Amazon 4-day tour: Jungle walks, dolphins, native communities

Four days in the Amazon: river dolphins, rainforest canopy, and indigenous villages

A 4-day guided tour of the Amazon rainforest from Iquitos that includes lodge accommodation, all meals, transport and a bilingual naturalist guide. You travel by boat on the Nanay and Amazon rivers to spot dolphins and wildlife, walk through primary forest to observe monkeys and medicinal plants, visit the Yaguas indigenous community, explore the black waters of the Yanayacu River, and see the butterfly farm and handmade cane rum factory near San Rafael before returning to the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Amazon river exploration

• Transfer to Bellavista Nanay port
• Visit Bellavista Nanay market
• Board the boat
• Navigate Nanay and Amazon rivers
• Arrive and settle at the lodge
• Boat ride to spot freshwater dolphins
• Swim near dolphins in the river
• Observe wildlife along riverbank
• Enjoy sunset on Amazon river
• Nocturnal jungle walk and wildlife spotting

Day 2: Sunrise tour and native community visit

• Sunrise and bird watching tour
• Jungle walk to observe flora and fauna
• Visit Yaguas Native community
• Participate in ancestral customs and dances

Day 3: Yanayacu River and jungle exploration

• Full day exploration of Yanayacu River
• Observe birds, sloths, monkeys, and plants
• Walk in jungle to see animals and medicinal plants
• Observe giant Lupuna tree

Day 4: Community visit and return

• Visit San Rafael community
• Appreciate hunting, fishing, and agriculture
• Visit Butterfly Farm and see metamorphosis
• Visit Trapiche rum factory
• Search for pink or gray dolphins
• Return to the city

The experience

The tour starts with a 9am transfer from Iquitos to Bellavista Nanay port, where you visit the local market to see jungle fruits and foods before boarding your boat. You travel the Nanay River to watch the color difference where rivers meet, then continue on the Amazon to reach the lodge 30km upriver. That evening you take a boat ride searching for gray and pink freshwater dolphins (you can swim alongside them), then walk the jungle at night to hear nocturnal sounds and spot fireflies, beetles, frogs and tarantulas that only emerge after dark.

Day 2 begins with an optional sunrise bird-watching tour at 5:30am, followed by a jungle walk to observe monkeys, birds and insects among medicinal plants. You then visit the Yaguas, one of the oldest indigenous communities in the Amazon, where you participate in their ancestral customs, dances and crafts. Day 3 is a full day on the Yanayacu River, exploring its black waters and primary forest to look for sloths, monkeys and different bird species, with a walk to see the giant Lupuna tree. On Day 4 you visit San Rafael community to watch hunting, fishing and agriculture, tour the butterfly farm to see the metamorphosis process, visit a handmade cane rum factory, search for dolphins again, then return to Iquitos.

The lodge sits on the left bank of the Amazon in typical wood and palm structures with protected cabins, mosquito nets, shower and toilet. Your bilingual guide leads all activities and translates between English and Spanish. The price covers all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), purified water, coffee and tea, all local transport by boat and on foot, fishing poles and first aid equipment, and entry to each site.

What’s included

• Accommodation in a jungle lodge with mosquito nets and private shower.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) plus purified water, coffee and tea.
• bilingual naturalist guide for all activities.
• all local transport by boat and on foot.
• entry fees to each site.
• fishing poles and first aid equipment.
• round-trip transport from Iquitos to the lodge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 75 years) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 42 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Amazon Wonder Expeditions

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Iquitos and includes pickup from your hotel or office in the city, so you don't need your own transport to reach the port. If you're staying elsewhere in Iquitos or arriving by air, the included transfer handles the logistics of getting to Bellavista Nanay on time.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

Can I swim with the dolphins on this Amazon tour?

Yes. On the boat ride searching for pink and gray freshwater dolphins, you have the chance to jump in the river and swim close to them while the guide continues looking for wildlife along the riverbank.

What animals will I see in the Amazon rainforest?

The tour targets monkeys, birds, iguanas, sloths, pink and gray freshwater dolphins, and insects including fireflies, beetles, tarantulas and walking sticks. Night walks reveal species that only emerge after dark. Day walks focus on birds and monkeys in the canopy and medicinal plants on the forest floor.

Is the sunrise bird-watching tour included?

The sunrise tour at 5:30am on Day 2 is optional. It focuses on bird species and jungle flora and fauna observed in early light before the day heats up.

What is the Yaguas community visit like?

The Yaguas are one of the oldest indigenous communities in the Amazon. You participate in their ancestral customs, watch exotic dances and see traditional crafts during your visit on Day 2.

Where do I stay and what are the cabins like?

You stay in the lodge located 30km up the left bank of the Amazon River in typical wood and palm-roof protected cabins. Each cabin has bedding, mosquito nets, a shower and toilet.

Does the tour price include meals?

Yes. All breakfast, lunch and dinner during the four days are included, along with purified water, coffee, tea and milk. Souvenirs, alcohol and extra food are not included.