Nature Travel 2days / 1 night

DETAILED ITINERARY:

2-Day / 1-Night Sandoval Lake Nature Tour from Puerto Maldonado

Experience the Amazon rainforest on a 2-day, 1-night Sandoval Lake nature tour from Puerto Maldonado. Travel by motorized boat along the Madre de Dios River, hike through the protected rainforest of the Tambopata region, explore Sandoval Lake by canoe, and look for giant river otters, caimans, monkeys, macaws, parrots, frogs, tarantulas, and hundreds of species of Amazonian birds.

This short Amazon jungle tour is ideal for travelers who want an immersive rainforest experience without committing to a longer jungle expedition. With a knowledgeable naturalist guide, you will explore both the waterways and primary rainforest surrounding Sandoval Lake and learn about the plants, wildlife, and ecosystems of the Peruvian Amazon.

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado – Madre de Dios River – Sandoval Lake

Your 2-day Amazon rainforest adventure begins in Puerto Maldonado. We will pick you up from the airport or bus terminal and take you to our office, where you can check in and leave any large luggage that you do not need during the excursion.

We recommend bringing only a small backpack with your personal belongings for the jungle trip.

Boat trip along the Madre de Dios River

From our office, we transfer to the main port and board a motorized boat for a scenic journey along the Madre de Dios River toward the Sandoval Lake area.

Keep your eyes open along the riverbanks. Depending on conditions and the season, you may spot turtles, birds, lizards, monkeys, caimans, and other Amazon wildlife.
Hike through the Amazon rainforest

After reaching the entrance checkpoint to the Sandoval Lake Reserve, we begin a hike of approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) through the rainforest. The walk takes around 1.5 hours, although the pace varies depending on wildlife sightings and trail conditions.

Your naturalist guide will make stops along the way to explain the rainforest ecosystem and help you identify plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

The trail eventually leads to a small port, where we board a traditional paddle or rowing canoe and continue toward our jungle lodge.

Lunch and wildlife watching on Sandoval Lake

After settling into your private room and enjoying lunch, we return to Sandoval Lake by rowing canoe to explore its peaceful waters and search for some of the Amazon’s most fascinating wildlife.

Possible sightings include:

Giant river otters ,Black caimans ,Hoatzins, also known as the prehistoric-looking shansho, bird , Herons ,Cormorants, Kingfishers , Turtles
Various species of monkeys and other rainforest wildlife

As we paddle through the lake, your guide will explain the behavior, adaptations, and ecological importance of the species we encounter.

Amazon sunset

As the afternoon comes to an end, we enjoy the changing colors of the Amazonian sky from our canoe. The peaceful atmosphere of Sandoval Lake at sunset offers excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife observation.

We then return to the lodge for dinner.

Night walk and nocturnal wildlife

After dinner, we head back out into the rainforest for a night wildlife excursion.

The darkness reveals an entirely different side of the Amazon. With the help of your guide and a flashlight, we search for nocturnal wildlife such as caimans, frogs, toads, insects, tarantulas, turtles, nocturnal birds, and other creatures that become active after sunset.

We may also have the opportunity to look for nocturnal monkeys and other mammals.

Your naturalist guide will explain how these animals have adapted to life in the rainforest at night and how their behavior differs from that of daytime species.

We return to the lodge and spend the night in our private accommodation.

Overnight: Jungle Lodge near Sandoval Lake

Day 2: Sandoval Lake – Amazon Rainforest – Puerto Maldonado

Wake up to the sounds of birds calling through the rainforest before enjoying breakfast at the lodge.

After breakfast, we board our rowing canoe and continue exploring the Sandoval Lake ecosystem.

Palm swamps and Amazon parrots

One of the morning’s highlights is a visit to an area known as Collpa de Palmeras, a palm-rich wetland where several species of parrots and macaws may gather.

The palms produce fruits that provide an important food source for Amazonian birds and other wildlife. Your guide will explain the ecological role of these palm forests and the relationships between the plants and animals that depend on them.

Explore the primary rainforest

We then continue our exploration on foot through the primary Amazon rainforest.

The forest contains an incredible diversity of trees and plants, including Brazil nut trees—locally known as castaña—which are an important natural resource for communities in the region.

Your naturalist guide will introduce you to some of the medicinal and culturally important plants found in the rainforest. Depending on what is encountered along the trail, these may include plants traditionally known as ayahuasca, chacruna, canacaña, sacha garlic, huayo sugar, chuchuhuasi, and copaiba.

The guide will explain their traditional uses and their role in local Amazonian culture and ecology.

