Tours that include Iquitos in Loreto
The city of Iquitos in the Loreto department is one of Peru’s most touristic places. It is located northeast of Peru, in the middle of the Amazon jungle, at the foot of the Amazon River. Loreto is the largest department of Peru, with an area of 368,852 square kilometers, or 28% of the Peruvian territory. However, most of its territory is Amazonian. In its vast Amazon are some of the country’s largest and most biodiverse natural parks. The original ethnic groups are also so diverse that many indigenous languages are spoken there. Its main tourist attractions are: the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Pilpintuwasi, the Amazon Rescue Center, Fundo Pedrito, the Belen neighborhood, and the Amazon River, as well as the great diversity of flora and fauna in its ecological parks.
Prices of tours to Loreto in Peru
The city of Iquitos is the capital of the department of Loreto. From there you can hire most of the tourist tours throughout the Amazon region. All are all-inclusive services that offer pick-up, transportation, guide, entrance fees and, in some cases, lunch. The most popular tours include native communities, rescue centers for various species of flora and fauna and more. Check prices in US dollars!
Days | Tours in Iquitos | Foreign | Peruvian |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 days | Tour Isla Bonita | 375 USD | 345 USD |
| 3 days | Tour Iquitos and the Amazon | 305 USD | 275 USD |
| 2 days | Tour of the Amazon in Iquitos | 240 USD | 205 USD |
| Half day | Tour Amazonian Biodiversity in Iquitos | 85 USD | 50 USD |
| Half day | Tour of Amazonian Flora and Fauna | 80 USD | 45 USD |
| Half day | Tour Monkey Island | 115 USD | 80 USD |
| Half day | Tour Bora Native Community | 90 USD | 55 USD |
The provinces and tourist attractions of the Loreto region
Loreto is the largest department in Peru. It is characterized by the presence of the Amazon River and its tributaries, as well as dense jungle vegetation with a great diversity of flora and fauna. It has eight provinces: Loreto, Maynas, Alto Amazonas, Putumayo, Mariscal Ramón Castilla, Requena, Ucayali and Datem del Marañón. Learn about its main tourist attractions!
Tourism in Loreto | |
|---|---|
Province | Main tourist attractions |
| Loreto | Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Amazon River, Amazon Museum. |
| Maynas | Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Gueppi Reserved Zone, Alpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, Quistococha tourist complex, San Juan handicraft market. |
| Alto Amazonas | Sanango Lake, Munichis Ecopark, Cachiyacu River, Cuipari Lake, Aypenas River, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. |
| Putumayo | Experiential tourism in Putumayo. |
| Mariscal Ramón Castilla | Caballo Cocha, Caballo Cocha lagoon, Coto Island. |
| Requena | Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Yanayacu, Amazon River, Amazon Rescue Center, Amazon Museum. |
| Ucayali | Ucayali River. |
| Datem del Marañón | Marañon River, Rimachi Lake, Musha Karusha Lake. |
All the activities you can do on your trip to the department of Loreto in the jungle of Peru!
The department of Loreto has the largest extension of Amazon rainforest and territorial extension of Peru. This region has 45 percent of mammals, 39 percent of birds and 37 percent of amphibians. The visit has important tourist attractions, the most important of all, the Amazon River, where you can cruise routes with visits to national parks of great natural beauty.
- Luxury cruises – The Amazon River and its tributaries such as the Marañon or Ucayali rivers are traveled by luxury cruises. Luxury cruises also include visits to the main tourist attractions such as the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Luxury cruises – The Amazon River and its tributaries such as the Marañon or Ucayali Rivers are traveled by luxury cruises. Luxury cruises also include visits to the main tourist attractions such as the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. The cruises are made in trips of 3, 4, 5 or more days.
- Natural landscapes – Loreto has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Peru. The Amazonian sunsets are recognized as some of the most beautiful in the world. This can be appreciated in unforgettable places such as the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, as well as the Amazon and Ucayali rivers.Natural landscapes – Loreto has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Peru. The Amazon sunsets are recognized as some of the most beautiful in the world. This can be appreciated in unforgettable places such as the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, as well as the Amazon and Ucayali rivers.
- Flora and fauna – The department of Loreto is one of the most biodiverse in Peru and the world. In its vast Amazon region are most of Peru’s species: 45% of the country’s mammals, 39% of the country’s birds, 37% of the country’s amphibians and many species of trees, plants, etc.Flora and fauna – The department of Loreto is one of the most biodiverse in Peru and the world. In its vast Amazon region are most of Peru’s species: 45% of the country’s mammals, 39% of the country’s birds, 37% of the country’s amphibians, and many species of trees, plants, etc.
What tourist services are included in a tour in the Loreto region of Peru?
