Considering a day tour to Lake Sandoval in the Amazon Rainforest? Here’s my review based on my Lake Sandoval experience and what I’d recommend bringing.
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Intro
Just outside Puerto Maldonado, Peru, is one of the most magical places I’ve ever experienced: Lake Sandoval! Lake Sandoval is located within the Tambopata National Reserve, which is a boat ride down the Madre de Dios River from Puerto Maldonado. It’s not the biggest nor most famous lake, but rowing along its calm and peaceful water and observing wildlife was truly an unforgettable Amazon Jungle experience.
If you’re thinking about visiting Lake Sandoval during your time in Peru’s Amazon Rainforest, then this review will go over what it’s like to visit it.
Recommended Lake Sandoval Tours & Activities
Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Lake Sandoval tours, activities and attractions:
Lake Sandoval Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The Journey In
Just getting to Lake Sandoval was a memorable journey! You take a short boat ride down the Madre de Dios River, where you glide alongside the towering lush trees of the thick Rainforest.
Tambopata National Reserve
Then right at the Tambopata National Reserve, we disembarked and began a short 1.86 mile (3 km) jungle hike! The walkway is wooden and flat so you don’t have to walk on muddy ground (in case it rains), but you still get to experience walking through a lush, thick, and humid rainforest.
Once we started making our way to the lake, we immediately started hearing the yells of the howler monkeys! They do sound kinda of scary, so hopefully your guide will inform you what those sounds are to ease any fear. Ours told us right away lol.
On the way to the lake, our guide also pointed out unique plant species and gave us interesting information about everything we were seeing. A couple favorites of mine were the walking palm tree and the thorn palm tree.
At the end of the trail, there was a small public restroom (get your soap sheets and camp toilet paper ready) you can use before hopping on a small canoe.
Jungle Hike to Lake Sandoval • photos by Jeanie A
Canoe Through the Canals
The canoe seems like it could fit 6 people max (maybe?), but during our visit, it was just 3 of us to a single canoe: my partner, me, and our tour guide. The canoe was small but still felt big enough to hold us and our belongings.
Once we got in the canoe we glided through narrow canals completely surrounded by tall trees everywhere we looked. We were literally immersed in the Rainforest.
It wasn’t long before we saw the brightness of the lake and soon it opened up: Lake Sandoval. So peaceful. So vast. And so so beautiful.
Canoeing through canals to Lake Sandoval • photos by Jeanie A
Wildlife Encounters
If you’re hoping to see wildlife, then Lake Sandoval will definitely deliver! During our slow paddle across Lake Sandoval, we saw so much wildlife right at the edges of the lakes, and in the waters. Below are some of the memorable wildlife encounters we had during our time on the lake:
- Caiman peeking out and lurking in the waters
- Piranha-infested waters
- Capuchin monkeys searching for food in the trees
- Red Howler monkeys hanging out in the trees
- Squirrel Monkeys running through the treetops
- Bats lined up on a tree trunk
- Cute parakeets chilling on tree branches
- Colorful macaws flying across the skies
- Tiger Heron birdperching on our canoe to take a rest
- Hoatzins (aka stink birds) which became my favorite bird of the day due to its prehistoric look
So many memorable sightings, it felt like being in a nature documentary! Except it was real and we got to see amazing wildlife with our own two eyes.
Lake Sandoval animal sightings • photos by Jeanie A
Experience Peace & Quiet
An unexpected favorite part of our time on Lake Sandoval was just how peaceful and quiet it was. Since there are no motorized boats allowed on the lake, only row boats, you will get to hear the sounds of nature and nearby wildlife.
The water hitting the side of the canoe, the chirping of the birds, the howling of the monkeys, the rustling of the tress, and just the overall peace and calmness of it all – truly amazing. The stillness really allowed us to slow down and soak it all in, which is something I hardly ever get to experience in a busy, hectic and chaotic city life.
