Pacaya Samiria Tour 7D/6N

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 7-day tour of the Pacaya Samiria will begin with a morning pick-up from your accommodation or the airport. You will be transported by private car or mini-van (depending on the size of the group), heading south for 1 hour 45 minutes until you reach the town of Nauta. As you head there, your tour guide will give you a brief description of Iquitos, its surroundings and its main attractions. Then you will depart by private boat from the port of Nauta, continuing upriver through the Marañon for 3 hours, enjoying the beautiful landscapes and the possibility of observing river dolphins (grey and pink), white and brindle herons, turtles and other species. Upon arrival in the community of Santo Domingo, you will officially enter the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Here you will obtain the official permission granted by the Peruvian state to visit the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

The entrance to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is controlled and regulated by SERNANP (National Service of Natural Protected Areas). Then you will continue sailing by boat for 30 more minutes until you reach the native community of Buenos Aires. During this journey you will observe flora and fauna on the banks of the river. Birds can be observed, especially herons and the kingfisher. After lunch, you will explore a portion of the primary forest of the Peruvian Amazon in search of wildlife. After dinner, you will go on a night walk in search of spiders, snakes, lizards, frogs and rodents. Experience the incredible sensation of hearing different noises from the nocturnal animals that inhabit the Pacaya Samiria jungle. Finally, you will sleep in a typical house in the community of Buenos Aires.

** The first day of the tour in the Amazon jungle of Pacaya Samiria, will begin to show you the best of this Peruvian national reserve.

Day 2. Pacaya Samiria Trip – Swimming in the Yanayacu River – Renaco Oxbow Lake – Caiman Spotting.

• Activities: Swimming in the Pucate river, close to river dolphins, exploration of the Renaco oxbow lake and caiman spotting.
• 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

Your tour guide will wake you up very early to watch the sunrise and then start with a morning expedition. You will go in search of monkeys and sloths. You will explore the banks of the river by canoe, always attentive to the movements and sounds of the jungle, in order to observe the wildlife during their morning feeding rituals. Upon returning to Buenos Aires and enjoying a nutritious breakfast, you will pack all your belongings and then navigate by boat on the Yanayacu River for approximately 3 hours, going deeper and deeper into the depths of the Amazon jungle. You will arrive at a place called Renaco, where we will establish our camp. Then you will take a walk through the jungle to observe the Amazonian flora and fauna. Observation of the Lupuna (Ceiba pentandra), one of the largest trees in the Amazon. After walking in the Amazonian jungle of Pacaya Samiria, you will have the opportunity to swim in the Yanayacu river and observe pink and gray dolphins.

After a delicious typical lunch of the Amazon and a well-deserved rest. You will explore the Renaco-cocha oxbow lake. To get to this place deep in the Pacaya Samiria, you will walk for 3 hours. During this walk, you have to keep your senses alert as you will have the opportunity to observe different animals of the Peruvian Amazon, among them: The Shansho (hoatzin), a prehistoric bird, different species of turtles such as the Charapa turtle, Cupiso (six tubercled Amazon river turtle) and the Taricaya turtle (yellow spotted Amazon river turtle). You will also have the opportunity to find Capybaras, Majaz (Paca agouti paca) and different species of monkeys such as the woolly monkey (wolly monkey), howler monkey (howler monkey), the tocon or fraile monkey (titi monkey), among others. After dinner, you will again take a night walk, but this time to look for black caimans.

** Since we are already deep in the Pacaya Samiria, tonight we will spend the night in tents in the middle of the primary forest.

Day 3. Pacaya Samiria Expedition – Manatee Observation– Macaw Sppoting.

• Activities: Manatee observation and macaw spotting.
• 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

Yet another day your tour guide will wake you up early and begin the search for primates as you explore the riverbanks by canoe. There is the possibility, with a bit of luck, of observing a kind of aquatic mammal in this area: The manatee (also called sea cow). After a delicious breakfast, we will collect our camping equipment and prepare to continue into the deepest part of the Pacaya Samiria jungle. You will sail for approximately 3 hours to Zapotal, a place named for the large number of Zapotes (a kind of tree that bears a sweet fruit) that exists in this part of the Pacaya Samiria. In the surroundings of Zapotal it is possible to find the Paiche (Arapaima gigas), the largest fish in the Amazon jungle. If the river is with low flow (dry season, months from April to November) the possibility of observing the Paiche is greater.

After an exquisite Peruvian Amazonian lunch. You will enter the forest in search of the red and green Macaws (Ara chloroptera) and the blue and yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna). In the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve you can find 2 of the 8 species of Macaws present in Peruvian territory. In this walk you have to be very attentive, since you will also be in search of the Camungo (Horned screamer), with its characteristic sound and the hoatzin. In the afternoon you will observe a beautiful sunset enjoying the beautiful Amazonian landscapes. Tonight you will also do a nocturnal expedition observing and listening attentively in search of nocturnal animals, including alligators, frogs, snakes, nocturnal monkeys, scorpions among others.

** You are already in the deepest part of the Pacaya Samiria Amazon, so you will sleep in tents in the middle of the forest.

Day 4. Pacaya Samiria Tour – Giant River Otter Watching – Big Alligator Search.

• Activities: Observe giant river otters fishing in the Pucate river and at night search for big alligators.
• 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 morning canoe exploration will take place to awaken your senses, especially your eyes and ears. After observing a spectacular sunrise in the Amazon jungle, you will also observe the most beautiful birds of the Pacaya Samiria. The mornings are the best hours to observe the different species of birds in the jungle, both on the banks of the river and inside the forest. After you have had a nutritious breakfast, you will pack your belongings and sail by boat for approximately 3 hours, going deeper into the Amazonian jungle of Pacaya Samiria. This time you will camp in a place called Chingana. The deeper into the Amazon rainforest, the greater the chances of observing different species of mammals, reptiles, birds and fish.

