Lake Sandoval Tours 5 Days, Tambopata National Reserve

When you arrive at the airport, our team will meet you and welcome you. They will give you a hand with your luggage and take you over to the offices of the Tambopata National Reserve where you will register. Then you will head over to the port where you will board your launch for the ride on the river to your Sandoval Lake Eco Lodge. In order to get to Sandoval Lake Lodge Peru you will head upriver on the Lower Madre de Dios. Upon landing, you will have an easy 30 minute walk through the forest to reach the Lodge itself. Upon arriving at the Sandoval Lake Lodge, you will check in and take a break before lunch is served. After lunch, your adventure on the lake begins.

We will go out on our own boat, and have a rowing course. For this you don´t really need to be in great shape. Around the lake you will be able to see some of the greatest biodiversity in the world, all in its natural environment. If you are feeling hot, you will be able to jump into this magic lake and cool off. In the evening you can witness some the most beautiful sunsets in all the jungle. Our adventure continues after dark. You will ride in our boat to the mouth of the river to see the caimans, the nocturnal birds, and the capibaras, which are the largest rodents in the world. Then we will return to the Lodge, have a good supper, and turn in for the night.

At dawn we will head out across the main river and hike to the confluence of a nearby smaller river. Here we will be able to see lots and lots of parrots and other birds at the salt lick. Salt licks are of vital importance for the birds of the jungle. By ingesting the clay which contains important minerals, the birds are able to maintain their perfect metabolism and arrest the poisonous effects of the fruits that they eat. On our hike to and from the salt lick we can observe more exotic birds like toucans, and also bands of monkeys.
There will be plenty of strange insect life, brightly plumed tropical birds, and new species of plants and animals. Breakfast will be served when we return to the Lodge, and the rest of the day you will have free time to relax or wander about and explore.

Optional Tour. During your free time you might want to partake in one of the several adventure sports that are available. You could try zip-lining, or trekking over to the bridge that is constructed up in the canopy, river rafting, or kayaking. You could visit our friends, the primates. They are usually more than happy to receive human visitors, especially when you bring them snacks. The adventure sports here at Sandoval are adrenalin filled and are sure be long remembered. These are optional activities and they require at least 2 participants. When your activities are over, you´ll return to the Lodge and perhaps enjoy the opportunity to have an intercultural exchange with the folks who live in this area and with the members of our team. Weather permitting, we can build a bonfire at night and enjoy the sounds of the jungle and the sight of the stars before going to bed.

While you are in the jungle at Tambopata, it is customary to wake up to the sounds of the howler monkeys, the parakeets, and other birds at dawn. Before starting out on our early morning tour, we will enjoy a cup of delicious coffee with milk or some tea. Then we will head out to explore the narrow trails leading to the Tambopata River. We will have the opportunity to observe the local wildlife, such as: capibaras, jaguars, turtles, and caimans.

Soon we will are arrive at the salt lick at Chunchos where we will be able to observe different species of macaws, parrots, and parakeets. They all like to congregate in greater and greater numbers as the morning progresses. Here the birds all come for one reason. They need the minerals which the clay supplies. With these minerals, they can enjoy perfect digestion. If you like to take photos, this is the place where you will have a wonderful opportunity to photograph brilliantly plumed tropical parrots and macaws. We recommend that you bring along a high quality camera and a long-distance lens. (400 mm. minimum).

Culminating our morning activities will be breakfast back at the Lodge. After breakfast we can go on another hike to the shore of the Tambopata and see more wildlife and new plants. Then it will be time for lunch and a peaceful siesta. Later in the afternoon we could visit a local plantation or return to the river and go fishing or swimming.

On the second-to-the-last day of our tour we will start out with breakfast at the Lodge. Together with a guide who is expert in the local flora and fauna, we will enjoy a spectacular day along the rivers, lakes, and salt licks of the Tambopata National Reserve. We will get an early start and in that way you will better appreciate the great variety of wildlife, and you will also avoid the hottest part of the day. It is a good idea to walk slowly. You will see more wildlife that way. We will hope to see the giant nutria, the black caimans, and perhaps even an anaconda. There are quite a few species here that are accustomed to human presence.

After our hike we will return to the Lodge for a break in our hammock and eat a great lunch. Then we´ll have the afternoon free to explore around the Lodge. Finally, at night, after a delicious dinner, we can track down the caimans on the shore of the river. We will be led by our expert guide who will help us enjoy this fantastic night. The guide will show us where to look. You will have to have a sharp eye to pick out the caimans camouflaged on the muddy shore.

After your Amazon style breakfast there will be some free time. Then we will board our boat that will carry us back to the city of Puerto Maldonado. Along the way we can take some final photos of the exuberant vegetation. Upon arriving in the city, we will go right to the airport. Your Travel 1 representative will meet you there, and he will have all of your luggage with him. You can board your plane to Cusco or to Lima. There you can begin your next adventure. You will be carrying with you all the memories, illusions, fulfilled dreams, and above all, the positive energy that will enable you to better explore our world.