DAY ONE

 

Morning pickup from your accommodation in Iquitos or from our office by private vehicle or minivan (depending on group size). We will drive south for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes until we reach the town of Nauta. During the drive, you will receive a brief description of Iquitos, its surroundings, and some of its main attractions. Departure by private boat from the port of Nauta, continuing upriver for 3 hours, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the chance to see river dolphins (gray and pink), herons, turtles, and many other species along with spectacular flora.

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We arrive at the community of Santo Domingo, where we reach the checkpoint to enter the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. There we register and show our tickets to the official in charge. Entry to Pacaya Samiria is controlled and regulated by SERNANP (National Service of Natural Protected Areas).

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​Continue the boat ride for 30 minutes to reach the community of Buenos Aires. Along the way, we will observe the flora and fauna along the riverbanks. Keep an eye out for birds, especially herons (such as the great-crowned heron or the snowy egret) and kingfishers. A hiking expedition through the primary rainforest will allow you to observe wildlife and enjoy nature. A night walk will take you in search of spiders, snakes, lizards, frogs, and rodents, listening for the different sounds of nocturnal animals.

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We'll spend the night in a typical village house in the community of Buenos Aires. We'll sleep in single beds with mosquito nets. (We have the option of sleeping in tents in the jungle if you wish.)

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DAY TWO​

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We'll wake up early to enjoy the sunrise in the rainforest and then begin our expedition. We'll keep an eye out for monkeys and sloths. Then we'll board a canoe and explore the riverbanks, always alert to movements and sounds to observe the wildlife in their morning routines by the river. We'll sail for approximately 3 hours along the Pucate River, going deeper and deeper into the primary rainforest. We'll take you by boat to try artisanal sport fishing for piranhas, just like the locals do. The guide will instruct you, assist you, and provide all the necessary equipment. If you're skilled, you might even catch acarahuazu (Oscar fish) and fasaco (common trahira), among others. We'll observe pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and gray dolphins (tucuxis). This is your chance to dive into the Pucate River and swim in Pacaya Samiria.

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Hike through the virgin rainforest where we can observe the Amazonian flora and fauna. A walking tour to see the lupuna, one of the largest trees in the Amazon rainforest. Explore Lake Iricahua (cocha). To get there, we will hike for 2 to 3 hours deep into the jungle. In Iricahua, we will have the opportunity to observe different species of monkeys, such as the woolly monkey, the howler monkey, and the marmoset monkey (monkey or tocón), among others. This lake is also home to the paiche (Arapaima gigas), the largest fish in the Amazon rainforest. We will also observe turtles and caimans in search of sun. Night expedition to search for and see black and white caimans (large river lizards). We will set up camp. We will camp in the main jungle. We will sleep in tents.

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DAY THREE

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.We wake up very early and begin searching for primates while exploring in our canoe. Morning botanical walk. You will learn about different medicinal plants from the Amazon rainforest. You will learn how to cut and drink from a vine called "water rope." Prepare your camping gear and get ready to enter the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. We will sail for approximately two hours to our next destination. An expedition to observe primates and other animals in their habitat. The deeper you go into the Amazon rainforest, the greater your chances of spotting wildlife. Stream exploration by canoe. At the end of the stream, we will disembark the canoe and explore the surrounding area, observing wildlife such as the nine-banded armadillo (Carachupa), the giant anteater (Oso anteater), rodents such as the paca guti (Majaz) and the añuje (Añuje), among others. Nighttime expedition in search of (and listening for) nocturnal animals, including alligators, frogs, snakes, and others. We'll set up camp. We'll camp in the main jungle. We'll sleep in tents.

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DAY FOUR

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An approximately 2-hour boat ride will take us to our next campsite, deep into the pristine jungle in a local area called Quebrada del Fraile. The deeper we go into the jungle, the greater the chances of seeing different species of animals, birds, and fish. A hike through the jungle will allow us to find and observe monkeys (such as the howler monkey and the woolly monkey) and other animals. We will be vigilant, as this area is ideal for spotting macaws (red-and-green macaws, blue-and-yellow macaws, and others). In the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, we can find two of the eight species of macaws found in Peru. An excursion to find and observe giant river otters. A nighttime canoe excursion will take us on a wildlife spotting excursion. Night walk in search of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and rodents such as the black agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) and the paca agouti (majaz). We will camp in the virgin forest. We will sleep in tents.

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DAY FIVE

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Breakfast and departure (7am) ​​We continue to discover new places, fauna, and flora. In the morning, we will have the opportunity to take a hike through the jungle for at least two hours. This journey, walking and making our way with the machete, will give us the opportunity to continue discovering new species of primates, birds, giant trees, medicinal plants, and everything else the jungle has to offer. We will have lunch in the jungle. During the return trip, you can continue observing pink river dolphins and "taricayas," the local name for the yellow-spotted river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis). You might also have the opportunity to see the elusive otters.

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DAY SIX

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An early morning canoe trip will awaken your senses. We will go birdwatching. This is the best time to see wild birds in their natural habitat, along the riverbanks and in the jungle. We will hike through the jungle in search of primates, exploring the surrounding lakes (cochas) in search of wildlife. We begin our return journey, stopping in the community of Buenos Aires to stretch our legs and have the opportunity to contribute to the community by purchasing their handmade crafts, if you choose. We will return by boat to the town of Nauta.

Ground transportation from Nauta to Iquitos.

Arrival at our office, or if you prefer, we will transfer you to your accommodation in Iquitos or to the airport.

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