3-Day Amazon Jungle Tour: Canopy Walkway & Sandoval Lake

Seven suspension bridges, a glassy lake, and nocturnal wildlife under the Amazon canopy

A 3-day guided tour from Puerto Maldonado into Peru's first Ecological Reserve, staying at Amazon Field Station by Inkaterra on the Madre de Dios River. You hike jungle trails, cross the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway on eight observation decks suspended 42 metres above the forest floor, paddle a dugout canoe across Sandoval Lake, and walk the rainforest at night to spot nocturnal species. The reserve holds a world record for ant species and shelters giant river otters, black caimans, and over 540 bird species.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & First Jungle Encounters

• Arrive in Puerto Maldonado
• Cruise Madre de Dios River to reserve
• Relax in cabin or pavilion
• Explore jungle trails
• Night river cruise for wildlife

Day 2: Canopy Walk & Rainforest Exploration

• Climb Inkaterra Canopy Walkway
• Sail to uninhabited river island
• Stroll jungle trails on island
• Hike boardwalk trail to Lake Sandoval
• Paddle canoe on Lake Sandoval
• Night walk to spot nocturnal wildlife

Day 3: Departure

• Return by motorized canoe to Puerto Maldonado

The experience

The Madre de Dios River carries you 50 minutes from Puerto Maldonado to the field station, a secluded base inside the protected reserve where you'll spend two nights. Day one sets the rhythm: settle into your cabin, then walk exclusive jungle trails between towering trees to tune your senses to the forest. A night cruise on the river follows, when nocturnal birds, capybaras and caimans emerge along the banks.

Day two is the canopy day. The Inkaterra Canopy Walkway (seven suspension bridges connected by eight observation decks) rises 42 metres into the rainforest dome, originally built for scientific research. From there you sail 20 minutes to an uninhabited river island where a boardwalk cuts through wetland forest rich with bird species, then paddle a dugout canoe across Sandoval Lake, an ox-bow lake ringed with palms. The lake holds anacondas, yellow-spotted turtles, red howler monkeys and two families of endangered giant river otters. At nightfall you walk again, this time in near-silence, letting the songs of nocturnal birds and insects guide your attention to creatures that only move after dark.

Day three is the return: a motorized canoe carries you back to Puerto Maldonado. A live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese leads all activities, and pickup from your hotel is included.

What’s included

• Accommodation at Amazon Field Station by Inkaterra for two nights.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese.
• all jungle walks, the canopy walkway crossing, and the Sandoval Lake canoe paddle.
• night river cruises.
• hotel pickup in Puerto Maldonado and motorized canoe transport to and from the field station.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by VIPAC Travel

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're arriving in Puerto Maldonado without a vehicle: hotel pickup and included river transport get you straight to the lodge, so you start exploring the same day rather than arranging separate transfers.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 72 h before the start.

What wildlife can I actually see on the Madre de Dios River at night?

Nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans hunt or move along the riverbanks after dark. The reserve also shelters giant river otters, anacondas, black caimans and over 540 bird species, though sightings depend on the season and time of day.

How high is the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and what does it feel like to walk it?

The eight observation decks sit 42 metres (138 feet) above the ground, connected by seven suspension bridges. The walkway was originally designed for scientific research and lets you see the rainforest spread out beneath your feet from the canopy level.

What is Sandoval Lake and how do you explore it?

Sandoval Lake is a glassy ox-bow lake inside Tambopata National Reserve, ringed with palms and home to thousands of bird species, anacondas, black caimans, turtles and two families of endangered giant river otters. You reach it by hiking a boardwalk jungle trail, then paddle across it in a dugout canoe.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The walks are on established jungle trails and the canopy walkway, and the canoe paddling is done by the guide or boatman, not by you.

How far is Amazon Field Station from Puerto Maldonado?

The field station sits on the Madre de Dios River, a 50-minute motorized canoe ride from Puerto Maldonado. Hotel pickup in the city is included, and the guide will arrange your transport to the river departure point.