A very enriching experience, full of history and good coordination even with changing weather during the route.
See moreTambopata – Lake Sandoval Peru
Tour Cusco Manu: An opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Tropical Andes
One of the top Tambopata tours is the four-day Lake Sandoval Peru Tour. According to some, it is the Amazon jungle’s most ecologically varied area.
Beautiful oxbow lakes and macaw clay licks can be found in Tambopata National Park. It’s the nation’s biggest natural clay lick. You may be sure to see colorful macaws and parrots on this Lake Sandoval, Peru tour, as they fly to the cliffs to eat the clay that is rich in mineral salts.
Numerous environmentalists have noted that the Tambopata Reserved Zone’s location contributes to its biological diversity. It is situated where three different ecosystems converge with the lowland Amazon rainforest.
Highlights
- Madre de Dios River (boat ride)
- Rainforest trail (approx. 3 km)
- Canoe station in the jungle
- Lake Sandoval (main attraction)
- Primary and secondary Amazon rainforest
- Nighttime wildlife viewing areas (caimans and other wildlife)
Itinerary
Day 1: City of Puerto Maldonado - Lake Sandoval Peru
Sandoval Lake Pier
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Our crew will be picking you up from Puerto Maldonado Airport or bus terminal. We will stop by our office in the city of Puerto Maldonado so you can leave your belongings and carry just what will be needed for the four days Tambopata Adventure.
We will then drive you to the Puerto Capitana boat pier where you will be taking a motorized boat for an hour’s scenic ride on the Madre de Dios River.
Along the tour, you will be able to spot different species of birds, turtles, monkeys, alligators, river otters, and more. We will have a brief stop at the Lake Sandoval checkpoint where we will be registering your visit.
We will hike for five kilometers to the boat pier of Lake Sandoval which normally takes an hour and a half. Here we will be embarking on a 50-minute ride on our rowing canoe to Sandoval Lake Lodge.
The crew will be serving an authentic Amazonian lunch. After lunch, we will embark on a guided tour to explore the flora and fauna on Lake Sandoval. You will get to see black caimans, giant otters, turtles, and more.
After the guided tour, later in the evening, we will return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner, our naturalist guide will take you on a night tour. On this exclusive visit, you will spot different nocturnal creatures.
Later in the evening, we will be returning to our lodge.
Day itinerary details
Day 2: Palm Tree Lick - Giant Otter Spotting
Macaw Palm Tree Lick
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We will be leaving from the lodge early in the morning to see Macaw Palm Tree Lick. The lodge is located in the heart of Tambopata National Reserve, so we won’t be spending much of the time traveling. The clay lick is right around the lodge.
Here you will get to see different brightly colored Macaws and Parrots. These birds eat the palms as they are rich in a nutrient that helps them to flush out any toxins from their body.
After witnessing this incredible sight, we will be returning to the lodge. The crew will be serving you a nutritious breakfast.
After breakfast, we will embark on a hike to see different native flora and faunas, most distinct to the region.
You will also see different species of monkeys, wild boars, deers, spectacled bears, tapirs, and more. For lunch, we will return to the lodge. After lunch, you will have some free time to take a dip in the clear waters of Lake Sandoval.
Later in the evening, we will embark on a rowing canoe to the other side of the lake to witness the sunset. At around 07:00 PM, we will be returning to the lodge for dinner.
After dinner, we can do a short night tour to spot caimans and more nocturnal animals.
Day itinerary details
Day 3: Puerto Maldonado - Tambopata National Reserve
Return to the checkpoint at Lake Sandoval, Peru
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After breakfast, we will be checking out from the lodge. We will be taking the canoe to the pier and hiking back to the Lake Sandoval Peru checkpoint. We will then take our motorized boat in the direction of Puerto Maldonado on the Tambopata River for 50 minutes.
The route offers sights of different species of birds, capybaras, turtles, and more. Often it’s easy to spot Jaguars resting on the shores.
We will be reaching our exclusive jungle lodge, Tambopata Lodge Inn. The crew will extend a warm welcome to you with some traditional beverages. We will then have lunch.
After lunch, we will be hiking through a dense forest. It houses many ancient trees that coexist with many creatures. You will be spotting different insects, spiders, ants, toads, butterflies, monkeys, and some mammals.
We will then return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner, we will do a night activity with our flashlights on. You will see alligators, capybaras, and perhaps some felines on the shores. They normally hunt at night.
After this, we will be returning to the lodge.
Day itinerary details
Day 4: Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick - Puerto Maldonado
Parrot and Parakeet Clay
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The last day of your Lake Sandoval Peru Tambopata Tours begins quite early. At daybreak, we will be going to see the parakeets and Parrots clay lick. We will be leaving at 05:00 AM and embark on a journey by boat for an hour and a half.
Along the boat ride, you will have plenty of options to spot different animals and birds.
Macaws Clay Lick is an unmissable sight in the Amazon. Several brightly colored Macaws and parrots fly here. They lick a typical clay, rich in mineral salts which is essential to metabolize and neutralize the toxins they might have consumed from fruits and seeds.
We will be there from 06:30 AM to 11:30 AM. We will be serving breakfast right in front of the clay lick.
After this activity, on our way back to the lodge, we will be making a brief stop at the checkpoint. Here we will be visiting a small museum. We will then return to the lodge where you can take a refreshing dip in the clear waters.
In the afternoon, we will be taking the boat back to Puerto Maldonado. Our representative will be waiting for us at the boat pier and will be transferring you to the airport or bus terminal.
Day itinerary details
Lake Sandoval is inside a protected Amazon reserve, so all activities depend on weather conditions and wildlife behavior, meaning sightings are never guaranteed but always natural and authentic.
Recommendations
Before Booking
- Check if the tour includes transport, meals, and lodge stay inside the reserve
- Confirm group size (small groups are better for wildlife viewing)
- Ask about English-speaking guide availability
- Verify if park entrance fees are included or not
- Make sure you are aware of the physical activity level (walking + canoeing)
Before Traveling
- Bring light long-sleeve clothing and long pants
- Pack insect repellent and sunscreen
- Use waterproof jacket or poncho (rain is common)
- Bring binoculars and camera for wildlife spotting
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes + sandals
- Carry a flashlight or headlamp for night activities
Included services
What is included
- Transfers In/out
- Transportation by private boat
- Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Professional Cook and assistants
- Oxygen bottle, First aid kit
- Naturalist local guide in English and Spanish
- Overnights in our jungle Lodges
- Water at any time and warm drinks or lemonades with meals
- Food 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Entrance tickets
What is not included
- Personal trekking gear, tips to guide and support staff, city services.
- First breakfast (first day) is normally provided at your hotel before leaving.
- Last lunch at the end of the tour on 4th Day
- Any Private Expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Where is Lake Sandoval located?
Lake Sandoval is located inside the Tambopata National Reserve, near Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
02 How do you get to Lake Sandoval?
You travel by boat along the Madre de Dios River, followed by a jungle walk (around 3 km) and then a canoe ride into the lake.
03 What animals can be seen in the tour?
You may see giant river otters, black caimans, monkeys, macaws, herons, kingfishers, and many other Amazon birds and wildlife. Sightings depend on nature.
04 Is the Lake Sandoval tour difficult?
It is generally easy to moderate, but includes walking through jungle trails and canoe navigation, so a basic level of fitness is recommended.
05 What makes Lake Sandoval special?
It is one of the best places in Peru for wildlife observation in a calm oxbow lake ecosystem, offering sunrise canoe rides and deep Amazon rainforest immersion.
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