So you're coming to Iquitos, Peru? Pull on some gumboots (which we'll provide) and get ready for a stunning deep jungle experience at the Tapiche Reserve!
This is a sample itinerary for a 5d/4n trip to the Reserve. There may be variations based on season, water level and weather conditions. This means that what you read here may not be exactly what you do during your trip, so please understand this page is not meant as a promise or guarantee of activities; these are just examples. Our guides will always choose the best activities to maximize your time and experience in the jungle. If you prefer knowing exactly what activities are programmed during your trip, Tapiche may not be a good fit for you. Largest group size is 6 guests so that we can approach the animals in small groups. We are happy to arrange in advance for groups larger than 6 or for private customized activities like birding and mammalwatching, just contact us.
Please note: The Canopy Observation Tower is temporarily closed to visitors for maintenance. Thanks for your understanding!
Day 1. The journey to the Reserve begins early in the morning from the city center of Iquitos, Peru, traveling up past the Amazon River to the Ucayali River, arriving in Requena for lunch. Then we navigate up the winding Tapiche River in our private Tapiche boat with outboard motor. The Tapiche is a narrow blackwater river with a unique landscape offering opportunities to view wildlife, like several species of herons, toucans, macaws, egrets, wild ducks, storks, grey dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis) and pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis). Depending on seasonal conditions and time spent viewing wildlife, this last leg of the journey takes on average 4-6 hours. We have a hot dinner at the lodge before turning in for the evening. Learn more about the journey on our Location page.
Day 2. Light breakfast at 05:00, then embark on a 10km trek through the terra fime forest deep into the Reserve, where we marvel at gigantic centenary huimba (Ceiba pentandra) trees 55m tall. We may encounter South American coati (Nasua nasua), saddleback tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis), common squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus sciureus), and other land mammals. Terrain will be fairly level, but we will make our way over, under and around the jungle's many roots, vines and branches. Second breakfast will be picnic style around 09:00, providing the fuel we need to complete the trek and return to the lodge for hot lunch around 13:00.
After our long morning hike, you can relax in a boat that your guide will row silently along the edge of the jungle, looking for animals like monkeys, birds and sloths, which come to the water to catch the warmth of the last sunlight. Return to lodge for hot dinner.
Day 3. Light breakfast at 5am followed by a 12 km trek along the Chambira creek, where the giant otters (Pteroneura brasiliensis) make their home during the dry season. The hike takes us far into a different side of the Reserve through an amazing ciliar forest. Second breakfast is again picnic style. There is a great concentration of mammals in the area, including the rare red uakari monkey (Cacajao calvus) and red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus). Along the way, we may discuss medicinal plants growing in the wild and learn about their preparation and use. Return for hot lunch at the lodge around 1pm.
In the afternoon we take a boat along the Tapiche River to what we call "dolphin corner," a spot where the pink dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and gray dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis) come every afternoon to hunt. Return to the lodge for hot dinner.
Day 4. All day out. Light breakfast at 05:00. We travel by canoe along stunning primary gallery forest to arrive at Garza Lagoon. Second breakfast is picnic style. Enjoy stunning views out over the canopy and lagoon from the top of our breathtaking 32m/105ft high Canopy Observation Tower, then explore the lagoon by boat. On the lagoon it is possible to observe the great black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) in broad daylight. We’ll have lunch in the field and continue afterwards into the swampy areas of the reserve. This is the territory of more black caiman, dusky titis (Callicebus moloch), large groups of red howler monkeys, and eye-catching jungle birds like the macaw and hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin). Return at sunset for hot dinner at the lodge.
Day 5. Full breakfast at the lodge. Return transport to Iquitos, Peru.
Learn more about what makes us unique and if Tapiche is right for you.
Contact Us to start your booking.
Visit the Biodiversity page to learn about the animals and plants you'll meet.
Banner photo: Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
© Deborah Chen