In the afternoon you will have a varied lunch and free time to take a shower and rest. Later you will take a canoe excursion to observe families of giant otters fishing for tarpon and catfish. You will also do a 2-hour walk in the primary jungle to search and learn about Amazonian medicinal plants and their importance in Iquitos and throughout the Peruvian Amazon. In the evening, you will go on a nocturnal canoe excursion in search of wildlife. This canoe expedition will be to look for black and white caimans on the banks of the Pucate river. When navigating in remote areas, in the depths of the Pacaya Samiria, there is a high possibility of observing larger caimans (up to 4 to 5 meters in length). Together with your expert Amazonian guide, you will also search for other nocturnal animals, such as: tarantulas, snakes, colorful frogs and insects.

** Unbeatable opportunity on the Pacaya Samiria tour to observe giant river otters and black and white alligators in the Yanayacu river.

Day 5. Pacaya Samiria Journey – Following Mammal Tracks – Amazon Medicinal Plants Exploration.

• Activities: Learn about the medicinal plants and trees of the Peruvian Amazon jungle and follow the tracks of tapirs and jaguars.
• 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

This dream trip through the Pacaya Samiria, begins with a morning exploration by canoe on the Yanayacu river and also walking in the forest, in search of wildlife, especially different species of monkeys such as the howler monkey or the woolly monkey. After enjoying a walk in the Amazon jungle, you will have breakfast, pack up and begin the navigation towards deeper areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. You will sail 2 hours until you reach a place called Tambo German. In this place we will establish our fifth base camp in Pacaya Samiria. Then you will walk for about 2 hours in the depths of the Amazon jungle. Get ready to explore the entrails of the primary jungle of the Pacaya Samiria. During this walk you have to be attentive in your search for animals, as well as Amazonian medicinal plants such as Uña de gato (Cat’s claw), Ajosacha (Jungle’s garlic), among others. Your expert Amazonian guide will explain about the different medicinal plants and their medical and economic importance for the inhabitants of the Amazon. A good opportunity to learn about Amazonian natural medicine.

After a nutritious lunch, you will go on an expedition in search of animal tracks, such as the Jaguar (Otorongo), Tapir (Sachavaca), Red Brocket Deer, Majaz (Paca agouti paca), among other animals of the Pacaya Samiria Amazon jungle. At this point of the Pacaya Samiria and the Yanayacu river basin there is the possibility of observing anacondas and ocelots. At night you will go on a night walk in search of animals such as the Collared peccari, Añuje (Black agouti), Ronsoco (Capybara), Majaz (Paca agouti paca), Anteater (Giant anteater), Carachupa (nine banded armadillo), among other nocturnal animals.

** Each day that passes on this journey into the depths of Pacaya Samiria surprises you more and more.

Day 6. Pacaya Samiria Travel – Jungle Morning Excursion – Amazon Fishing Experience.

• Activities: Today you will put in practice everything you have learned in this Pacaya Samiria trip and you will also fish as a native amazonian person.
• 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

Before sunrise you will make a canoe excursion on the Yanayacu river. Already accustomed to the rhythm of the Amazon jungle, you will put into practice the skills you have learned during this expedition on the Pacaya Samiria. Together with your guide, you will try to differentiate mammals and different types of Amazonian birds by their sounds. Remember that these animals are very active in the mornings, as they begin their hunting and feeding tasks. You will also make a morning walk in the forest in search of monkeys and small mammals. In this place of the national reserve, there is usually a higher concentration of monkeys than near the perimeter of the edges of the Pacaya Samiria, since not many tourists or local people come to this place in the depths of the jungle. Later, you will go by boat to the river to test your skills with artisanal piranha fishing, the way the native Amazonian people do it. The guide will give you the instructions and the example of how to fish with fringes, spears and machete. If you have skill and luck you can even catch the Acarahuazu (Oscar fish), Fasaco (Common trahira) Boquichico (Prochilodus nigricans), among others.

After a delicious typical lunch of the Iquitos region, you will sail back to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve checkpoint. It is for this reason that you will navigate approximately 4 hours following the current, downstream, until you reach a midpoint on your route, where we will establish our last base camp. In the afternoon you will arrive at Soledad, a place named by the locals in honor of a man who lived in this place, with no company other than nature and the animals that surrounded him. Every night walks are made, since each area of ​​the Pacaya Samiria, can give you the opportunity to appreciate a different animal species. This night walk will be in search of species such as the armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and rodents such as the añuje (black agouti or Dasyprocta fuliginosa), the majaz (paca agouti) and night monkeys.

** Unfortunately this 7-day tour of the Pacaya Samiria is about to end.

Day 7. Pacaya Samiria – Nauta – Iquitos.

• Only: breakfast and lunch included

Around 5 in the morning your tour guide will wake you up for bird watching on the banks of the Yanayacu river. The birds that can be found are: white and brindle herons, red herons, neo-tropical cormorants, kingfishers to name a few. After a walk in the forest looking for monkeys and a nutritious breakfast. You will begin your return to Iquitos, the motor boat will stop at the national reserve checking post, located in Santo Domingo so that you can stretch your legs and contribute to the native community, if you wish, by buying their handmade crafts. Then you sail down the river for 3 hours to Nauta, from this point you will go by private transport to the city of Iquitos. IncaGo Expeditions can drop you off at your hotel or if you prefer at the airport.

** Our 7-day tour in the Pacaya Samiria jungle is from door to door.