SUMMARY
The Hidden Jewel of the Peruvian Amazon:Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours
Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours :Tambopata National Reserve | Puerto Maldonado – Madre de Dios
Discover one of the most beautiful lakes in Peru, located in the heart of the Amazon. This 4-day journey immerses you in the natural richness of Lake Sandoval, a dreamlike ecosystem within the Tambopata National Reserve. Home to giant otters, scarlet macaws, black caimans, and six species of monkeys, this tropical paradise offers an authentic experience deeply connected to nature.
Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours: Why Choose This Tour
Exclusive access to Lake Sandoval, one of the most biodiverse bodies of water in the Peruvian jungle.
- Guaranteed wildlife sightings: giant otters, monkeys, tropical birds, caimans, and more.
- Guided walks through primary rainforest by day and night.
- Silent, non-motorized boat rides to protect the ecosystem.
- Educational talks on biodiversity and Amazonian medicinal plants.
- Expert naturalist guides specializing in ecology and ethnobotany.
Tour Details: Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours
- Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Location: Southern Peru, Madre de Dios Department, Puerto Maldonado
- Service Type: Private or shared
- Start Point: Pick-up from hotel / Airbnb / airport or bus terminal in Puerto Maldonado
- End Point: Transfer to hotel / airport or bus terminal
- Departures: Daily
- Activities: Sunrise and sunset photography, day and night jungle walks, canoe ride on Lake Sandoval, birdwatching, and visit to the macaw clay lick
- Altitude: 182 meters (597 ft) above sea level
- Best time to visit: March to November
- Accommodation: Sandoval Lake Lodge
- Meals included: 3 breakfasts / 3 lunches / 3 dinners
- Guides: Professional bilingual local guide (with specialized materials)
- Minimum participants: 2
Detailed Itinerary – 4 Days Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours
DAY 1: Puerto Maldonado – Arrival at Lake Sandoval
- Arrival in Puerto Maldonado and boat transfer on the Madre de Dios River.
- 3 km guided hike through the jungle to the entrance canal to the lake.
- Canoe ride through the flooded palm forest to the lodge.
- Afternoon exploration of the lake’s eastern shore in search of macaws, monkeys, and giant otters.
- After dusk: night safari to observe black caimans and the Amazonian stars.
Highlights: First encounter with giant otters, birdwatching, and nocturnal wildlife amazon peru .
Included: Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: Sandoval Lake Lodge
DAY 2: Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours– Morning Wildlife and Primary Jungle Hike
- Sunrise excursion: spotting otters and aquatic birds such as the hoatzin (shansho).
- After breakfast, educational hike through the primary forest: ancient trees, understory flora, and wildlife.
- In the afternoon, visit another part of the lake frequented by capuchin monkeys.
Highlights: Morning wildlife viewing, botanical walk, active wildlife sightings.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Sandoval Lake Lodge
DAY 3: Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours– Deep Exploration – Medicinal Plants and Amazonian Sunset
- Optional: additional morning expedition based on your interests (photography, birdwatching, traditional fishing).
- Interpretive walk to learn about traditional uses of medicinal plants.
- Afternoon: canoe ride to remote parts of the lake for more wildlife sightings and an unforgettable sunset.
Highlights: Amazonian botany, silent canoeing, sunset photography.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Sandoval Lake Lodge
DAY 4: Farewell to the Amazon – Return to Puerto Maldonado
Final sunrise excursion to observe otters and birds at first light.
Breakfast at the lodge.
- Return hike through the jungle and boat transfer back to Puerto Maldonado.
- Connection to airport or bus terminal for your next destination.
ITINERARY
Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours Sandoval Lodge 4 days
Explore the Amazon Rainforest 4 days: The Hidden Gem of the Peruvian Amazon
Enjoy the unique experience of exploring one of Peru’s most beautiful lakes in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure in the Peruvian Amazon, Lake Sandoval is your next destination. Located within the Tambopata National Reserve, this natural paradise is home to astonishing biodiversity, including the endangered Giant Otter, majestic tropical birds, black caimans, and six species of monkeys that inhabit the Mauritia palm forests.
Why visit and Explore the Amazon Rainforest 4 days
Direct access to Lake Sandoval, one of the most spectacular and tranquil bodies of water in the Peruvian rainforest.
High probability of sighting wildlife in its natural habitat: otters, monkeys, macaws, caimans, paiches, among many others.
Day and night hikes along trails in the Amazon rainforest.
Excursions by boat and silent catamaran (no motors) to protect the lake’s ecosystem.
Educational presentations about the Amazon and the use of native medicinal plants.
4-Day Itinerary – Explore the Amazon Rainforest
Day 1: Puerto Maldonado – Lake Sandoval
Your adventure begins with arrival in Puerto Maldonado. From here, a boat ride on the Madre de Dios River takes us to the lake entrance. A 3-km hike through the rainforest leads us to the Sandoval access channel, where we will navigate through a flooded palm forest until we reach the lodge.
