Wildlife Day Tour
Yarapa Reserve

Itinerary – Explore the Yarapa Community Reserve

The Yarapa Community Reserve is a well-protected area teeming with wildlife in their natural habitat. This day tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to explore the Amazon rainforest and observe animals in their native environment.

We begin our adventure early in the morning (6:00 or 7:00 a.m., depending on the season) with an approximately 2-hour drive (100 km) to Nauta, where a comfortable local boat will be waiting. From there, we’ll navigate the Maranhão River and cross the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the largest protected area in South America. Along the way, enjoy birdwatching, spot river dolphins, and, if lucky, see sloths hanging from tree branches.

After about 2 hours on the river, we’ll arrive at Puerto Miguel, a small riverside village. Here, our guide will share insights about local history, village organization, and economy, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of Amazonian communities. You’ll also have the chance to visit local homes to see sloths, interact safely, and take photos. Occasionally, you may even spot boa constrictors kept by villagers as natural rodent control.

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Next, we’ll head to the Yarapa River entrance, where you can often see gray and pink dolphins swimming. For those interested, swimming in these tranquil waters is possible.

Lunch is served along the riverbank, surrounded by lush jungle scenery, with the sounds of birds and dolphins creating a truly immersive Amazon experience.

The tour continues further along the Yarapa River, where you’ll spot a variety of monkey species, including woolly monkeys, monk sakis, owl monkeys, and squirrel monkeys. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of terns, herons, egrets, kingfishers, hawks, eagles, macaws, and toucans.

After an exciting day of wildlife watching and jungle exploration, we’ll return to Nauta, collect our vehicle, and head back to Iquitos, concluding this immersive Amazonian wildlife experience.

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Highlights of the Wildlife Day Tour

• Scenic boat ride through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

• River dolphin spotting (gray and pink dolphins)

• Visit to Puerto Miguel village and learn about local culture

• Interact safely with sloths and possibly boa constrictors

• Spot a variety of monkeys: woolly monkeys, monk sakis, owl monkeys, squirrel monkeys

• Birdwatching: macaws, toucans, herons, kingfishers, hawks, and more

• Optional swimming in the Yarapa River

• Immersive Amazon rainforest experience and lunch in nature