Monkeys and rainforest wildlife

The rainforest is also home to a remarkable variety of mammals and other wildlife. During the hike, we may encounter species such as:

Brown capuchin monkeys ,Squirrel monkeys ,Howler monkeys ,Dusky titi monkeys ,Lion tamarins ,Sloths, Armadillos, Agoutis, Tarantulas ,Frogs and toads .A wide variety of insects and birds

Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable, as the Amazon is a living ecosystem. Our guides will use their knowledge of animal behavior, tracks, calls, and feeding areas to maximize opportunities for observation.

After the rainforest exploration, we return to the lodge for lunch.

Return to Puerto Maldonado

After lunch, we pack our belongings and begin the return journey.

We first paddle across the lake by canoe and then walk back to the reserve checkpoint. From there, we board our motorized boat and navigate along the Madre de Dios River back toward Puerto Maldonado.

Upon arrival, we stop at our office so you can collect your luggage before continuing to the airport or bus terminal.

Your 2-day, 1-night Sandoval Lake Amazon tour ends in Puerto Maldonado.

OUR SERVICES:

Included in the  Tour Nature Travel:

• A professional Naturalist Tour Guide ;
• Motorboat transportation.
• Meals: 1x Breakfast, 1x Lunch, 1x Dinner and drinking water lodge (Please note: vegetarian option upon request for no extra cost!) ;
• Accommodation: 1 nights in lodge ;
• First aid kit,
• Radio communications .
• Rubber boots  .

Not included in the Tour Nature Travel.

• Travel Any flight nor airport departure taxes ;
• Travel insurance;
• Vaccination.
• Breakfast on the first day and last day Lunch in the  trips;
• Drinks;
• Tips to local staff.
•  Entrance Fee to reserved  .

What You Need to Bring in the Travel  Jungle.

• Mosquito repellent (DEET 35 recommended as a MINIMUM!!) in the travel ,
• Original passport.
• Small backpack hikking .
• Long sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green coloured),
• Long cotton trousers,
• Cotton long socks (to be put into your trousers),
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Sandals or light shoes in the travel,
• Rain gear (e.g. rain poncho) .
• Swimsuit;
• Binoculars (we also rent it) .
• Camera and its charger,
• Plastic bags to be used for clothes and a camera .
• A hat as a protection against the Sun or rain  .
• Toiletries,
• Small towel,
• Toilet paper,
• Sunscreen,
• Sunglasses,
• Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries).
• A bottled water (1 litre as a minimum)  .
• Pocket money (Soles) to buy some beverages and souvenirs as well as to tip.

PHOTO GALLERY OF THE SHELTER:

Casa Sandoval Lodge

(Sandoval Lake Reserved )

Travel map of Rainforest Nature .

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why Choose a 2-Day Amazon Jungle Tour?

A 2-day / 1-night Amazon tour is a great option for travelers with limited time in Puerto Maldonado who still want to experience the rainforest beyond a simple day trip.

The itinerary combines river travel, rainforest hiking, canoe exploration, wildlife watching, a night excursion, and an overnight stay in the jungle. This gives you the opportunity to experience the Amazon during both daylight and nighttime hours.

For travelers interested in Sandoval Lake tours from Puerto Maldonado, this itinerary provides a compact but immersive introduction to one of the region’s most remarkable rainforest environments.

TRAVEL GUIDE:

Tambopata Reserve Center – Nature Trips in the Peruvian Amazon

Discover the Tambopata National Reserve

The Tambopata National Reserve is one of the most spectacular destinations for wildlife, rainforest exploration, bird watching, and nature travel in Peru. Located in the Madre de Dios region of southeastern Peru, the reserve protects an extraordinary variety of Amazonian ecosystems, including lowland rainforest, rivers, oxbow lakes, wetlands, and seasonally flooded forests.

Together with neighboring protected areas such as Bahuaja-Sonene National Park and the broader Amazonian conservation landscape extending toward Manu National Park and Bolivia’s Madidi region, Tambopata forms part of an exceptionally important biological corridor.

The Tambopata region is particularly attractive for travelers who want to experience the Amazon while observing wildlife in its natural habitat. Guided rainforest trips can include excursions along jungle trails and rivers, visits to lakes such as Sandoval Lake, wildlife observation, bird watching, photography, and opportunities to learn about Amazonian plants and traditional knowledge.

A Rainforest Rich in Biodiversity

The Amazon rainforest is the result of millions of years of biological evolution. Its extraordinary biodiversity is supported by a complex ecological system in which plants, fungi, bacteria, insects, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and countless other organisms interact continuously.

Although much of the Amazon rainforest grows on soils that are relatively poor in nutrients, the forest has developed an efficient natural cycle. Leaves, branches, fruits, and other organic matter decompose rapidly, returning nutrients to the ecosystem. Fungi, bacteria, insects, and other organisms play an essential role in this process.

