Amazon Survival Course Iquitos: 8 Days Learning Jungle Skills

Build a raft, find water in vines, trek through jungle for eight days

An eight-day survival course in the Amazon near Iquitos, Peru, where you trek through the jungle, camp at Yarina Lake and the Tahuayo River, and learn hands-on skills from a guide—finding drinkable water in native vines, identifying medicinal plants, building a raft from balsa wood, and understanding indigenous survival techniques. Transportation from Iquitos, all meals, guide, and jungle activities are included; children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and travel to basecamp

• Arrive in Iquitos
• Transport to Nauta
• Boat trip to Tamshiacu Yanayacu Reserve
• Stay overnight at basecamp

Day 2 — Hike to Yarina Lake

• Breakfast at basecamp
• Hike 3 hours to Yarina Lake
• Observe wildlife and learn survival skills

Day 3 — Survival skills at Yarina Lake

• Learn survival skills with guide
• Camp overnight at Yarina Lake

Day 4 — Raft building and lake activities

• Breakfast at Yarina Lake
• Build raft from balsa wood
• Fish and paddle on lake
• Cross lake and set up camp

Day 5 — Hike to Tahuayo River

• Breakfast at camp
• Hike 4 hours to Tahuayo River
• Camp at Tahuayo River

Day 6 — Explore or relax at Tahuayo River

• Wake up at Tahuayo River
• Explore area with guide or relax
• Cook food and camp by river

Day 7 — Return to Yarina Lake

• Wake up at Tahuayo River
• Journey back to Yarina Lake
• Learn about plants and survival skills
• Camp at Yarina Lake

Day 8 — Return to basecamp and departure

• Breakfast at Yarina Lake
• Trek back to basecamp
• Boat to Nauta
• Transport to Iquitos

The Experience

The course starts with a five-hour boat ride from Nauta to the Tamshiacu Yanayacu Reserve, where you'll stay in a basecamp before the trekking begins. Day two takes you on a three-hour hike to Yarina Lake through the jungle canopy, where your guide shows you how to spot monkeys, birds, snakes and other wildlife while teaching you to locate drinkable water inside native vines and pointing out which plants have medicinal uses. This is not a walking tour with stops for photos—you're learning to read the forest itself.

By day four you'll have gathered enough knowledge to build something with it: your guide helps you find balsa wood to construct a raft, then you paddle and fish on Yarina Lake before crossing it to set up camp on the far side. The next stretch is a four-hour hike to the Tahuayo River, where you spend two nights exploring the surrounding area at your own pace or resting between lessons. Day seven brings you back through the jungle to Yarina Lake, continuing to absorb details about medicinal plants, native animals and survival methods. On the final morning you trek back to the basecamp, board the boat at Nauta and return to Iquitos by 5 p.m.

A guide speaks English or Spanish throughout, and the course welcomes children from age 5. All transportation, meals and jungle activities are arranged—you bring yourself and the willingness to sleep in camps and learn by doing.

What’s included

• Transportation from Iquitos to Nauta and by boat to the Tamshiacu Yanayacu Reserve.
• a guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• all meals throughout the eight days.
• camping at Yarina Lake and the Tahuayo River.
• instruction in finding drinkable water, identifying medicinal plants, building a raft and understanding indigenous survival techniques.
• fishing and paddling on Yarina Lake.
• all jungle activities and hiking.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Amazon Jungle Survival Tours

Is this one for you?Eight days away from Iquitos means you need a full week free and comfort with camping in the jungle—this is not a day trip or a lodge-based tour. The course is suited to anyone from age 5 with the stamina for multi-hour hikes and the willingness to sleep in camps and learn by doing, not watching.

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Top questions

What exactly do I learn to do on this eight-day Amazon course?

You learn to find drinkable water inside native vines, identify medicinal plants and their uses, build a raft from balsa wood, fish, and understand indigenous survival skills. Your guide teaches these skills during hikes and at camp, and you practice them—building the raft and paddling it on Yarina Lake is part of the course itself.

Where do I sleep during the eight days?

You stay in a basecamp the first night, then camp at Yarina Lake for two nights, hike to the Tahuayo River and camp there for two nights, return to Yarina Lake for another night, and trek back to the basecamp on the final morning before heading to Iquitos.

How much hiking is involved in this course?

Day two is a three-hour hike to Yarina Lake, day five is a four-hour hike to the Tahuayo River, and day eight includes a trek back to the basecamp. The other days involve shorter walks and time at camp learning skills and exploring at your own pace.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Transportation from Iquitos, the guide, all meals and all jungle activities are included. Tips, alcoholic drinks and flight tickets are not covered.

Can my five-year-old come on this course?

Children are welcome from age 5, though the course involves camping, hiking and learning survival skills in the jungle—it is physically demanding and requires comfort with outdoor conditions.

What happens if I arrive in Iquitos on a different day than the course starts?

The itinerary departs Iquitos at 9 a.m. on day one. Public transportation is available near Iquitos if you need to arrange your own arrival or connection.