Sandoval Lake Lodge is a 50 bed lodge located in the Tambopata National Reserve, 35 minutes by motorized dugout canoe followed by a 4 mile walk/paddle from the town of Puerto Maldonado. It is owned by the Peru Verde Conservation Group, a non-profit non-government organization involved in rainforest conservation projects, and 5 local families.
Sandoval Lake Lodge is constructed almost entirely of ecologically-harvested “driftwood” mahogany trees collected from the floods that naturally carry logs downriver out of Manu National Park. The Lodge is one extended structure consisting of a large screened main dining room/lounge (with chairs, tables and hammocks), and 25 fully-screened double-occupancy rooms (50 beds) with private bathrooms, hot shower (24hrs) and flush toilets, arranged in two wings. The bedrooms have a ceiling fan, a 2 pin (round) electric point, bed with mozzy netting, and lockable door. All rooms and communal areas have electricity (from 4-6am, 12-4pm and 6-10.30pm), supplemented by kerosene lamps and candles. The Lodge believes that guests should experience as much of the Peruvian cuisine as possible, and this is reflected in the range of Peruvian dishes offered, with an occasional international twist. Typical dishes served are lomo saltado (a spicy mix of stir fried beef, tomato, peppers, onion and french fries) and arroz con pollo (a mildly spicy mix of saffron rice, chicken and vegetables). The experienced kitchen personnel can also cater for special dietary requirements on request. Biscuits, fruit, tea, coffee and boiled water are always available free of charge.
Sandoval Lake Lodge is perched above what many rainforest specialists feel is the most attractive lake in Peru, and with its privileged location within the Tambopata National Reserve the lodge provides access to one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. This area is home to over 20,000 plant species, over 900 species of birds (more than all the species in the continental USA), 91 mammals, 1230 butterflies, 127 amphibians and reptiles, and much more! It is also a haven for the Amazon's largest, most spectacular and endangered predators - the Jaguar, the Giant Otter, the Harpy Eagle, and the Black Caiman. A visit to the excellent lowland rainforest of the Tambopata National Reserve offers some of the world's best rainforest wildlife that is available in a short economical stay. On a 3-night stay it is often possible to see 6 species of monkeys (Red Howler, Saddleback Tamarin, Dusky Titi, Squirrel, Brown Capuchin and Night), the lake's resident family of Giant Otters, and hundreds of Red-bellied Macaws that inhabit a large flooded palm grove. There are also agouti, sloths and at nightfall Black Caimans, the rarest of the crocodilians, head out into the lake to fish.
Sandoval Lake Lodge can be visited on its own or as part of a longer trip to the remote Heath River Wildlife Centre.
