In its December
2002 review of the best
lodges in the rainforest, Condé Nast Traveler
named Sandoval
Lake lodge as one of the
eight best lodges in the Amazon Basin with "...a
reputation for its great food...its setting...and
for its wildlife" (December 2002).
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 Located on the high bluffs overlooking
Sandoval Lake, within the protected Tambopata-Candamo Reserve
of southeastern Peru,
this 25-room lodge is a partnership between conservation
agency Tropical Nature and five Brazil nut-gathering families.
It was built
to protect the Giant Otters and other endangered wildlife
that inhabit the lake and surrounding forest.
Those
who wish a short or economical trip to excellent
lowland rain forest should visit Sandoval Lake Lodge. To
reach Sandoval Lake, you boat 25 minutes down the Madre
de Dios River from the city of Puerto Maldonado and then
walk or ride in our rickshaws for 45 minutes along two
miles (3 km) of flat, rain forest trail.
Sandoval Lake
Lodge is located in the Tambopata Candamo Reserve Zone.
Tambopata is internationally
famous as the site of the world's greatest lowland concentrations
of birds and butterflies,
and so offers an exciting and unique Amazon experience.
Sandoval Lake is considered by rainforest specialists as
the best
and most attractive lake in the Peruvian rain
forest. Here you will find predators in peril of extinction
such as the jaguar and the Giant Otter. On many days
the
resident family of Giant Otters swims and fishes in front
of the lodge. Frequently Hoatzins flash their rufous
wings and breathe their hoarse complaints within a few
feet of
the lodge dock.
 Sandoval Lake has one of the largest,
and most accessible, populations of endangered Giant Otters
in Peru. Once widespread throughout South America, the
Giant Otter was hunted nearly to extinction and is now
one of the most vulnerable mammals on the continent. Yet
Sandoval Lake has a thriving and healthy population, and
from the comfort and stability of catamarans these powerful
predators can be observed as they fish and frolic in the
lake.
Once you reach the lake staff of the
lodge paddle you for 30 minutes in our lake catamaran
to reach the
secluded Sandoval Lake Lodge, which enjoys a commanding
view of
the lake from the forested high ground above and
set back from the lake edge.  Constructed largely of ecologically-harvested "driftwood" mahogany
from the Manu River, the lodge is one extended structure
consisting of a large main dining room/lounge with 25 double
occupancy rooms (50 beds) arranged in two wings. One wing
features 16 rooms (32 beds) with private bathrooms, while
the other includes nine rooms (18 beds) with immaculate
communal toilets and showers.
All showers have hot water.
For a relaxed, complete introduction to the rain forest,
we recommend a minimum two-night stay. Nevertheless,
as Sandoval Lake Lodge is the only lodge in the Puerto
Maldonado
and Tambopata areas strategically located on a beautiful,
wildlife-rich lake, for the first time even a one-night
stay provides a rewarding rain forest experience. For
those who wish to visit a macaw clay lick in the Tambopata
area,
ask about our convenient and economical two- and three-night
extensions. | 
