SOTALIA | 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS
A TRIP TO THE HEARTLAND OF PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE
$989 Per Person
Based on a group of 2 people minimum
Day 1 – Journey to Nauta & First Encounter with the Amazon
Your journey starts bright and early! Around 5:00 a.m., our driver and local guide will pick you up from your hotel in Iquitos for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Nauta, the only city connected to Iquitos by road. There, a fast and comfortable boat will be ready to take you deep into the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the largest protected area in Peru and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
As we navigate for about four hours along the Marañón River, you’ll be greeted by the coffee-colored waters of the Samiria River, home to pink river dolphins, colorful birds, and incredible Amazonian scenery.
At the entrance to the Samiria River, we’ll stop at the Control Station to present our permits. Your guide will introduce you to the local park rangers and explain their vital work protecting this vast ecosystem.
After the formalities, we’ll continue to the community of San Martín de Tipishca, belonging to the Cocama-Cocamilla ethnic group, which will serve as our home base for the next few days. We expect to arrive around 1:00 p.m., just in time to enjoy a delicious home-cooked Amazonian lunch and settle in for your jungle experience.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore the village of San Martín de Tipishca, learning about the local way of life, their agriculture, culture, and traditions. Later, we’ll embark on a boat excursion to a nearby creek, where we can spot pink and gray river dolphins and a variety of Amazon birds.
As the sun sets over the river, we’ll enjoy the breathtaking Amazon sunset before returning to the village for dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Highlights
-
Scenic drive from Iquitos to Nauta
-
Speedboat journey along the Marañón River
-
Visit to Santa Rita de Castilla and Samiria Basin Control Station
-
Immersion in San Martín de Tipishca, a Cocama-Cocamilla community
-
Dolphin-watching and bird-spotting at sunset
Day 2 – Camping Deep in Pacaya Samiria & Piranha Fishing Adventure
After an early breakfast, we’ll prepare our camping equipment and set out by boat toward the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve — one of the most biodiverse regions in the Amazon.
Before noon, we’ll arrive at a beautiful remote lagoon, home to colorful birds and playful river dolphins. With the help of our local guide, we’ll choose the perfect site to set up our Amazon campsite. Once settled, we’ll build a campfire to cook a delicious jungle-style lunch surrounded by nature.
In the afternoon, get ready for one of the most exciting experiences — piranha fishing! These fierce fish are easy to catch here, and we might also reel in other species like catfish or mojarras. Our fresh catch will later become part of our dinner, grilled over an open fire as we share stories and listen to the sounds of the jungle at night.
After dark, we’ll embark on a night boat excursion to spot caimans along the lake’s edge. With flashlights in hand, we’ll search for their glowing eyes in the darkness — an unforgettable Amazon adventure.
Highlights
-
Boat journey to the heart of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
-
Set up camp beside a wildlife-rich Amazon lagoon
-
Piranha fishing and jungle-style cooking over a campfire
-
Night safari by boat to spot caimans and other nocturnal wildlife
Day 3 – Birdwatching, Wildlife Tracking & Amazon Camping
Wake up to a symphony of jungle birds and enjoy an early birdwatching excursion, spotting colorful species as the forest comes to life.
After a traditional Amazonian breakfast, we’ll continue navigating along a small river toward our next campsite. Along the way, we’ll keep an eye out for monkeys, exotic birds, and—if we’re lucky—giant river otters playing near the riverbanks.
Once we arrive, our cook will prepare lunch while we set up the tents and relax for a short break.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore the surrounding jungle trails, searching for signs of tapirs, jaguars, and other land mammals that roam the forest. Although sightings are rare, their footprints and tracks often tell fascinating stories of life in the wild.
We’ll return to camp before sunset for dinner around the fire. Later, join a night fishing experience, where you can try fishing with traditional spears under the starlit Amazon sky — a true jungle adventure.
Highlights
-
Morning birdwatching in the heart of the Amazon
-
Boat navigation through pristine rainforest rivers
-
Wildlife tracking for jaguars, tapirs, and more
-
Night fishing with traditional Amazon techniques
Day 4 – Jungle Hike, Ranger Encounter & Night Wildlife Exploration
We’ll wake up to another peaceful Amazon morning and enjoy breakfast surrounded by nature. Afterward, we’ll pack up camp and begin a 1.5-hour hike through the pristine rainforest, heading toward the banks of the Samiria River.
At the river, a boat will be waiting to take us to the Third Control Station of the Samiria Basin. Upon arrival, we’ll register our visit and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch by the riverside, taking in the tranquility of the jungle.
Depending on the advice of the park rangers, we may spend the night at the station. This is a wonderful opportunity to interact with local rangers, learn about their conservation efforts, and even join them in some activities.
As night falls, we’ll explore a nearby lake in search of snakes, anacondas, nocturnal birds, and possibly large mammals. With luck, we might spot some of the Amazon’s most elusive creatures under the moonlight.
Highlights
-
Scenic jungle hike to the Samiria River
-
Visit to the Third Control Station & ranger interaction
-
Lunch by the riverside surrounded by pristine nature
-
Night expedition to find snakes, anacondas, and nocturnal wildlife
Day 5 – Return to San Martín & Farewell to the Jungle
After breakfast, we’ll begin our return journey downstream toward the community of San Martín de Tipishca. As we navigate the winding rivers of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, we’ll enjoy the ever-changing landscapes and watch for birds, monkeys, and river dolphins along the way.
By sunset, we’ll arrive back at the community, where a warm dinner will be waiting for us — the perfect way to celebrate our adventure and say farewell to the heart of the Amazon.
Highlights
-
Scenic downstream navigation through the Samiria River
-
Opportunities to spot wildlife along the route
-
Arrival at San Martín de Tipishca by sunset
-
Farewell dinner with the local community
Day 6 – Return to Iquitos
After an early breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to our hosts and navigate back to Nauta, then continue by car to Iquitos. Depending on river levels, the trip can take between 6 to 8 hours.
Arrival in Iquitos is expected around 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Highlights
-
Early morning departure through misty rivers
-
Scenic landscapes and final photo moments
-
Comfortable transfer back to Iquitos
Important Note:Our programs are flexible and may be adjusted due to weather conditions.
