Sandoval Lake Lodge, part of the Tropical Nature conservation system (Our Mission), is the only full-service lodge located in the wildlife-rich Tambopata National Reserve in Peru. With the variety of lake and forest fauna, it is easy to see how Sandoval Lake lodge was named by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the eight best lodges in the Amazon Basin with "... a reputation for its great food ... its setting ... and for its wildlife" (December 2002).

Situated on a bluff overlooking Sandoval Lake, this 25-room lodge is a partnership between Tropical Nature and five Brazil nut-gathering families. It was built to protect the Giant Otters and other endangered wildlife that inhabit the lake and surrounding forest.

Giant Otters
Sandoval Lake has one of the largest, and most accessible, populations of endangered Giant Otters in Peru. Once widespread throughout South America, the Giant Otter was hunted nearly to extinction and is now one of the most vulnerable mammals on the continent. Yet Sandoval Lake has a thriving and healthy population, and from the comfort and stability of catamarans these powerful predators can be observed as they fish and frolic in the lake.

More Wildlife

Sandoval Lake Lodge's location gives instant access to lake wildlife during the cool hours of golden light after dawn and before dusk. No other lodge in the region has such a privileged location, nor offers such unique access at all times of day to wildlife viewing on an Amazonian lake.

Enormous Black Caiman and 10-foot-long Paichi, the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world, join the otters as residents of the lake. From a stable catamaran platform, guests have the opportunity to see these, as well as a host of colorful birdlife, as they are paddled around the lake.

Drift through a flooded forest of 100-foot-tall Mauritia palms, as large groups of Red-bellied Macaws swirl overhead in a cacophony of sound. Watch playful Brown Capuchin and Titi monkeys as they forage through the palms along the edge of the lake, and groups of 50 or more Squirrel Monkeys as they chatter and leap through the trees above. And after the sun sets, experience the nocturnal life of the lake beneath a star-filled sky as the Black Caiman emerge to hunt on the lake.

In addition to the thrilling biodiversity on Sandoval Lake, no visit to the Lodge is complete without a guided hike on the 15 miles of rainforest trails. Expert naturalist guides bring the rainforest to life with vivid explanations of the ecology and natural history of the area as the trails are explored in search of the six species of monkeys and hundreds of species of birds that fill the forest.

Accommodations

Two wings stretch from a large central hall, one with ten double rooms and the other with 15 double rooms. These 25 rooms include:

• Private bathrooms with hot water showers and flush toilets
• Screened windows and mosquito nets
• Electric lights, fan and 220V outlet (available in the early morning and evening only)

Meals are served in the large, thatched-roof central hall that houses the dining room, bar and hammock-filled reading area. The lodge chefs prepare a variety of international and Peruvian dishes using fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Vegetarian and other special diets can be provided upon request.

A selection of chilled non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages is available in the bar.

How to Get There

Puerto Maldonado is the gateway to Sandoval Lake Lodge and is serviced by daily jet flights from Lima and Cusco. The lodge is a 35-minute journey by motorized canoe down the Madre de Dios River to the Sandoval Lake Lodge trailhead. From here, it is a 45-minute walk down a wide forest trail to a lush canal where you begin the 30-minute paddle across the lake to the lodge.

Booking

Prices are per person and based on a minimum of two people traveling together. Trips depart daily. Rates include:

• Roundtrip transportation from Puerto Maldonado airport to Sandoval Lake Lodge
• Private rooms with private bathrooms
• All meals and snacks
• Purified drinking water and juices
• Bilingual naturalist guide
• All rainforest and lake excursions
• Tambopata National Reserve entrance fee

Soda, beer, wine and spirits are available but not included.

Read the London Times Telegraph article about Sandoval Lake Lodge:  "Peru's Rainforest Wilderness"

A visit to Sandoval Lake Lodge can be combined with a trip to the Heath River Wildlife Center and macaw clay lick for some of the best value wildlife-viewing and authentic rainforest adventure in the Amazon.


For more information and current prices please send an email to travel@tropicalnaturetravel.com.

Staying on in Peru? Whether your interest is archaeology, wildlife or culture, in a short extension tour you can experience more of the rich living heritage of this vibrant country. Day trips are also a great way to see Cusco and Lima and their nearby sights. We can even arrange hotels and transportation.