If you are a nature lover, then you cannot miss this beautiful place for anything. The Peruvian Amazon is a magical and mysterious destination where you can enjoy a romantic getaway or an adventure without a parallel. When you imagine the Amazon and the jungle within Peru one does not necessarily imagine luxury cities and accommodations, but these are available for your enjoyment. And just one of its most charming places and full of natural beauty is the beautiful Sandoval Lake. A perfect example where you can appreciate the different and numerous wildlife while you marvel at the dreamy landscapes. For this reason, together with Machu Travel Peru, we want to tell you everything about Sandoval Lake and how to enjoy a tour of the surroundings.
Everything you need to know about the Sandoval Lake
- About Sandoval Lake
- Where is the lake located?
- How to get to Sandoval Lake?
- About the tour
- What to expect
- Were to stay
- Weather in Sandoval Lake
ABOUT LAKE SANDOVAL
Sandoval Lake is one of the most attractive lakes within the Andean country and the jungle. It facilitates access to one of the areas with the highest concentrations of biological diversity on the entire planet. The Sandoval Lake is located within the Tambopata National Reserve itself, very close to Puerto Maldonado. This beautiful destination offers one of the best experiences available within the Peruvian Amazon. So if you plan to travel to the beautiful city of Puerto Maldonado, then you cannot miss one of the tours to the Lake.
It is one of the main attractions within the capital of Madre de Dios, so you will find various tour options in its surroundings. This beautiful place is away from the bustling centers and makes the natural night noises proliferate and its natural landscapes take a strong role. You will find great biodiversity in the place to appreciate and take photos. More than 1,000 species of birds and numerous other Amazon rainforest animals have been registered. Such as giant otters, black alligators, cranes, macaws, turtles, and cranes, among others. It is also a refuge for the most spectacular endangered predators.
WHERE IS THE LAKE LOCATED?
The main attraction of the Tambopata National Reserve is perhaps one of the most beautiful jungle lakes in the Amazon. Of course, we are talking about Sandoval Lake. It is located approximately 3 hours from the city of Puerto Maldonado in the southeastern part of Peru. More precisely in the low jungle that gives way to the great Amazon. This is a protected area and the refuge of more than 74 types of reptiles, 1,300 species of butterflies, 592 birds, 127 amphibians, and 103 mammals.
It ranks among one of the top ten biodiversity areas due to its greatest abundance of wildlife on the planet. The area promotes the practice of ecotourism. Which is not only a source of income for the inhabitants of these areas but also a way to raise awareness and sensitize on how to treat the planet to preserve it. Ecotourism is the practice of tourism with a responsible and friendly environmental direction. And here in Tambopata, we can show you how to practice it.
HOW TO GET TO SANDOVAL LAKE
To get to Sandoval Lake, you would first have to take a flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the different routes within the Peruvian Amazon. You can choose to do it from the Imperial City and take advantage of the different amazon tours from Cusco. To enjoy a tour inside Sandoval Lake, it is essential to organize with a company since it is required to cross the Tambopata Reserve. Upon landing in the city, our staff will accompany you from your arrival to your departure, so you will not have to worry about absolutely anything.
After entering the Reserve, it is necessary to take a short bus trip to the Tambopata River. Here, a motorized canoe will wait for you. You will have to take a motorboat ride (40 min) and then reach the main entrance of this beautiful place. You will have a 30-minute trip down the Madre de Dios River. Then you will come to a path, where a moderate trail awaits you. The entire trail is a visual spectacle where the true magic of the tour begins. From that moment on, you can begin to distinguish some species of animals and birds.
After walking for a few minutes along a narrow path you will arrive at a boat dock. And depending on the weather (November to April is the rainy season) you will take a rowboat. In the boat, they will row to penetrate the heart of the Lake itself. From here you will feel united to nature, full of peace and with indescribable tranquility. This and more will be felt along the way to Sandoval Lake.
ABOUT THE TOUR
If you are a fan of watching animals and other things, near the jungle city is the pristine Sandoval Lake. This wonderful meander-shaped lake is separated from the main channel of the Madre de Dios River. Its calm waters are perfect for boating. In addition, the region is favored as it is one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity in Peru.
A tour of Sandoval Lake is one of the best tours available within Puerto Maldonado. For those looking to do tourism within the Peruvian Amazon, they cannot miss this wonderful destination. During the tour, you will be able to observe and take photos of the different howler monkeys, water turtles, alligators, and the numerous birds in Tambopata. There are different tour options to enjoy. And all options can be modified to your liking. There are full-day tours, two-day tours, and up to 4-day ones to fully explore this wonderful place.
