3 Days 2 Nights in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Discover Pacaya Samiria National Reserve on a compact 3-day, 2-night journey created for travelers with limited time who still want an authentic Amazon experience. If sleeping in the rainforest has always been on your list, this adventure combines wildlife encounters, river travel, jungle walks, and overnight stays deep in nature.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Pickup from your accommodation or the airport in Iquitos, Perú

DEPARTURE TIME

Pick-up between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM

RETURN TIME

Approximately 5:00 PM, 2 days after departure

WEAR

Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots or shoes, a hat, a light jacket, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

INCLUDED

• Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
• Private transfer from the airport or accommodation
• All ground transportation
• All boat transportation
• Typical village house accommodation
• Pacaya Samiria entrance fee
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Purified water
• First aid
• Rubber boots
• All camping equipment
• All fishing equipment
• Camping tent
• Sleeping bags
• Individual mattresses
• Antiophidic serum
• Solar battery
• Solar panel

NOT INCLUDED

• Airfare
• Guide gratuity
• Alcoholic drinks
• Hotel in Iquitos city

Tour details

We are proud to have received Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2024 recognition, and to celebrate, we are offering a limited-time discount on all tours as a thank-you to those who choose us to explore the Amazon.

All prices are in United States Dollars (USD) and are based on a minimum of 2 passengers. Solo travelers may request a price quotation. Flexible itineraries can also be arranged, including special options for honeymooners, large groups, students, and organizations.

Vegetarians and vegans are welcome and receive a 5% discount per person on the tour price. Please mention your dietary preference when booking. For non-vegetarians, meals may include local fish, chicken, or meat. Gluten-free meals are available on request, and any food allergies or gluten intolerance should be shared in advance.

To help reduce plastic use, we kindly encourage you to bring your own refillable water container.

Pacaya Samiria Tour

We have been operating eco-tourism activities in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve since 2016, with all required permits kept current by SERNANP. Choosing an approved operator means traveling with greater peace of mind, knowing your experience is safe, responsible, and authentic. As an informed traveler, you have the right to ask for this permit.

Payment methods for booking a Tour

The price of this tour is 397 337 USD per person, based on a minimum of 2 passengers. Payment is flexible, and reservations can be made using PayPal, online VISA, online Mastercard, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum. Payments are also accepted in Peruvian Soles (PEN), United States Dollars (USD), and Euro (EUR).

Ready for adventure?

Day 1: Departure between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM

Your trip starts with a morning pickup from your accommodation in Iquitos or our office by private car or minivan, depending on group size. From there, we head south for about 1 hour and 45 minutes to Nauta, with a brief introduction to Iquitos and the surrounding area along the way.

At Nauta port, you will board a private boat for a 3-hour upriver journey through striking scenery, with opportunities to see gray and pink river dolphins, herons, turtles, and other wildlife along the banks. When we arrive at Santo Domingo community, the official entrance checkpoint to the reserve, we register and present tickets to the officer in charge. Entry is regulated by SERNANP.

We then continue by boat for another 30 minutes to Buenos Aires community, observing birds and other animals en route. After a jungle walk through primary forest, enjoy a night hike in search of spiders, snakes, lizards, frogs, and rodents while listening to the sounds of the rainforest after dark. Overnight accommodation is in a typical village house in Buenos Aires, where you will sleep in individual beds with mosquito nets.

Day 2

Wake early to watch the sunrise over the rainforest before heading out on expedition. Look for monkeys and sloths, then explore the riverbanks by canoe, staying alert for wildlife activity in the morning.

Next, travel about 3 hours along the Pucate River, going deeper into the primary jungle. You will also try artisanal piranha sport fishing with guidance and equipment provided. If luck is on your side, you may catch Acarahuazu (Oscar fish), Fasaco (Common trahira), and more.

Continue with sightings of pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and gray dolphins, with the chance to swim in the Pucate River inside Pacaya Samiria. A jungle walk through virgin rainforest follows, including a visit to the Lupuna, one of the largest trees in the Amazon rainforest.

Later, explore Iricahua lake after a 2 to 3 hour walk through the jungle. Here, you may see woolly monkeys, howler monkeys, titi monkeys, Paiche (Arapaima Gigas), turtles, and caimans basking in the sun. In the evening, set out on a nocturnal expedition in search of white and black caimans. Afterward, set up camp and spend the night in tents in the primary jungle.

Day 3: Return

Begin the day with an early canoe excursion and birdwatching, when wildlife is most active along the riverbanks and within the jungle. Continue with a jungle walk in search of primates and explore nearby cochas for more animal sightings.

On the way back, stop in Buenos Aires community, where you may have time to rest and, if you wish, support the local community by purchasing handmade handicrafts. Then return by boat to Nauta town, followed by ground transportation back to Iquitos. Drop-off is at our office, your accommodation, or the airport.

Brief details by day:

• Day 1: Iquitos departure by van, Nauta port, river navigation, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve entrance, Buenos Aires community, jungle walking expedition, nocturnal hike
• Day 2: Sunrise, Pucate River navigation, piranha fishing, pink dolphins observation, swimming in the river, jungle walk, wildlife spotting, Lupuna, Iricahua cocha (lake), nocturnal caiman expedition
• Day 3: Early morning canoe, morning animal spotting and birdwatching, primate spotting, cocha exploring, return, Buenos Aires community, Nauta, Iquitos

What to wear:

• A sturdy pair of broken-in trail shoes, boots, or sneakers
• Long sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat

What to bring:

• Swimwear
• Sandals
• Personal hygiene items
• Daypack or small backpack
• Personal prescription medicine, if needed
• Rain coat
• Flashlight

Suggested:

• Mosquito repellent
• Your own personal water container, to be refilled at any time

Enjoy your trip!