It is difficult to choose a single place as the most beautiful in the Peruvian jungle, but if we had to make a ranking of the most beautiful in the Amazon, Lake Sandoval would be in the top ten. Being able to take a boat ride through its waters, totally surrounded by nature, will give you the peace that you always expect on a vacation. So that you can plan your next trip to this region of Peru, today we tell you all the secrets of Lake Sandoval.
The lake considered the most beautiful in the Peruvian Amazon is Lake Sandoval, located within the Tambopata National Reserve, in the department of Madre de Dios, where various animals such as alligators, howler monkeys, turtles, giant otters in danger of extinction live. , blue and yellow macaw, paiche and more than 1000 species of birds, it is a biodiversity reserve.
It occupies an area 3 kilometers long by 1 kilometer wide and with a depth between half a meter and three meters, at a temperature that is generally 26°C.
This lake with clear and calm waters and in the shape of a horseshoe, offers an unforgettable experience of this jungle part of our country, appreciating the formation of a mirror of water and the efforts that the reserve makes for its conservation.
This place is a tourist destination not overcrowded and a protected area with all regulated activities. It is an ecological pantry of Peru, where the nocturnal sounds of the jungle rule in its most natural state.
During the afternoons, the tour by boat or from the shore allows you to appreciate the arrival of flocks of macaws that come to spend the night there.
Likewise, it is a perfect space for the observatory of birds such as small parrots, wild ducks, kingfishers, herons, hoatzin or shansho, which is a kind of hen with a feathered bow on its head; in addition to other species such as tapirs, a multitude of butterflies, black lizards, turtles, among others.
Lake Sandoval is located in the Tambopata National Reserve, a place of almost 3,000 square kilometers where flora and fauna are the true protagonists. This area is located in the department of Madre de Dios, south of the city of Puerto Maldonado.
In the northern area of Tambopata, very close to this city and the Madre de Dios River, you can visit Lake Sandoval, a body of water three kilometers long and one kilometer wide that is one of the great jewels of the National Reserve.
Lake Sandoval is a wonder for the eyes and the senses: its waters, surrounded by aguaje palm trees (a typical fruit of the jungle that you cannot miss), are the habitat of an unimaginable amount of fish, more than 6,500 species! they live here!
Sandoval Lake is the perfect place to spend a vacation of total relaxation and rest from the daily routine. But not everything that awaits you in this destination is to lie down in a hammock to enjoy the landscape and not think about anything, since in the lake and its surroundings you can carry out various activities. Here we tell you some of the best things to do in Lake Sandoval.
A boat ride on Lake Sandoval: one of the wonders of this lake is that you can enter it with a boat. Paddling through Lake Sandoval while enjoying the landscape that surrounds you, the sounds of nature and the company of black alligators and turtles will make you feel totally free.
Trekking in the surroundings of Lake Sandoval: when you visit the jungle it is always very exciting to walk its paths on your own. You will be able to see various animals moving freely from tree to tree and you will discover the most secret corners of the enigmatic Amazon.
Of course, whenever you enter the jungle you will have to do it with a guide, since they know all the paths and will be able to take you and bring you back without any problem.
A hidden paradise in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon
If you want to disconnect from the city and spend a few days full of outdoor activities always surrounded by nature, Lake Sandoval is the ideal destination to live the most unforgettable adventures. You can start the experience with a pleasant boat ride through the more than 3 thousand square kilometers of natural water and jungle that extend over the entire surface. The tour will allow you to enter the most remote places of the lake, where you will only enjoy the sounds of nature and contemplate various species of animals such as black alligators and turtles.
A very popular activity in Sandoval is trekking. If you are a lover of long walks, this place offers a series of routes that extend throughout the area whose special attraction is the observation of birds and monkeys. Of course, to live this adventure you will have to do it in the company of a local guide, since they know all the paths perfectly. Likewise, night walks are carried out, only suitable for the most experienced visitors.
Another tourist spot is the charming Monkey Island. It is an entertaining place where tender primates coexist in total harmony with nature; a fun experience that will allow you to share with these friendly and mischievous little monkeys. Don't be afraid if they suddenly start climbing on your back, it's their way of playing with you.
If it is about enjoying regional food, this destination will surprise you with exquisite dishes based on paiche, one of the fish that lives in the lake and an ingredient in the most representative stews of the Peruvian Amazon. Its soft and great-flavored meat is a true delight, and if it is accompanied by fried plantains and chonta salad, the enjoyment will be greater.
To get to know Lake Sandoval, you must travel to Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios. This city is the gateway to the southeast of the Peruvian Amazon. From there, you will have to travel by boat to the community of Infierno, whose travel time is approximately two hours.
In this place you will pass an entry control to the Tambopata National Reserve whose price is 30 soles. Once there, you will be transferred by boat for about an hour and a half to the tourist areas that can be visited, including Lake Sandoval. The best time to visit is during the dry season, between April and October, when the weather ranges between 15° and 35°C.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
