Jungle Tour in Pacaya Samiria 4D/3N
- Availability: Available now
- Group size: 2-10
- Tour Type: Peruvian jungle trip in Iquitos
- Max. Elevation: 109 meters above sea level
Jungle Tour in Pacaya Samiria 4D/3N
370 USD Per person
Jungle Tour in Pacaya Samiria 4D/3N
The Pacaya Samiria jungle tour in Iquitos gives you unique opportunities to observe pink dolphins and wildlife in their natural and undisturbed habitat. Many travel agencies offer you tours on the Amazon river, which provide you with very comfortable lodges and cheaper prices due to the ease of bringing supplies from the city of Iquitos. The animals in their wild habitat that are seen on the tour of the Amazon river due to the number of boats and cruise ships are difficult to observe. However, Pacaya Samiria is a national reserve protected by the Peruvian state since 1972, so the percentage of observing pink dolphins, alligators, tapirs and more are very high. But also you have to be aware that the Pacaya Samiria tours don’t have the luxurious lodges you can find in the amazon river tours.
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, known as the Jungle of Mirrors, is the most important set of floodplain ecosystems in the Peruvian Amazon. Pacaya Samiria occupies an area of 2,080,000 hectares, which represents 1.5% of the surface of Peru. The two large tributaries of the Amazon River, the Ucayali River and the Marañón River, mark the limits of the national reserve that also has 3 large rivers: Pacaya, Samiria and Yanayacu Pucate. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve has been recognized as the second best place for wildlife observation in the world due, among other things, to its biological mega diversity (10% of world biodiversity), made up of more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna. fauna, and its large extensions of Aguaje forests that make up a unique scenic beauty in the world and whose wetlands have been designated as of international importance by the Ramsar Convention. Around, inside the reserve and in its buffer zone there are 203 native population centers that are home to more than 120,000 inhabitants and who speak more than 20 Amazonian dialects.
Highlights of our Jungle Tour in Pacaya Samiria.
*In order to provide you a fantastic wildlife experience. We located our family lodge and campsite in the best spots and where there are more chances to see big mammals and caimans.
*Be part of our social and environmental projects.
* We visit an incredible oxbow lake where you have many opportunities to spot pink dolphins.
*We have very well educated guides who are passionate about their work and nature.
*Because we going to be in the Amazon jungle, we will surprise you with delicious typical dishes from this region.
* We include, binoculars and books to facilitate the sighting of animals and birds.
*Be part of our social and environmental projects.
*We prepare food for our tourists and team with 100% organic vegetables purchased from local producers.
*Our Pacaya Samiria tour has a fair and cheap price compared to other operators.
Trip overview of our Jungle Tour in Pacaya Samiria
- Trek Type: Connection with nature, animal watching, typical jungle food and walks in the jungle.
- Good for: Those in moderate shape or better
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. You need to understand that it is not about comfort; but in exchange you get to leave everything behind and live an amazing experience in the Pacaya Samiria jungle.
- Consideration: There is not hot showers in most of the lodges, we’ll be in the jungle where temperatures are around 35 °C. And shower water is not cold. In the lodges electricity is only two to three hours; and it is usually at night. (basic accomodation but clean). Always keep in mind, that you are going to the jungle; and you will be in direct contact with many types of insects (thick presence of mosquitoes) and animals. The weather is hot and humid. The paths are usually muddy, due the humidity of the amazon forest; and to see animals we need a little bit of luck and to keep our eyes up. The short night walks; are done every day. Because every night there is a great possibility; to see a different animal species.
- Season: April to November
- In addition to all of the above: We have a unique itinerary of just 3 days, that will take you into the depths of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Day 1. Iquitos – Nauta – Pacaya Samiria.
- Activities: pink dolphins, sloth and bird spotting. We will do a short night walk to spot snakes, scorpions, frogs and owls.
- Lodge altitude: 1.83 meters above sea level
- Considered: you will walk on paths that are usually muddy, “we will provide wellington boots”
- Weather: humid and hot
This Iquitos jungle tour in Pacaya Samiria starts with your tour guide coming to your hotel or airport at 8 in the morning. Then you will be transported for 1 hour and 30 minutes to Nauta city, a fluvial port where you will take a motor boat for 3 hours and 30 minutes along the Marañon river to the checkpoint of Pacaya Samiria. Here you will obtain your entry permit to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, which it is controlled and regulated by the SERNANP (National Service of Natural Protected Areas). Afterwards you will navigate 30 minutes spotting many types of herons in the Marañon river bank. Once you arrive to the community of Buenos Aires, the native Cocama tribe will give you a charming welcoming. Afterwards you will have recharge energies with a typical Peruvian jungle lunch in the community.
