The Sandoval Lake 3-Day Tour is a unique Amazon rainforest experience inside the Tambopata National Reserve, starting from Puerto Maldonado. This tour focuses on exploring the beautiful Lake Sandoval, one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the region, known for giant river otters, caimans, monkeys, and colorful birdlife.
During the tour, you will enjoy guided jungle walks, a canoe excursion on Lake Sandoval, a night caiman safari, and an early morning parrot clay lick visit. The experience includes scenic river transportation, expert bilingual guides, and accommodation in a comfortable jungle lodge surrounded by nature — making it ideal for travelers with limited time who still want an authentic Amazon adventure.
🌊 Lake Sandoval Canoe Exploration — Paddle in traditional rowing boats in search of giant river otters, caimans, and abundant birdlife at sunrise, the most active time for wildlife sightings.
🐒 Rainforest Wildlife Viewing — Spot monkeys (such as squirrel, capuchin, and howler), exotic birds, reptiles, and other fascinating species along jungle trails and waterways.
🌿 Brazil Nut Forest Trek — Walk through primary rainforest and learn how Brazil nuts are harvested, while discovering medicinal plants, giant trees, and jungle ecology.
🦋 Observation Tower Views — Climb high into the canopy for panoramic jungle views, perfect for birdwatching and sunset landscapes.
🚤 Night Caiman Safari — Before dinner, cruise along the river under the stars to observe caimans and nocturnal wildlife emerging in the twilight hours.
🦜 Parrot Clay Lick Encounter — Early morning hike to see parrots and macaws gathering to ingest mineral-rich clay — a spectacular natural event unique to the Amazon.
🚤 Madre de Dios River Journey — Scenic boat travel deep into the rainforest sets the tone for your Amazon adventure and offers the chance to spot river wildlife.
🏡 Comfortable Jungle Bungalow Stay — Relax each night at Corto Maltés Amazonía Lodge, set amidst lush jungle with opportunities for hammock time, swimming or enjoying a cocktail by the river.
🛒 Visit to Local Market — On your final day, explore the vibrant Puerto Maldonado market to see local tropical products and everyday life before departure.
Reception at the airport with transfer to our office located in the center of Puerto Maldonado. Any luggage that you do not need during your stay in the rainforest can be safely stored in our storage room. This is to facilitate transportation by boat to the lodge.
We will embark on our lodge journey aboard the “Puerto de Capitanía” riverboat. It is a 40-minute navigation along the Madre de Dios River. After arriving at the Corto Maltes Amazonía Lodge facilities, you will be greeted with refreshments made from seasonal fruits. Later, your guide will provide you with the necessary information for your stay and give you the keys to your bungalow and safety box, followed by lunch and some time to rest before the first excursion.
Hike and visit to the rubber tapper’s camp:
3:30 pm. Departure for your first contact with the rainforest. You will be accompanied by your guide, who will show you the tropical trees, medicinal plants, and other aspects of the lush nature within the 60 hectares of the Brazil nut concession managed by Corto Maltés Amazonía. We will visit a rubber tapper’s camp, which is another of the most important economic activities in the Madre de Dios region. This is a reproduction of a real camp, where you can appreciate the rubber collection process (better known as latex) and see how it is used for many products.
The duration of this hike is 2 hours.
Free time:
Upon returning to the lodge, you can relax by the pool or in the hammocks on the terrace of your bungalow, savor an exotic cocktail at the bar, enjoy a relaxing massage by our qualified staff, visit our store for a handmade souvenir from the rainforest, or head to the riverbank to see the impressive sunset.
Caiman Safari:
7:00 pm. Before dinner, we will go on a nighttime boat trip to observe caimans and, with a bit of luck, other animals that inhabit the riverbank at night.
8:00 pm dinner in our dining area by the riverside.
We will wake up at 5:30 am to have a cup of coffee or tea before heading to Lake Sandoval. Your guide will provide you with breakfast in bags and a snack for the excursion.
Lake Sandoval:
6:00 am: After approximately 20 minutes of boat travel along the Madre de Dios River, we arrive at the dock of Lake Sandoval. During a 3 km walk through the wild vegetation, we will enter the territory of the Tambopata National Reserve, where you will have the opportunity to admire giant trees, different snakes, monkeys (squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, and capuchin monkeys), and various birds (particularly the Hoatzin, also known as the stinky bird, kingfishers, and snakebirds).
Once at Lake Sandoval, we will embark on small rowing boats in search of giant river otters. We will also have the chance to spot a good number of other reptiles, mammals, and birds in their natural habitat. When the guide finds a suitable spot where we can continue observing nature, we will have breakfast. Before the return trip, make sure you have gathered your belongings, and then we will head back to the dock.
Optional: Monkey Island
This activity depends on the season and the discretion of your guide. There are occasions when, due to floods, it is almost impossible to disembark and walk around the island. There are also times of the year for mating and reproduction, and it is important to leave the wild monkeys alone without human interruption. The animals are accustomed to visitors and can get very close. Therefore, it is very important to always follow your guide’s instructions.
1:30 pm. Return to the Lodge for lunch.
Visit to the observation tower and a Brazil nut harvesting camp:
3:30 pm. We will visit one of the two observation towers of Corto Maltes Amazonía, with heights of 20 and 42 meters, designed for birdwatching and observing other types of animals that live at this height in the canopy. You will also enjoy an incredible view of the sunset. (The guide will consult with the guests about their preferences and adapt this excursion accordingly). There will also be a visit to a Brazil nut camp, where the harvesters stay during the season. Brazil nuts (also known as chestnuts, as they are locally called) are one of the most important economic activities in the Madre de Dios region.
Free time:
Afterward, you will have free time to enjoy the pool or a massage, cool off at the bar, or visit our souvenir shop.
8:00 pm dinner.
We will wake up at 5:30 am to have a cup of coffee or tea before heading out for a 20-minute walk to the clay lick, where you will have the opportunity to observe 3 to 5 types of parrots.
The parrots come to the clay lick to ingest a particular type of clay, which is only found in certain areas of this region. The clay is vital for the birds’ metabolic regulation and, therefore, is the site of a colorful, truly enchanting, and exciting event.
8:00 am: Breakfast and free time.
Visit to the local city market – End of the program:
After breakfast, we will return to the city of Puerto Maldonado by boat.
One of our vehicles will pick you up at the port. After a brief stop at our office, we will drive to the local market where the local population supplies food and other products. During a short visit of about 20 minutes, you will be able to appreciate the different typical products of the area. Then, we will head to the airport to check in for your respective flights.
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