Pacaya Samiria National Reserve 3-Day Tour
Stay at a lodge inside Pacaya Samiria and explore the Amazon with expert native guides
Briefing
Explore the Peruvian Amazon in its purest form with our 3-day tour in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Staying at a lodge in the middle of the jungle, canoeing on Amazonian rivers and spotting pink dolphins, monkeys, exotic birds and more wildlife will make this experience a real adventure. Accompanied by expert local guides, you will discover one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet in a safe and responsible way.
👉 Book now and live a unique experience in the Peruvian jungle! 🌿
Tour details
Included
- Transfers
- Guide in English or Spanish
- 2 nights lodging in cabins in the Pacaya Samiria reserve.
- Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Excursions
- Generator for charging electronic devices
Not included
- Drinks at the bar
- Laundry
- Tips
Important information
🔄 The order of some activities may change due to operational or climatic reasons.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 12 days before the tour starts, you will receive a refund of 70% of the total cost.
After this time or in case of not doing the activity, no refund will be made.
*Reservation modifications are subject to the same conditions.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 Iquitos - Nauta - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Beginning of the tour and transfer to Nauta
We will pick you up at the Iquitos airport according to your flight schedule, or directly from your hotel in the city. From there, we will travel by road to the city of Nauta, located about 100 km south of Iquitos.
During the trip, your guide will give you a brief orientation about this quiet and welcoming town, known as the gateway to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Sailing on the Marañon River
Once at the Nauta pier, we will begin our cruise on the Marañon River aboard typical, comfortable and safe boats. This river, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, will give us a journey of approximately 2 hours and a half between lush landscapes and rich Amazonian biodiversity, making the journey an authentic and memorable experience.
Entrance to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve
During the journey, we will make a brief stop at the N°1 Guard Post to process the official entrance to the reserve, managed by the National Service of Natural Protected Areas.
🍽️ While sailing, you will enjoy a typical self-service lunch on board (if you are vegetarian, please let us know in advance).
Arrival at the lodge and jungle walk.
Upon arrival at the lodge, inside the reserve, we will welcome you with a brief talk about the sustainability standards of the place, followed by a walk through the jungle to learn about the flora and fauna of the area.
After lunch, we will visit an Amazonian community to learn about their daily life and navigate the Ucayali River, where it is possible to spot pink and gray dolphins, caimans, river turtles, Amazonian birds and, with some luck, monkeys and other animals that inhabit its banks.
After dinner, we will go on a guided night canoe excursion into the jungle at dusk to discover the most fascinating side of the jungle. During the tour we will observe insects, spiders, giant toads, snakes and other species that can only be seen at nightfall.
You will end the day sleeping in the middle of the Amazon jungle, surrounded by the magical sounds of the forest.
DAY 2: Yanayacu - Pucate
Amazon sunrise and bird watching
We start the day very early to enjoy the sunrise in the Amazon, an unrepeatable natural spectacle. The first hours of the day are ideal to observe exotic birds that feed on the banks of the river, such as toucans, herons and parrots.
🍽️ We will return to the camp to enjoy a traditional Amazonian breakfast.
Dolphin watching, wildlife searching and piranha fishing.
After breakfast we will go deep into the Yarapa River in search of wildlife and learn traditional techniques of artisanal piranha fishing, using local methods that have been passed down from generation to generation. If you wish, you will be able to taste what you caught.
Swimming in the Marañon River
After fishing, you will have time for a refreshing swim in the waters of the Marañon River. If you are lucky, you will be able to swim close to the pink dolphins that inhabit this area of the Amazon.
🍽️ Back at the camp, you will enjoy a homemade lunch with local ingredients, prepared by the community.
Botanical walk
In the afternoon we will go out to explore the jungle on a guided botanical walk, where you will learn about the most important Amazonian trees and medicinal plants. Many of them have healing properties and others are surrounded by ancestral legends. During the tour you will also observe macaws, kingfishers, curassows and other native animals.