In the afternoon you will sail the Yanayacu-Pucate basin in order to see gray and pink dolphins and seasonal birds such as: herons, toucans, macaws, seagulls, kingfishers and cormorants. Also you will be able to watch tapirs, jungle turtles, capybaras, agouties and peccaries. The you will return to a family house in Buenos Aires, where you will spend the night. At night your guide will take you to the forest for a night walk in order to observe the nocturnal fauna (tarantulas, snakes, scorpions, frogs and night monkeys).
** Pacaya Samiria national reserve gives you the best opportunities to spot pink dolphins and amazon animals in their unperturbed habitat.
Day 2. Pacaya Samiria – Prehistoric birds – Caiman Spotting.
- Activities: we’ll spot stunning animals and interesting plants and trees.
- Lodge altitude: 200 meters above sea level
- Considered: a lot of walking to observe the mentioned activities “the paths may be muddy”
- Weather: hot and humid
Today you will explore Pacaya Samiria in a canoe tour so, you will get up about 5 in the morning. Then you will paddle a canoe throughout the Huayllas river where you will spot sloths and some prehistoric birds known as Shanshos. Afterwards you will come back to Buenos Aires to have a yummy typical breakfast. After you have to pack all your belongings, because today you will take a motor boat for 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Alvan ravine, which is a strategic point in Pacaya Samiria jungle to see wildlife. You will explore the jungle forest where the tour guide will explain about the medicinal plants like the cat’s claw, dragon’s blood, uvos, among others. You will also learn the lifestyle of native communities. During the forest walking, you will see giant trees that are about 800-years old. (ceibas, capiruris, cedars, mahogany and others). Along the tour in the primary forest of Pacaya Samiria, you have chances to observe big mammals such as: tapirs, peccaries, ocelots and monkeys only to mention a few.
In the afternoon you will have a yummy and typical Amazonian lunch. Later you will tour the forest looking for 5 types of monkeys who are usually jumping from tree to tree (among them the woolly monkey, squirrel and the common spider monkey). At night you will go to the river bank to spot caimans, animals that are very active during the night waiting for their thirsty preys. Then you will have dinner and a tea time while your guide is sharing amazing Amazonian tales with you and your loved ones.
** In the Pucate-Yanayacu river you will have one more chance to spot pink dolphins and also black caimans at night.
Day 3. Pacaya Samiria Expedition – Armadillo Watching.
- Activities: we’ll spot stunning animals and interesting plants and trees.
- Lodge altitude: 200 meters above sea level
- Considered: a lot of walking to observe the mentioned activities “the paths may be muddy”
- Weather: hot and humid
Another early wake up in order to be able to appreciate the first rays of the sun and all birds of Pacaya Samiria that will be around your tents. After breakfast your IncaGo Expeditions tour guide will break down your tents to then continue navigating deeper in the Pacaya Samiria jungle. You will sail approximately 2 hours to your next destination in the oxbow lake called Iricahua. This expedition is in search of primates and other animals to observe them in their habitat. The further you go in the reserve the more chances you will have to observe Amazonian animals. In this lake you will look for a family of giant river otters; they are usually fishing in the mornings and the afternoons. If you are lucky, also you can see pink dolphins in this oxbow Amazonian lake.
After a nutritious Amazonian lunch, you will navigate a creek in a canoe for 30 minutes to a secret point in search of Amazonian animals such as: Armadillos (locally called carachupa), anteaters, rodents such as the Majaz (Paca agouti) and the Añuje (Black agouti), among many others. Also you will learn to recognize, cut and drink from the «water rope», an Amazonian vine that is used as a survival technique by jungle people. After dinner, you will go for night expedition watching and listening nocturnal animals, including tapirs, frogs, snakes, monkeys, among others.
** One more night camping in the primary forest of Iquitos jungle in Pacaya Samiria.
Day 4. Pacaya Samiria Expedition – Armadillo Watching.
- Considered: Breakfast and Lunch.
