Duration: Full day.
• Pilpintuwasi Animal Orphanage and Butterfly Farms
Pilpintuwasi is a must-see when you visit Iquitos. It is located beyond Padre Cocha. Pilpintuwasi is not just a beautiful piece of virgin rainforest, well-preserved and maintained by the owner Gudrun Sperrer; it is an animal orphanage where you can encounter a variety of monkeys, parrots, a jaguar, an ocelot, an ant-eater, and a number of water turtles and cayman. But mostly it is a butterfly farm. Gudrun's story, which she has posted on the Pilpintuwasi website, is very personal and quite moving! Suffice to say that Gudrun is doing invaluable work, trying to preserve some of the world's most precious creatures and natural environment. One tip: Some of the monkeys in Pilpintuwasi are free. They are used to visitors and aren't dangerous, but they are very curious and some of them are experienced pick-pockets! Keep bags and pockets tightly closed. Take the necessary precautions!
• Native Community Boras
Let's be honest; to meet the authentic, native Amazonian tribes, living in the traditional ways of the rainforest, you would have to go on a real expedition and travel for days into the jungle. Obviously, the tribes who live within a couple of days travel from Iquitos have been influenced by modern society and are no strangers to money, cell phones, Nikes and Coca Cola. Nevertheless; the members of this community really are Bora natives and they do have their own customs and traditions. The Boras who live and work in their communities on the Momón river will give you an excellent impression of what their culture is like. It's considered good manners to bring gifts or items to trade, but they won't insist if you don't want to part with your belongings. In any case, these are some of the kindest, gentlest and most hospitable people you will encounter in these parts.
• Pink dolphin spotting on the Amazon
While they are the subject of many legends and myths of the region, pink river dolphins really do exist, and they really are pink! In fact, the Amazon River and its tributaries are home to two different dolphin species; pink and grey. Join us on a boat trip to the confluence of the Nanay and the Amazon rivers. Although there are no guarantees, dolphins can be seen here frequently, because the fishing is good. Even though it is at a stone's throw from the Bellavista market, with all kinds of boats coming and going, the dolphins feel comfortable enough to hang out here and regularly surface for air. Spot the pink dorsal fins break the water surface, while the grey dolphin may even jump as high as ten feet above the water.
• Belén Market and Floating City
The famous Belén market is the center of jungle trade for the entire Peruvian Amazon rainforest. People sometimes travel for days from their jungle communities, to sell their products here. Small, wooden river boats, filled with people, animals, meat, fruit and vegetables arrive here every day. The market itself is a maze of many streets and alleys, a chaotic scene of sellers, amid countless sales stands with fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, jungle meat like caiman, turtle and monkey.
The Pasaje Paquito is known for its countless medicinal plants, potions, powders, creams and lotions, oils, and infusions, which can cure any disease known to man, while stimulating man's virility in the process. You are welcome to sample all kinds of products, taste the potent jungle brews, or just gawk and take pictures.
Office address: Yarapa River - Puerto Miguel - Iquitos - Peru
Phone: +51 920 856 199
Email: info@jimmyjaguartravel.com
