Iquitos Amazon Tour 3 Days

Day 1: Iquitos – Belén Market – Amazon River Navigation – Arrival at the Lodge

Arrival in Iquitos includes pick-up at the airport according to the scheduled flight or, if already in the city, from the hotel. From there, the transfer begins to start the day’s itinerary.

Belén Market and Floating Neighborhood

At 7:00 a.m. the tour begins at Belén Market and the floating neighborhood, a place that showcases daily life in the Amazon. The route passes through García Sáenz and Ramírez Hurtado streets, where natural products such as chonta, açaí, aguaje, and guaraná can be found. Then it continues to the spice and seasoning area, with turmeric, annatto, and ginger; further ahead, Paquito Passage gathers herbalists offering medicinal plants such as jergón sacha, garlic sacha, cat’s claw, and ayahuasca. The visit also includes the fish area, with a variety of species from the Amazon River. The route introduces traditional gastronomy: grilled caiman, juanes with tacacho, cecina, and suris, considered local delicacies. Afterwards, a 15-minute canoe ride along the Itaya River takes you to the floating neighborhood of Belén. From there, the journey continues to the Bellavista Nanay embarkation point, ideal for travelers wishing to connect with local culture during this Amazon tour in Iquitos.

Bellavista Nanay and Amazon River Navigation

During the transfer to Bellavista Nanay, a brief orientation is provided about the city of Iquitos, its main attractions, and its transformation in the 19th century during the “Rubber Boom,” when it grew from a small town into an important cosmopolitan river port. Upon arrival at the tourist pier, there is a 15 to 20-minute walk to learn more about Amazonian gastronomy before boarding comfortable boats to navigate the Amazon River, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. The landscape combines the immensity of the river with the lushness of the rainforest and riverside villages. The first stop is at the confluence of the Amazon and Nanay rivers, where the contrasting water colors can be appreciated without mixing.

Cultural and Wildlife Stops

After 30 minutes on the Amazon, the next stop is with the Yahua ethnic group, whose ancestors were first seen by Francisco de Orellana in 1541. The visit allows travelers to discover their customs, palm fiber clothing, and the use of the blowgun, or pucuna, traditional in hunting. Then the tour continues to Fundo Pedrito to observe the Amazonian paiche (Arapaima gigas), one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Visitors can also see white caimans, piranhas, and the Victoria Regia, recognized as the largest aquatic plant in the world.

Arrival at the Lodge, Lunch and Afternoon by the River

Upon arrival at Yanayacu River Lodge, staff provide a welcome and a short explanation of sustainability practices. At 1:30 p.m. lunch is served, and afterwards private cabins are assigned according to the chosen category. In the afternoon, activities take place on the opposite bank of the river: swimming in the Amazon and natural skin exfoliation with Amazonian mud. The day ends with sunset viewing before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Night Walk and Overnight

After dinner, the guide leads the evening excursion with a jungle walk. This outing allows you to discover the world of insects and other species active at night: cicadas, spiders, tarantulas, praying mantises, and snakes, among others. At the end, return to the lodge for overnight stay.

Day 2: Jungle Lodge – Amazon Sunrise – Piranha Fishing – Monkey Island – Night Excursion

At 4:30 a.m. the day begins with a special tour to admire the Amazon sunrise. This moment offers a landscape full of unique colors and sounds, while different bird species fly and feed along the banks of the Amazon River. During the walk, the guide explains the habits of each bird, making the experience closer and easier to understand.

The next activity focuses on spotting the pink dolphin, also known as the Amazon river dolphin. The boat crosses to the opposite side of the river to find this fascinating animal, considered one of the main symbols of Amazonian wildlife and the subject of numerous jungle legends.

Back at the lodge, enjoy a complete breakfast, ideal to regain energy before continuing with the day’s activities.

The visit to the traditional sugarcane mill introduces the tools once used in Amazonian daily life. Here, you can participate in extracting sugarcane juice, a typical drink called “leva.” In addition, you can taste aphrodisiac and medicinal drinks such as RC, 21 raíces, SVSS, and Flamingo, prepared with traditional jungle plants.

Traditional Piranha Fishing

Next comes traditional piranha fishing, where the guide teaches local techniques used for generations in the Amazon. With traditional tools, participants catch these iconic river species. For those who wish to try, the lodge chef can prepare the freshly caught piranhas and serve them at lunch.

After this activity, return to the lodge to enjoy an Amazonian lunch surrounded by the tranquility of the jungle.

Visit to Monkey Island

In the afternoon, visit Monkey Island, one of the most popular places for travelers in Iquitos. Here you can see more than 15 species of rescued monkeys living freely in the area. The experience allows for respectful interaction with these animals in a safe natural environment.

Dinner and Night Excursion

At nightfall, after dinner at the Amazon lodge, a night excursion begins to a nearby lake or stream. This activity is dedicated to spotting small caimans in their natural habitat, offering an adventurous experience in the Amazon jungle under a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere.

Day 3: Jungle Lodge – Botanical Walk – Return to Iquitos

At 8:00 a.m., breakfast is served at the Amazon lodge, a light and nutritious meal to begin the last day of the jungle experience.

Botanical Walk in the Jungle

After breakfast, the botanical walk begins, a guided exploration through the Amazon rainforest. During the journey, the guide shares knowledge about medicinal and ornamental plants, explaining their uses in traditional medicine and as part of the daily life of riverside communities. You may also taste fruits or bark used as natural remedies.

The experience includes a fun moment: swinging like Tarzan on the strong huambe vines, which are traditionally used by local people for various tasks. The walk also allows for observing monkeys, sloths, and birds in their natural environment, offering close contact with Amazonian biodiversity.

Back at the lodge, enjoy a farewell lunch before beginning the return to the city.

Return to Iquitos

At the scheduled time, take the boat back to Iquitos. The journey along the Amazon River marks the end of the adventure, offering one last view of the jungle landscapes. Arrival in the city is scheduled between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m., with transfer to the hotel or airport. End of services.