🍽️ In the evening, a typical Amazonian dinner awaits you at the camp.
Night walk
After dinner, you will take a guided night walk into the jungle and discover its nocturnal life. During the walk you will be able to observe different species of insects, batrachians and other animals characteristic of this environment, while the guide explains their habits and the ecosystem that surrounds them.
DAY 3: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve - Nauta - Iquitos
Sunrise canoeing and jungle exploration
We start the day early in the morning with a canoe trip, perfect for bird watching in the morning. After breakfast, we will take a last walk through the jungle, where you can see monkeys, giant trees and learn basic survival techniques from the guide.
🍽️Disfrutaremos for a last homemade lunch prepared by the community, in a warm and familiar atmosphere.
Return to Nauta and Iquitos.
After lunch, we will take our boat back down the Marañon River to the city of Nauta. From there, we will transfer by road to Iquitos, either to the city center or directly to your hotel. We will arrive between 18:00 and 19:00 in the afternoon.
What to bring to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve 3-Day tour
To make the most of your jungle experience, we recommend packing the following:
Light and comfortable clothing.
- Lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirts and pants
- Bermuda shorts or cool shorts
- T-shirts or T-shirts with short sleeves
Sun and insect protection
- Sunscreen
- Cap with visor or light hat
- Mosquito repellent (we recommend OFF!)
Technology and personal equipment
- Camera or camcorder with rechargeable battery
- Binoculars
- Personal flashlight
For rain and hiking
- Poncho or waterproof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots
Other essentials
- Swimming clothes
Where does the tour Pacaya Samiria National Reserve 3-Day start
The tour starts and ends in the city of Iquitos (accommodation or airport) and includes pick up and drop off service. Remember to tell us in the booking form the name of your accommodation in Iquitos or the arrival time of your flight.
The most comfortable and safest way to get to Iquitos is flying, as it is not connected by road with the rest of the country. Most travelers fly from Lima, from where several airlines operate. In addition, the airline Latam sometimes offers direct flights between Cusco and Iquitos.
How to get to Iquitos? 👉 Here you will find all the available routes and transports
Questions & Answers
What time is the pick-up time? What flight do you recommend?
The tour usually starts at 7:40 am to 8:00 am. We recommend arriving on the first flights from 5:30 am - 7:30 am to be able to start the tour that same day.
In the case of arriving later or at night, we suggest that you stay in a hotel in the city of Iquitos and start the tour the next day.
Is the 3-day tour in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve suitable for children or senior citizens?
Yes, our program is suitable for the whole family.
What do the meals consist of, are there vegan or vegetarian options?
During your stay, you will enjoy fresh and balanced homemade meals, prepared by our local staff with typical local products.
Breakfasts are continental and include fresh bread, tropical fruits, coffee, natural juices and eggs to taste.
For lunch and dinner, we serve typical Amazonian dishes such as fresh fish (doncella, paiche), yucca, fried plantain and rice with jerky, among others.
We also offer vegetarian and vegan options, available throughout your stay with prior coordination, including vegetable stews, legume stews, mushroom or soy meat, fresh salads and rice with plantain. Please let us know on the reservation form if you require any of these options.
What kind of wildlife can I see?
Pink dolphins, monkeys, caimans, sloths, tropical birds and a great diversity of Amazonian fish. Observation depends on the season and luck.
What happens if it rains during the 3-day Pacaya Samiria Tour?
The tour runs normally even if it rains. The jungle has humid weather all year round. The itinerary is only cancelled or adjusted in extreme cases for safety reasons.
Is there a telephone or internet signal at the National Reserve?
In the Pacaya Samiria Reserve there is no telephone coverage or internet access. Disconnection is part of the experience.
What is the climate like in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve?
The climate is warm and humid throughout the year, with temperatures between 22°C and 32°C (72°F and 90°F). The rainy season is from November to April.