Excursion to the heart of the Peruvian Jungle - Iquitos

07 Days/06 Nights April to December Easy

Iquitos: If you have a week vacation in Iquitos our 7 Day & 6 Night amazon rainforest tour will expose you to all of the sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest! This tour includes 1 night of jungle camping at “Mirador Palo Alto”, a 3 story observation tower that provides a bird’s-eye view of the lowland jungle. During our Iquitos Peru jungle tour travelers will experience our most popular activities including: night time caiman excursion, visits to lagoons, bird watching excursion, piranha fishing, rainforest hiking, visit with native Amazonian tribes, canoe rides, viewing of pink river dolphins and much more!

Iquitos City, is the capital city of the Maynas Province and Loreto Region. The largest metropolis in the Peruvian Amazon, it is the sixth most populous city of Peru. It is known as the "capital of the Peruvian Amazon." The city is located in the Great Plains of the Amazon Basin, surrounded by the Amazon, Nanay and Itaya rivers. Overall, it constitutes Metropolitan Iquitos, a conurbation of 471.993 inhabitants consisting of four districts: Iquitos, Punchana, Belén, and San Juan Bautista. The area was long inhabited by indigenous peoples. The founding date of the European city is uncertain. Spanish historical documents state that it was set up around 1757 as a Spanish Jesuit reduction by the banks of the Nanay River. It was named "San Pablo de Napeanos", and the Jesuits gathered local Napeano (Yameo) and Iquito natives to live here.

In the late 19th century, the city became the center of export of rubber production from the Amazon Basin and was the headquarters of the Peruvian Amazon Company. The rubber boom attracted thousands of European traders and workers who amassed wealth with the production and processing of rubber. The city was highly dependent on PAC, controlled in the nation by Peruvian businessman Juan Luis Arana. The operations of his forces in the Basin, who kept indigenous workers in near slavery conditions through use of force and harsh treatment, was investigated by Roger Casement, the British consul-general in Peru. He had investigated conditions in the Belgian Congo when under King Leopold's control. His 1913 exposure of abuses of Peruvian workers caused a reaction against the company among the several British members of its board and many stockholders. In addition, rubber was introduced to plantations in Southeast Asia, creating competition that undercut the Peruvian product. With the decline of the rubber industry, many workers and merchants left Iquitos.

Travel Program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival To Camp / Monkey Island / Dolphin Spotting / Nocturnal Hike
Day 2: Animal Observation Excursion / Piranha Fishing / Nocturnal Caiman Excursion
Day 3: Visit Local Village / Lagoons Excursion / Nocturnal Rainforest Hike
Day 4: Jungle Hike / Palo Alto / Day Excurions / Nocturnal Excursion
Day 5: Lagoons / Day Excurions / Nocturnal Excursion
Day 6: Rio Napo / Day Excurions / Nocturnal Boat Excursion
Day 7: Morning Jungle Hike / Visit With Natives / Belen

Detailed Program

Day 1: Arrival To Camp / Monkey Island / Dolphin Spotting / Nocturnal Hike
Morning departure from Iquitos City via auto to arrive in the port town of Nanay (Bellavista), where the Rio Nanay meets the Rio Amazonas. After departing by boat we will travel downriver 70 KM (about 2 hours). During the riverboat trip we will have a great possibility of seeing caimans, turtles, herons, pink river dolphins, snakes, and many other species of flora/fauna along the riverbank. Monkey Island – a small island about 15 minutes from the Maniti Lodge, which shelters a large number of monkeys in their natural habitat. During your visit on the island you will have the unique opportunity to observe and interact with a wide variety of monkeys that include: Sloth, Goeldi’s monkey, Tamarin monkey, Capuchin monkey, Yellow-Handed Titi monkey, Masked Titi monkey, Cebidae monkey, Wooly monkey, Squirrel monkey, Spider monkey, South American Coati monkey, and many more! Along with the various species of monkeys you will have to opportunity to hold very large Anacondas, Boas and interact with the very unique and rare Amazonian mata-mata turtle. At Monkey Island we will also see alligators, turtles, toucans, macaws, parrots, etc. Dolphin watching session at the camp where we will have the unique opportunity to see the pink freshwater dolphin. If we are lucky we will also have the chance to swim with them on the main Amazon River. In the evening we will go on a nocturnal nature hike to see what types of species can be seen (lizards, snakes, spiders, monkeys). Overnight at Maniti Lodge. Overnight Lodge (-/L/D)

Day 2: Animal Observation Excursion / Piranha Fishing / Nocturnal Caiman Excursion
We will begin our day early, waking up in time to see the sunrise over the Amazon River, and then we will leave the camp to go on a animal observation excursion (via boat) where will have the opportunity to see pairs various types of flora and fauna. Afternoon fishing excursion via boat with opportunity to catch piranha, catfish & other species of fish. Viewing of Victoria Regia – the largest freshwater aquatic plant in the world. After sunset we will go on an excursion via canoe to spot and catch caiman, we will have the opportunity to hold, touch, and take photos with the caiman. Overnight at Maniti Lodge. Overnight Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 3: Visit Local Village / Lagoons Excursion / Nocturnal Rainforest Hike
Morning visit with a local village to learn and observe the local people’s daily life and customs. In the afternoon we will visit lagoons and tributaries in close proximity to the Maniti Lodge. Here, we can make a variety of activities, dependent on the tourist, such as jungle hiking, canoe rides, fishing, plant education, animal observation or maybe just relaxing with a nice cool swim in one of the lagoons or on the Amazon River! We will begin our day early, waking up in time to see the sunrise over the Amazon River, and then we will leave the camp to go on a animal observation excursion (via boat) where will have the opportunity to see pairs various types of flora and fauna. In the evening we will go on a nocturnal nature hike to see what types of species can be seen (lizards, snakes, spiders, monkeys). Overnight at Maniti Lodge. Overnight Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 4: Jungle Hike / Palo Alto / Day Excurions / Nocturnal Excursion
Morning jungle hike (30-45 minutes) with destination “Palo Alto”. The unique attraction “Palo Alto Mirador” is a lookout point that has 3 different observation deck levels. Here guests have a birds-eye view of the lowland Peruvian Amazon from 5, 10, and 15 meters above ground. Here we will have the opportunity to spend the night with excellent opportunities to observe various species of wildlife in their natural habitat. Daytime exploration of the area that includes hiking, canoe ride in lagoon, fishing (depending on request from passenger). In the evening we will go on a night time nature walk to see what types of species can be seen (reptiles, spiders, monkeys). Overnight at top observation deck of Palo Alto (setting up a tent or in hammocks). Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 5: Lagoons / Day Excurions / Nocturnal Excursion
Morning bird watching session from “Palo Alto”. Today we will visit some lagoons that are located close to the Maniti Camp Lodge, near the Río Napo. They hold a great variety of palms, large trees and a beautiful landscape. Here we can make a variety of activities, dependent on the passenger, such as trekking, canoe rides, fishing, and identification of plants, bird watching or maybe just relaxing with a nice cool swim in one of the lagoons. In the late afternoon we will return to Maniti Lodge to have lunch. After dark we will go on an excursion by boat in search of the white and black caiman as well as various night birds and other reptile; this also gives us the enjoyable opportunity to hear the symphony of sounds that comes from the forest at night. Overnight at Maniti Lodge. Overnight Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 6: Rio Napo / Day Excurions / Nocturnal Boat Excursion
We will begin our day early, waking up in time to see the sunrise over the Amazon River, Breakfast and departure (via private boat) from Maniti Lodge with destination Río Napo. Upon arrival to site the guides will setup the camp site for the night and cook lunch. Daytime exploration of the area that includes hiking, canoe ride in lagoon, fishing (depending on request from passenger). At night time after dinner, we will make a night excursion by boat to search for the various species of nocturnal animals; this also gives us the enjoyable opportunity to hear the symphony of sounds that comes from the forest at night. Overnight rainforest camping (in tents) on banks of Río Napo. Overnight Camp (B/L/D)

Day 7: Morning Jungle Hike / Visit With Natives / Belen
Early morning jungle hike where we will have the unique opportunity to see a vast number of monkeys, birds, and many other wildlife in their natural habitat. We will also see and learn about various types of Amazonian plants. Departure from campsite with destination Iquitos City. Visit with a local native Indian tribe to learn and observe about history and their customs. Upon arrival to Iquitos we will visit the market of Belen. Private Canoe ride through the floating market of Belén, located on the edge of the Itaya River. Transfer to airport/hotel, end of service. Overnight Hotel (B/L/-)

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner