4-Day Amazon Jungle Tour from Iquitos with Pink Dolphins and Wildlife

4 Days Round trip from Iquitos Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Spot and swim near pink dolphins in the Amazon River
  • 02 Watch macaws, toucans, hoatzins, harpy eagles, and other birds in Pacaya-Samiria
  • 03 Set out on nighttime caiman observation and jungle hikes for nocturnal wildlife
  • 04 Learn jungle survival skills and the traditional uses of medicinal plants
  • 05 Fish for piranhas in the dark tributaries of the Amazon
  • 06 Get up close to rescued monkeys and meet a community-raised sloth
  • 07 Navigate Amazon rivers and lagoons by canoe in search of monkeys, sloths, and dolphins
  • 08 Visit an indigenous community to learn about local customs, farming, fishing, and crafts

Spend 4 days deep in the Peruvian Amazon exploring the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve by boat, canoe, and on foot. This all-inclusive jungle experience combines wildlife encounters such as pink dolphins, monkeys, sloths, caimans, and tropical birds with hands-on activities including piranha fishing, jungle survival lessons, and medicinal plant demonstrations. You'll also visit an indigenous community, enjoy nights at a jungle lodge, and discover the extraordinary landscapes, sounds, and traditions of the Amazon rainforest.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Iquitos, Nauta, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Iquitos Transfer, Amazon River Journey, and Night Caiman Watching

  1. At 8:00 am, we'll pick you up from your hotel in Iquitos to begin the tour. First, we'll travel by car to the city of Nauta, where we'll board a boat that will take us directly to the lodge. From there, we'll continue on a traditional boat along the Amazon River, making a brief stop at the confluence of Peru's three great rivers: the Amazon, the Marañón, and the Ucayali. At this point, we'll have the opportunity to observe pink river dolphins, which primarily inhabit the Amazon River, giving us an excellent chance to see them.

  2. In a traditional wooden canoe, we'll navigate around the lagoons to familiarize ourselves with the surrounding jungle area before enjoying our first jungle lunch. During the trip, we'll look out for birds, monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife.

  3. After lunch, we'll explore the jungle by boat in search of monkeys, macaws, toucans, sloths, and other wildlife we might spot along the way. This exploration offers a unique experience in a small boat, allowing us to reach more pristine areas. On this expedition, you'll observe different species of monkeys, birds, and pink and gray dolphins from our vessel, experiencing an adventure reminiscent of 15th-century European explorers.

  4. Finally, enjoy the sunset over the rainforest from our boat. Afterward, the group will depart by canoe for a nighttime caiman observation excursion. The guide will explain the nocturnal wildlife and Amazonian nature, and show you the different species of caimans, including black and white caimans. Weather permitting, you'll enjoy the return to the lodge with the moonlight and stars reflected on the river - a truly unforgettable experience.

  5. We will return to the lodge to enjoy a home-cooked dinner and a good night's rest.

2
Day 02

Jungle Hike, Survival Skills, Pink Dolphins, and Night Walk

  1. Jungle hike.
    After breakfast, we'll set off on a hike through the jungle. You'll learn how the natives interpret and use the rainforest, the use of medicinal plants, how to communicate with the trees, and which plants to use for protection against jaguars. During the hike, you'll also learn to identify the diverse flora and fauna, including giant tree species like the Lupuna (Ceiba tree), and you'll have the opportunity to see monkeys, snakes, and birds.

  2. Knowledge of medicinal plants.
    You will learn about the medicinal plants that local people use to cure illnesses, as well as about traditional aphrodisiac drinks made from the bark and roots of certain trees.

  3. Survival skills.
    Next, our guide will give us a practical lesson on how to survive in the jungle and how to use what nature offers to our advantage, just like a local. You'll learn how to find your way if you get lost, how to drink water from vines, and how to eat wild fruits.
    We'll also look for some 'Tarzan' vines to have fun imitating his movements.

  4. Gathering wild foods.
    Finally, we will take advantage of the hike to collect some typical jungle foods, such as chonta fruit and mushrooms, which we will use for lunch.

  5. Lunch and pink dolphins.
    After a rest in the hammocks, we'll head back out onto the Amazon River to swim with the dolphins. It's very likely that the pink dolphins will appear, but we must keep a safe distance and not touch them, as they are wild animals. If all goes well, they will approach us and we can swim alongside them.

  6. Mud bath.
    We'll make a brief stop on the banks of a tributary river to enjoy a mud treatment at the local natural spa. Cover yourself in mud and let your skin absorb all the nutrients and minerals. This treatment helps relieve stress, relax muscles, hydrate the skin, and eliminate toxins.

  7. Sunset and night hike.
    We'll return to the lodge enjoying a breathtaking sunset over the Peruvian Amazon from our boat. As night falls, we'll set out with flashlights to hike through the jungle in search of anacondas, tarantulas, scorpions, snakes, and giant frogs. You'll witness the jungle transform into a deafening chorus of nocturnal creatures, a fauna completely different from that of the day, accompanied by the magical sounds of insects, frogs, wild cats, and owls.

