4-Day Amazon Jungle Tour from Iquitos with Monkey Island

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Spot pink river dolphins where the Amazon, Marañón, and Ucayali Rivers meet
• 02 Explore the jungle by canoe in search of monkeys, sloths, macaws, and toucans
• 03 Learn medicinal plant knowledge and jungle survival skills on a rainforest trek
• 04 Swim near pink dolphins and enjoy a natural mud treatment on a tributary bank
• 05 Go birdwatching in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and fish for piranhas
• 06 Visit Monkey Island and a native community on the banks of the Amazon River

Embark on a 4-day Amazon adventure from Iquitos with river travel, jungle walks, and close encounters with the wildlife of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Cruise the Amazon and its tributaries in search of pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, macaws, toucans, and caimans, then explore the rainforest on foot while learning medicinal plant knowledge and jungle survival skills. The experience also includes birdwatching, piranha fishing, a visit to Monkey Island, and time with a native community on the banks of the Amazon River. With lodge accommodation, meals, and guided excursions included, this tour offers an immersive introduction to the Peruvian Amazon.

Watch the jungle transform into a dark, loud chorus of nocturnal creatures.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Iquitos, Nauta, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Amazon River Adventure

• 08:00 am: You will be picked up at your Iquitos hotel starting the tour; please get in touch with us with your flight/hotel details so we can be on time. First, we drive to Nauta to board a boat that will take us directly to the lodge; from there, we follow a typical boat along the Amazon River to make a brief stop where the three major rivers in Peru meet. Here, we can spot pink river dolphins in the Amazon, the Marañón, and the Ucayali Rivers; they are mainly in the Amazon River, so we will have an excellent chance to see them.
• In a typical wood canoe, we will head out on the river around the “lakes” to familiarize ourselves with the nearby jungle area before our first lunch in the jungle. We will look for birds, monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife.
• Lunch, then Canoe Ride. Exploring the jungle by boat in search of monkeys, macaws, toucans, sloths, and other wild animals that we can observe during the tour allows us to enjoy a unique experience on a small boat to reach wild áreas.On this expedition, you can observe different species of monkeys, birds, and pink and grey dolphins from our boat, launching you into an adventure like the one experienced by the intrepid European explorers of the 15th century.
• Finally, enjoy the sunset over the jungle from our boat, and the group will leave by canoe for caiman (alligator) night spots. The guide will explain the nightlife, speciality and Amazon nature and show you the different caimans(black and white caiman). Depending on the sky, you will enjoy a ride back to the lodge with moonlight and stars reflected in the river; this truly is an incredible experience.
•  We return to the lodge for a home-cooked meal and a good night’s sleep.

2

Day 02

Jungle Trek and Night Exploration

• Jungle Walk: After breakfast, we will leave for a trekking journey through the jungle. You will learn how natives use and read the jungle, medicinal plants, how to communicate with the help of trees, and which plants to use to protect against a Jaguar. The trekking also allows you to learn to identify the diverse flora and fauna, such as the different species of giant trees, such as the Lupuna (Ceiba Tree), and the possibility of seeing animals like monkeys, snakes, and birds.
• Medicinal plant knowledge: Learn about the medicinal plants locals use to cure illnesses and traditional aphrodisiac drinks made from tree bark and roots.
• Survival Skills: Then, our guide will give us an experiential class on how to survive in the jungle and how to use what nature itself gives us for our benefit, just as a local person would do, by learning how to find your way if you are lost, drinking water from the liana and eating wild fruits.
  Also, let’s find some Tarzan vines to have fun simulating their movements!
• Foraging for wild food: Finally, we will take advantage of the walk to collect some typical jungle foods, such as chonta and mushrooms, which we will eat for lunch.
• Lunch and Pink Dolphins. Afterwards, after taking a break in the hammocks, we head back onto the Amazon River to swim with the river dolphins. It is highly likely that the pink dolphins will appear, but we should keep our distance without touching them because they are wild animals. If all goes well, we’ll let them approach us, and we can swim together.
• Mud Treatment: Then, we make a brief stop on the banks of a tributary river for a mud treatment at the local “spa.” Roll in the mud and let your skin absorb all the nutrients and minerals. Additional healing benefits include stress relief, relaxing the muscles, moisturising the skin, and eliminating toxins.
• Sunset Tour and Night time Hiking. Finally, we will cruise back to the lodge, ending the day by watching a stunning sunset over the Peruvian Amazon from our boat. We will venture out with flashlights and walk through the jungle at night, searching for anacondas, tarantulas, scorpions, snakes and giant frogs. Watch the jungle transform into a dark, loud chorus of nocturnal creatures. A completely different range of fauna appears at night compared to the daytime, listening to the magical sounds of insects, frogs, wild cats, and owls.
• Dinner and Sleep. After dinner, if optional, the guide will tell you local stories and adventures he experienced during childhood.

