PRICE FROM
price per person in group service
Lake Sandoval is a stunning, natural freshwater lake located within the Tambopata National Reserve in southeastern Peru. Known for its serene beauty and rich biodiversity, the lake is surrounded by dense rainforest, making it a prime spot for wildlife watching. Visitors can explore the lake by canoe, offering a unique chance to see a variety of animals, including giant river otters, black caimans, monkeys, and a wide range of bird species. The lake’s calm waters and vibrant ecosystem make it one of the most picturesque and ecologically important destinations in the Amazon basin.
1 Day
1 Day
Moderate
200 m.a.s.l
Rainforest & Wildlife
Group Service
Day 1: Puerto Madonado – Sandoval Lake (Hiking and Canoeing) – Puerto Maldonado
We will begin by picking you up from your hotel at 8:30 a.m. and take you to the Triunfo port, where you’ll board a boat to start our adventure. Before setting off, we’ll provide you with lunch and snacks for the journey. Our first destination will be the Tambopata National Reserve Zone, where we will head toward the Sandoval lake checkpoint.
From there, we’ll embark on a 90-minute hike through the vibrant tropical rainforest, surrounded by towering ancient trees and vines. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to see colorful flowers and a variety of wildlife, such as giant otters, exotic birds, butterflies, turtles, and numerous fish species.
Upon reaching the renowned Lake Sandoval, we’ll explore its peaceful waters by canoe, spending a few hours enjoying the breathtaking beauty of one of the region’s most stunning lakes. Afterward, we’ll retrace our steps back to the checkpoint and return by boat to Puerto Maldonado at 5:00pm Approximately. Finally, we’ll transfer you back to your hotel, wrapping up this unforgettable experience.
Availability: Daily Departures All Departures are 100% Guaranteed. If You’re Booked, You are Going, We wont Cancel your Trip !!!
How to Book?: Send us all Your Personal information as well as a Deposit of 30% and the Final Balance will be paid once you are in Puerto Maldonado or Cusco.
Group Service: Price per person: US$80
(You will be joined into a formed group of people who come from different countries/Nationalities): (Group Service)
Private Service: Price per person: US$180 (Upon Request)
Recommended for Honeymooners, Families with children & Groups of Friends (04 Persons Minimum)
If you are a group of two, we will depart regardless of whether you booked as a group service. Unlike many other agencies in Puerto Maldonado, we never transfer our guests to another operator.
Here are the most common questions travelers ask about the 1-Day Sandoval Lake Tour. If you’re planning to explore one of the Amazon’s most stunning and biodiverse locations, this section will provide you with essential information to make the most of your experience.
The 1-Day Sandoval Lake Tour takes you to one of the most breathtaking natural spots in the Tambopata National Reserve. This freshwater lake, surrounded by dense rainforest, offers an incredible opportunity to observe diverse wildlife, including giant river otters, black caimans, monkeys, and an array of bird species, all in their natural habitat.
On the 1-Day Sandoval Lake Tour, you’ll have the chance to spot a wide range of Amazonian wildlife. Key highlights include the playful giant river otters, black caimans, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and a variety of bird species such as herons, kingfishers, and macaws. The calm waters of the lake provide an ideal environment for observing these animals in their natural surroundings.
The 1-Day Sandoval Lake Tour lasts approximately 7-8 hours. This includes transportation from Puerto Maldonado to the lake, a canoe ride through the tranquil waters, a guided walk through the jungle, and time spent observing the local wildlife. You’ll have plenty of time to fully enjoy the beauty of the lake and its ecosystem.
The best time to visit Sandoval Lake is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. The weather is more favorable for outdoor activities, and the visibility for wildlife watching is better, as animals tend to be more active and visible. However, the lake is beautiful to visit year-round, offering different experiences depending on the season.
From Puerto Maldonado, you’ll travel by boat along the Tambopata River, enjoying the scenic journey through the Amazon rainforest. After about an hour, you’ll reach the lake and begin your canoe ride, guided by an expert naturalist who will share insights into the area’s wildlife and ecosystem.
For your 1-Day Sandoval Lake Tour, bring light, quick-drying clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat or cap, and comfortable shoes suitable for walking through the jungle. A camera is also a must to capture the stunning views and wildlife you’ll encounter. Don’t forget a water bottle to stay hydrated during the tour.
Yes! The 1-Day Sandoval Lake Tour is ideal for families, as the activities are relatively easygoing and suitable for children. The canoe ride is gentle, and the wildlife observation is a unique learning experience for younger travelers. It’s an excellent opportunity to introduce kids to the wonders of the Amazon rainforest.