Most tours in the Loreto region are half day services that include pick up, tourist transportation (land and river), a professional tour guide, entrance fees and return to the city of Iquitos where the service starts. Tours of more days include the tourist hotel or an ecolodge in the Amazon, depending on the type of service you choose.
- Pick up of the visitor: at the door of your hotel or in a central square of the city of Iquitos.
- Tourist transportation: full service by land and by river in a tourist boat.
- Entrance to the different tourist attractions to be visited: tickets are included in the tour.
- Professional bilingual tour guide service (Spanish or English).
- Tourist hotel in Iquitos: for services of more than 1 day.
Main tourist attractions in the department of Loreto
Loreto is located in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon jungle. The city of Iquitos, its capital, is the main point of arrival of tourists, where its airport is located. From there you can visit its main destinations such as the Amazon River, the Pacaya Saimiria National Reserve or the neighborhood of Belen, known as the Peruvian Venezia.
The Amazon River
The Amazon River is the most causal and dense river on the planet. It crosses the territories of South America, mainly Peru and Brazil. It has an approximate length of 7,062 square kilometers. Most of its basin is located in the department of Loreto where the visitor can appreciate beautiful landscapes and a great biodiversity, one of the most beautiful in Peru.
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is a protected area in Peru because of its Amazonian natural wealth. It has a vast extension of 2,080,000 hectares, at the confluence of the Ucayali, Marañon and, mainly, the Amazon rivers. It stands out for its great biodiversity with most species of flora, fauna, and even mammals. It can be visited on Amazon cruises in Loreto.
The Belen neighborhood in Iquitos
The neighborhood of Belen is one of the most famous areas of the city of Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon. It is known as the ‘Peruvian Venezia’ because its streets, houses and architecture is composed mainly of wooden houses with boats, which serve to survive when the river level rises. This neighborhood is located on the banks of the Belen Cocha River, about 2.5 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas of Iquitos.
Questions and answers about travel to the department of Iquitos in Peru
The department of Loreto in the Amazon jungle is one of the most visited destinations in Peru because it offers a fascinating nature. Its capital is the city of Iquitos, on the banks of the Amazon River. From there you can visit several tourist attractions, such as: the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Pilpintuwasi, the Amazon Rescue Center, Monkey Island, Fundo Pedrito and more.
What are the main tourist attractions in the Loreto region?
The main tourist attractions in the Loreto region are: the Amazon River, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the neighborhood of Belen, the city of Iquitos, Pilpintuwasi (home of the butterflies), the island of the monkeys, Fundo Pedrito and the aboriginal ethnic groups.
How to get to Loreto from the city of Lima?
Iquitos, the capital of the department of Loreto, can be reached by a plane trip of 1,013 kilometers on average (almost 2 hours flight). The other way is by a trip on the Amazon River, from mainly two ports: in Pucallpa or Yurimaguas (one, two or three day trips).
What is the climate like in the city of Iquitos?
The Loreto region has a tropical Amazonian climate with maximum temperatures of up to 38ºC. during the day and minimum temperatures of 22ºC. at night. Rainfall is copious and can occur any day of the year, mainly in January, February and March.
What does a cruise tour in Loreto include?
Cruise tours in Loreto last several days, travel the Amazon River and its tributaries and include all the luxury on board, as well as visits to various tourist attractions such as the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, natural landscapes and more.
Is it dangerous to visit the Amazon jungle in Loreto?
The visit to the Loreto region is not dangerous because it is organized mostly by tourist agencies that offer maximum security. However, it is recommended to protect yourself from the hot sun and mosquito bites.
What is Pacaya Samiria?
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is a protected area in Peru because of its Amazonian natural wealth. It has a vast extension of 2,080,000 hectares, at the confluence of the Ucayali, Marañon and, mainly, the Amazon rivers. It stands out for its great biodiversity, one of the most important in Peru.
How many provinces does the department of Loreto have?
The department of Loreto has eight provinces which are: Loreto, Maynas, Alto Amazonas, Putumayo, Mariscal Ramón Castilla, Requena, Ucayali and Datem del Marañón.
How are the hotels in Loreto?
The city of Iquitos in Loreto has several hotel services. The most recommended are: Hotel El Dorado Express (3 stars), Hotel El Dorado Classic (3 stars), Hotel El Paititi (3 stars), Hotel Villa del Palmar de Loreto (4 stars), Hotel La Misión de Loreto (4 stars) and the Hilton Iquitos Hotel (5 stars).
How are the restaurants in Loreto?
The best restaurants in Loreto are in the city of Iquitos. They stand out for the Amazonian dishes made from river fish, fruits and fusions with international food and delicious Peruvian cuisine.
What are the most important dates to visit the department of Loreto?
The ideal days to visit Iquitos in the region of Loreto are: the Feast of San Juan (June 24) and the carnivals of Iquitos (late February or early March).