Bienvenidos a Tours en Iquitos
8-Day Pacaya Samiria Tour
8-Day Pacaya Samiria Expedition from Iquitos – Samiria Expeditions
S/ 3,999 per person. Minimum 2 travelers
PACAYA SAMIRIA IS VAST. WE TAKE YOU DEEP INTO THE SAMIRIA RIVER BASIN
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is one of the most remarkable protected areas in the Peruvian Amazon. Within this immense landscape lies the Samiria River basin, a remote region known for its pristine rainforest, abundant wildlife, and extraordinary biodiversity.
Includes transportation, guide, meals, camping equipment, and entrance permits.
Why Choose Samiria Expeditions?
An Eight-Day Journey into the Wild Amazon
There is a big difference between visiting the Amazon rainforest and spending several days exploring its most remote areas.
This expedition takes you beyond the more accessible river routes and into the Samiria River basin, where every day brings new landscapes, wildlife habitats, and opportunities for exploration.
During this 8-day Pacaya Samiria tour, you will have the opportunity to:
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Navigate the Marañón and Samiria rivers.
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Explore remote lagoons and Amazonian waterways.
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Camp in the rainforest and experience its natural sounds after dark.
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Search for pink and gray river dolphins.
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Observe monkeys, birds, caimans, turtles, and other Amazonian wildlife.
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Look for signs of jaguars, tapirs, capybaras, and other mammals.
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Experience traditional piranha fishing and fishing with arrows.
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Explore flooded forests and areas of primary rainforest.
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Join guided nighttime excursions to look for nocturnal wildlife.
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Visit ranger checkpoints and learn about conservation work in the reserve.
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Experience the culture and traditions of local Amazonian communities.
Wildlife encounters depend on natural conditions, animal behavior, weather, and the time of year. Sightings of particular species cannot be guaranteed.
8-Day Pacaya Samiria Expedition Itinerary
Day 1 – Iquitos, Nauta, Marañón River, Samiria River, and San Martín de Tipishca
5:00 AM – Departure from Iquitos
Our expedition begins early, with pickup from your hotel in Iquitos at approximately 5:00 AM.
We travel by road for around 1 hour and 30 minutes to Nauta, the town connected to Iquitos by road.
In Nauta, we board a comfortable motorboat and begin navigating toward Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
We travel along the Marañón River for approximately four hours before reaching the Samiria River. During the journey, we enjoy the Amazonian scenery and keep an eye out for river dolphins and different bird species.
Upon entering the Samiria River area, we stop at a ranger checkpoint to present our entry permits. Here, we learn about the work carried out by park rangers to protect and conserve the reserve.
We then continue by boat toward San Martín de Tipishca, a community belonging to the Cocama-Cocamilla people.
We expect to arrive around lunchtime and settle into the community, which will serve as our base during the first part of the expedition.
In the afternoon, we explore the community and learn about local traditions, agriculture, culture, and everyday life.
Later, we take a boat excursion through the surrounding waterways in search of pink river dolphins, gray river dolphins, and different bird species.
We enjoy the sunset over the river before returning to the community for dinner and rest.
Day 2 – First Camping Experience in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
After breakfast, we prepare our camping equipment and travel by boat toward the heart of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Before midday, we reach a lagoon surrounded by rainforest, where we select a suitable location to establish our first campsite.
We set up camp and prepare lunch over a campfire, surrounded by the natural landscapes of the Amazon.
In the afternoon, we take part in a traditional piranha fishing excursion. Depending on local conditions and the catch, we may also encounter other Amazonian fish species.
We return to camp and prepare dinner, which may include some of the fish caught during the day.
As night falls, we join a guided boat excursion to look for caimans along the lagoon's banks.
We observe wildlife responsibly from a safe distance, following our guide's instructions and avoiding handling or disturbing the animals.
We then return to camp to rest beneath the Amazonian night sky.
Day 3 – Rainforest Exploration, Birdwatching, and Traditional Fishing
We wake up to the sounds of birds calling through the rainforest, an ideal time to begin observing wildlife in Pacaya Samiria.
With some luck, we may also encounter the impressive arapaima, known locally as paiche, one of the largest freshwater fish in the Amazon.
After a traditional breakfast, we navigate a narrow river toward the location of our second campsite.
During the journey, we look for birds, monkeys, and, if conditions are favorable, giant river otters.
Upon arrival, we set up our tents while our cook prepares lunch. We then have some time to rest before the afternoon activities.
Later, we explore nearby rainforest trails, looking for footprints and other signs of wildlife.
Our guide helps us identify tracks left by jaguars, tapirs, and other large mammals. Direct sightings are uncommon, but tracking allows us to learn about the animals that inhabit these forests.
After dinner, we explore the riverbank and take part in a traditional fishing activity using arrows, where conditions and local practices permit.
This area is also known for the presence of anacondas and electric eels, although encounters with these animals are not guaranteed.
We return to camp for the night, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.
Day 4 – Journey to Ranger Checkpoint No. 3
After breakfast, we dismantle our campsite and begin a hike of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes toward the banks of the Samiria River.
A boat will be waiting to take us to Ranger Checkpoint No. 3, where we enjoy lunch beside the river.
