Transfer from the Hotel in Lima to the airport.
AM – Flight Lima / Iquitos
Our personnel will meet and greet you at the Iquitos Airport from where you will be transferred to the city.
Along the way you will briefly sightsee the tourist highlights of Iquitos, this
representative Peruvian jungle town that on the 19th Century turned from a small
outpost to the most important port city in the Amazon basin, acquiring an outstanding cosmopolitan
status during the so called "Rubber boom".
In Iquitos you will be first introduced to your expert naturalist guide and then transferred
overland to Nauta where you will board the boat that will take you to the Tambo Amazonico Lodge.
Transfer to the Town of Nauta some 62 miles distant from Iquitos driving on the new
Iquitos-Nauta Road. The overland route goes through many different ecosystems, such as the
Quistococha National Tourist Park dense humid forest and the Allpahuayo-Mishana National
Reserve varillal and chamisal brushwood and white-sand forest, favorite birdwatching
spot and home of some endemic species.
After an approximately 2 hour drive you will reach Nauta, a small and picturesque town on the
banks of the Maranon River. You may have a few minutes to take a walk in town before boarding
the boat to the Yarapa River (Pacaya-Samiria Outer Zone).
Lunch.
Sail up The Maranon River The Maranon that in conjunction with the Ucayali form the
mighty Amazon River, has its origin 1 000 Miles back in the heights of the Department of Huanuco.
It was through this waterway that much of the Peruvian Amazon region was explored and colonized
since the 16-Century when the Spanish conquistadors searched for "the country were everything
is gold". Currently the Maranon is the way to meet another kind of immeasurable wealth,
one of Peru's largest natural reserves.
Boat trip from Nauta takes about 2-hours-and-thirty minutes to reach Pacaya-Samiria's
inner zone in the Yanayacu-Pucate River Basin (112 Miles SW of Iquitos). The trip will
prove to be interesting from the start with beautiful sight unveiling to your eyes. The
endless vegetation, the blue sky with unusual shaped clouds blend harmoniously with the
chocolate-color waters of the river; swarms of parrots, macaws and egrets flying from one
side of the river to the other, up-ahead a pink flash on the water reveals the presence of
a "bufeo" or dolphin challenging boatmen to come closer for a quick better view.
Entering The Pacaya – Samiria National Reserve
Sail on the Yanayacu-Pucate River and immediately notice the water color change; rivers
and oxbow lakes in the reserve are dark almost black-colored, limpid and still, thus having an
image reflex effect that reproduces the beautiful surroundings as if it were a mirror. There
will be a brief stop to register in the Santo Domingo ranger station. A few minutes later the
boat will proceed to the camping-site following the course of the Yanayacu-Pucate.
Camping, near the Arequipa community. Approximately one hour boating time inside the
reserve, tents will be lifted on the river shore. While our staff gets everything ready for
a most gratifying rest and meal, you could take pictures of the impressive scenery or perhaps
visit the nearby village and get to know its inhabitants. Our expert cook will have a tasty dinner
ready when you come back to the camp.
Comments with your guide about the day experiences
Overnight in safe and comfortable tent, very often under a star-lit sky that seems to inspire
sounds made by jungle creatures.
Day 2: PACAYA – SAMIRIA
If you get up very early in the morning you will be delighted to watch the birds as
they leave their nests to search for food in or around the river.
After a hearty breakfast, the journey continues with greater chances to see wildlife
as you sail deeper in the reserve.
Our destination is Shansho Cocha, an oxbow lake an hour-and-a-half trip away from camping site.
On the way delightful sights will reveal the uniqueness of this place; some of the highlights
of these surroundings are the giant Lupuna (Ceiba pentandra), Capirona, and Capinurí
(Heliocóstilis scabra) trees and 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). When you arrive
in Shansho Cocha you will spot for the Hoatzin or "Shansho" (Opysthocomus hoazin),
a bird with pre-historic features that nestles and feeds on the shores of this lake.
Return to the campsite and lunch. After a brief time to rest, the boat trip proceeds
on the Yanaquillo Creek where it is possible to find squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis),
saddle back tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) y perezosos (Bradypus variegatus).
Return to camping site and dinner.
Overnight.
Day 3: PACAYA – SAMIRIA
Breakfast.
Morning boat or canoe trip to Japon Creek and Yanta Lake where besides birdwatching
you will also have a time for fishing. Among the fish species found in the reserve we
can name; piranha, "sábalo" (Brycun americus), sardina (Triportheus), among
others. Return to the campsite.
Lunch. Canoe ride to enjoy more of the exceptional natural scenery of the reserve.
Late in the afternoon it is a good time to photograph birds that return to their nests for the night.
Dinner and last comments with your guide about your experience in the reserve. Overnight.
Day 4: PACAYA - SAMIRIA
Early morning breakfast and afterwards campsite moves to another location
(Sacarita de Yarina) two-hour boat trip deeper inside the reserve. During
the trip you could spot the graceful pink dolphins and the "taricayas", local name
for the yellow-spotted river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis). You could also have the
chance of seeing the elusive giant river otters (Ptenerura brasiliensis), skillful swimmers
and fishers. Arrive to destination and camp installed. Lunch on the edge of the river
overlooking at the beautiful scenery.
Walk around the camp to discover this area's exquisite flora and fauna. See the wonderful
color changes of the rainforest at sunset. Dinner and comments with your guide
regarding next day’s programmed activities.
Ovenight.
Day 5: PACAYA – SAMIRIA/ NAUTA /IQUITOS / LIMA
Breakfast and last chance to take pictures in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
After our personnel has packed away all the camping gear, the return trip begins heading
back towards Nauta down the Maranon River. Our automobile or bus will take you to Iquitos
and our personnel will transfer you to the airport.
PM – Flight Iquitos / Lima
PM – Arrival in Lima and transfer to the Hotel
Included :
Flight Tickets Lima / Iquitos / Lima
04 nights at the Pacaya – Samiria Reserve
All meals
Professional Guide
Tours in the jungle
Transfer in Lima and Iquitos
Tax and Service
Not included :
Airport Taxes
Price per person in US Dollars based in double occupancy : $1060.00
Arequipa