We will pick you up from selected hotels or a designated
meeting point to begin a walking tour along the Iquitos Boulevard, immersing ourselves in the city`s vibrant
atmosphere until we reach the traditional Belén
neighborhood. If you prefer, you can opt for a moto-tuk-tuk ride to the
market—a fast (not included) and picturesque option that allows you to
experience local life in a different way.
The Belén Market
is one of the most important commercial hubs in Iquitos, a fascinating place
where the colors, aromas, and sounds of the Amazon come together. Here, you`ll
find an impressive variety of products, from exotic fruits and spices to local
meats and even wild animals on display, such as small caimans. We will walk
through its narrow aisles, exploring the daily life of merchants and locals who
keep the ancestral traditions of Amazonian trade alive.
Inside the market, we will arrive at Pasaje Paquito, a historic corner where you will learn about
traditional Amazonian medicine. Locals use herbs and natural extracts to treat
various ailments, and here you’ll find renowned products such as Cat`s Claw and
Dragon’s Blood, famous for their healing properties. You will also have the opportunity
to purchase handcrafted goods made by talented local artisans, each piece
reflecting a fragment of Amazonian culture.
We will continue to the lower part of Belén, known as the "Amazonian Venice,"
where wooden houses are built on stilts to withstand the rising river waters.
In this part of the tour, we will visit an area where locals work with mapacho,
a natural Amazonian tobacco. You’ll observe the artisanal process, from drying
the leaves on the ground to the manual crafting of these cigars—an art passed
down through generations.
Further
along, you will learn about "frotaciones," traditional medicine used in the jungle to relieve muscle and joint
pain. These preparations are made from natural ingredients,
including oils and fats extracted from regional animals, such as anaconda fat,
and are used by Amazonian healers in their treatments.
We will then take a canoe-style boat to explore the
village of San José de Río Itaya, also known as the "Venice of Loreto." We will glide through its waterways, where
houses appear to float on the river, adapting to the changing water levels.
For those interested, there will be a special opportunity
to participate in a unique experience: traditional piranha fishing with handcrafted rods—an optional activity that
will allow you to connect with one of the Amazon’s most deep-rooted traditions.
At the end of our tour, we will return to the dock and
take you back to your hotel or meeting point.