Amazon jungle tour: River dolphins & rainforest nights

Pink river dolphins, night jungle walks, and eight species of monkeys in three days

A 3-day guided tour of the Amazon rainforest from Iquitos with a bilingual naturalist, lodge stay and all meals included. You navigate the Amazon and Nanay rivers by boat, swim with pink and gray freshwater dolphins, visit Monkey Island to see eight primate species, explore blackwater tributaries, and walk the jungle at night to spot nocturnal wildlife. The guide adjusts the itinerary based on weather and wildlife activity to maximize what you see.

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 River and Amazon River
• Arrive at lodge and check in
• Piranha fishing
• Boat ride to see freshwater dolphins
• Swim with dolphins
• Enjoy sunset on Amazon River
• Nocturnal jungle walk

Day 2: Wildlife and nocturnal lake excursion

• Visit Monkey Island to see primates
• Navigate to Yanayacu river basin
• Search for birds, mammals, and sloths
• Nocturnal canoe ride on lake
• Observe nocturnal animals

Day 3: Bird watching and jungle walk

• Early morning canoe bird watching
• Observe kingfishers, toucans, and hoatzin
• Ethnobotanical jungle walk
• Search for medicinal plants and wildlife
• Return to the city

The experience

The tour starts with a 9am transfer from your Iquitos accommodation to Bellavista Nanay port, where you board a boat after visiting the local market to see jungle fruits and fish. From there you navigate the Amazon River to watch the color difference where the Nanay and Amazon meet, then head upriver to the lodge 30km inland on the left bank. That first afternoon brings piranha fishing and a boat ride searching for gray and pink freshwater dolphins. You get the chance to swim alongside them before sunset on the water. After dark, a naturalist guide leads a walk through the jungle to spot animals that only emerge at night: fireflies, beetles, frogs, tarantulas and snakes.

Day two centers on Monkey Island, where you observe up to eight primate species in their natural habitat: spider monkeys, woolly monkeys, titi monkeys, tamarins, pygmy marmosets, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys and black sakis. The guide explains their behavior and ecology as you watch them move through the canopy. The afternoon takes you up the Yanayacu river, a blackwater tributary the guide calls the jungle of mirrors for its still, reflective surface and dense vegetation. You search for sloths, exotic birds, insects and more primates along the banks. At night, a canoe ride on the blackwater lake lets you listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot caimans, snakes and electric eels.

Day three starts before dawn around 5:30am with a canoe ride on the blackwater lake for bird watching. The best time to spot king fishers, toucans, jacanas, herons, hawks and falcons, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin. The final excursion is an ethnobotanical jungle walk where the guide shows you medicinal plants and trees, explaining their uses and the relationship between the forest and traditional knowledge. You search for wildlife in their habitat and see the emergent trees that rise above the canopy. The tour ends with your return to Iquitos.

What’s included

• Bilingual naturalist guide in English and Spanish.
• lodge accommodation with bedding, mosquito nets, shower and toilet.
• all meals during your stay including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• fishing poles and first aid equipment.
• purified water, coffee and tea.
• all boat and canoe transportation on the rivers and lakes.
• entry to Monkey Island and the blackwater tributaries.

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)

GroupPrivate

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 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Amazon Wonder Expeditions

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Bellavista Nanay port, which you reach by a 9am transfer from your Iquitos accommodation. If you're staying in the city without a car, this pickup solves the logistics of getting to the river. The fixed itinerary and included guide mean you don't need to arrange boats, find a naturalist or negotiate prices at each stop. The guide also adjusts the route based on weather and animal activity to maximize what you see each day.

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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).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on this Amazon tour?

The tour targets pink and gray river dolphins, eight species of monkeys including spider monkeys and pygmy marmosets, sloths, caimans, snakes, electric eels, and hundreds of bird species like toucans, herons and king fishers. Sightings depend on weather and river conditions, which is why the guide adjusts the itinerary day to day to find the most active wildlife.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to swim with the dolphins?

The dolphin swim happens in the Amazon River during the afternoon boat ride, and you enter the water under the guide's supervision. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the itinerary notes it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What is the lodge like where I'll sleep?

The lodge sits 30km inland on the left bank of the Amazon River and uses traditional construction with wood and palm roofs. Cabins are protected and include bedding, mosquito nets, a shower and toilet. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided at the lodge each day.

How much time do I spend on the water versus walking in the jungle?

Most of the tour involves boat rides on the Amazon, Nanay and blackwater rivers, plus canoe rides on the blackwater lake. The ethnobotanical walk on day three and the nocturnal jungle walks on nights one and two are the main walking portions. The guide leads all activities and explains what you are seeing.

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

The tour includes accommodation, all meals, a bilingual naturalist guide, fishing equipment, purified water, coffee and tea, and all local transportation from the port. It does not include your hotel in Iquitos city, airfare, airport transfers to the port, souvenirs, extra food or drinks, or gratuities. You'll need to arrange your own way to Bellavista Nanay port or book a separate airport transfer.