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Sandoval Lake

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Sandoval Lake in Tambopata National Reserve

The Tambopata National Reserve was officially created on September 4, 2000. A visit to this national reserve will allow you to discover a wide variety of flora and fauna, which summarize part of the biodiversity of Peru.

Sandoval Lake is located in the Tambopata National Reserve, with an area of almost 3000 square kilometers where the flora and fauna are the true protagonists. The Reserve is located in the department of Madre de Dios, south of the city of Puerto Maldonado.

In the northern area of Tambopata, very close to this city and the Madre de Dios River, you can visit Sandoval Lake, a body of water three kilometers long and one kilometer wide that is one of the great jewels of the National Reserve.

Sandoval Lake is a wonder for the eyes and the senses: its waters, surrounded by aguaje palm trees (a very delicious fruit), countless amounts of fish live in its rivers.

A hidden paradise in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon

The perfect opportunity to spend a few days outdoors, always surrounded by nature, Sandoval Lake is presented as the perfect destination to live unforgettable adventures.

You can do your adventure by boat through more than 3 thousand square kilometers of natural water and jungle. This beautiful natural area is surrounded by the sounds of various species of animals, such as black alligators and turtles. In addition to the birds in the area

Trekking is a very popular activity in Sandoval, offering lovers of extensive walks a series of routes that extend throughout the area, with a special attraction in bird and monkey watching.

If you want to live a complete experience in Sandoval Lake, you have to do it accompanied by your local guide, since they know each trail perfectly. In addition, night walks are carried out, reserved only for more experienced visitors.

What to do in Sandoval Lake?

If you want to have a relaxing vacation, Sandoval Lake is the perfect place. But not all that awaits you in this destination is lying in a hammock to enjoy the landscape and not thinking about anything, since in the lake and its surroundings you can do various activities. Here we tell you some of the best things to do inSandoval Lake

To have a complete tour of Sandoval Lake you must take a boat ride while enjoying the landscape, the sounds of nature and the company of black alligators and turtles will make you feel in total freedom.

Hikes around Sandoval Lake

When you visit the jungle it is always very exciting to travel its paths on your own foot. You will be able to see various animals moving freely from tree to tree and you will discover the most secret corners of the enigmatic Amazon.

Of course, whenever you enter the jungle you will have to do so accompanied by a guide, since they know all the paths and will be able to take you and bring you back without any problem.

Night Walks through Sandoval Lake

A walk through the jungle is one of the best options to experience a walk accompanied by the starry sky. You will enter the night of the Amazon, with millions of sounds around you that you don’t know where they come from and with the mystery of not knowing the animals that are accompanying you on this adventure. You dare? Of course, this is an excursion only suitable for the most intrepid.

Monkey Island

An essential stop on the way to Sandoval Lakel is Monkey Island, an entertaining place where different species of this animal coexist in total harmony with nature. The friendly monkeys will walk next to you and, without any shame, will climb on your back to accompany you on this path. Go with your camera in hand because you will want to immortalize that moment!

Enjoy a good paiche

The paiche is one of the fish that lives in Sandoval Lake and a very important ingredient in the cuisine of this region. Since traveling is also about knowing the gastronomy of each place, do not hesitate, when you visit Sandoval Lake choose something prepared with paiche at meal time and delight in the deliciousness of this dish.

Panoramic views of Sandoval Lake

One of the most beautiful experiences near Sandoval Lake is being able to observe the entire jungle with a panoramic view. To do this, a few years ago they built a bridge 30 meters high where you can appreciate the immensity of the lake and its surroundings. At Amazon Garden Lodge we visit the suspension bridge on our 3-day tour to Sandoval Lake

The Wildlife of Sandoval Lake

Sandoval Lake gives you the opportunity to see the great variety of fauna, in addition to the large number of monkeys that frolic in the trees. Some of them are completely unknown to tourists, for example, the hoátzines or the giant otter, so always go with your eyes wide open, because you don’t know when you will find a new species around you.

A wide variety of birds live in this habitat such as cormorants, toucans, macaws, among others. There are also tapirs, turtles and otters or river lions, as well as various species of lizards.

Dimensions of Sandoval Lake

It is about 3 km long, 1 km wide and up to 3 m deep. Its waters have an average temperature of 26 ºC and have great ichthyological wealth. Within its flora there are orchids, platanillos, ungurahuis, lupuna, mahogany and Mauritanian palm trees up to 30 m high.

What will I see in Sandoval Lake?

In addition to the lake life, the surrounding rainforest is home to different types of monkeys, sloths and has a breeding area for colorful macaw parrots. These animals, especially monkeys, visit the lake shore regularly. Therefore, you are sure to see a wide variety of exotic animals on your excursion to Sandoval Lake

The surroundings of Sandoval, and the reason why it is such an attractive area, is due in part to the great abundance of Mauritia palm trees, which form swampy areas called aguajales. These trees create a fantastic backdrop for the lake and provide habitat for a large number of animals and plants.

Sandoval Lake
Sandoval Lake

The variety of marine fauna is another of the characteristics of the place with 6,500 species of fish, among them the famous paiche, a select ingredient in the highest regional cuisine due to its delicate and tender meat.

As for the flora, you will be surprised by the immense trees thousands of years old, such as the lupuna, which is characterized by its enormous leaves, the chestnut, the cedars and many forest species. These provide shelter to many species of animals, forming a balance between the flora and fauna of the Peruvian jungle.

How to get to Sandoval Lake

As we always recommend at Amazon Garden Lodge, to visit the jungle it is best to do so with a specialized guide. Being such an unknown place, the paths can be confusing and it is difficult to know where to continue.

Be that as it may, the route to Sandoval Lake is an adventure that mixes landscapes that will leave you breathless and a great diversity of means of transportation that you will have to take to reach this destination.

First, you will have to go by plane to the city of Puerto Maldonado (if you are in Cusco, you can also do it by bus). Once here, you must go to the port to take a boat and travel along the Madre de Dios River in an easterly direction for 30 minutes. Finally, you will arrive at the starting point of a walk of about an hour that will take you to the shores of the lake.

To make your visit a great experience, at Amazon Garden Lodge we have a Full Day tour to Sandoval Lake, a 2-day tour to Sandoval Lake, and even 3 and 4 day tours. If you want more information, we recommend taking a look at all our activities and excursions in Puerto Maldonado.

For those who have never visited the jungle, for those who already know it and want to delve deeper into it… Sandoval Lake is a destination for all tastes. Add it to your list of places to visit in Peru and start planning your next trip!

 

 

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