Peaceful Lake Sandoval • photos by Jeanie A
The Lodge Experience
Visitors can also stay at one of the nearby Amazon jungle lodges, such as the Corto Maltes Amazonia. I did and took a guided tour to the lake as part of the 3-Day Lake Sandoval Tour itinerary. These tours usually include not just visiting Lake Sandoval but also Amazon Rainforest treks and safaris, and a visit to a lookout tower and clay lick.
If you’re able to, I definitely recommend booking a multi-day tour that includes visiting Lake Sandoval. That way, you get to experience and immerse yourself even more in this iconic rainforest.
3-Day tour with Corto Maltes Amazon Lodge • photos by Jeanie A
Book with Corto Maltes Amazonia
To stay at the same Amazon Lodge I did, you can book your stay with Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge by clicking here, or search availability for your dates in the widget below:
What to Bring for Your Adventure
1. Lightweight Breathable Tops & Pants
I brought a long sleeve (as a coverup) and wore a tank top that were both breathable and made with synthetic material. These are essentials when out trekking through the hot and humid Amazon Jungle. Long Sleeves are better if you want to be covered up from brush and bugs, but tank top really helped with staying cooler. If you do decide to bring tank tops, do bring good bug repellant!
2. Light Rain Jacket or Poncho
Spontaneous heavy rains are common when in the Rainforest. So in case it rains during your visit, bring a light raincoat or poncho to keep you dry.
3. Bring Bug Repellant Spray And Lotion
The Amazon Rainforest is most famously home to TONS of mosquitos. So be prepared and bring sufficient Bug Repellant. We brought both a spray (mostly for the body) and a lotion (for the face and neck area) and they worked wonders for us! I can’t recommend the ones I got enough – linked below – because I came out the Amazon Rainforest nearly unscathed by mosquito bites and I wore TANK TOPS! We applied pretty frequently too so it’s best to go with full bottles.
5. Hiking Shoes
You will have to walk to reach Lake Sandoval, so be sure to bring good hiking shoes with good ankle support, good sole grip, are waterproof, and that you’re already comfortable walking in.
6. Sun Hat
Bringing a hat is a must to protect your head from any falling leaves or brush from the trees above. Additionally, it will help protect you from the sun when you’re out on the open lake waters.
7. Personal Fan
It is hot and humid out in the Amazon Jungle, so a personal fan is essential. I brought a neck fan that simply hung around my neck and blew air up to my face. This also helps keep the bugs away from your face too! But be sure to minimize the fan sounds and keep it on the lowest setting if possible. I brought the below fan with me and used it all the time:
8. Binoculars
A pair of binoculars is super useful to spot wildlife in the trees. Just keep an eye out for any movement as you scan through the treetops and search the branches.
9. Camera with a Zoom Lens
Capture all the breathtaking moments of your Amazon Jungle adventure with a high-quality camera. Be sure to bring extra memory cards, batteries or its charger and a power bank. These items made sure I didn’t miss any incredible photo opportunities. To photograph wildlife from afar, I also had a zoom lens, which is extremely useful to capture amazing close-up shots.
10. Reusable Water Bottle
On every Amazon trek you take, bring water!!! Keep yourself hydrated while hiking since dehydration hits faster when out in jungle heat.
11. Portable Charger / Power Bank
You will use your camera phone and camera a TON while out on the lake to capture all the amazing wildlife you see. So to keep your devices charged, bring a portable charger and power bank to ensure you can continue capture unforgettable moments.
Final Words: Absolutely Worth It!
Lake Sandoval is teeming with wildlife and biodiversity. But in the midst of the wild animals is a calm and peaceful lake you’re sure to remember. If you’re in Puerto Maldonado and want to experience the Peruvian Amazon, then Lake Sandoval should be a no-brainer. I hope this Lake Sandoval review urges you to carve time out to visit Lake Sandoval.
Been to Lake Sandoval before?
Share your favorite moments in the comments below!
(peruvian spanish “thank you!”)
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