From above, this lake has the shape of a merry whale. There are no whales in Lake Sandoval, of course, but it is home to a plethora of wildlife.
The way to the lake is not easy—you have to sail 1–1.5 hours up the river and then walk for a similar amount of time in the deep mud of the slippery road. Finally, you will take a canoe to reach your lodge.
And just here you will understand for what you mad all those efforts: the old saying, "life seeks the water," is especially true here.
Spend twenty minutes on the lake and you can see as many species as you would see after walking in the jungle for hours. There are 20,000 species of plants, 900 species of birds, 91 species of mammals and 127 species of amphibians.
Here are majestic herons; curious squirrel-monkeys; self-confident hoatzins; snakes that lie in the water like lifeless sticks; turtles warming themselves on the logs and suddenly, amusingly jumping into the lake; and countless birds of all sizes and colours.
Every evening you will have the chance to spot Black Caimans of every age and size. If you are lucky, you may become acquainted with the local family of giant otters, which are endemic to the area and one of Amazonia's most majestic inhabitants. One family of the giant otters require an entire large lake to live in, and the Sandoval family, as of 2015, consists of five otters.
Every evening you will have the chance to spot Black Caimans of every age and size. If you are lucky, you may become acquainted with the local family of giant otters, which are endemic to the area and one of Amazonia's most majestic inhabitants. One family of the giant otters require an entire large lake to live in, and the Sandoval family, as of 2015, consists of five otters.
Sandoval Lake is the best for Lake Sandoval is the best place to go to see wildlife, whether your goal is observation, photography, or videography.
How to get there:
Take the boat from Puerto Maldonado, which you can reach via regular flights from Lima. Afterwards, register yourself at the checkpoint and walk along the only road until you reach its end. The best way to make this trip is to find a local eco-guide who can share his knowledge and experience; such guides can ride in the canoe, they know the local rules, etc. You can contact someone from Fauna Forever - in my experience, these guys are the best in the region at ecotourism.
Weather and climate:
The dry season lasts from June until September, but I couldn't complain about the weather in March. Travelling during the wet season, from December until March, means dealing with more mud, but there are fewer tourists and more wildlife. The choice is yours. The climate is wet and hot, with an annual average temperature of 26°C to 28°ะก.
Advice:
To travel through the Amazon Rainforest is not as arduous as it might sound. You just should have a good eco-guide, rubber boots, long-sleeve clothes and a sense of adventure.
Weather and climate:
Advice:
To travel through the Amazon Rainforest is not as arduous as it might sound. You just should have a good eco-guide, rubber boots, long-sleeve clothes and a sense of adventure.