You can embark on a tour with a naturalist guide who will explain everything there is to see. In this tour alone you will be able to spot a hundred specimens of exotic animals. It is advisable to make arrangements in advance to guarantee your visit. It is also a good idea to enjoy the tours during sunrise or the hours before sunset. Since it is during these times when the wildlife is most animated. Even the night walks will give you a different glimpse of the region and its animals.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Enjoy navigating through a 100-foot high Mauritia palm forest flooded. All while large groups of macaws flood everything with their sounds. Or opt to appreciate the playful brown capuchin monkeys as they walk through the palm trees. You can see groups of up to 50 or more squirrel monkeys as they chat and jump in the trees. And as the sun sets, look to experience the lake’s nightlife under a star-filled sky while looking to spot the black caiman. In addition, no visit to the lake is complete without guided walks in its surroundings. The different naturalist guides will be able to bring the jungle to life with their explanations of ecology. Learn about the natural history of the area as you explore the trails and appreciate the many species of birds and monkeys. You will be able to enjoy this and more on a tour of Sandoval Lake.
The entire tour is girded with greenery and beautiful landscapes. In your surroundings, you will be able to appreciate a wide range of birds at first. If you are lucky, you will also see the mighty Jaguar stalking its prey and other jungle predators. Sandoval Lake and the Tambopata Reserve not only offer an incredible variety of flora and fauna but also allow you to appreciate and value the world we live in.
You will have the option of staying more days near the Lake if you so decide. Sandoval Lake has a series of small shelters that offer various activities during your stay. You will also have the opportunity to take a night walk, where you will appreciate a wide variety of insects and bedbugs. Along the Lake whose shape is like a horseshoe, there are trails to observe birds, mammals, and flora. All these activities can be done from 1 to 4 hours.
WHERE TO STAY
The good fortune is that with the growing popularity of the region, some hostels have appeared to supply the tourist demand. Among the main accommodation options, we find the Lake Sandoval Lodge and Casa Sandoval Peru. These are some of the best lodges available and offer numerous excursions in the area.
SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE
If you are looking to enjoy the tour options of more than 1 day around Sandoval Lake, then you should stay in a lodge. The best thing you can do is take advantage of the proximity and stay inside the Sandoval Lake Lodge. This beautiful place is built almost entirely of floating Mahogany trees. These trees have been collected naturally and ecologically after floods transported the logs downstream. The Lodge is located in the middle of the Amazon in Peru, and its structure consists of a large main room or dining room. It has 25 different rooms quite protected and well designed. They have all the basic services and amenities expected to enjoy a good time.
The facilities were built with criteria that are friendly to the environment and always complying with safety regulations. The Lake Sandoval Lodge features a traditional, rustic design. The rooms, its restaurant, lobby bar, and bungalows are protected by mosquito nets. Also, the single rooms are quite spacious and comfortable. The single, double, matrimonial, and family rooms have the shape of a cabin. All have views of the forest and gardens with terraces, where the hammocks are located. Obviously, all their rooms have a private bathroom with a hot shower. But the best thing about this Lodge is its food, made with local ingredients that will make you delight in a charming atmosphere.
CASA SANDOVAL PERU
This hostel is located in the surroundings of the lake. Where it offers a wonderful exclusive garden where you can relax. The property rate is all-inclusive, including transportation to and from the property. In addition to meals and various activities to keep you busy. The property offers menus for special diets and packed lunches upon request. The private bathroom has a bath, shower, and free toiletries. It is only about 3 hours from the nearest airport.
WEATHER IN SANDOVAL LAKE
Being in an Amazon region, expect the weather surrounding Sandoval Lake to be humid and with occasional rain. The rainfall that occurs within the Tambopata National Reserve can be between 2,500 to 3,000 millimeters a year. But most of these rains occur within the rainy season (November to April). While within the dry season, you can expect some cold fronts coming from the South Atlantic. If you want to take advantage of your time in the Andean country, you can try traveling during the dry season. One of the best-known facts about Peru is that the dry season coincides with the high tourist season. Take these data into account before organizing your trip to the Peruvian Amazon.
“ REMEMBER HAPPINESS IS A WAY OF TRAVEL NOT A DESTINATION ”
We hope together with Machu Travel Peru to have been helpful. As you will see, Sandoval Lake is a wonderful destination to enjoy bird watching and other exotic species. You can enjoy unique settings where you can enjoy many tours, excursions, and boat rides. If you want to know more about the different private tours in the Tambopata National Reserve, you can consult with our team. Our qualified advisers will be happy to help you fulfill the trip of your dreams. Sandoval Lake is a wonderful destination where.
