Peru · Tribal Experiences

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm and Native Tribes

8 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Iquitos. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Boat journey along the Nanay River from Iquitos
  • 02 Visit Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm and wildlife rescue center
  • 03 Meet the Kukama Kukamiria and Bora communities
  • 04 See rescued snakes and exotic species at the Serpentario
  • 05 Explore the Insectarium’s collection of Amazon insects
  • 06 Taste traditional regional aphrodisiac cocktails
  • 07 Enjoy a traditional lunch with jungle views

Discover the rivers, wildlife, and living traditions of the Peruvian Amazon on this full-day experience from Iquitos. Travel by boat along the Nanay River to Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, where hundreds of butterflies flutter freely and rescued animals find sanctuary in a unique jungle setting.

Along the way, visit the Kukama Kukamiria and Bora communities to learn about ancestral customs, traditional dances, local crafts, and daily life. You will also stop at the Serpentario Rescue Center and the Insectarium for a closer look at some of the Amazon’s most fascinating species.

Complete the day with a tasting of regional aphrodisiac cocktails and a traditional lunch with views of the jungle before returning to Iquitos.

This beautiful sanctuary features a great diversity of butterflies in different sizes and colors, fluttering freely inside a specially designed greenhouse.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
City Iquitos
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Port of Bellavista Nanay

We will pick you up from your hotel located in downtown Iquitos and head to the Bellavista Nanay port to embark on a journey deep into the river, offering stunning views of the city and the Tarapacá Boardwalk.

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm

We will navigate the Nanay River until we reach the shores of the Padre Cocha community, and just a little further ahead, we will arrive at Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, a wildlife rescue center inaugurated in 2004. In addition to housing Peru’s only butterfly breeding center, it is home to a wide variety of rescued animals, including monkeys and other species.

This beautiful sanctuary features a great diversity of butterflies in different sizes and colors, fluttering freely inside a specially designed greenhouse. "Pilpintuwasi" means "butterfly house" in Quechua.

Kukama Kukamiria Community

Our tour continues with a boat ride to the Morón River, where we will visit the Kukama Kukamiria community. Here, you will learn about their customs, witness their traditional dances, and immerse yourself in their ancestral culture. This indigenous community settled in the area nearly 200 years before the Spanish conquest and mainly relies on fishing and agriculture.

Bora Community

We will also visit the native Bora tribe, where you will meet indigenous families who still preserve their traditions. Their homes are built in an octagonal shape, following their ancestral beliefs. You will see their handcrafted artworks, participate in their traditional dances, and visit their local farms.

Rescue Center and tasting of cocktails

The journey continues with a stop at the "Serpentario" Rescue Center, a natural sanctuary where you will get up close to some of the most fascinating and feared snakes of the Amazon jungle. You will learn about their behavior, ecological importance, and discover other exotic species.

Next, we will have the opportunity to taste traditional aphrodisiac cocktails from the region, such as "Siete Raíces" and "Rompe Calzón," among others.

Insectarium

We will then explore the Insectarium, a unique zoo-like exhibit featuring insects such as spiders, ants, beetles, scorpions, and more.

Floating Restaurant

To conclude the tour, we will enjoy a traditional lunch at a restaurant with breathtaking views of the Peruvian jungle (drinks not included).

Back to Iquitos city

Finally, we will return to the Boulevard Port in Iquitos and drop you off at the tour’s final stop, just one block from the Plaza de Armas.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Iquitos. 1 city · 8 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Round trip transfers to and from the port
  • River transport
  • Hotel pickup
  • Traditional Lunch
  • Tasting of aphrodisiac cocktails

What's Not Included

  • Hotel drop-off
  • Drinks at lunch

Know before you go

  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • The vaccine for the yellow fever is optional
  • At least 2 people are required for this activity to take place.
  • Pick up from centrally located downtown Iquitos hotels, near Plaza de Armas
  • Drop-off: Jiron Putumayo 157, one block from Plaza de Armas

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Iquitos.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Iquitos.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Iquitos..

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