Alto Mayo Coffee Route from Tarapoto: Orchids & Hot Springs

Coffee grows in the cloud forest here, and you taste it where it's roasted.

A full-day tour from Tarapoto into Alto Mayo combines orchid varieties at a working nursery, the coffee production process at Makisapa, regional drinks at Chacra Vieja, lunch in Moyobamba, and time in the San Mateo Hot Springs (37–43°C). Hotel pickup, transport and a guide in Spanish are included. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Alto Mayo and Coffee Route

• Hotel pickup at 7:00 a.m.
• Visit Sandra & Michel Orchid Nursery
• Learn coffee production at Makisapa
• Taste traditional drinks at Chacra Vieja
• Visit Moyobamba Main Square
• Lunch at scenic tourist restaurant
• Visit source of Tioyacu River
• Relax at San Mateo Hot Springs
• Return to Tarapoto by 8:00 p.m.

The experience

The day starts at 7:00 a.m. with pickup from your accommodation and a drive into the cloud forest region. You visit Sandra & Michel Orchid Nursery first, where the guide shows you the varieties grown there, then head to Makisapa on the Coffee Route to see how beans move from plant to roasting. At Chacra Vieja you taste traditional regional drinks, the kind locals make and drink daily, not tourist versions. Lunch happens at a scenic restaurant in Moyobamba surrounded by fish ponds and gardens. The menu is à la carte, so you order what appeals.

The second half of the day shifts toward relaxation. You travel to the source of the Tioyacu River and the San Mateo Hot Springs, where the thermal water ranges from 37°C to 43°C and sits in a natural setting. There's time to soak and cool off before the drive back to Tarapoto, arriving around 8:00 p.m. The whole route stays within the San Martín region, so the landscape doesn't change drastically. You're moving deeper into the same terrain, not crossing into somewhere else.

What’s included

• Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off within Tarapoto.
• air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
• à la carte lunch at a restaurant in Moyobamba.
• a live guide who speaks Spanish.
• permanent assistance during the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (25 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 70 years) · Youth (18 to 24 years) · Child (11 to 17 years) · Infant (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Zarate Adventours

Is this one for you?The day runs 13 hours with an early 7:00 a.m. start and involves moving between five different stops, so it suits travelers who are comfortable with a full schedule and a moderate pace of activity rather than a slow, lingering one.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 24 years); Child (11 to 17 years); Infant (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's the coffee experience actually like at Makisapa?

Makisapa is a working coffee plantation on the Coffee Route where you learn the production process from planting through roasting. It's a hands-on look at how the beans are processed, not a museum or a shop.

Can I swim in the hot springs, or is it just wading?

The San Mateo Hot Springs are pools where you can soak and relax in the thermal water. The temperature ranges from 37°C to 43°C, so you can move between warmer and cooler sections depending on what feels right.

How much walking is involved in a day like this?

The tour is mostly transport between stops with moderate walking at each site: the orchid nursery, the coffee plantation, Moyobamba's main square, and the hot springs. You're not hiking or covering long distances on foot.

Is lunch included, and can I choose what I eat?

Lunch is included at a scenic restaurant in Moyobamba with fish ponds and gardens around it. The menu is à la carte, so you order what you want rather than eating a set meal.

What should I bring for the hot springs?

Bring a swimsuit and a towel. The thermal springs are outdoors and natural, so you'll want to be prepared to get in the water. Sunscreen and a change of clothes are practical too.