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ContactABOUT IQUITOS
Iquitos can be accessed by river or air, there are no roads connecting the city with the rest of the country. From abroad, flights have a stopover in Lima, there are also domestic flights from Tarapoto and Pucallpa. The regular boats that arrive to the city come from Pucallpa and Yurimaguas.
When taking one of our tours, you will be picked up at the airport by a representative of the agency. However, for your information, from the airport you can take taxis and motorcycle taxis that will take you to your accommodation. The price of motorcycle taxis decreases if you ask for one outside of the airport. There are also taxi-buses that go from the airport to the city center.
We will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign that will include our logo and your name, based on the information and arrival time of your flight.
The climate here is tropical. Iquitos has a significant amount of rain and the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year. During the day the temperatures are between 22 to 32 °C (72 to 90°F). There are only two seasons, winter and summer, which differ in the amount of rain and levels of the rivers. The winter period or rainy season is from December to May. Summer or dry season is from June to November.
In both winter and summer, the jungle has something different to offer. In winter the rivers have more flow and there are more channels that can be navigated by boat. In summer, the paths of the jungle that are flooded during the winter are accessible for walks and allow us to enter on foot into the jungle. Whatever season you choose, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views and experiences.
Iquitos has all the modern systems of communication, telephone, mail, television, cable television, fax, connections to messaging services, and internet.
In the city you will find restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, pharmacies, and anything you might need. In case of medical assistance there are hospitals, clinics, private clinics, etc.
Most places only accept soles (PEN), but payment with credit/debit cards is possible. However, in the city there are many places to exchange currency, there are also large numbers of ATMs from different banks. Iquitos also has a Western Union office that stays open until 07:00 p.m.
Iquitos at night is quite safe, strolling along the boulevard (also known as Malecon), the main square and Prospero street are perfectly safe since these are well lit and there is always traffic. However, avoid walking through empty and dark streets, and do not embark on trips to unknown destinations unless you feel comfortable.
RESERVATIONS
Of course! It is a great adventure for children to see the Amazon rainforest! Families are always welcome at AWA Expeditions. Just contact us for more information.
We can customize trips for the duration that you wish to stay for both groups and those who travel alone. You can visit different areas of the Amazon River, the Yanayacu River basin, the Yarapa River and the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve; you can plan a mix of accommodations in rustic hostels and camping, or just camping for a more adventurous format. We have specialized bilingual guides (Spanish and English) on our team with years of experience. Do not hesitate to contact us to make a plan and turn your desired trip into reality.
ABOUT THE TOURS
Our website provides a general description of each tour we offer, which includes details about the tour, the activities to be carried out, itinerary, additional information, a gallery, and etc. In addition, our team is available to answer any question you have.
Our tours start from your accommodation or the airport. Except the Half Day tour which will start from your accommodation.
All of our tours start at 08:00 am, except for the Half Day that can also start at 1:00 pm.
All of our tours end around 5:00 pm, with the exception of the Half Day which ends at 1:00 pm for the morning session.
Remember that our tours are all-inclusive, and we will provide the necessary gear for camping and food. We suggest you bring appropriate clothes according to the season, swimsuit, sandals, flashlight (headlamps are recommended) and a small backpack for daily excursions (to carry snacks, personal medicines, water, etc.). Mosquito repellent is also highly recommended.
Long, comfortable and light clothing is recommended (for the mosquitoes) along with a pair of shoes (sneakers or trekking boots). Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are also recommended.
For tours of the Amazon River and the Pacaya Samiria Reserve a typical motor boat from the Amazon called pamacari is used with a capacity of more than 20 people, which has a covered roof and side curtains to protect from rain and it is equipped with life vests. For nocturnal excursions, in cochas (lagoons) and in small channels, canoes without motors are used to avoid breaking the harmony of nature while we enjoy the wild life.
We will walk in the rain, or any other climatic condition that nature decides to give us. Due to the tropical climate, the rain does not last for long periods of time. You can carry out all the activities included in the tour, although sometimes the order in which they are carried out may vary.
PAYMENTS
The advance payment can be made on our website through Paypal, where you have the option to use a credit/debit card. In our office in Iquitos we do not accept credit cards, payment in cash is required. There are several ATMs in the city where you can withdraw money if you want to avoid traveling with cash.
No, the indicated price is the final price expressed in dollars (USD).
CANCELLATION POLLICIES
A refund of 90% of the total paid will be made within a period of up to 180 days from the date the payment was made or up to 30 days before the date chosen for the tour reservation (whichever comes first).
A refund of 50% of the total paid will be made if more than 180 days have elapsed from the date of payment of the tour reservation or if the cancellation is made between 15 and 30 days before the start date of the tour (whichever comes first).
Cancellations within a period of less than 15 days before the date chosen for the tour reservation do not have a refund.
HEALTH
It is not necessary to be vaccinated to enter Peru or the Amazonian area included in conventional tourist circuits. If you plan to carry out an extensive trip to the depths of the Amazon area, it is advisable to get vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days before your arrival. Depending on the time you think you will be in the jungle, if it will be a long time, a medical consultation is recommended to apply vaccines against hepatitis, typhoid fever, tetanus and a treatment against malaria. For more information, check the website of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/peru
To prevent mosquito bites the use of repellents is recommended as well as long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Of course! Our chefs can organize vegetarian, vegan, diabetic and allergy meals for certain foods. Please be sure to inform us when you book your trip.
AMAZON RIVER
The accommodation is in a hostel that is located approximately 30 kilometers from Iquitos, between the Sinchicuy community and San Rafael. Following the course of the Amazon River, it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by motor boat.
This hostel can accommodate up to 30 people, each room has a private bathroom and shower, including towels. All the windows are covered by plastic mesh to keep mosquitoes and insects out of the rooms. There is a large common area where meals are served. Electricity is available between 06:00 pm and 09:00 pm each day, in case you need to charge your cell phone and/or camera. The hostel also has a room equipped with hammocks, where you can relax and enjoy the sounds of the jungle.
PACAYA SAMIRIA RESERVE
The first night the accommodation is in a rustic hostel in the community of Buenos Aires. The following nights we will look for places to set up our base camps in the jungle. Our tents are mounted on and under plastic to protect them from rain and moisture.
From Iquitos it is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by road to Nauta in a private minivan. From there it takes approximately 3 hours in a private motor boat along the Marañon River to reach the community of Santo Domingo to make our entry and registration to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. From here we continue sailing, approximately 30 minutes, until we reach the community of Buenos Aires.
The house is a traditional rustic construction, specially conditioned to receive visitors, with a common room containing beds (each with a mosquito net), a bathroom and a dining room. There are many places to relax by the river, including hammocks.
No, there is no connection to the Internet or cell phone service. The reserve is one of the last places, deep in the Amazon jungle, where you are still disconnected.