The key moments
This trip takes you to discover the Pacaya Samiria Reserve in Northern Peru, entering via the route through Tarapoto, Yurimaguas, and Lagunas.
Arrival and departure in the Amazon will take some time, but once there, you’ll be fully immersed with the locals to learn everything about jungle medicinal plants, traditional fishing, and the local flora and fauna.
Key Points of the Tour
- English-speaking guide accompanying you
- Immersion in the Peruvian Amazon for 4 days
- Opportunity to see monkeys, sloths, birds, caimans, and other animals
- Two nights of rest at the end of the trip in a paradisiacal location
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at Tarapoto Airport
Upon arrival at Tarapoto Airport, our driver will pick you up and take you directly to the hotel in downtown Tarapoto.
Free afternoon to explore this bustling city.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel (Tarapoto)
Day 2 – Heading to the Amazon
In the morning, your driver will pick you up from the hotel. With your English-speaking guide, you will first travel by car to Yurimaguas for about 3 hours. From Yurimaguas, you will continue by speedboat to the village of Lagunas (depending on the level, 4 to 5 hours).
In Lagunas, your local guide for the next few days will meet you at the port and take you to Albergue Wonder Amazon, located 25 minutes by moto-taxi from Lagunas, right next to the entrance of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Travel time: Approximately 2.5 hours by car, 4 hours by boat
Private driver, private English-speaking guide
Accommodation: Albergue Wonder Amazon (Lagunas)
Day 3 – Entering the Pacaya Samiria Reserve
After breakfast at the lodge and completing administrative obligations, you will head into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve by canoe, accompanied by your local guide and your English-speaking guide. On the boat, all necessary supplies such as food, utensils, water, and cooking equipment will be loaded.
On the way, you will stop to prepare lunch before continuing to the Gloria refuge, where you will spend the night. The afternoon is free for you to rest or swim.
After dinner, you will go out again by canoe to see crocodiles and other nocturnal animals.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Private English-speaking guide
Travel time: Approximately 4 hours
Accommodation: Refuge Gloria (Amazon)
Day 4 – Deeper into the Amazon
From Gloria, you will continue deeper into the jungle with your local guide and English-speaking guide. The trip to the Panteon refuge takes about 5 hours.
You will follow the Samiria River deeper into the reserve, to a place called Armanayacu where you can see river wolves, dolphins, aquatic turtles, birds, and mammals. Upon arrival at Panteon, your guide will prepare lunch and you will have some time to rest.
Then you will go on a traditional fishing excursion before returning to Panteon for dinner.
After dinner, you will go out at night to observe nocturnal animals: birds, snakes, and crocodiles.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Private English-speaking guide
Travel time: Approximately 5 hours
Accommodation: Refuge Panteon (Amazon)
Day 5 – Jungle Walk
After an early breakfast, you will take a canoe to the Yanayacu area for a walk through the thick Amazon jungle. During this walk, you will see large timber trees (lupuna, cedar) and learn a lot about medicinal trees (oje, grape, ajosacha) and wildlife (primates and birds).
On the way back, it’s time for lunch before taking the canoe back to Gloria.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Private English-speaking guide
Accommodation: Refuge Gloria (Amazon)
Day 6 – Last Day in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Breakfast will be served at the Poza Gloria refuge early in the morning. You will try to cover as much distance as possible in the morning when the sun is not yet too hot.
Your guide will paddle against the current, making the task more difficult. On your way, you can continue to observe the fascinating flora and fauna of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Arrival at Albergue Wonder Amazon in the afternoon and rest.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Private English-speaking guide
Travel time: Approximately 5 hours
Accommodation: Albergue Wonder Amazon (Lagunas)
Day 7 – Return to Civilization and a Touch of Luxury
You will leave Albergue Wonder Amazon for the port of Lagunas with your local guide to take your transfer by speedboat to Yurimaguas. Depending on the tide, this will take 4 to 5 hours.
In Yurimaguas, your private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will say goodbye to your English-speaking guide who has accompanied you throughout your stay in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve.
Your hotel is located 45 minutes outside of Tarapoto, by the Huallaga River, a haven of peace for you to rest.
Meals included: Breakfast
Private driver, private English-speaking guide
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, 45 minutes from Tarapoto
Day 8 – Relaxation Day
Today, you can spend a day relaxing by the pool. If you wish, feel free to request a massage in advance. Alternatively, you can explore the lodge and the river.
In the evening, a night walk will give you the chance to see wildlife that thrives in the dark. You will see owls, some animals hunting, such as arachnids, and dart frogs sleeping on plant leaves. And a sky that, without clouds, shows the constellations of the southern hemisphere.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, 50 minutes from Tarapoto
Day 9 – End of the Trip, Return to Lima
Your driver will pick you up at the agreed time at the hotel and take you to the airport. You will board your domestic flight to Lima.
Meals included: Breakfast
To follow our stay on-site in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, read our article!
Budget
We provide our tour plans as an example for you to get inspired and an idea of how your travel in northern Peru could look like.
Once you have your trip in mind, we are happy to create with you your dream trip according to the length of your stay. We suggest you interesting sites to visit, nice places to stay, how to get there and if you should choose a guide to travel with you in order to discover a more confidential side of Peru.
Contact us by email at info@phimavoyages.com or by our contact form. We will get back to you within 24 hours.
This program includes:
- Transfer to/from airports
- Guides
- Entrances to archaeological sites and natural reserves
- Activities and excursions as indicated in the program
- Meals as indicated in the program
- Land transport according to the program, private (by car for 2 people, in Mini Van H1 for 3 or more people), by night bus, taxi / combi
This program does not include:
- International and national flights
- Airport taxes or visa fees
- Excess baggage charges
- Additional nights following flight cancellations
- Insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Alcoholic beverages
- Laundry service
- Phone calls
- Re-confirmation of international flights
- Bank transfer fees
