BRIEF OVREVIEW: The city of Iquitos grew rapidly during the rubber boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The visitor can still see the Iron House designed by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel and numerous mansions built during the days of the rubber barrons. Today, Iquitos is a delightful, mid-sized provincial capital that seduces the visitor with the happiness and warmth of its people. Iquitos is inaccessible by land; just by plane or through the Amazon River. Modern Iquitos has become a focus of ecoturism in the Amazon rainforest. Nearby nature preserves have recorded over 130 species of reptiles, 130 types of mammals, more than 300 species of birds, countless numbers of amphibians, and a large variety of fish, including the paiche that - at 400 pounds - weighs in among the world’s largest fresh water species.
Warm, humid and with a heavy rainy season, Iquitos’ tropical climate is typical of the Amazon rainforest. The best time for visiting is from April through October, when the rains diminish .
For those who wish to delve deeper into the Amazon rainforest, cruises down the Amazon to Brazil and Colombia are available in comfortable, air conditioned river vessels.
The lodge is located on the shores of the Amazon river in the Yanamono Community, 80 km. Down river from the Iquitos city. We have the finest collection of Amazonian Heliconias, that grows inside of the lodges
DURATION: 03 DAYS
DAY 01.- IQUITOS-HELICONIA LODGE, reception at the airport, transfer by speed boat to the Heliconia Amazon River Lodge. During this ride We will enjoy the impressive jungle landscape and the rustic small houses of the riverside towns. lunch, in the afternoon we will visit the Yanamono Reserve, here we can see various botanical species such as the Heliconia plant, medicinal plants and giant trees such as the White silk-cotton tree. During this time we will also see various birds such as the Turkey Vulture , Black Fronted Nanbird, etc., and with a little luck we will be able to see small monkeys such as marmosets, and The Titi Monkey, then, we will take a night boat ride to the Manco Gulch, if the river is high enough, or along the Amazon River where we will enjoy the magical sounds of the jungle and the light of the moon. Or, if it´s a clear night, we can observe the constellations.
Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
DAY 02.- Heliconia Amazon River Lodge, Early bird watching. We will be looking out for birds such as the Tuki, Ringed Kingfisher, Black-Collared Hawk , etc., and also the very impressive giant Victoria Regia
Return to the lodge for breakfast, after we will visit a Yagua village. Lunch.
In the afternoon, we will take a small fishing trip into small tributaries of the Amazon River. Return to the lodge for dinner. At night the daring can take a hike around the perimeter of the Lodge to look for tarantulas, fire flys, bats and other jungle nocturnal creatures. Dinner, Overnight at the Lodge.
DAY 03.- TRANSFER OUT, after breakfast you will be taken to the city of Iquitos and then taken to the airport
