Sandoval lake expedition “looking for giant otters”

DAY 1: Puerto Maldonado – Sandoval Lake

On arrival at the city of Puerto Maldonado we will be transferred from the airport “Padre Jose Aldamis” towards the river port “Capitania” to aboard the motorized boat to take us to the entrance to the reserve of the Sandoval Lake downstream for 35 minutes, about this tour we will appreciate two very different rivers and colorful the Madre de Dios and Tambopata River.

At the entrance, we disembark and start to walk along a trail in the jungle to take us to Maloca Lodge located on the shores of the Lake, during this walk we will observe a wide variety of plants and trees as Oje, Lopuna (The giant tree), Renaco, Platanillos, Orchids, Wasai, etc.

In the afternoon once we will be at the lodge, after lunch and a short rest, we will e visit the west side of the lake in a rowboat, here on the shores of the Lake we will see a lot species of birds like the Shansho (prehispanic bird), Anhinga, Cormorants, Orioles, Martin Pescador, etc. That come to sunbathe and are above the old logs, also see variety of palms as the Aguaje, Chapajas, Wasai, among others, and we can see some species of monkeys that live in the reserve, including the Machines (monkeys Capuchins), the Friars, Cotomonos (howler monkeys), and the lioncillos among others.

DAY 2: Macaw Clay Lick – Walk around the Sandoval Lake

Very early in the morning we will go to the macaw clay lick, for it we will walk for thirty minutes approximately where we will appreciate exotic birds like the Macaw Scarlet, Macaw Bolivian, Macaw Cabezon and small parrots like the chericles of yellow head and other species of parrots, they perch in trees and old palms or trunks of aguaje and chapaja. After observing this beautiful natural spectacle we will return to the lodge for breakfast.

After a short break we will walk for the jungle and will appreciate medicinal and ornamental trees as cedar, Lopuna, Renaco, shihuwaco (hardwood), Almendrillo, and mahogany, among others, and especially will know the chestnut tree and the way in which the native people working to commercialize in the market. After all this experience we will back to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon we go by boat in search of animals of the place like monkeys and birds; such as Machin Black monkey, Fraile Monkey, Coto monkey (howler monkey), and at night we will have an exciting ride on the boat to look for the black caiman as distinguished from his eyes flashed in the water, in this place we also appreciate varieties of these reptiles and also different animals like insects, amphibians and bats. After this activity we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight in the place.

DAY 3: Looking for Howler Monkeys and Giant Otters

In the early morning we will go in search of howler monkeys to witness and hear the spectacular concert of howling that reach several kilometers away; then we return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast. After a short break we will have a relaxing bath in the river where people can swim in a place duly indicated to 50ms from the lake.

In the afternoon we will go in search of giant otters or river wolves, we will find a family of several specimens which live there, frequently show themselves as these mammals are very playful, good hunters and quick to sail down the river or lakes.

These giant otters feed on fish, they are very quick to get your food and in the same place we can appreciate turtles (taricaya). Also we see the Maracanás (aras severas), and varieties of birds like the Garza Cuca, Great Egret, Heron Tumuy Tumuy, and the cattle Garza, these birds also eat fish.

At sunset we will walk on the trails of the forest where we will observe nocturnal animals such as night monkeys, sloth bear, picuro, armadillo and the mountain tapir. At dusk we will hear sounds and noises of the forest animals such as birds, insects and reptiles. During this tour we perceive and feel as the animals forage for their food and other trap their prey like the snake, ocelot, jaguar, among others.

Our tour lasted about 2 hours and then returns to the lodge for dinner and overnight there.

DAY 4: Return to the City of Puerto Maldonado

After a delicious traditional breakfast from the Peruvian jungle, we will have a last walk around the Sandoval Lake. Then we start walking back towards the Madre de Dios River, where we expect the motorized boat to take us back to the city of Puerto Maldonado.

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