The result is a constantly changing forest in which plants compete for sunlight, water, nutrients, and space. In some areas of the Amazon, hundreds of plant species can occur within a single hectare.

Scientists continue to discover and document new species in the Amazon, and the full biological richness of the rainforest is still not completely understood. The region supports an extraordinary diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, butterflies, insects, and plant species.

Wildlife of the Tambopata Rainforest

One of the main reasons travelers visit Tambopata is the opportunity to observe Amazonian wildlife in a protected environment.

Depending on the season, location, weather, and luck, visitors may encounter:

• Monkeys moving through the rainforest canopy
• Caimans along rivers and lakes
• Turtles and other aquatic wildlife
• Colorful tropical birds
• Macaws and parrots
• Butterflies and other insects
• Amphibians and reptiles
• Sloths and other rainforest mammals
• Native trees, palms, medicinal plants, and other vegetation

Sandoval Lake is especially popular for wildlife observation. Its surrounding rainforest provides habitat for numerous species and offers excellent opportunities for nature

photography and bird watching.

You do not need to be a professional naturalist to enjoy the experience. A knowledgeable local guide can help identify animals, explain their behavior, and introduce visitors to the ecological relationships that make the rainforest such a remarkable environment.

Bird Watching and Wildlife Photography

Tambopata is an excellent destination for bird watching and wildlife photography. The combination of rivers, lakes, rainforest, palm habitats, and mature forest creates opportunities to observe many different species.

Early-morning excursions are often particularly rewarding because the forest becomes active as birds and other animals begin feeding. Depending on the itinerary, travelers may explore trails, waterways, lakes, and observation areas with a local naturalist guide.

For photographers, the Amazon offers subjects ranging from colorful birds and butterflies to monkeys, reptiles, ancient trees, flowers, and dramatic rainforest landscapes.

The Fragile Balance of the Amazon

The extraordinary biodiversity of the Amazon depends on a delicate relationship between its plants, animals, rivers, soil, climate, and microorganisms.

When a species disappears or an important habitat is damaged, the effects can extend throughout the ecosystem. Deforestation, illegal hunting, uncontrolled resource extraction, habitat fragmentation, and other forms of environmental pressure can threaten the long-term health of the rainforest.

Protecting the Amazon therefore means protecting much more than individual species. It means preserving the interconnected ecological systems that support life throughout the region.

Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation

For generations, Indigenous peoples of the Amazon have developed extensive knowledge of the forest and its resources. Traditional knowledge includes understanding medicinal plants, food sources, wildlife behavior, seasonal changes, and ways of using forest resources.

Sustainable use of natural resources and respect for the environment are important elements of many Indigenous traditions. Today, local communities also play an important role in conservation, tourism, environmental education, and sustainable economic development.

Responsible tourism can contribute to these efforts by creating local employment and providing income while encouraging the protection of forests and wildlife.

Protected Areas in the Peruvian Amazon

Peru has established extensive protected areas to conserve its Amazonian ecosystems and biodiversity. Among the most important are Tambopata National Reserve, Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, and Manu National Park.

These protected areas help conserve forests, rivers, wildlife habitats, and important ecological corridors. Conservation programs involving government agencies, local communities, researchers, conservation organizations, and responsible tourism operators have contributed to protecting threatened habitats and species.

For visitors, traveling with responsible local operators and following park regulations is an important part of helping protect the rainforest.

Amazon Rainforest Tours in Tambopata

A Tambopata rainforest tour offers more than simply seeing wildlife. It is an opportunity to experience one of the world’s most complex ecosystems and learn how its many forms of life depend on one another.

A typical nature-focused itinerary may include:

• Jungle walks with a naturalist guide
• Wildlife observation
• Bird watching
• Canoe or boat excursions
• Sandoval Lake visits
• Caiman observation
• Rainforest photography
• Observation of medicinal plants and native vegetation
• Sunrise and sunset experiences
• Educational talks about Amazonian ecology and conservation

Each excursion is different because wildlife encounters in the rainforest are naturally unpredictable. This is part of what makes an Amazon journey special.

Experience the Amazon with Trips Nature

Trips Nature offers travelers the opportunity to explore the Tambopata rainforest while learning about its wildlife, plants, ecosystems, and conservation importance.

Whether your main interest is Amazon wildlife, bird watching, nature photography, rainforest exploration, or experiencing the Peruvian Amazon, Tambopata provides an unforgettable setting for an authentic nature adventure.

The rainforest is not simply a destination to visit. It is a living ecosystem that supports an extraordinary variety of life and plays an important role in the health of our planet.

A responsible journey through Tambopata allows visitors to discover this remarkable environment while contributing to the continued appreciation and protection of the Amazon rainforest.