Day 01: Lima / Iquitos / Heliconia Amazon River Lodge Reception at the luggage claim area of the Iquitos Int’l Airport, where our staff will be waiting for you. Then we will take you to our operative offices in Iquitos where we will give you an orientation of our services in accord with your program. Afterwards, we will take you to the Bellavista Port, where we will use one of our speedboats to take you to the Heliconia Lodge along the Amazon River. During this boat ride you will have the opportunity to observe the convergence of the brown turbid waters of the Amazon River with the dark waters of the Nanay River. You will enjoy the impressive jungle landscapes with the rustic small houses of the riverside towns. A visit to a native community is also scheduled in this part of the boat ride to the Lodge. In this community we will have the opportunity to hear about their way of life and to see their customs, dances and handcrafts. After 1:30 hrs. boat ride we will arrive to the Lodge where our staff will welcome you with a complimentary and exotic jungle drink. Lunch. In the afternoon we will start with our first excursion: a jungle hike into the Yanamono Reserve, which is a primary rainforest reserve, for approximately 2 hours accompanied by our expert guides, they will be able to identify several botanical species such as heliconia flowers, medicinal plants and giant trees such as the White silk-cotton tree (Ceiba Pentandra) whose dimensions are so big that 25 persons can circle it holding their hands. During this excursion you will also see several birds species such as the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes Aura), Black Fronted Nanbird (Monasa-Atia), etc., and with a little luck you will be able to see small monkeys such as marmosets (saguinus fusicollis) , and the Titi Monkey (Callicebus Mollock Mollock) and the squirrel monkey (Saimiri Boliviense). Return to the lodge for rest. Free time. After observing the Amazon Sunset, we will take a night boat ride to a stream , if the river is high enough, or along the Amazon River where you will enjoy the magical sounds of the jungle, the light of the moon or, if it is a clear night, you will observe the stars and constellations. Dinner. Day 2 Heliconia Amazon River Lodge Early birdwatching. We will start very early going by boat to one of the several streams (if the water level allows us ). We will be looking for birds such as the Tuki (Jacana Jacana), Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle-Torquata), Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis), etc. Return to the lodge, where a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you. After a little rest we will take a small fishing trip into small tributaries of the Amazon River. The most daring can try for fishing Piranhas. During this excursion you can also have the opportunity to look for the famous Pink River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis). Return to the Lodge for lunch In the afternoon, you will also be able to see the very impressive giant Victoria Regia plant (Giant Water Lily) on the lakes inside the Yanamono Island (if the water allows us). At night the adventurers can take a hike around the perimeter of the Lodge to look for tarantulas, fire flies, bats and other jungle nocturnal animals. Dinner. Day 3 Visit to a Riverside Town After breakfast, we will visit a native village where we will have the opportunity to hear and see their way of life. During this excursion we can also have again the opportunity to look out for the Pink Amazon River Dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis) and to fish piranhas. Return to the Lodge and rest. Dinner Day 04 Iquitos / Lima After breakfast, we will visit a rustic sugar cane distillery where you can try different exotic beverages made from sugar cane liquor and also you will see how they use horses in the process of obtaining this liquor. Return to the Lodge. After Lunch, transfer to Iquitos City and according with your flight schedule, transfer to the airport. IMPORTANT NOTES For your trip to the Lodge and for the jungle hikes we recommend that you take a backpack or small suitcase with only essential items. All big luggage, documents or values and other items can be stored in our offices for your convenience. Programs may vary according to flight arrival / departure changes or weather conditions. For this program we recommend to take morning flights to Iquitos and your returning flight to Lima in the afternoon. Departures from Iquitos to Heliconia Lodge is at 08:30 am Departures from Heliconia Lodge to Iquitos is at 14:00 pm Check in: 13:00 pm / Check out: 12:00 pm This program includes: 03 nights at Heliconia Amazon River Lodge with all the meals included (03 breakfasts, 04 lunches and 03 dinners). Hiking in the jungle. Night boat ride along one of the several streams of Yanamono or the Amazon River. Pink Amazon River Dolphin’s watching tour. Victoria Regia’s watching tour. Bird watching tour. Fishing tour. Excursion to a rustic sugar cane distillery rum. Visit to a riverside town. Transfers. This program does not include: Beverages: juices, sodas, soft drinks and any alcoholic drinks. (Tea and coffee are complimentary) Flight tickets Lima/Iquitos/Lima and airport taxes. Tips.
