Bienvenidos a Tours en Iquitos
6-Days expedition to Pacaya Samiria
6 days / 5 nights · Pacaya Samiria National Reserve · Samiria River
S/ 3,349 per person · Minimum 2 travelers
Go Beyond the Accessible Amazon
Pacaya Samiria is immense. But this expedition takes you deep into the Samiria River basin, one of the more remote areas of the reserve.
From Iquitos, travel by road and river into the heart of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where the experience becomes less about visiting the Amazon and more about living in it.
Over six days, you will navigate the Marañón and Samiria rivers, camp in the rainforest, explore small waterways, search for wildlife, walk through primary forest, fish for piranhas, take nighttime excursions, and spend time with an Amazonian community.
This is a true rainforest expedition for travelers who want more than a conventional Amazon tour.
Includes transportation · guide · meals · camping · entrance fees
Day 1 — Iquitos to the Samiria River
Iquitos · Nauta · Marañón River · Samiria River · San Martín de Tipishca
Your expedition begins early in Iquitos.
At approximately 5:00 a.m., we pick you up from your hotel and travel by road to Nauta, the main gateway for river journeys into Pacaya Samiria from Iquitos.
From Nauta, we board our boat and begin navigating the Marañón River toward the Samiria River.
During the journey, keep an eye out for river dolphins and Amazonian birds as the landscape gradually becomes more remote.
Upon reaching the Samiria River, we stop at the control post, present our entrance permits, and meet the park rangers responsible for conservation and monitoring in this area.
We then continue to San Martín de Tipishca, a Cocama-Cocamilla community that will serve as our base during the first part of the expedition.
After lunch, we explore the community and learn about its traditions, agriculture, culture, and way of life.
Later in the afternoon, we take a boat excursion in search of pink and gray river dolphins and Amazonian birds before returning to the community for dinner.
Day 2 — Deep into Pacaya Samiria and Piranha Fishing
After an early breakfast, we prepare our camping equipment and travel deeper into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Before midday, we reach a remote lake surrounded by rainforest, where we select a suitable location for our camp.
With the help of our local guide, we set up camp and prepare lunch in the middle of the rainforest.
In the afternoon, we experience one of the traditional activities of the expedition: piranha fishing.
You will learn local fishing techniques and may also encounter other Amazonian fish species.
After returning to camp, part of the day's catch may be prepared for dinner.
As darkness falls, we head out on a night boat excursion in search of caimans and other nocturnal wildlife.
Day 3 — Wildlife Observation and Jungle Tracking
We begin early with a birdwatching excursion, taking advantage of the first hours of activity in the rainforest.
After breakfast, we continue navigating small rivers and Amazonian channels in search of giant river otters, monkeys, and birds.
We then reach our next camping area, where lunch is prepared while we set up camp and take a short break.
In the afternoon, we leave the river and enter the rainforest to look for tracks and signs of larger Amazonian mammals.
With our guide, we search for evidence of animals such as tapirs, jaguars, and other terrestrial wildlife.
Actual sightings of large mammals are uncommon, but their tracks provide valuable clues about the wildlife living in the forest.
Before sunset, we return to camp for dinner around the fire.
At night, we experience traditional spear fishing beneath the Amazonian sky.
Day 4 — Primary Rainforest Walk and Park Ranger Visit
We wake surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.
After breakfast, we break camp and begin an approximately 1.5-hour walk through primary rainforest toward the Samiria River.
A boat will be waiting for us on the river to continue toward the Third Control Post in the Samiria basin.
After registering our visit, we have lunch by the river and meet with park rangers to learn more about their work protecting and monitoring Pacaya Samiria.
Depending on local conditions and the recommendations of the rangers, we may spend the night at the control post.
After dark, we head out again to explore the surrounding area in search of anacondas, snakes, nocturnal birds, and other nighttime wildlife.
Day 5 — Exploring the Samiria River and Farewell to the Community
After breakfast, we begin our return journey toward San Martín de Tipishca.
We navigate downstream through the landscapes of Pacaya Samiria, keeping watch for monkeys, birds, river dolphins, and other wildlife along the riverbanks.
This is also our opportunity to appreciate the flooded forests and waterways of the reserve one last time.
We reach San Martín de Tipishca in the late afternoon.
In the evening, we share a farewell dinner with the community, bringing our immersion in the heart of the Amazon to a close.
Day 6 — Samiria River to Nauta and Iquitos
After an early breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts and begin navigating back toward Nauta.
During the morning, we enjoy the final landscapes of Pacaya Samiria as we travel through the reserve.
Depending on river levels, the return journey may take approximately 6 to 8 hours.
Once we reach Nauta, we continue by road to Iquitos.
Arrival in Iquitos is expected between approximately 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
End of your 6-day Pacaya Samiria expedition.
Important Information About the Expedition
This is an expedition into a remote natural environment. Our itinerary is flexible and activities may change depending on weather conditions, river levels, recommendations from park rangers, and conditions within Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The animals live freely in their natural habitat, and every expedition is different.
The goal is not to guarantee encounters with wildlife, but to give you more time and access to the environments where wildlife lives.
What's Included in the Pacaya Samiria Tour?
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Private round-trip transportation between Iquitos and Nauta.
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River transportation throughout the expedition.
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Navigation along the Marañón and Samiria rivers.
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Official Amazonian tour guide.
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Cook throughout the expedition.
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Full meals during the trip.
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Camping accommodation.
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Camping equipment required for the rainforest.
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Entrance fees and permits for Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
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Daytime and nighttime rainforest excursions.
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Piranha fishing.
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Traditional spear-fishing experience.
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Amazonian community visit.
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Cultural exchange experience.
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Visits to reserve control and monitoring posts.
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First-aid kit.
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Basic safety equipment.
Is This Pacaya Samiria Expedition Right for You?
This expedition is ideal for travelers who:
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Want to explore Pacaya Samiria from Iquitos.
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Are interested in wildlife and birdwatching.
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Want to spend several days inside the rainforest.
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Prefer an expedition over a conventional lodge-based Amazon tour.
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Enjoy river navigation and jungle walks.
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Want to experience the Amazon at night.
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Are comfortable camping in a remote environment.
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Want to learn about Amazonian communities and conservation.
This may not be the right trip if...
You are looking for a short, comfortable jungle excursion with easy access and hotel-style accommodation.
This expedition is about immersion, exploration, and spending real time in the rainforest.