  8. Dinner and rest.
    After dinner, the guide will optionally share local stories and adventures he experienced during his childhood in the jungle.

3
Day 03

Sunrise Birdwatching, Piranha Fishing, Lagoon Visit, and Campfire Dinner

  1. Birdwatching. For early risers, we'll take an early morning canoe trip to enjoy the sunrise before breakfast. Macaws, toucans, hoatzins, harpy eagles, and camungos are some of the birds we're likely to see. The view is spectacular. Watch in awe as flocks of birds fill the jungle in search of food. Peru has the greatest number of bird species in the world, and this is one of the best places to see them, within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

  2. Breakfast and piranha fishing. Prepare to fish for the famous piranha in the dark tributaries of the Amazon. They are known for their sharp teeth and their insatiable and aggressive appetite for meat, which has given them fame in popular culture, including film, literature, and television.

  3. After lunch, we'll enjoy a canoe trip to visit a lagoon. Along the way, we'll see various species of monkeys, macaws, toucans, and sloths in the treetops. We'll stop to observe the famous Victoria Regia, also known as the Amazonian Orchid. This giant aquatic plant has white flowers that turn pink the next day. It's an imposing marsh plant that can reach up to 3 meters in diameter, recognized by its enormous circular leaf, a symbol of strength and grandeur.

  4. Dinner will be prepared over a campfire with a wood and charcoal grill on the riverbank, where you'll enjoy a BBQ-style meal. The beautiful scenery, the sounds of the jungle, and the crackling fire create a wonderful atmosphere as you sip on soft drinks, beer, or traditional aphrodisiac beverages made with tree bark and roots, if you wish.

  5. Enjoy a good rest in your room to prepare for an exciting day ahead.

4
Day 04

Monkey Island, Indigenous Community Visit, and Return to Iquitos

  1. Monkey Island. Before enjoying a hearty breakfast, visitors will have the opportunity to visit Monkey Island and interact with the monkeys by feeding them fruit. These monkeys were rescued from illegal loggers and released in this protected area near the village. Here, we can play with them and observe their behavior up close.

  2. Visit a native community. You'll have the opportunity to experience and observe indigenous life on the banks of the Amazon River. You'll see how houses are built, visit schools and churches, meet local people, and learn about their farming and fishing techniques. You'll also observe their customs and traditions to better understand their way of life. The people in the rainforest are very cheerful and welcoming, and they enjoy sharing their culture with international visitors. The children love to play sports, so don't hesitate to join in. Many families make handicrafts from natural and recycled materials. Here you'll have the opportunity to purchase unique pieces of Peruvian Amazonian crafts.

  3. Meet Pablito. Pablito the little sloth grew up with the community from a very young age, and he's never wanted to leave. Sometimes he gets lost in the jungle for a few days, but he always comes back. He's very affectionate with people; you can hold him and play with him.

  4. Lunch and an educational talk. We'll enjoy our last lunch in the jungle before our return journey. The guides will give a short talk about the current dangers facing the Peruvian rainforest and the Amazon in general. It's not all bad news, though. Ecotourism is an excellent alternative to logging and mining, and it contributes significantly to the well-being of indigenous communities.

  5. Transfer by boat and minivan, then return to the airport. Arrival at your hotel or Iquitos airport. To ensure proper coordination, please inform us of your flight number and time in advance.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Iquitos 3 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport pickup and transfer to Iquitos. Please provide your flight number and time.
  • Round-trip transportation to the Amazon Jungle Guide Lodge by minivan and boat.
  • 3 nights' accommodation in our lodge.
  • Rooms with private showers, bathrooms, and mosquito nets.
  • All meals and drinking water included. Vegetarian meals available.
  • Guides available in English or Spanish.
  • Swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon River.
  • The best local stories of Peru, told by our native guide.
  • Canoe trips to look for sloths and monkeys.
  • Birdwatching.
  • Visit a local community.
  • Alligator sighting - we only take pictures.
  • Demonstration of medicinal plants and survival skills.
  • Nighttime excursions to find anacondas, tarantulas, scorpions, and giant frogs.
  • Piranha and ray fishing.
  • Hammocks for relaxing.

What's Not Included

  • Beer
  • Soft drinks
  • Airfare
  • Cigarettes

What to bring

  • Long and short pants
  • Long-sleeved shirts or polo shirts in light colors
  • Camera and additional batteries
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sun block
  • Swimwear
  • Hat or cap
  • Water bottle
  • Extra money to buy handicrafts

Know before you go

Please send us your flight information so we can pick you up from Iquitos airport.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
If you arrive in Iquitos one day before the tour starts, please send us the name and address of your hotel in Iquitos.
Tour start
Iquitos, Perú
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Iquitos.

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