No trip to Iquitos is complete without crossing the majestic Amazon River, venturing deep into the rainforest, feeding manatees, visiting indigenous communities, and getting a close look at the incredible local wildlife: monkeys, jaguars, snakes, macaws, caimans, and much more.

 

Tour Start

We’ll begin our journey from Bellavista Nanay, a picturesque port where you can explore a wide variety of regional products and sample typical dishes from the Peruvian Amazon.

From there, we’ll board our boat and navigate the Nanay River, one of the major tributaries of the mighty Amazon. Our first stop will be the Butterfly Farm (Mariposario), where we’ll learn about the fascinating metamorphosis process of butterflies—from egg, larva, and caterpillar to chrysalis and, finally, butterfly.

This center also serves as a wildlife rescue facility, offering temporary refuge to animals such as monkeys, exotic birds, ocelots, tapirs, and even a jaguar, all rescued from illegal trafficking by the Ecological Police.

 

Visit to Indigenous Communities

Next, we’ll visit a small community of the Cocama-Cocamilla ethnic group, where we’ll learn about their customs and traditions. We’ll be welcomed with joyful, traditional dances and gratitude. There will also be an opportunity to purchase handcrafted goods made by the women of the community.

Before noon, we’ll meet members of the Bora tribe, one of the region’s most representative ethnic groups. The tribal chief will share a brief history of their people, followed by ceremonial dances performed by the community, in which visitors are invited to participate.

 

Lunch Aboard the Amazon

After these enriching cultural experiences, we’ll head to the mighty Amazon River to enjoy a delicious traditional Amazonian lunch on board the boat. While we eat, we’ll keep our eyes open for the famous pink dolphins, often seen swimming where the Nanay and Amazon rivers meet.

 

Fundo Pedrito and Jungle Walk

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Fundo Pedrito, a conservation center where we can observe and feed caimans, piranhas, and paiches—the largest freshwater fish in the world. We’ll also see the impressive Victoria Regia, the largest aquatic plant on the planet.

From there, we’ll continue our journey to the community of Independencia, where we’ll begin a walk through a primary rainforest that leads us to the majestic Ceiba tree, a giant that can reach up to 30 meters (nearly 100 feet) in height, with roots spreading out over 50 meters around its base.

 

Final Stop and Return

To conclude this unforgettable day, we’ll make a brief visit to the Primate Rescue Center, where we’ll see different species of monkeys, colorful macaws, toucans, and the awe-inspiring anaconda, among other Amazonian animals.

We’ll return to the city of Iquitos before sunset, bringing with us unforgettable memories of a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the heart of the Peruvian jungle.

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NOTE: Approximate return time to the city: 5:00 p.m.

All our programs are flexible, and activities may change order depending on weather and river conditions.