Exploring the Untamed Beauty: A 5-Day Journey through Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve 5 Days

Day 1: Lima / Iquitos/ Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Early morning departure from Iquitos City via private auto to arrive in the port town of Nauta (1:30 hours). Breakfast served. Departure in private motorboat we will travel upriver, passing the spectacular meeting of 2 major rivers (Ucayali & Marañon) that come together to form the Amazon River.

Upstream boating on the Marañon River into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (50 miles SW / approximately 2 hours and a half from Nauta). Passenger identification at the reserve’s entrance check-point. Arrival in the Arequipa community where the first camp will be set up.

Lunch will be served upon arrival.

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.

After sunset we will go on an excursion via canoe to spot and catch caiman, we will have the opportunity to hold, touch, and take photos with the caiman.

Return to Camp for Dinner.

Overnight in tents at Pacaya Samiria Reserve.

Day 2: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Early morning breakfast will be served followed by departure campsite. We will cruise the Rio Marañon for about 3 hours until we reach our destination (Shansho Cocha Lake area). During the riverboat trip you will have a great possibility of seeing primates, reptiles, turtles, birds, pink river dolphins, and many other species of flora/fauna along the riverbank.

Arrival for campsite setup and lunch.

Something that immediately catches our attention is the black waters of the rivers, which reflects with such an identical image, the sky, the clouds, the bank’s vegetation, the huge trees, that the tourists have the sensation of traveling between mirrors; this is why the Pacaya Samiria is many times referred to as the “jungle of the mirrors”.

Afternoon fishing for piranha, peacock bass and other species of fish in the reserve.

We will return to camp to have dinner.

After dinner we will go on a night time nature walk to see what types of species can be seen (lizards, snakes, spiders, monkeys).

Overnight in Tents in Pacaya Samiria Reserve.

Day 3: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

We will pack our things and travel upriver into the National Reserve via Rio Marañon and entering the Rio Yanayacu (close to pueblo Viente de Enero).

We will cruise the river until we reach our destination. During the riverboat trip you will have a great possibility of seeing primates, reptiles, turtles, birds, pink river dolphins, and many other species of flora/fauna along the riverbank.

Arrival for campsite setup and lunch  Jungle hike in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve where we will have the unique opportunity to see a vast number of primates, reptiles, turtles, birds, pink river dolphins, butterflies, and many other wildlife interact in their natural habitat.

We will see and learn about various types of Amazonian plants such as the Ayahuasca Vine (Banisteriopsis caapi), Cats Claw Vine (uncaria tomentosa), Victoria Amazonica, Ceiba Tree, Sensitive Plant (mimosa pudica), and more.

Today we will visit some lagoons in the reserve. They hold a great variety of palms, large trees and a beautiful landscape. At this place, we can make a variety of activities, dependent on the tourist, such as trekking, canoe rides, fishing, and identification of plants, animal spotting or maybe just relaxing with a nice cool swim in one of the lagoons.

At night time after dinner, we will make a night excursion by boat to search for the various species of nocturnal animals; this also gives us the enjoyable opportunity to hear the symphony of sounds that comes from the forest at night.

Overnight Pacaya Samiria Reserve.

Day 4: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Early morning breakfast will be served followed by a morning departure on our boat, we will start to make our way back in the direction downriver towards Iquitos city.

Watch birds as they leave their nests to find their food on the river, among them cotingas, macaws, parrots and Harpy (Harpia harpyja).

Excursion to Yanaquillo Creek to spot squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis), saddle back tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) and sloths (Bradypus variegatus).

We will stop and see 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).

Midday we will stop to have our lunch.

At night time after dinner, we will make a night excursion by boat to search for the various species of nocturnal animals; this also gives us the enjoyable opportunity to hear the symphony of sounds that comes from the forest at night.

Overnight in tents at Pacaya Samiria Reserve.

Day 5: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve / Nauta / Iquitos / Lima

We will have an early morning breakfast and prepare for our last excursion into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. After our morning excursion we will return back to camp to have lunch and pack our belonging and make our way back to the city of Iquitos.

During the riverboat trip back to Iquitos you will have a great possibility of seeing caimans, turtles, herons, pink river dolphins, snakes, and many other species of flora/fauna along the riverbank.

Visit to IIAP (Instituto de Investigación de la Amazonía Peruana), where you will be able to visit with manatees and fresh water dolphins that have been rescued from the Amazon and are being rehabilitated.

Private transportation to bring you to the airport or your hotel of choice.

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