3

Day 03

Birdwatching and Piranha Fishing

• Bird watching: For the early birds who like it, an early canoe trip allows them to enjoy the sunrise before breakfast. Macaws, toucans, shansho, the harpy eagle, and camungo are just some of the birds you are likely to see. The view is spectacular! Watch in awe as flocks of winged warblers fill the rainforest in search of food. Peru has the most significant number of bird species in the world, and this is the best place to see them at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
• Breakfast and Piranha Fishing: Get ready to fish for the infamous piranha in the dark tributaries of the Amazon. Piranhas are known for their sharp teeth and insatiable and aggressive appetite for meat, which has given them a certain prominence in popular culture, both in film, literature, and television.
• After lunch, we will enjoy a canoe ride to visit a lake. On the way, we will see species of monkeys, macaws, toucans, and sloths in the canopy. We’ll stop by to see the famous Victoria Regia or the Amazon Orchid. This Giant Water Lily has white flowers that change to pink the next day. It is an imposing swamp plant that can grow up to 3 meters in diameter! It is known for its huge circular leaf, which is a symbol of strength and magnitude.
• Dinner will be prepared at a fireplace in a wood and charcoal stove above the river bank, where you can enjoy a BBQ meal. The beautiful view, sound of the jungle, and campfire provide a great atmosphere while you enjoy soft drinks, a beer, or traditional aphrodisiac drinks made from the bark and roots of trees if you would like.
• Have a good night's sleep in your room to be prepared for an exciting next day.

4

Day 04

Wildlife Encounter and Cultural Immersion

• Monkey Island: Before a good morning breakfast, guests can visit the monkey island and interact with the monkeys by feeding them with fruits we will bring. This species of monkey has been rescued from illegal loggers and released in this protected area of the village. Here, we can play with the monkeys.
• Visit a native community: Here, you can learn and observe indigenous life on the banks of the Amazon River. You’ll see how homes are constructed and check out the schools and churches. Meet the locals and learn about their farming and fishing techniques. You can observe local customs and traditions to understand the lifestyle better. The people in the jungle are very cheerful and welcoming. They like to share their culture with international guests. The children like to play sports a lot, so please join in. Many families work making crafts from natural and recycled materials. Here, you will have the opportunity to buy one-off handicrafts from the Peruvian Amazon!
• Meet Pablito: The baby sloth, Pablito, grew up in the community from a very young age. Since then, he has never wanted to leave. Sometimes, he gets lost in the jungle for a few days, but he always returns to the community. He is very affectionate with people so we can carry and play with him!
• Lunch and Education: Our final jungle lunch before your journey. Guides will briefly discuss the current dangers facing the Peruvian jungle and the Amazon. It’s not all bad news! Eco-tourism is an excellent alternative to logging and mining and highly benefits indigenous communities.
• Boat, Minivan & Airport Drop-Off: Arrival at Iquitos hotel/airport. For this purpose, please inform us of your flight number/time so we can plan.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Pick-up and drop-off at Iquitos Airport. For this purpose, please provide your flight numbers and times.
• Round-trip transportation to and from Curuhuinsi Lodge by minivan and boat.
• 3 nights' accommodation at our lodge.
• Rooms with private showers, bathrooms, and mosquito nets.
• All meals and drinking water. Vegetarian meals are available.
• Guides available in English or Spanish.
• Swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon River.
• Best local stories in Peru, told by the local guide.
• Canoeing to look for sloths and monkeys.
• Birdwatching.
• A visit to our local village.
• Alligator hunting - we only shoot with cameras!
• Medicinal plants and survival skills.
• Night tours to find anacondas, tarantulas, scorpions, and giant frogs.
• Fishing for piranhas and stingrays.
• Hammocks.

What's Not Included

• No beers
• No cigars
• No air tickets

What to bring

• Long and short pants
• Long-sleeved clothing in light colors
• Camera and extra batteries
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Hat or cap
• Plastic bottle or canteen

Know before you go

• Your visit to the Amazon will be to our liking, and your enjoyment will be authentic.
• Come! Don't miss the adventure tourism that we have for you.
• Enjoy, live, and get excited, as we have a different activity for each day.
• We were born to offer you all the good things about tourism in a family environment.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Pick up at any hotel in Iquitos or at Iquitos Airport with prior coordination with the client.

Tour start

Iquitos, Perú

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.