| One of the best ways to explore all that the | | | | catamaran to the west edge, where macaws |
| Amazon has to offer is to pick a small section of | | | | nest in the tall palms. Then, retire to the lodge and |
| the massive, largely untamed jungle, and explore | | | | enjoy dinner. |
| only that region. The Sandoval Lake, near Puerto | | | | In the evening, you will take another boat |
| Maldonado, is an excellent cross-section of the | | | | excursion, this time in the dark, so that you can |
| Amazon. | | | | look for the elusive black caimans that are active |
| The lake offers nearly all the elements of a | | | | in the evenings. |
| complete Amazon experience: a placid, sunny, | | | | Day 2: You will want to wake up early so as to |
| oxbow lake with palm, kapok and caoba trees, | | | | do the most exploring before midday, when the |
| orchids, and other flowers along its edges. | | | | sun is most potent. Take a tour at sunrise around |
| Mauritanian palms - which can tower up to 100 | | | | the lake, because this is the best time to spot |
| feet tall - also flourish here. There are plenty of | | | | giant river otters. You also might see hoatzins and |
| wildlife creatures here as well, such as brightly | | | | other exotic birds. |
| colored toucans, macaws, parrots, and waterfowl, | | | | Enjoy breakfast in the lodge before taking a tour |
| plus tapires, river otters, and reptiles like turtles | | | | of the Brazil Nut trees that grow near the lake. |
| and caimans. Botanists, arborists, bird enthusiasts, | | | | Then you will return to the lodge to relax, have |
| and other travelers need go no further than the | | | | lunch, and explore the surrounding area before |
| far reaches of this beautiful Amazon lake. | | | | setting off for another exploration of the lake, |
| Day 1: Fly to Puerto Maldonado, the small tourist | | | | this time of the east edge. On this side reside |
| spot that acts as the launch point into the jungle | | | | several species of monkeys. |
| interior. From the nearby port, you will pick up a | | | | After dinner, you can choose to go on another |
| boat to take you along the Madre de Dios river to | | | | night tour around the lake, take a nature hike, or |
| Sandoval Lake. The trek to Sandoval is an | | | | relax in the lodge. |
| adventure in itself: you'll take a 25 minute boat | | | | Day 3: Waking early for breakfast, you will head |
| ride, followed by a 2 mile short walk, to another | | | | out to the lake for another spin, before heading |
| river that will lead you to the lake. | | | | back to Puerto Maldonado. If you wish, you have |
| Once there, you will have the chance to relax, eat | | | | the option of booking a four day tour, which |
| lunch, and explore the lodge, before you set off | | | | would allow you an additional day to explore this |
| to explore this large lake. You will take a small | | | | wonderous lake full of rare sights and experiences. |