In the afternoon, we will explore the eastern shore of the lake in search of macaws, monkeys, and giant otters. At dusk, we head out to observe black caimans and enjoy the impressive starry Amazonian sky.
birdwatching, nocturnal wildlife, and first encounter with giant otters.
Includes: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Morning Wildlife and Walk in the Primary Rainforest
We wake up before dawn to enjoy a magical sunrise over the lake and look for giant otters at their most active. We observe birds such as the shansho and other aquatic species.
After breakfast, a guided walk through the primary rainforest reveals ancient trees and the unique ecosystem of the understory. In the afternoon, we visit another area of the lake where capuchin monkeys are common.
Close contact with wildlife and educational walks.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3: In-depth exploration of Amazonian biodiversity
This day is tailored to your interests: you can opt for a leisurely tour or a new morning expedition. After breakfast, you’ll learn about the traditional use of Amazonian medicinal plants on an interpretive hike.
During the afternoon, we cruise through more remote areas of the lake, ideal for seeing more wildlife, capturing stunning photos, and enjoying an unforgettable sunset over the waters of Lake Sandoval.
Medicinal plants, Amazon sunset, personalized exploration.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Return to Puerto Maldonado
A final sunrise excursion in search of giant otters and spectacular views of the lake. After breakfast, we return by boat and hike to the starting point. Upon arrival at the port, we transfer you to the Puerto Maldonado airport, from where you can fly to Cusco or Lima.
Final paddle through the flooded jungle, bidding farewell to the wildlife.
Includes: Breakfast.
What makes Lake Sandoval unique?
Privileged location within a protected natural area.
Abundance of wildlife active year-round.
Eco-lodge committed to conservation and sustainable tourism.
Guided by experts in Amazonian biodiversity and ethnobotany.
INCLUDED (NOT)
Included Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours
- Included in the Explore the Amazon Rainforest Tour
Professional naturalist guide throughout the tour
Motorboat transportation on the Madre de Dios River
All meals:
3 breakfasts
3 lunches
3 dinners
Drinking water during excursions
(Vegetarian option available at no additional cost — please request in advance)
Accommodation: 3 nights at Sandoval Lake Lodge
First aid kit: includes venom extractor, mosquito bite treatment, and antidote for snake bites
Radio communication in case of emergency
Rubber boots for jungle trekking
Not Included in the Explore Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours
- Domestic or international flights
Airport departure taxes
Vaccinations (Yellow Fever vaccination recommended)
Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day
Additional drinks (sodas, beers, etc.)
Tips to local staff
Entrance fee to the Sandoval Lake Reserve (See current rates)
What to bring on the Explore Luxury Amazon Rainforest Tours
- Important: We recommend bringing only the essentials in a small backpack.
- Large luggage can be safely stored at our office in Puerto Maldonado.
- Insect repellent (minimum 35% DEET)
Original passport
Small backpack
Long-sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green)
Long cotton pants
Long cotton socks (tucked into pants)
Comfortable hiking shoes
Sandals or lightweight shoes
Rain jacket or rain poncho
Sweater (especially if you’re coming from the Andes or passing through the cloud forest)
Swimwear
Binoculars (we also rent them)
Camera and charger
Plastic bags for wet clothes and electronic equipment
Hat or cap for sun/rain
Toiletry items
Small towel
Toilet paper
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Flashlight (with bulb and spare batteries)
Water bottle (minimum 1 liter)
Cash (in soles) for drinks, souvenirs, and tips
GALLERY LODGE
SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE –
Reserva Lago Sandoval
Lake Sandoval: A Natural Paradise in the Madre de Dios Rainforest, Peru
Lake Sandoval, located in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, is one of the most impressive ecotourism destinations in the Peruvian Amazon. This lake is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the rainforest and attracts thousands of travelers each year seeking nature, biodiversity, and adventure.
Why visit Lake Sandoval?
This wonderful crescent-shaped lake measures approximately 3 km long by 1 km wide and has a depth ranging from 0.5 to 3 meters. Its calm waters reach an average temperature of 26°C, ideal for aquatic life and contact with nature.
Flora and Fauna at Lake Sandoval
One of Lake Sandoval’s greatest attractions is its extraordinary biodiversity. Its waters are home to numerous species of fish, including the paiche (Arapaima gigas), one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, which can weigh up to 200 kilograms.
The lake’s natural environment is also home to a rich variety of Amazonian birds. It is estimated that there are more than 1,000 bird species, including both migratory and resident birds. Among the most fascinating species is the hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), known for its prehistoric appearance and unique habits.
Ecotourism Activities at Lake Sandoval
- Lake Sandoval is ideal for activities such as:
Bird and wildlife watching
Canoeing on the lake
Guided hikes through the jungle
Nature photography
Observing endemic flora and fauna
This destination is perfect for lovers of ecotourism, sustainable tourism, and adventure in the Peruvian jungle.
How to get to Lake Sandoval?
Access to Lake Sandoval is from the city of Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios. From there, you take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River and then a hike of approximately one hour through the jungle, allowing you to experience firsthand the Amazonian nature.