So sad, the last day of an amazing journey in the Pacaya Samiria jungle. After a yummy breakfast, you will head to a portion of the river to carry out artisanal fishing with hooks, arrows and machetes. Among the varieties of fish that you can catch are piranhas, carachamas, sardines, tucunares and catfishes. Afterwards you will return to the native community of Buenos Aires, where a tasty jungle lunch will be waiting for you and your loved ones. You can also fry or steam the fishes you have caught and marinate them with local ingredients. Also the native people of Buenos Aires will teach you how to prepare a famous cassava beer, called Masato. Then, you will board a motor boat for 3 hours and a private car back Iquitos, where you will be arriving about 6 in the afternoon. We will drop you off at your hotel or the airport if you have a flight scheduled for that day.
** Amazing memories and unbeatable explorations left by this 4-day Iquitos tour in Pacaya Samiria.
Included on the Jungle Tour in Pacaya Samiria
Professional local english speaker Guides: all our super tour guides grew up in Puerto Maldonado region and studied tourism for five years at university, they are friendly, funny charming, knowledgeable, professional and will care your safety into this jungle trip in Iquitos.
Permits: As soon as we get your details and deposit, we will purchase your permits for the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Lodge: This Pacaya Samiria adventure includes 1 night in a family house in Buenos Aires and 1 night in a tent. Be aware that there is not hot showers in the lodge and electricity just works for two hours at night if you want charge any device.
Transportation: IncaGo Expeditions will be providing all transportation for this Pacaya Samiria jungle adventure. You will be picked up from the airport or bus station in the morning and after leaving your main luggage in our office we will bring you to the Pacaya Samiria; all motorized boat rides are included and also the transfer of the last day to the airport or bus station.
Food: Our Pacaya Samiria tour includes expert chefs who will cook delicious meals that many previous tourist have loved. We honor all food restrictions, so be sure to add any that you have on your booking form and let us know.
Details: We profess that it is the attention to small details that separates us from other travel agencies. Each tourist receives wellington boots
First Aid: Every guide has got training in first aid from a clinic and firemen. We elaborate mandatory training sessions every February on the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, which every IncaGo Expeditions tour guide must attend. Your tour leader is going to have always a first-aid kit for basic medical problems.
Not Included on the Iquitos Jungle Tour in Pacaya Samiria
Due to the location of the Pacaya Samiria reserve and lodges, some ítems listed below are not included:
- Daypack: We suggest you to use a daypack that not exceed 25L to carry passport, water, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscream, bug spray, rain jacket and a warm jacket
- Binocular
- Water bottles: you can buy at the lodges, however be aware that they will be more expensive than Puerto Maldonado city.
- Snacks
- Flight tickets or bus tickets
- Gratuities for our staff: Incas Path ensures all staff are fairly paid and therefore gratuities are optional and at your own discretion
- Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for all tourist
Prices
We would love to tour Pacaya Samiria with you and your loved ones and take care of immortalizing your visit to the peruvian jungle. We can leave any day from January to December as the Pacaya Samiria is always available.
Group Price (2020):
- $370 per person
Private Tour:
Private tours are available and priced by party size.
- 2 Tourist: $430 per person
3 Tourist: $420 per person
4 Tourist: $410 per person
5 Tourist: $400 per person
6 Tourist: $390 per person
7 Tourist: $380 per person
8 or more Tourist: $370 per person
Please send everything to info@cuscodigital.com
Packing list
We suggest you to carry lightweight backpack that the is key to feeling good during this Pacaya Samiria tour.
Essentials:
- Original Passport ,
- Bug spray; 100 DEET
- Good daypack
- Comfortable hiking shoes (lightweight with good soles)
** we provide wellington boots
Inside Your Backpacks:
Take a look at your itinerary to see what size backpack you may need, keeping in mind that if you are flying to remote areas in small planes there will be a luggage limit.
In Latam company the maximum weight, in general, is 23 kilograms and only 1 bag is allowed to be carried on flights within Peru. Customers who acquired benefits such as LATAM Pass or LATAM Fidelidade may have a higher limit ( see our blog to know more about the weight limit on airplanes in Peru)
- 03 long-sleeved shirts: (al least for the days you will be in the excursion and avoid black colors as they atract easily the flyes and mosquitoes)
- 02 tank top, for the nights as there is not air conditiong but there is mosquito nets in the beds.
- 02 quick dry full-length pants
- 03 Socks: you should have comfortable hiking style socks that are mid to long length.
