3-day Tambopata jungle tour from Puerto Maldonado: Sandoval Lake

Canopy tower, zip-line, and Sandoval Lake in one jungle immersion

A 3-day guided tour of Tambopata National Reserve near Puerto Maldonado combines lodge-based rainforest exploration with boat trips, canopy walks, and access to Sandoval Lake. You'll climb a 35-meter canopy tower built into a massive Lupuna tree, zip-line through the forest, search for caimans and capybaras on the Madre de Dios River, hike to Sandoval Lake to spot giant otters and turtles, and end at a parakeet clay lick at dawn on the final morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and jungle activities

• Arrive Puerto Maldonado airport or bus station
• Transfer to office and register
• Store excess luggage safely
• Transfer to jungle lodge
• Enjoy welcome drink
• Have lunch at lodge
• Climb Canopy Tower and walk canopy
• Zip-line through forest
• Boat trip on Madre de Dios River to spot caimans and capybaras
• Overnight at jungle lodge

Day 2: Sandoval Lake excursion

• Breakfast at lodge
• Boat to Tambopata National Reserve control
• Walk 1.5 hours through rainforest
• Explore Sandoval Lake and observe wildlife
• Lunch at lodge
• Climb tower and zip-line 200 meters
• Rest and enjoy jungle sounds
• Overnight at jungle lodge

Day 3: Parakeet clay lick and departure

• Early morning visit to parakeet clay lick
• Return to lodge for breakfast
• Boat back to Puerto Maldonado
• Transfer to airport or bus station

The experience

You arrive at Puerto Maldonado airport or bus station and get picked up for transfer to the lodge. After registration and lunch, the first day moves straight into action: a climb up the 35-meter canopy tower at the base of a Lupuna tree gives you the scale of the forest from above, then a zip-line carries you through the canopy itself. By late afternoon, a boat trip on the Madre de Dios River puts you on the water hunting for caimans and capybaras along the banks.

Day two centers on Sandoval Lake. After breakfast and a 1.5-hour walk through the rainforest, you reach the lake surrounded by ancient trees and vines where giant otters, turtles, colored butterflies, and fish move through the water. The afternoon brings a second zip-line: a nearly 200-meter run from a platform in the treetops down to a platform 27 meters high, with views of the canopy and the adrenaline of the drop itself. The rest of the day is yours to rest and listen to the forest.

Day three starts before dawn for the parakeet clay lick, where hundreds of birds arrive each morning to eat mineral-rich clay that neutralizes toxins from their diet of seeds and fruit. You return to the lodge by 7am for breakfast, then take the boat back to Puerto Maldonado, departing at 10:30am for your transfer to the airport or bus station. The tour ends with your onward travel.

What’s included

• Airport or bus station pickup and drop-off in Puerto Maldonado.
• two nights at the jungle lodge.
• entrance fees to Tambopata National Reserve and all sites visited.
• guided tours in English or Spanish.
• boat trips on the Madre de Dios River and transport to and from Sandoval Lake.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by PVTravels

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Puerto Maldonado without your own transport or staying in the city before heading into the jungle. The pickup from the airport or bus station means you don't need to arrange a separate transfer, and the lodge-based format keeps all three days' activities within reach from a single base.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What animals will I actually see on the Madre de Dios River boat trips?

Caimans and capybaras are the main targets on the river. The operator notes they are generally on the banks, though sightings depend on the day and time. Giant otters, turtles, and a variety of fish are also present at Sandoval Lake itself.

How does the zip-line work on day two at Sandoval Lake?

The zip-line runs nearly 200 meters from a platform in the treetops down to a platform 27 meters high. You're secured in a high-security harness attached to the cable, and the route gives you views of the canopy as you descend.

Is the 1.5-hour walk to Sandoval Lake difficult?

The operator notes that travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for this tour. The walk is through rainforest terrain to reach the lake.

What time do I need to arrive in Puerto Maldonado to join this tour?

Your arrival flight or bus must reach Puerto Maldonado before 1pm so the pickup and transfer to the lodge can happen in time for the first day's activities. On day three, your return flight or bus should depart after 1pm to allow time for the morning parakeet clay lick and the 10:30am boat departure.

What is the canopy tower and what will I see from it?

The canopy tower stands 35 meters high and is built at the base of a massive Lupuna tree, one of the Amazon's largest. From the top, you get a view of the rainforest from the canopy level, showing the scale and structure of the forest itself.