LUXURY TRAVEL TO IQUITOS & AMAZON CRUISES

Explore the streets of Iquitos

The city revolves around the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by streets full of moto-taxis. The Iron House, located on the corner of the plaza, and the numerous elegant mansions lining the city’s riverfront Malecon are signs of the wealth brought to Iquitos during the rubber boom times. On the Iquitos city tour you will come across some of the city’s most stunning architecture relics: Casa Morey, Casa Vela, and San Agustin Seminary. Visit the city’s museums for a dose of Amazonian culture. While exploring the city, take a break in the shade at a local cafe to soak in the positive energy of this busting jungle city at a slower pace.

Explore the Belen neighborhood of Iquitos

A tour to the neighborhood of Belen market and its residential area offer visitors a truly authentic cultural experience. Morning visits to the Belen market are the better because it’s not as crowded. Your guide will show you exotic fruits and veggies used in jungle cuisine and likely lead you to Shaman’s Alley, where medicinal and spiritual Amazon remedies are sold. Next, rent a boat or canoe and explore the canals of the Belen neighborhood where houses rest on stilts over the Itaya River or on top of wooded rafts.

Experience the jungle local culture

You can Travel by boat from Iquitos to the Bora and Yaguas communities for a unique cultural experience. A local guide from the community will tell you about the traditional way of life and the history. During your visit, the local men, women, and children share aspects of their culture and traditions, including language, dancing, and artistic expression, with guests. Intricate jewelry, weavings, and pieces of art are all made by local artisans and available as souvenirs.

Spend the night in the jungle

The greatest way to experience the natural beauty of the Amazon rainforest and encounter wildlife is at a remote jungle lodge only accessible by river boat from Iquitos. Don’t worry! You won’t have to sacrifice comfort to have a real jungle adventure! The jungle lodges recommended by our team have running water, cushioned beds, and serve tasty meals. During the day, explore the nearby national parks with a number of guided wildlife, canopy, walking, cultural, and river tours.

Animal encounters in and around Iquitos

Sure, staying at a remote jungle lodge offers some epic opportunities observe wildlife in their natural habitats. But the following animal devoted spots in and around Iquitos are awesome too:

• Amazonian Manatee Rescue Center: Manatees swim though the murky waterways of the Amazon in small packs. Unfortunately, habitat destruction and poaching have put these gentle river creatures on the endangered species list. The Manatee Rescue Center takes in injured and orphaned baby manatees and nurses them back to health before releasing them back into the wild. Visitors can feed the cute baby manatees while learning about on-going efforts to protect them in the Amazon. (Located about a 30-minute drive from Iquitos Plaza de Armas along main Nauta highway).
• Monkey Island (La Isla de los Monos): Monkey Island is a cage-free sanctuary for abandoned monkeys. Visitors can watch, play with, and take photos of several monkey species that rule the island roam about freely.
• Quistococha Zoo: This national park includes a zoo, the sandy Tunchi beach, and dining facilities. The zoo is home to a wide range of jungle, mammals, reptiles and birds, and offers a one-stop opportunity to see them all in one day and one place. It’s extremely rare to see jungle cats, such as a jaguar, puma, and ocelot in the wild, but each can be seen on a visit Zoo in Iquitos. (Located about a 30-minutes southeast of Iquitos along the main Nauta highway)