Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the other half on foot. For about S100 (bargain − several people can travel for this price),
a boat from Puerto Maldonado will drop you at the beginning of the trail and pick you up
later. The boat driver will also guide you to the lake on request. With luck, you might see
caiman, turtles, exotic birds, monkeys and maybe the endangered giant river otters that
live in the lake.
You can also reach the lake by hiking along a 3km trail, passable year-round, from the
jungle lodges here, located between Reserva Amazonica Lodge and EcoAmazonia Lodge
but on the opposite (south) side of the river. From the end of this trail, you can continue
2km on a narrower, less-maintained trail to the inexpensive Willy Mejía Cepa Lodge, or
take a boat ride across the lake to Sandoval Lake Lodge, the best lodge hereabouts.
Willy Mejía Cepa Lodge $
( 982-684-700; lenitokon@hotmail.com; Velarde 487 interior, Puerto Maldonado; r
per person around US$25) The Mejías have been offering basic accommodations to
budget travelers for two decades. The lodge can sleep 20 people in bungalow-style rooms
with shared bathrooms. Bottled drinks are sold. Prices include simple family meals, ac-
commodations and excursions (in Spanish). Room prices vary: ask about discounts, which
are frequently given according to group size and season.
LODGE
Sandoval Lake Lodge $$$
Offline map
(InkaNatura; www.inkanatura.com ; per 3 days & 2 nights s/d US$425/650); Cuzco (
084-23-1138; Ricardo Palma J1 Urb Santa Mónica & Plateros 361); Lima (
01-440-2022; Manuel Bañón 461, San Isidro) This InkaNatura-owned lodge is on the oth-
er side of the lake to Willy Mejía. Getting there is half the fun. After hiking the 3km to the
lake (bicycle rickshaws are available for luggage and for people with walking difficulties),
you board canoes to negotiate narrow canals through a flooded palm-tree forest inhabited
by red-bellied macaws, then silently paddle across the beautiful lake to the lodge. With
luck, you may spot the endangered giant river otter, several pairs of which live in the lake
(early morning is best). Various monkey species and a host of birds and reptiles can also
be seen. Hikes into the forest are offered, and the knowledgeable guides are multilingual.
The spacious lodge is built on a hilltop about 30m above the lake and surrounded by
primary forest. The lodge was built from salvaged driftwood; the owners pride themselves
on the fact that no primary forest was cut during construction (this is also true of some
other lodges, though not always mentioned). The rooms, with heated showers and ceiling
fans, are the best in the area. The restaurant-bar area is huge, airy and conducive to relax-
ing and chatting. Book with InkaNatura.
LODGE
 
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