Lake Sandoval tour from Puerto Maldonado: Canoe wildlife safari

Ten hours tracking river otters and caimans from a canoe on Peru's largest oxbow lake

A full-day guided tour from Puerto Maldonado to Lake Sandoval in Tambopata National Reserve, combining a three-kilometer rainforest hike with a canoe ride across the lake to spot giant otters, black caimans, macaws and other Amazon wildlife. Hotel pickup at 9 a.m., return by 5:30 p.m. Lunch, wellingtons, bilingual guide and all transport included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sandoval Lake and wildlife

• Pick up from hotel at 9:00 a.m.
• Travel to Tambopata National Reserve
• Walk three kilometers through rainforest trail
• Observe macaws and falcons
• Board canoe to tour Lake Sandoval
• Spot river otters and black caimans
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Return to Puerto Maldonado
• Drop off at hotel at 5:30 p.m.

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel at 9 a.m. and a ten-minute drive to Tambopata National Reserve, the gateway to the southern Amazon rainforest. From there you walk three kilometers through the jungle floor (macaws and falcons move through the canopy above) before reaching the water. Lake Sandoval is the largest oxbow lake in Peru, ringed by flooded forest and home to over 1,000 bird species.

Once at the lake, you board a motorized canoe for the main event: scanning the water for giant river otters, black caimans, turtles, herons and kingfishers. The canoe lets you move quietly through the shallows where the wildlife congregates. After the paddle, you eat lunch at a local restaurant before the return journey to Puerto Maldonado, arriving back at your hotel around 5:30 p.m.

The tour is shared, led by a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish. Wellingtons are provided for the muddy sections of the hike, and a vegetarian meal option is available at no extra cost. The motorized boat means you cover the lake efficiently rather than paddling yourself, which matters if you want to see the animals rather than spend the day rowing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport.
• three-kilometer rainforest hike through Tambopata National Reserve.
• motorized canoe ride on Lake Sandoval.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• wellingtons for the trail.
• professional bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• vegetarian meal option available at no extra cost.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (3 to 60 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by MachuPicchu Journey

Is this one for you?This is a shared, guided tour with a professional bilingual guide leading the hike and canoe ride, which suits travelers who want expert interpretation of the rainforest and wildlife but prefer not to navigate or paddle alone. The motorized canoe covers the lake efficiently in search of otters and caimans rather than relying on paddling power, so you spend more time watching and less time rowing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How far is Lake Sandoval from Puerto Maldonado?

Lake Sandoval sits 45 minutes from Puerto Maldonado on the right bank of the Madre de Dios River, within Tambopata National Reserve. The reserve itself is about ten minutes from town by road.

What animals will I actually see on the canoe ride?

Giant river otters and black caimans are the main draws, along with turtles, kingfishers, herons and cranes. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary with over 1,000 bird species, including several types of macaws and parrots, though sightings depend on the day and water conditions.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and return transport, the three-kilometer rainforest hike, the motorized canoe ride on the lake, lunch at a local restaurant, wellingtons for the trail, and a professional bilingual guide are all included.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The three-kilometer hike is moderate. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though the terrain is muddy and uneven. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or if you are pregnant.

Do I need to book the reserve entrance separately?

Entrance to Sandoval Lake Reserve is included in some tour options but not others, so confirm which option you're booking when you reserve.