After registering at the checkpoint, we assess the possibility of spending the night there with our guide and the park rangers.
This is an opportunity to learn more about the conservation work carried out within Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and, when permitted and available, gain insight into the activities of the ranger team.
At night, we take a guided boat excursion to a nearby lagoon in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Depending on conditions, we may observe snakes, anacondas, nocturnal birds, and other Amazonian species.
We return to our designated overnight location to rest.
Day 5 – Searching for Arapaima and Exploring Primary Rainforest
At dawn, we head back toward the lagoon in the hope of observing arapaima in their natural habitat.
The early morning mist, bird activity, and quiet waterways create a remarkable atmosphere for wildlife observation.
After breakfast, we continue navigating toward Ranger Checkpoint No. 4, following the blackwater channels of the Samiria River.
The journey takes several hours and offers opportunities to observe the surrounding flooded forest and its wildlife.
Along the way, we keep watch for river turtles, caimans, iguanas, and, with some luck, capybaras resting among fallen trees and vegetation.
At night, we take a guided walk through the rainforest, exploring an environment where darkness reveals a different side of Amazonian wildlife.
The sounds of insects, frogs, and nocturnal animals become an essential part of the experience.
We return to our campsite to rest before another day of exploration.
Day 6 – Wildlife Tracking in the Heart of Pacaya Samiria
After breakfast, we begin another day of exploration in one of the remote areas of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
We venture into the rainforest to learn how to identify animal tracks, trails, marks on tree trunks, bitten fruit, and other signs that reveal the presence of wildlife.
Our exploration focuses on finding evidence of jaguars, tapirs, capybaras, and other large mammals that inhabit these forests.
We continue toward palm swamps and seasonally flooded forest, ecosystems that play an important role in supporting Amazonian biodiversity.
These environments may offer opportunities to observe different species, including anacondas in suitable habitats near the water.
As we navigate small channels and creeks, we move slowly and carefully observe the riverbanks and tree canopies.
With some luck, we may encounter monkeys, sloths, Amazonian birds, and other wildlife.
In the afternoon, we continue exploring the area around our campsite, paying attention to animal tracks, sounds, and movement in the forest.
As daylight fades, wildlife activity changes, creating new opportunities to look for species that are less active during the hottest hours of the day.
After dinner, we return to camp to rest, surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon rainforest.
Day 7 – Return to San Martín de Tipishca
After breakfast, we begin our return journey toward the community of San Martín de Tipishca.
We navigate throughout the day, once again enjoying the changing landscapes of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and observing the wildlife that inhabits its rivers and forests.
The return journey is an opportunity to appreciate the flooded forest, river channels, and the immense scale of the Amazonian landscape.
Upon arrival in the evening, we enjoy a warm dinner and spend our final night resting in the community.
Day 8 – Return to Iquitos
Depending on the transportation arrangements and river conditions, we depart San Martín de Tipishca from approximately 4:00 AM onward.
The boat journey to Nauta takes approximately four to eight hours, depending on the route and local conditions.
Upon arrival in Nauta, our vehicle takes us back to Iquitos, where our eight-day expedition through Pacaya Samiria National Reserve comes to an end.
Arrival in Iquitos is expected at approximately 6:30 PM, although the actual time may vary.
Important Information About the Itinerary
Our expedition programs are flexible, and activities may be adjusted according to weather conditions, river levels, recommendations from park rangers, and the conditions encountered within Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Wildlife observation takes place in a natural environment. We cannot guarantee sightings of specific animals, including jaguars, giant river otters, anacondas, or arapaima.
Our guide may adapt the route and activities to ensure that the expedition responds appropriately to local conditions and follows responsible wildlife observation practices.
What Is Included in the 8-Day Pacaya Samiria Tour?
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Your Samiria Expeditions package includes:
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Private round-trip ground transportation between Iquitos and Nauta.
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River transportation throughout the expedition along the Marañón and Samiria rivers.
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An official tour guide specializing in the Amazon region.
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A cook during the expedition.
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Meals throughout the journey.
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Camping accommodation during expedition nights.
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Camping equipment required for the rainforest stay.
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Entrance fees and permits for Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
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Daytime and nighttime excursions to explore the rainforest and look for wildlife.
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Piranha fishing and a traditional fishing experience using arrows.
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Visits to Amazonian communities and cultural exchange activities.
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Visits to ranger and monitoring checkpoints within the reserve.
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A first-aid kit and basic safety equipment.
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Please confirm the specific services, equipment, and departure arrangements included in your booking before traveling.
Book Your 8-Day Amazon Rainforest Expedition
Are you ready to explore one of the most remote regions of the Peruvian Amazon?
Join Samiria Expeditions for eight days and seven nights of river navigation, rainforest camping, wildlife tracking, traditional fishing, and immersive exploration.
Depart from Iquitos and travel deep into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, discovering a landscape shaped by rivers, flooded forests, lagoons, and extraordinary biodiversity.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: S/ 3,999 per person, subject to confirmation
Minimum group size: 2 travelers
Contact our team to confirm current availability, departure dates, pricing, and booking conditions.
