata Expedition, Macaw Clay Lick

⌛ Tour Duration: 3D/2N

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 3/10

This 3-day tour offers you the chance to explore some of Tambopata’s most beautiful landscapes. First of all, you’ll head to the Canopy Tower, before taking a hike through the jungle at night.

The other three days will see you visit a clay lick, take a boat trip along the river, and head out on an ethnobotanical jungle walk. This tour offers you a great chance of spotting wildlife, but you’ll still have some time to relax in the on-site bar!

4. Full-Day Tambopata Expedition Macaw Clay Lick

⌛ Tour Duration: 1 Day

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 4/10

If you’re short of time but still want to explore the reserve then this full-day tour may be the best option for you. Although you’ll only have a day to explore the reserve, you’ll get to visit the iconic macaw clay lick, walk up the canopy tower, and hike in the jungle.

You’ll arrive back in Puerto Maldonado between 4-5 pm, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to book a flight or overnight bus.

5. 4 Days Tambopata Expedition Macaws Clay Lick & Sandoval Lake

⌛ Tour Duration: 4D/3N

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 2/10

This is the expedition we chose and we couldn’t have been happier with our choice! It’s been awarded as one of the best tours in the Southern jungle of Peru as you’ll get to stay at Chuncho Lodge, as well as Sandoval Lake.

This action-packed tour includes several jungle hikes, a boat ride to the Macaw clay lick, and a visit to the canopy tower. Better yet, you’ll also get to explore Sandoval Lake, where you’ve got a great chance of spotting giant otters.

6. 5 Days Tambopata Macaw Clay Lick & Sandoval Lake

⌛ Tour Duration: 5D/4N

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 2/10

If you’re keen to spot wildlife, then this 5-day tour is a fantastic option. Essentially, the longer you stay in Tambopata, the higher the chances you’ve got of spotting some of the area’s rare wildlife.

On this tour, you’ll visit the Macaw clay lick, the canopy tower, and the beautiful Sandoval Lake, so there’s a lot on offer. As well as an action-packed tour, you’ll have plenty of time to relax which is always a huge bonus!

7. 4 Days Tambopata Macaws Clay Lick & Adventure

⌛ Tour Duration: 4D/3N

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 3/10

This is another popular Tambopata tour! You’ll spend 4 days exploring the reserve, where you’ll get to visit some of the area’s most iconic attractions.

Not only will you get to hike up the canopy tower and visit the clay lick, but this tour also offers you the chance to go fishing in the river. If you’re lucky, you might get to catch piranhas!

For those who aren’t interested in visiting Sandoval Lake, this is a great option.

8. Wildlife photographers: Amazon photography

⌛ Tour Duration: 4D/3N

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 2/10

If you’re a keen photographer then this is the tour for you! Throughout the tour, you’ll have an awesome photography guide, who will give you lots of tips and tricks along the way.

This Amazon photography tour will allow you to take the best photos, both in the day and at night. The great thing about this tour is that you’ll have plenty of breaks, as you’ll need lots of patience to capture nature here.

9. 2 Days Tambopata Expedition Macaw Clay Lick

⌛ Tour Duration: 2D/1N

🚶‍♀️ Physicality: 3/10

Lastly, there’s this 2-day tour. This is one of the better options for those who are short of time, as you’ll still have the chance to observe a variety of wildlife.

On this tour, you’ll head out on a jungle walk, admire the views from the canopy tower, and head out on a night walk. On day two, you’ll also get to go on a boat trip to the Macaw clay lick, so you’ll see a lot within a short amount of time!

Why should you choose Chuncho Lodge?

If you’re looking for an Amazon lodge in Tambopata then we highly recommend checking out Chuncho! We were travelling on a relatively low budget and were looking for something affordable.

This place certainly ticked all the boxes, and we found it to be much cheaper compared to other packages in the area. What drew us in, was the action-packed itinerary considering the relatively low cost, especially when this included your accommodation, transport, excursions, food, and your guide.

Another reason to choose Chunco is the people, as all the staff are lovely. The owner Jorge made our trip run smoothly, and we had a fantastic guide, Marco. Without him, we wouldn’t have spotted half the wildlife that we did! All the staff at the lodge are so kind too, and always go above and beyond.

What’s great about Chuncho Lodge, is that it’s located further along the river than many of the other lodges, so you’ll truly be staying in the wilderness. That means, better opportunities to see wildlife, and boy, will you see lots! Especially, as the monkeys tend to run along the lodge roof!

Honestly, we couldn’t recommend this place enough if you’re heading to Tambopata National Reserve.

Other Chuncho Lodge Reviews

As you’ve probably guessed by now, we absolutely loved our stay at Chuncho Lodge (again, not sponsored – just to reiterate). However, you don’t just have to take our word for it. Here are some other fantastic reviews that we found on Tripadvisor!

• “All in all we couldn’t see where to make improvements, we left with memories for a lifetime, and the feeling that we have had a perfect stay with a huge “bang for buck”. For us and our kids, this was without any doubt one of the highlights of our holiday in Peru”.

• “We did the 4D / 3N jungle tour with Chuncho Lodge and it really did exceed all expectations. The lodge for starters, is so beautiful. The gardens are perfectly manicured, the restaurant/bar area is gorgeous and we loved the hammock area to read and take a nap”.

• “So well organized! we had first-class treatment from Jorge’s gang, including the wonderful guide Marco, and Daisy who cooked delicious food. The treks, night and day, the viewing tower at sunset, the parrot clay lick- all were such memorable experiences”.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Chuncho Lodge

How many days should I spend at Chuncho Lodge?

Tambopata is one of the most impressive landmarks in Peru and as such, it’s not a place to be rushed! For the best experience, we’d recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Tambopata.

This gives you enough time to take in the reserve’s beauty and head out on some awesome jungle activities. Not only that, but you’ve got more chances of spotting wildlife!

What is a good budget for this experience?

Now, there are plenty of Tambopata lodges to choose from. However, we think Chunco Lodge offers the best (and most budget-friendly) tours. However, you will need to part with a good chunk of cash if you’re after the best experience.

If you want transport, accommodation, excursions, and your guide to be included in the package, then you’re looking at least $250-$300 for 2-3 days.

What animals can you spot from Chuncho Lodge?

Chuncho Lodge is located in the heart of the jungle; adjacent to Tambopata National Reserve. From the reserve, you can head out on jungle hikes and boat trips, where you’ve got a great chance of spotting wildlife.

From the lodge itself, you can see a variety of monkey species, snakes and small mammals including the agouti and Coati. Not to mention, the endless bird species!

What do I need to pack when visiting Tambopata?

When staying at any Tambopata Amazon lodge it’s vital that you pack a few key items. First of all, DEET spray is a must, and you’ll also want to pack a wide-brimmed hat, a torch, and a rain jacket/poncho.

In terms of clothing, you should pack lightweight cotton items such as long-sleeved tops and trousers. Of course, you don’t want to leave your waterproof hiking boots at home either!

Final Thoughts on Chuncho Lodge

As you can see, Chuncho Lodge has so much to offer. In our opinion, it’s one of the best places to stay if you’re looking to explore the Amazon Jungle; specifically Tambopata National Reserve.

Not only will you get an authentic experience, but you’ll have plenty of awesome excursions included in your tour. Not to mention, the wide variety of wildlife that you’ve got a chance of spotting nearby.

If you have any questions about staying at Chuncho Lodge, don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!

Here are some other guides that you may find helpful:

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• The Best Things To Do In Huacachina
• The Best Things To Do In Paracas

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