6. Iquitos: 4-Day Amazon Jungle Trip
Spend four days and three nights immersed in the natural landscapes and wildlife of the Peruvian Amazon in Iquitos on an adventurous Amazon rainforest tour. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature in one of the most memorable natural landscapes in the world. Day 1:Following pickup in Iquitos, meet your guide and walk through the city center to see the parent church, Casa de Hierro, Malecón Maldonado, and historical houses of the rubber era. Get transferred to the river port to hop on a motor boat. Navigate the Itaya River on a 15-minute ride, then enter the second-longest river in the world, the Amazon. Search for gray and pink dolphins as you cruise up to the lodge. Upon arrival, disembark and enjoy a welcome fruity soda. Check in to private bungalows followed by a typical lunch. In the afternoon, walk through the jungle to learn more about the flora, fauna, and biodiversity of the area. At night, take another walk through the jungle. Listen to a variety of sounds emitted by batrachian insects, birds, and more. Enjoy dinner and stories narrated by the guide. Spend the rest of the night in the lodge. Day 2:Start your day with birdwatching on foot or by canoe. Refuel with breakfast before starting an excursion to visit a riverside habitat where you can find non-poisonous constrictors, sloths, turtles, and other unique wildlife. Roll up your sleeves and learn how to make artisanal juice using sugarcane, then savor the flavors of your creation. Return to the lodge for a typical lunch. Visit Pueblo de la Ribera, and watch the sunset (weather permitting) before dinner and another night in the lodge. Day 3:Enjoy breakfast before fishing on the banks of the Amazon River for catfish, piranhas, and more. Observe the Victoria Regia, the largest aquatic plant in the world, before returning to the lodge for lunch. Later, tour the contour of the area, learning about the plants and trees by the riverside whose fruits are used for their medicinal power. Admire the historic rubber (balata) tree, cedar, and the voluptuous Lupuna. Sleep overnight at the lodge after dinner. Day 4:Have breakfast before joining a canoe excursion on the banks of the Amazon to observe birds, iguanas, and other local wildlife. Enjoy free time to read, rest in one of the hammocks, and take photos of the view. Following lunch, depart back to Iquitos for hotel drop-off. On the way, visit the native community of Bora Bora to learn about the community's customs, dialect, clothing, and typical dances. Bring objects to exchange for local handmade crafts.