Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake, Yacumama Lake & Piranha Fishing Tour (5 days)

Itinerary Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake, Yacumama Lake

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado – Monkey Island – Wild life Spotting

Welcome to our travelers at the airport or bus station and transfer to our Peru Amazon Trips office for registration.

Then, we will transfer to our dock where we will take our boat to the hotel (a 40-minute journey).

As a welcome to the hotel, you will have a refreshing juice made with fruits from the region, and at the same time, you will be informed of our hotel policies by the guide.

Then, we will settle into our designated rooms. After a pleasant rest, we will visit Monkey Island located in the middle of the Madre de Dios River just a couple of minutes from our hotel.

There, you can see different species of monkeys, including a hybrid species. With luck, we may also observe sloths and turtles.

We return to the hotel for lunch. After a delicious lunch and a short nap, we will have a two-hour walk in the dense tropical forest, guided by an expert local guide.

They will take us through our trails where we can see a great variety of medicinal plants and trees that may be over six hundred years old.

On our trails, you will always have the opportunity to see wildlife such as monkeys, parrots, macaws, squirrels, reptiles, insects, frogs, spiders, among others, and feel the pure energy of the jungle experiencing magical moments within the Tambopata National Reserve.

At night, we take our boat to search for nocturnal animals that are always on the banks of the Madre de Dios River.

We have the opportunity to see caimans of different sizes, owls, nightjars, and with luck, the world’s largest rodent, the capybaras.

We return for dinner.

Day 2: Amazon Garden Lodge – Lake Sandoval – Native Family Visit

One of the best times to see abundant wildlife is at dawn or dusk. In our case, we choose to venture out at dawn in our boat heading to Sandoval Lake located within the Tambopata National Reserve.

Witnessing the lush biodiversity of Sandoval Lake is simply incomparable. To reach Sandoval Lake, we walk along a wooden trail of nearly 3 km (1.8 miles).

Throughout the walk, we are always amazed by the rich fauna of this place. At the end of the trail, we find a small dock where we take a rowboat to tour Sandoval Lake.

During this journey, we could see black caimans, giant otters, herons, turtles, monkeys, macaws, wild ducks, and much more. We return to the lodge before noon for lunch.

In the afternoon, we visit a family of natives belonging to the “Matsigenka” culture where we interact with them, learning part of their culture.

We learn to use bows and arrows, spin and weave cotton to make their garments called “Cushma“. They also teach us to make ropes using the bark of plants and finally show us their ingenuity in making fire using only nature. We return to the hotel for a pleasant rest.

At dusk, the jungle begins to offer us a majestic nightlife, very different from the usual daytime life.

For this tour, we will have to go out with our flashlights and venture into the trails in search of nocturnal fauna such as porcupines, sloths, arachnids, insects, reptiles, opossums, nocturnal monkeys, owls, among others.

We return to the hotel for dinner and then rest.

Day 3: Amazon Garden Lodge – Macaw Clay Lick – Canopy walk

This lovely adventure begins at dawn. We navigate upstream on the Madre de Dios River for about 50 minutes until we reach the clay lick for parrots and macaws called “La Cachuela”.

Along the way, we have the option to appreciate the beautiful radiant sunrise that nature provides.

Once there at the clay lick, we can see different species of medium-sized macaws, parrots, parakeets, and sometimes sloths on the river cliffs.

On a good day, we could see up to 7 species of these birds. Every morning, these birds come to eat clay containing mineral salts, and according to research, this clay also helps improve the digestion and metabolism of the birds.

After having an unforgettable experience, we return to the hotel for breakfast.

After a good breakfast, we head to visit a farm (local crops) where we will learn about grafting plants and see different types of soils. We can also taste and see typical plantations of the tropical jungle, such as coffee, different types of cocoa, citrus fruits, ingas, bananas, among others. We return to the hotel around noon.

After a pleasant Amazonian lunch and a brief rest, we will walk along a trail discussing giant trees until we reach one of them with over 700 years of age. Right there, the hanging bridges begin, installed among the trees. Here, you will witness the rich fauna that inhabits this level of the forest called “canopy”. As we walk along the bridges, you may see toucans, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, monkeys, lizards, orchids, epiphytic plants, and more.

Day 4: Amazon Garden Lodge – Kayaking – Lake Yacumama & Piranha Fishing

Having had a magical night and filled ourselves with the pure and clean energy of the jungle, we are ready to continue enjoying our well-deserved vacation.

This time, after breakfast, we venture out on KAYAK boats. This tour consists of paddling near the banks of the Madre de Dios River with the purpose of seeking wildlife such as: endangered turtles, white caimans, kingfishers, herons, and with some luck, anacondas.

For this adrenaline-filled adventure, we must wear life jackets provided by the guide.

We return to the hotel around noon.

We leave the hotel at sunset heading to the city. Then, we will take a vehicle that will take us to the impressive Yacumama Lake, which has lush scenic beauty and the most stunning sunset in the region. This lake is also home to hundreds of macaws, parrots, and parakeets.

On many occasions, black caimans, herons, cormorants, wild ducks, swallows, 4 varieties of piranhas, and with a lot of luck, a family of river otters can be observed.

In this Yacumama Lake tour, we will use a medium-sized rowing boat that will take us to the point where we usually fish for piranhas, which is very easy to do with small hooks.

After catching a piranha, we take a photo with it and then return it to its aquatic environment to avoid depleting the food source of the animals that fish.

As it gets dark, we return to our hotel.

Day 5: Amazon Garden Lodge – Puerto Maldonado

We head into the city after breakfast, then make our way to the office to arrange transportation to either the airport or the bus station.

AMAZON GARDEN LODGE’S PICTURES

FAQs

Q: What is the weather like in Tambopata National Reserve?

A: Bring a raincoat or poncho for potential rain showers, as the rainforest climate can be unpredictable. It’s also a good idea to pack bathing clothes for a refreshing stream bath. For exploring the trails, rubber boots are available in various sizes.

Q: What should I bring for my Tambopata National Reserve tour?

A: Bring flashlights with extra batteries, binoculars, insect repellent with at least 30% DEET, and a water bottle for the first day.

Q: What should I wear for my Tambopata National Reserve tour?

A: For forest walks, wear light, loose-fitting clothing such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts, as well as waterproof shoes or rubber boots. In the hostel, you can change into shorts and sandals. It’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater for early morning jungle walks.

Q: Are vaccinations required before visiting Tambopata National Reserve?

While no vaccinations are mandatory in Peru, it’s recommended to get vaccinated against typhoid, hepatitis, and polio before traveling. Consult your doctor or local clinic for more information.

Q: Do you have any concerns about health or allergies?

A: Yes, please let us know if you have any allergies or illnesses so we can provide the best possible service and accommodate your needs.

Q: Where can I store my luggage during my Tambopata National Reserve tour?

A: We offer a luggage guard service, so you can carry only what you need during your stay and leave your luggage with us. We’ll take care of your belongings and bring only the essentials for your jungle adventure.

Tambopata Adventure Tour Video

The Tambopata National Reserve Awaits!

If you have any inquiry for this tour or other affairs, please, contact us!