Sandoval Lake Full Day: The Complete Review

Dreaming of seeing South American wildlife in their natural environment? A visit, in a way, to Sandoval Lake in Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve can get you very close to fulfilling that dream. Very, that is, if you have a whole day to devote to it. A full-day tour gives you the time that is needed to potentially see more. This assessment will, alright, show you what the day involves and help you decide if it matches the way you like your wilderness adventures. Maybe the details I am about to present, could be, somewhat helpful, or so I think anyway!

What is the Sandoval Lake Tour?

Basically, a full-day tour to Sandoval Lake, is that it involves quite a bit of travel. Too, it’s almost as much about getting to the lake as it is about the time that’s spent on it. Typically, a tour starts very early in the morning from Puerto Maldonado. As I was saying, you’ll travel by car to the Tambopata Reserve entrance, followed by a boat ride on the Madre de Dios River. Usually, you end up hiking through the forest to reach the lake itself. What I mean is, the “experience” combines transport, hike, plus wildlife viewing opportunities. If, you know, the schedule has a natural flow it all, and it seems easy enough to take things one step at a time, for what that’s worth!

Getting There is Quite the Trek

Okay, so the trip to Sandoval Lake definitely, you see, requires a certain amount of physical, what I would say, “exertion”. First, that is, you’ll go to the shores of the Madre de Dios River. In fact, then you ride in a motorized canoe. Yet, the ride tends to be rather enjoyable, with sights and sounds of the jungle all around. Still, though, is that this motorized canoe can’t take you the entire way there. It may also need some walking so pack sturdy footwear.

Then you hike, typically a bit less than two miles. Obviously, the trail can get, as I was saying, a little muddy or slippery. Of course, though, it makes for a very immersive rainforest, what I would call, “walk”. What I mean is, keep in mind, that the reward awaiting you at the end makes every step very worthwhile! By the way, there are tons of cool animals everywhere.

Wildlife Spotting on the Lake

If you’re anything like your, let’s say, average wildlife lover, Sandoval Lake, you know, it might feel like paradise! So many, you know, incredible creatures all in one place. Really, though, what makes Sandoval so exceptional is the variety, obviously. First, that is, you might see monkeys. These, right, frequently include squirrel monkeys and red howler monkeys.

Also, of course, expect to find yourself looking for some very big, very unusual birds. It seems like there are hoatzins, macaws, and herons. Actually, you’ll spot them all, if you are so inclined! What I mean is, you may spot various colorful bird species while on the water, of course. Oh yeah, alright, and you are practically certain to see caimans! So, don’t freak out about, and keep your eyes peeled for, a glimpse of this alligator-like creature in, to be honest, its natural setting. What’s really crazy is that they may seem frightening, alright. Very rarely, these caimans tend to attack, okay?

Lunch with a View

Around lunchtime, of course, tour operators typically find an especially scenic spot to serve a packed lunch. Usually, the best location happens to be a floating platform right on the lake. The view tends to be great! Actually, you are eating as you’re totally immersed in the beauty and sounds of nature. Naturally, it can also make it so you appreciate everything a bit more. I guess you can’t go wrong with all those birds everywhere, you know?

Sunset Spectacle

Staying until sunset gives you the chance to witness the lake transition as daylight fades. Still, watching the sunset over the lake is usually the perfect, what I would describe as, “tranquil end” to the day! Typically, the colors reflected in the water give a different dimension. Seriously, you are almost certain to see many creatures become way more active as darkness, seemingly, approaches.

Alright, so you can almost certainly get in touch with your “inner photographer” at the lake as well! What I mean is, that the natural display turns incredibly magical. It seems the light itself tends to change by the minute. What’s really amazing about all this is the way, for instance, the natural setting can, you know, make the light just feel different somehow!

What to Bring

Anyway, if you are doing a full-day trip to Sandoval Lake, is that what you take with you matters. If you are doing a one-day trip, alright, then I suggest some preparation! Remember that what matters most tends to be what you decide to put in your pack for the day.

• Insect repellent: The Amazon, okay, tends to be home to many, really quite enthusiastic insects. I mean it, actually! If, as a matter of fact, you bring some really good mosquito repellent, well you tend to be alright!
• Sunscreen and hat: In the Amazon area of Peru, basically, is that the sun is really really intense! Obviously, protect your skin. Or, right, pay for it later, I suppose!
• Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing: Anyway, covering up can also protect you. Well, you might, too, that is, think about quick-drying fabrics to keep yourself, alright, comfortable.
• Water: In general, you know, hydration matters for a hike in the heat. Make sure to keep, actually, drinking that liquid all day.
• Binoculars: Often, there is lots to see but sometimes things may be too far to just see, for example. First, there are these little lens things that work rather nicely for this problem, you know! Actually, these are an essential item if wildlife viewing seems, sort of, important to you!
• Camera: Of course, there tend to be images you are almost certain to wish to, you know, capture for your records, or whatever! As a matter of fact, that photo opportunity won’t, alright, come twice! You will, naturally, thank yourself afterwards that you did not, basically, leave this essential tool behind!

Is a Full-Day Tour Right for You?

The big question, though, you see, to answer concerns whether or not, alright, this full-day option would suit your interests and requirements. Often, you will enjoy it if: wildlife tops the list. Basically, you do like immersion in nature. Anyway, all this activity and outdoors might seem ideal.

First, you need stamina to do all that moving in the sun, basically. In contrast, if you wish you were somewhere else or, seemingly, you would instead do a short tour, you should, just like, book something a bit less strenuous! To be honest, it just feels sensible that someone not enjoy anything outdoors book nothing outdoors in that case! This tour option may not really suit the person that cannot manage walking. Seriously, though, if a rainforest stroll does not seem all that cool you won’t likely enjoy any portion of this tour!