Alto Shilcayo Hike Tarapoto: Rainforest & Views

Three hours into the rainforest, then panoramic views of the mountain range.

A guided hike from Tarapoto to the Alto Shilcayo Viewpoint takes you through Amazon rainforest, past the Hummingbird Garden, and up to a ridge overlooking the Cordillera Escalera. The tour runs 7 hours with a Spanish-speaking guide, hotel pickup, lunch and snacks included. Children from age 5 can join. The hike requires moderate fitness and involves sustained uphill walking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike and explore Alto Shilcayo Viewpoint

• Start at Alto Shilcayo entrance
• Visit the Hummingbird Garden
• Hike through Amazon rainforest
• Discover wildlife and medicinal plants
• Reach Alto Shilcayo Viewpoint
• Rest, snack, and take photos
• Return to Tarapoto

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Tarapoto and a drive to the entrance of the Alto Shilcayo Protected Area. From there, a guide leads you into the rainforest on foot. The first part of the hike passes through the Hummingbird Garden, where you'll spot the birds and learn about local medicinal plants growing in the understory. As you climb deeper into the forest, the guide points out frogs, birds and other wildlife adapted to the canopy and forest floor.

After roughly 3 hours of hiking, you reach the Alto Shilcayo Viewpoint. The ridge opens onto a panoramic view of the Cordillera Escalera, the mountain range that frames the region. You stop here to rest, eat a snack, take photographs and let the view settle. The descent follows the same trail back down to the protected area entrance, where transportation returns you to your hotel in Tarapoto.

The full outing takes 7 hours from pickup to drop-off. A professional guide in Spanish leads the entire walk and explains what you're seeing. Lunch and snacks are included, along with air-conditioned transport to and from the trailhead. The hike demands moderate fitness (sustained uphill walking and uneven terrain), but the pace allows for rest stops and photo breaks.

What’s included

• Professional guide in Spanish.
• lunch and snacks.
• air-conditioned transportation to and from the trailhead.
• hotel or private residence pickup within Tarapoto.
• ongoing assistance throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

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?Pick this if you're staying in Tarapoto city and want transport included. The guide collects you from your hotel, so you start the hike rested rather than navigating to the trailhead yourself.

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.

How steep is the hike to Alto Shilcayo Viewpoint?

The trail climbs steadily uphill for approximately 3 hours to reach the viewpoint. It is uneven rainforest terrain with roots and rocks underfoot. The guide sets a moderate pace with rest stops built in, but you need solid cardiovascular fitness and leg strength to complete it.

What wildlife will I actually see on the hike?

The guide points out birds, frogs and other animals living in the rainforest as you walk. The Hummingbird Garden section is where hummingbirds are most reliably visible. Other sightings depend on the time of day and season, but the guide knows where to look and what calls to listen for.

Does the tour include meals, or do I need to bring my own food?

Lunch and snacks are included in the tour price. You eat during the rest stop at the Alto Shilcayo Viewpoint before the descent.

What is the Cordillera Escalera?

The Cordillera Escalera is the mountain range that rises above Tarapoto. From the Alto Shilcayo Viewpoint, you see the ridge and peaks spread across the horizon. It is the defining landmark of the region's landscape.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the trailhead?

No. Hotel or private residence pickup within Tarapoto is included, and the same vehicle returns you after the hike ends.