Day 1    Iquitos - Nauta - Arequipa Community - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
We will meet you at the airport or your hotel and transfer to Iquitos. To begin we will give a brief orientation of Iquitos and its history of how it became the most important river port during the 19th century and the famous "Rubber Boom". Arriving in Iquitos you'll meet your guide then transfer 100km by car (highway) to Nauta crossing through various ecosystems such as the Quistococha National Tourist Park wetlands and the National Reserve of Allpahuayo Mishana of chamizales and varillales forests which are those that grow out of white sand. After 2 hrs we'll arrive in Nauta on the edge of the Marañón river. We'll have a short walk around this pueblo, then lunch before boarding our boat upriver towards the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. During the boat ride we'll be surrounded by an Amazonian landscape of a vibrant sky, lush green vegetation and a choclatey Marañón river. Pairs of macaws cross the river, herons patrol the shores and vultures circle in the distance. After 2.5 hrs we'll reach the interior of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve and Yanayacu Pucate river basin (180 km to the SE of Iquitos). After passing through the entrance of the reserve we'll boat along the Yanayacu river to the Santo Domingo checkpoint then another 1 hr to our first campsite near the community of Arequipa where our porters will set up camp. Here while the chef prepares dinner we can take a short hike to get aquainted with the forest and take pictures. At dinner we'll have a briefing on the next day before turning in to our tents and a restful night's sleep soothed by the colorful sounds of the jungle. Night camping.

Meals LD

Day 2    Excursions in the Arequipa Area
Waking up early we can watch birds leave their nests for the day in search of food. After breakfast we navigate the Yanayacu/Pucate river observing the wildlife entering the reserve. Afterwards we continue on (1.5 hrs) towards the Shansho (Hoatzin) Cocha lagoon. We'll see giant trees species such as Lupuna (Ceiba pentandra), the Capirona (Capirona decorticans) and the Capinurí (Heliocostilis scabra). We can also find bird species such as the toucan (Pteroglossus sp.), Red macaw (Ara macao), Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna), Great White Heron (Egreta alba) and Kingfisher (Chloroceryele sp.). Arriving at Shansho Cocha we'll find a big community of Hoatzín or "Shansho" (Opysthocomus hoazin), a prehistoric bird which nests on the shores of this lagoon. Afterwards we'll return to our camp for lunch then continue on through the Quebrada de Yanayaquillo with the possibility to observe monkey species "monks" (Saimiri boliviensis), "pichicos" (Saguinus fuscicollis) and sloths (Bradypus variegatus). We'll return to our camp for dinner and another wonderful night in the forest. Night camping.

Meals BLD

Day 3    Excursion to the Japan Ravine - Yanta Lagoon
Today after breakfast we have a boat excursion through the "Quebrada de Japón" (creek) to the "Laguna de Yanta" (lagoon) where we can do some birdwatching during their feeding time and observe the fish! Piranha (Serrasalmus sp.), shad (Brycun americus) and the sardine (Triportheus sp.) can all be found here. Afterwards we return to our camp for lunch followed by a canoe ride with excellent photo opportunities of plants, animals, birds in their Amazonian landscapes. From late afternoon to twilight birds return from across the river to their nests providing us with photo opportunities. Tonight over dinner our guide will brief us on the next day. Night camping.

Meals BLD

Day 4    Pacaya Samiria Reserve
We'll have an early breakfast before we continue by boat (2 hrs) on the Yanayacu river to Yarina Sacarita. Along this stretch we have the possibility to see the legendary pink dolphins (Inia geoffrenssis) surfacing and the taricaya river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) resting on logs. We also have the chance to spot the giant otters (Ptenerura brasiliensis) or locally known as "Lobos de Río" (River Wolves). After arriving at our next camp our porters will setup our tents while our chef prepares our riverside lunch. Afterwards we'll go on a nature hike of the area then later on we'll have dinner and a briefing on the next day's activities. Night jungle camping at our 2nd campsite.

Meals BLD

Day 5    Pacaya Samiria - Nauta - Iquitos
After breakfast we have some time for any last pictures in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve after which the porters will pack up camp and we'll begin our return. After a scenic and enjoyable boatride on the Marañón river we'll arrive back in Nauta where our bus will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel or airport.

Meals B