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Sara D2025-07-07Verified 10/10 Experience - Would Recommend! We had an amazing time on the Salkantay 5 Day Trek. Before the trip started, Quechuas had great communication and was very accommodating to our travel schedule, including adjusting our briefing time with our guide.The skydome accomodations were great (all fairly spacious, with exception of night 2, which was fine as we didn’t spend much time there), the food was delicious (a great variety and always more than enough to go around) and the trek itself was beautiful. Our guide Steven, as well as second guide Jorge, were very patient, knowledgeable and kind to us and the others in our group - not only did we get to see incredible scenery but we also learned a lot about the local landscape and culture.We rented sleeping bags, which we would highly recommend. We brought our own hiking poles but would recommend renting if you don’t bring your own.Overall, an amazing experience and we would highly recommend this company. Matthew W2025-07-02Verified Seamless and Supportive Inca Trail Experience – Highly Recommend We recently completed the 4-day Classic Inca Trail trek with Quechuas Expeditions in June 2025, and overall had a fantastic experience that struck the perfect balance between physical challenge and logistical ease.Our guide, Fernando (“Nando”), was outstanding—passionate, deeply knowledgeable about the trail’s rich history, and highly supportive throughout. He kept our group motivated and informed, and managed different paces and needs with professionalism and care. His English was great, and he always made time to answer questions or share interesting stories along the way.The porter and chef team were phenomenal. Every meal was different, delicious, and plentiful—we were never hungry, and dietary needs (including vegan and vegetarian) were handled without issue. They even baked a custom cake on the trail for a couple’s anniversary, which speaks volumes about their care and capability. The porters themselves were friendly, warm, and constantly going above and beyond to support us.Quechuas provided tents, sleeping bags, a toilet tent, and hot water for face washing each morning, plus coca tea as a wake-up touch. The duffel service was useful, though we did find the weight limits a bit tighter than expected once you factor in the sleeping bag. In the end, we paid for an extra porter—which was easy to arrange but worth noting for those planning their packing. One thing we didn’t know in advance: the porter bags aren’t waterproof, so future trekkers may want to use dry bags or line the inside with plastic.Another small consideration: due to how campsites are assigned (by the government, not the tour company), some days ended up being longer than the traditional day-by-day breakdown you might read online. While not Quechuas’ fault, for myself, as much heads-up as possible would’ve helped with my own mental preparation.All said, Quechuas Expeditions delivered where it mattered most. The logistics were smooth, the staff was superb, and their support allowed us to focus on enjoying the trail and the breathtaking views without worrying about the rest. This is a company that knows what it’s doing.Would I recommend them? Absolutely—whether you’re a first-time trekker or experienced hiker, they make an unforgettable journey that much more seamless and enjoyable. If I ever do this again, I would book with them without question, and if possible, request the exact same team. Thank you Fernando and team for a trip of a lifetime and memories that will stay with me forever 🙏 Arianna O2025-07-01Verified Amazing trip on the Inca Trail with Quechuas Expeditions I never imagined that the Inca Trail could be so transformative. My partner and I decided to do the classic 4-day trek with Quechuas Expeditions and, honestly, it exceeded all our expectations. From the very first moment we felt very welcome. The service was impeccable, they were always attentive to our needs, solving all our doubts before and during the trek.The hike was not easy, but the views, the fresh mountain air and the energy of the group kept us going without thinking about how tiring it was. The meals at the campsites surprised us pleasantly, we really did not expect so much variety and flavor in the middle of the mountain. And the end, reaching Machu Picchu through the sun gate (Inti Punku) was simply magical, there are no words to describe that moment. It is definitely a unique experience that connects you with the history, culture and nature of Peru. Thank you Quechuas Expeditions for making this trip so special! naomiammar2025-06-28Verified Hardest challenge of my life but worth it One of the hardest things I have ever done (definitely underestimate the difficulty level), and I don’t know if I would have made it if it wasn’t for our awesome guide Frenando and all the amazing staff we had. What a fantastic group of people. The porters are so hard working, it’s so humbling. The chef Taco was fantastic! I am vegan and he made me the most amazing food the entire time. I couldn’t believe it. And then our guide Fernando topped it all. Knowledgeable, professional yet fun, very personable, very patient (we were slow!) and very encouraging. If you are considering taking on this challenge, I highly recommend Quechua’s Expeditions and if you can request Fernando. E sure to do so. He’s been doing this for 19yrs! cade c2025-06-27Verified Awesome trek We really enjoyed our trip. It was challenging and also rewarding. Beautiful views and even better food. I can’t rave enough about our cook Santiago! Food was unbelievable. Jose did a fantastic job leading us along the way. He did a good job of explaining what we are seeing! Looking for a physical challenge with beautiful views this is the trek for you. Lola U2025-06-20Verified Demanding, enriching and unforgettable thanks to the human team I will always be grateful to the rich food and attentions of Santiago, the cook, the professionalism and good advice of José, the guide, the kindness of the helpers, who have made it possible to improve the experience. Julia C.2025-06-16Verified Amazing trek, amazing guide and staff The Salkantay Trek was absolutely stunning, domes and the views were great with hot water available. What the trek made very special was our guide Nildo. Also, the chef Julian, horseman and second guide were incredible too. Nildo was knowledgeable, caring and passionate about everything he shared. I cannot imagine a better guide :-) Everything was very well organized. Emelie A2025-06-15Verified Hike of a lifetime! We had the most amazing time! The different sceneries along the trek are just unbelievable and although being two fairly unfit persons we could enjoy it all the way. Fernando and Steven are terrific guides making sure we were all comfortable and happy at all times. The food and accommodations along the way were also a lot more luxurious than what we’d expected. Would 100% recommend this to anyone who’s up for a hike!!
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