Madre de Dios River
Venture Deeper into the Peruvian Amazon
For travelers who wish to truly disconnect and absorb the profound rhythms of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, this extended 4-day Lake Sandoval expedition offers the ultimate jungle immersion. Located in the protected Tambopata National Reserve, this itinerary goes beyond our 3-Day Lake Sandoval Discovery, giving you an extra day to explore specialized ecosystems from treetop canopies to flooded Mauritia palm wetlands.
Your adventure encompasses all the iconic moments of Tambopata: scanning the Madre de Dios riverbanks for caimans by night, paddling a wooden dugout canoe across the mirror-like waters of Lake Sandoval in search of giant river otters, and walking 30 meters above the forest floor on the Canopy Walkway. On Day 3, delve into the Amazon's botanical wonders along a 200-meter wooden boardwalk through the aguajales (rainforest swamplands), learn ancestral medicinal secrets in the organic bio-orchard, and explore the 30-hectare Palmetum. Looking for 4-star or 5-star luxury cabañas? Compare this program with Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción (4 Days), 5-Star Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica (4 Days), or our 10-Day Amazon to Machu Picchu Package.
Expedition Highlights
Lake Sandoval & Canopy
Search for endangered giant river otters on a pristine oxbow lake, and ascend to the rainforest rooftop via a 30-meter-high suspension bridge network.
Otherworldly Wetlands
Trek along a 200-meter wooden boardwalk through the 'aguajales' swampland, discovering how amphibians, reptiles, and macaws adapt to flooded habitats.
Conservation & Botany
Visit the ITA Bio-Orchard to learn about indigenous medicinal plants, and explore the 30-hectare Palmetum to see the famous 'walking palm' tree.
Dual Night Safaris
Experience the dramatic shift in jungle activity with two distinct nocturnal adventures: a river cruise searching for caimans and a deep-jungle night walk.
Detailed 4-Day Lake Sandoval Itinerary
The Heart of the Jungle
Amazon Elevation: 183 m / 600 ft (Puerto Maldonado / Madre de Dios)
DAY 1: Arrival, Rainforest Trails & River Night Watch
Arrival & The Trail System
Upon your arrival at Puerto Maldonado Airport, our staff will greet you and transfer you to the river port for a motorized boat ride down the Madre de Dios River to the lodge. After settling in and enjoying lunch, explore shaded jungle trails that wind between the buttress roots of ancient trees—an introduction to an ecosystem housing over 100 mammal species, 540 bird species, and a world-record 362 ant species.
River Night Watch
After sunset, board a motorized boat to cruise the Madre de Dios River. Guided by spotlights, scan the riverbanks in search of nocturnal wildlife, keeping an eye out for nightjars, owls, capybaras, and the glowing eyes of white caimans.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: Canopy Walkway & Lake Sandoval
The Canopy Walkway
Climb the exhilarating Canopy Walkway to observe the rainforest from its rooftop. Originally designed for scientific research, this network features seven hanging suspension bridges strung between eight treetop observation platforms over 30 meters (100 feet) above the forest floor.
Lake Sandoval Expedition
Next, hike a rainforest trail deep into the protected Tambopata National Reserve. Arriving at Lake Sandoval, a glassy oxbow lake, board a wooden dugout canoe. As you paddle silently through palm-flanked waters, look out for hoatzins, black caimans, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, and endangered giant river otters.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: Wetlands, Palmetum, Bio-Orchard & Night Safari
The Aguajales Wetlands & 30-Hectare Palmetum
Discover the Amazon's realm of aguajales (Mauritia palm swamplands) by following a 200-meter elevated wooden boardwalk. Learn how amphibians, reptiles, and macaws adapt to this flooded habitat. You will then explore the 30-hectare Palmetum, a conservation plot where you will uncover fascinating plant survival mechanisms, such as the famous "walking palm" tree.
Organic Bio-Orchard & Rainforest by Night
Visit the organic bio-orchard run by the Inkaterra Association (ITA) to learn about sustainable agroforestry and indigenous medicinal plants. After dinner, venture out on foot into the darkness of the primary forest, listening to the nocturnal chorus of frogs, insects, and night birds.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: Return Transfer to Puerto Maldonado
Departure
Following a final rainforest breakfast, check out at 10:00 AM and board your motorized boat for the return navigation along the Madre de Dios River to Puerto Maldonado Airport for your onward flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast.
Amazon Rainforest Basecamp
Experience an authentic and educational immersion deep within the Tambopata jungle.
Inclusions & Prices
Select Your Room Category
Per Person, Double Occupancy
Standard Room
$269 USD
Superior Room
$379 USD
What's Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Puerto Maldonado (PEM).
- Round-trip motorized boat transfers along the Madre de Dios River.
- 3 Nights eco-lodge accommodation in your selected room category.
- All guided excursions (Canopy Walkway, Wetlands Boardwalk, Palmetum & Bio-Orchard).
- Two distinct Night Safaris (River night watch and Rainforest night walk).
- Dugout canoe expedition on Lake Sandoval.
- Professional English-speaking resident naturalist guide.
- Full-Board Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 3 Dinners.
- All Tambopata National Reserve entrance tickets.
Not Included
- Domestic flights to and from Puerto Maldonado.
- Lunch on Day 4 (Departure day).
- Alcoholic beverages and bar purchases at the lodge.
- Gratuities for your naturalist guide and lodge staff (optional).
Essential Recommendations
- Packing Essentials: Bring lightweight, breathable, long-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect against mosquitoes. A flashlight/headlamp and strong insect repellent are mandatory for night walks.
- Footwear: The lodge provides rubber boots for muddy jungle and wetland trails, and you should bring comfortable walking shoes or sandals for wearing around the lodge.
- Luggage Allowance: Pack a small duffel bag or carry-on backpack (max 10kg) for the riverboat transfer; large suitcases are safely stored in Puerto Maldonado during your stay.