Travels to Sandoval Lake .

 Travels to Sandoval Lake

Amazon Peru into the rich biodiversity of Northern Peru, highlighting it as one of the world’s 10 mega-diverse countries. This designation is attributed to its vast array of ecosystems, species, genetic resources, and cultural heritage. Northern Peru’s geographical diversity encompasses the Pacific coast, dry forest, Andean mountains, cloud forest, and the Amazon Basin, making it a hotspot for biodiversity enthusiasts and researchers alike

 Travels to Sandoval Lake .

Extraordinary Travels to Sandoval Lake -sights, colors, and sounds surround you on this true ecoadventure in the Amazon Basin of southeastern Peru—from river shore to treetops. From your base in a comfortable and

contemporary lodge, you explore the rainforest on foot, by canoe, and suspended safely in the treetop canopy, as you

learn about the incredible diversity of the Tambopata National Reserve, a conserved area the size of Connecticut that’s home to 600 species of birds, 200 mammal species, and 1,200 butterfly species! Part of an even larger

protected corridor running from central Peru to central Bolivia that is home to over 40 ethnic groups, this is a perfect

place to learn about the Amazon’s biodiversity and the efforts to protect this vast and precious region.

Arrival in Puerto Maldonado and transfer :

Upon arrival of your flight into Puerto Maldonado, the gateway city to Peru’s Amazon Basin, you are met and check

in for your stay at your lodge’s airport welcome center, the Sandoval Lake. From the boarding wharf, you are

immediately immersed in the rainforest ecosystem, as a 45-minute boat ride along the Madre de Dios River brings

you to Sandoval Lake Reserve Amazonica lodge. After a short briefing, you settle into your beautiful cabana and

enjoy lunch in the dining room. Relaxing from the heat of the day with a siesta, you emerge for a refreshing tea time

and afternoon excursion. After gathering with your private guide, you can choose from 14 different excursions offered at the lodge.

Oxbow lakes, focusing specifically on their presence in Amazonia.

It begins by explaining the process of oxbow lake formation, emphasizing the role of meandering rivers and erosion in creating these distinctive water bodies. Over time, oxbow lakes evolve, gradually filling with sediment and transforming into wetlands or marshes. Vegetation thrives along their banks, providing habitats for diverse plant and animal species.

Lake Sandoval is highlighted as a prime example of an Amazonian oxbow lake,

noted for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The lush surroundings, featuring Moriche Palm trees, orchids, and giant water lilies, contribute to its allure. Visitors to Lake Sandoval have the opportunity to witness a plethora of flora and fauna in their natural environment, with a particular mention of the endangered Giant River Otters that inhabit the lake. Other notable species include Black Caimans, Scarlet Macaws, Hoatzins, and various monkeys. This portrayal not only underscores the ecological significance of oxbow lakes but also highlights the unique experiences they offer to those who explore them.

Travels to Sandoval Lake .

Highly recommended on this first day is a guided walk along the lodge-Travels to Sandoval Lake .

Travels to Sandoval Lake . Amazonica natural area—a 42,008-acre private reserve adjacent to the Tambopata Nature Reserve, the “Biodiversity Capital of Peru”. An excellent introduction to the forest environment, the trail winds past exotic trees—such as the super-tall shihuahuacos and the strangely shaped strangler figs—and your guide points out numerous birds and exotic insects.

Later, on your first night, a twilight river excursion is suggested—a guided boat ride on the Madre de Dios river. You can witness the transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal world; animals and birds of the daytime give way to species welladapted to the night. While learning about their behavior, you search for nightjars, owls, capybaras, and up to three different caiman species.

Dinner is served in the main dining room from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and afterwards you may retire early to your private cabana, or share your rainforest experience with other guests and interpreters in the Amazon pavilion’s lounge, as you listen to the intriguing sounds of the jungle at night.

Amazonica, Tambopata National Reserve:

An award-winning jungle lodge that combines luxury with simplicity is centered around its main pavilion with oversized windows, a spacious dining room, and inviting lounges constructed of local materials with cutting-edge design and technology. Connected by raised walkways, private cabanas—inspired by native Amazon design—offer screened porches and hammocks, ceiling fans, warm water in private bathrooms, canopy mosquito netting, and ample amenities such as plush robes, quality bedding, umbrellas, and rainforest-rubber slippers, to name a few. The on-site spa offers a range of treatments using local products. The kitchen creatively uses fresh ingredients in local and international dishes; and cocktails can be enjoyed on the first-floor bar or comfortable lounge couches.

Travels to Sandoval Lake Lodge – Tambopata Lodge:

You can wake up when you wish—breakfast begins at 5:30 a.m. for early risers who want to avoid the heat—and enjoy nature at its fullest. This morning’s suggested excursion is a visit to Sandoval Lake Lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve. With your guide, you board a wooden long canoe and glide across the mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, and black caimans.

Returning to the lodge for lunch, in the afternoon you can visit the remarkable Sandoval Lake Lodge Canopy Walkway. In partnership with National Geographic, Sandoval Lake Lodge has created one of South America’s most extensive and safest canopy walkways: suspended at about 100 feet, in the crowns of the tallest trees, are seven hanging bridges. Ascending the first of two towers, you enter the treetop realm. For more than a quarter mile, you literally walk through the rainforest canopy on the suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms.

During this hour-and-a-half expedition, species to look for are colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys, and sloths. If you wish, you may extend your excursion and watch the sunset from one of the towers.

This evening, back at the lodge, you can enjoy the daily nature presentation in the Eco Center and then happy hour, followed by a dinner of carefully prepared local cuisine.

Amazon Rainforest Guided Excursions:

This morning, you can set off on a trip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the lodge. For one and a half hours, you follow the rainforest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to piranha, caiman, turtles, and birds, all the way to the Sanipanga landing point. You then navigate back downstream, observing the abundant flora and fauna along the way. Continuing to Gamitana Farm, a short, guided tour introduces you to local farmers who demonstrate how they grow fruits and vegetables in this lush environment. After lunch at the lodge, a trip to Hacienda Concepcion reveals over 200 different plant species and the many uses and benefits of much of this local flora.

Follow this up with a 30-minute canoe trip to look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars, and exotic herons. You may also wish to indulge in one of the many treatments offered at the lodge’s river-view spa, perhaps perfectly timed at sunset.

Later, for your last night, a “Rainforest by Night” excursion takes you through the Sandoval Lake Lodge Ecological Reserve for approximately two hours. You can experience the mystery of the animal activity and unique species that awaken in the rainforest only after dark, creating an amazing symphony of nocturnal forest sounds.

Departure from the Amazon Rainforest and transfer to Puerto Maldonado:

After your last full breakfast at the lodge, a 45-minute trip by boat along the Madre de Dios River returns you to Puerto Maldonado, where you may have time to visit the Sandoval Lake Lodge. Peru boasts the greatest variety of butterflies in the world, with 3,700 known species, and many of these can be seen at the Butterfly House, a showcase for the variety, beauty, and adaptability of these fascinating insects.

Note: The order of activities may and can be changed or cancelled based on weather.