- Sunhat
- Rain jacket and plastic poncho
- Fleece
- Rain jacket
- Camera
- Power bank
- Headlamp
- Binoculars
- Swimming suit
- Flip flops or sandals
- Music (IPhone)
- Handsanitizer
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Personal medication
- Sunscreen
- Face Wipes: the humidity will cause you to sweat
- Deodorant, you will use more than normal due to the sweat
- ziplocks or resealable plastic storage bags
- Anti-Itch Cream
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Card
Journey Info
Arriving to Iquitos
The airport in Iquitos at the present time is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Iquitos is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.
The best way to arrive to Iquitos is by air and there are several options in airlines. LATAM tends to be the most expensive, but has the most options and flights.
Expect delays or flight cancellations; due to the high altitude of the andes, it tends to be difficult to land and any weather inconvenience will stop air traffic.
Luggage Storage
Any extra luggage you have with you, can be left safely in Iquitos at our deposit while you enjoy your tambopata jungle tour: We will grab the extra luggage from you the morning of your tour and return once you are back in Iquitos city.
Make sure your suitcase have some kind of identification on them so they are easy to locate.
Weather
Of course weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Iquitos is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December, just be prepared; no matter what month you are doing the Pacaya Samiria tour, please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants and plastic ponchos.
Travel Insurance
To protect your journey investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance; acquiring travel insurance before you leave home, is strongly encouraged and very easy.
These are the most used vaccines to travel to the Jungle
In this post we cite the vaccines to travel to the Peruvian jungle, according to the activity that the traveler will perform in these jungle areas. In addition, the information was consulted from important sources such as the websites of the Ministry of Health of Peru and also of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States. Keep informing yourself!
Although at the Jorge Chavez Airport you will not be asked about your vaccination status; in some countries they do require a vaccination certificate, therefore it is better to be prevented and to inform yourself in the authorized International Vaccination Center of your country about what you should apply before traveling.
Remember that vaccines avoid possible infectious problems during the trip and also to keep your immunizations up to date.
What animal could infect it in the jungle?
Well, mosquitoes are the bearers of the fearsome diseases causing deaths on the planet. We are talking about insect bites infected with Malaria, Yellow Fever and even Dengue.
It is probably the most dangerous animal in the Amazon rainforest, even more so than piranhas, anacondas or fierce jaguars.
Without vaccination even the bite of an infected mosquito could ruin your vacation.
What do the authorities tell us about getting vaccinated?
According to the website of the Ministry of Health of Peru (MINSA), the risks of contracting Malaria is latent in many areas of Peru, with the exception of the departments of Arequipa, Moquegua, Puno, Tacna and Lima in its surroundings, nor in the coastal area South of Lima, also in the high tourist areas: Cuzco, Machu Pichu and Lake Titicaca. Likewise, Puerto Maldonado and the Manu National Park and other endemic geographical areas of Peru are mentioned as a risk zone.
If you travel to the Peruvian jungle it is better to consult the doctor who keeps your health history, at least 4 weeks before making the trip. So that the doctor explains you about the type of vaccine that you should apply and with enough anticipation for them to take effect in the body.
In the case of the Peruvian Ministry of Health, the Yellow Fever vaccine and Malaria prophylaxis in risk areas is recommended.
On the other hand, on the website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (or CDC), it recommends to travelers that they will visit Peru, some important vaccines depending on particular cases.
For example, considering the type of tourism to be made, travel time or direct contact with animals or people due to visits for study or scientific purposes.
THESE ARE THE VACCINES TO TRAVEL TO THE JUNGLE OF PERU
Under this order of ideas, these are the vaccines referred by the CDC:
Hepatitis A: Vaccination is recommended to all travelers to Peru.
Hepatitis B: Vaccination is recommended to all people traveling to Peru, especially those who may have exposure to blood or body fluids through the granting or receipt of medical care, drug injections, tattoos or sexual contact with the local population.
Typhoid Fever: Vaccination is recommended to all visitors to tropical areas of South America. Especially for those who remain in rural areas where exposure could occur due to the consumption of contaminated food or water.
Yellow Fever: The vaccine against this viral infection is highly recommended for trips to the Amazon and the southern Amazon basin. The vaccination should be administered at least 10 days before your arrival and at 10-year intervals, if you decide to stay.
Rabies: Vaccination is only recommended for individuals with a higher risk of exposure in the performance of their work, which often develops for prolonged periods in areas considered high risk for this disease.
Let us mention the case of veterinarians or wildlife researchers, whose occupation requires them to have direct contact with bats, dogs, stray cats, or other mammals.
Where to get vaccinated in Lima?
The International Vaccination Center, located in the city of Lima, Avenida del ejército, block 17, San Isidro district.
