5 Days / 4 Nights — Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Day: Iquitos – Nauta – Pacaya Samiria

Itinerary

• Departure: 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
• Return: Day 4 at approximately 5:00 p.m.

We will pick you up in Iquitos and travel by road to Nauta, a journey of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Nauta, we will board a private boat and travel toward Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where we may have the opportunity to observe pink and gray river dolphins, birds, and other Amazonian wildlife along the way.

After entering the reserve through Santo Domingo, we will continue to Buenos Aires, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will explore the rainforest on a guided jungle hike, followed by a nighttime jungle excursion to look for nocturnal wildlife.

Meals: Lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Traditional community house

Day 2: Sunrise, Yanayacu River & Renaco Cocha Exploration

We will begin the day with an early-morning canoe excursion to observe birds, monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife as the rainforest comes to life. After breakfast, we will navigate along the Yanayacu River toward Renaco, traveling deeper into the rainforest.

We will explore the jungle on foot, search for the impressive lupuna tree (Ceiba pentandra), and learn more about the Amazon rainforest ecosystem. Depending on river conditions, there will also be an opportunity to swim in the river and possibly observe river dolphins in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, we will explore Renaco Cocha by canoe, searching for wildlife and enjoying the surrounding rainforest.

At night, we will embark on a caiman-spotting excursion before spending the night camping in the rainforest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Rainforest camping

Day 3: Zapotal & Amazonian Wildlife

We will begin the day with a morning canoe excursion in search of monkeys and other wildlife. After breakfast, we will navigate for approximately 3 hours to Zapotal, an area known for its abundance of sapote trees. We will explore the area in search of primates, birds, arapaima (paiche), and other Amazonian wildlife. Later, we will walk through the rainforest in search of macaws, including red, green, blue, and yellow species, as well as birds such as the hoatzin.

At night, we will embark on a nighttime wildlife excursion in search of caimans, frogs, snakes, and other nocturnal species.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: Rainforest camping

We will begin the day with an early-morning canoe excursion, taking advantage of the quiet hours of the morning for birdwatching as the rainforest gradually comes to life. After breakfast, we will navigate for approximately 3 hours toward the Chingana area, one of the more remote and pristine parts of Pacaya Samiria, surrounded by extensive areas of primary rainforest. As we explore its waterways, we will search for giant river otters, one of the Amazon’s most remarkable aquatic mammals.

We will also take a guided botanical walk through the rainforest, discovering native medicinal plants and learning about their traditional uses and importance to local Amazonian communities. As night falls, we will embark on a canoe excursion along the waterways in search of black caimans and other nocturnal wildlife. Using flashlights, we will explore the riverbanks and observe how the rainforest comes alive after dark.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Rainforest camping.

Day 4: Final Amazon Excursion & Return to Iquitos

We will begin the day with a final early-morning canoe excursion to observe birds and other wildlife during the first hours of the day. After breakfast, we will take our last jungle walk before beginning our journey back to Iquitos.

We will stop at the Santo Domingo checkpoint, where you will have time to rest and visit the local community. We will then continue by boat to Nauta, where we will transfer to a vehicle for the approximately 1 hour and 45-minute journey back to Iquitos.

Upon arrival, we can drop you off at our office, your accommodation, or the airport, depending on your travel plans.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch