Iquitos, Pacaya Samiria Expedition

Extended itinerary Iquitos, Pacaya Samiria Amazon Expedition

Travel 6 days through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Inner Zone and Yanayacu Pucate River Watershed!
This is an unforgettable experience in one of the remaining mega diverse areas in the planet. Not only will you have the opportunity to get closer to the Amazon’s most representative species but you will also step into their own dominions. You will get familiar with the river people living around the reserve and the conservation and sustained development programs they have been managing to keep undisturbed this great tropical forest.

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Day 1: Arriving by plane or boat in Iquitos

After arriving in the Amazon jungle you will be transferred to your hotel in Iquitos.
Iquitos is an interesting and unique metropolitan and is considered to be the biggest city in the world without access roads over land. It is definitely worth to go for a walk and try to catch a taste of its many jungle flavors.

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Day 2: Iquitos - Nauta - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (L-D) 9:00 am

Meet and greet at the hotel from where you will be transferred to our operations office in Iquitos.
Transfer to Nauta town’s river wharf (approximately 62 miles SW / 2 hours from Iquitos).
Upstream boating on the Marañon River to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (50 miles SW / approximately 2 hours and a half from Nauta and and about 180 km south east of Iquitos).
Watch diverse species of birds along the way, including egrets, hawks, horned screamers, jacanas, parrots and parakeets. It is also possible to see Amazon River dolphins.
Box lunch onboard.
Passenger identification at the reserve’s entrance check-point.
Arrival in the Arequipa community where the first camp will be set up.
Short walk to the nearby village.
Dinner and overnight in special designed tents, from where you can fall asleep listening to the variety of jungle sounds around you!

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Day 3: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (B-L-D)

Watch birds as they leave their nests to find their food on the river, among them cotingas, macaws, parrots and maybe the Harpy (Harpia harpyja). Breakfast at camp.
Excursion to Shansho Cocha Lake (90 minute boat trip) upstream the Yanayacu Pucate. See on the way the giant Lupuna (Ceiba pentandra), Capirona, and Capinurí (Heliocóstilis scabra) trees and also eye-catching birds as the Toucan (Pteroglossus), the Red Macaw (Ara macao), the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna), the Great Egret (Egreta alba) and the Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona).
Watch the Hoatzin or “Shansho” (Opysthocomus hoazin), a bird that nestles and feeds on the shores of this lake and then return to the campsite for lunch.
Excursion to Yanaquillo Creek to spot squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis), saddle back tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) and sloths (Bradypus variegatus).
Dinner at camp.

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Day 4: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (B-L-D)

Breakfast at camp.
Boat or canoe to Japon Creek and Yanta Lake to birdwatch and fish. Among the fish species found in the reserve we find piranha (Serrasalmus), “sábalo” (Brycun americus), sardina (Triportheus), amongst others.
Lunch at camp.
Late-afternoon canoe ride to see the reserve’s scenery of the reserve at sundown.
Dinner and overnight.

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Day 5: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (B-L-D)

Early morning breakfast before moving the camp to another site
We go by boat along the Yanayacu Pucate where it will be possible to spot graceful pink dolphins (Inia geoffrenssis), “taricayas”, local name given to the yellow-spotted river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) and probably even giant river otters (Ptenerura brasiliensis).
Lunch on the edge of the river overlooking the beautiful scenery.
Walk in the camp’s surroundings to discover this area’s exquisite flora and fauna.
Dinner at camp.

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Day 6: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve - Nauta -Iquitos

Breakfast at camp.
Return by boat to Nauta navigating on the Marañón river.
Overland return to Iquitos.
Transfer to your hotel in Iquitos or to the airport at a convenient time to board your flight.

Important note: We recommend you to book the last flight of the day from Iquitos to …

Included and recommended to bring to the Amazon:

This Amazon tour includes: 
Transfers airport / hotel / lodge / airport (overland and river boat)
Entrance fee to Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
1 Night in a comfortable hotel in Iquitos
4 nights outdoor camping in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
All meals during the Amazon jungle tour are included
Excursions as detailed in the program
Guide in English or Spanish

Not Includeded:
Airline tickets
Airport taxes
Meals in the city of Iquitos and meals that are not mentioned above
Tips
Laundry
Soft and alcoholic beverages

Ask your local health department about (obligated) vaccinations.

What To Bring:
– Good binoculars
– Camera gear
– Tight-weave, light colored, long cotton pants
– Long sleeved, tight-weave, light colored cotton shirts
– Ankle-high hiking boots and sneakers
– Cotton socks (long enough to put them over your pants)
– Flashlight, or better a head light, with batteries
– Sunblock lotion
– Sunglasses
– Broad-brimmed hat or cap
– Rain suit or poncho
– Insect repellent
– Small denomination bills (Soles)
– Small day (back)pack
– Rubber boots? (Are provided, but big sizes might be difficult)
– Passport + copy
– Boots/ wellies (ask about the sizes that might already be available on location)

Important note: We recommend you to book the last flight of the day from Iquitos to …