A full day exploring Lake Sandoval inside the Tambopata National Reserve: a rainforest hike, silent canoe paddling, and a riverside lunch, ideal for travelers with just one day near Puerto Maldonado.
Discover one of the most iconic natural destinations in the Peruvian Amazon: the impressive Lake Sandoval, located inside the Tambopata National Reserve.
During this expedition you will walk through lush primary forest trails, paddle silently across a lake of calm waters, and have the opportunity to observe an extraordinary diversity of wildlife in its natural habitat. It is an ideal experience for nature lovers, photographers, birdwatchers, and travelers who want to get to know the Amazon rainforest in a single day.
Highlights
- Silent canoe paddling with high chances of spotting giant otters
- One-hour primary forest hike interpreted by a naturalist guide
- Amazonian lunch beside the lake, with an optional swim
- Same-day return to Puerto Maldonado, no overnight required
Itinerary
Day 1 Full Day at Lake Sandoval
8:30 AM — Pickup. Our team will pick you up from your hotel, the airport, or the bus terminal. From there we head to Puerto Triunfo, the boarding point on the Madre de Dios River.
Navigation on the Madre de Dios River. We board a motorized boat for an approximately 15-minute ride. Along the way you may spot herons, kingfishers, swallows, turtles, capybaras (seasonal), and beautiful Amazonian scenery.
Hike to Lake Sandoval. After checking in, we begin a roughly one-hour walk along a primary forest trail. Our guide interprets the rainforest ecosystem along the way: giant centuries-old trees, medicinal plants, lianas and palms, tropical insects, butterflies, fungi, and mammal tracks. With some luck we may spot monkeys, toucans, trogons, and other forest species.
Canoe ride. On arrival at Lake Sandoval we board a paddle canoe. The silent navigation greatly increases the chances of spotting giant otters, hoatzins, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, monkeys, caimans, turtles, and a variety of waterbirds. Our guide shares insights on the lake’s ecological importance and the conservation work carried out in the Tambopata National Reserve.
Amazonian lunch. We enjoy a lunch prepared with fresh regional ingredients in an incomparable natural setting. Vegetarian options are available on request.
Time to enjoy the lake. Depending on weather and operating conditions, you can relax by the lake or take a swim in an area authorized by our guides.
Return. We hike back through the forest to the dock, then navigate the Madre de Dios River back to Puerto Maldonado, where our transport takes you comfortably back to your hotel, the airport, or the bus terminal.
- Pickup and drop-off from/to hotel, airport, or bus terminal
- Ground transportation
- River transportation on the Madre de Dios River
- Entrance fee to the Tambopata National Reserve
- Visit to Lake Sandoval
- Amazonian lunch
- Drinking water and natural beverages
- Specialized professional guide
- Canoe for navigation
- Rubber boots (subject to availability)
- Life jackets
- Continuous assistance throughout the excursion
- Bottled beverages
- Additional snacks
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips (optional)
Start: pickup from your hotel, the airport, or the bus terminal in Puerto Maldonado, at 8:30 AM.
End: return to Puerto Maldonado and drop-off at your hotel in the late afternoon.
- Giant river otter
- Capuchin monkey
- Squirrel monkey
- Toucans
- Macaws
- Amazon parrots
- Hoatzin
- Herons
- Kingfisher
- Cormorants
- Black caiman
- White caiman
- Amazonian turtles
- Tropical butterflies
- Dragonflies
- Capybaras
Every expedition is different, as sightings depend on natural conditions and the behavior of the wildlife.
- Passport or ID document
- Lightweight quick-dry clothing
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Long pants
- Trekking shoes
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Reusable water bottle
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Personal medication
