Iquitos: Belen Market and Floating Houses Tour

Highlights

• Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Iquitos on a walking tour
• Discover the colors, aromas, and sounds of the Amazon at Belén Market
• Learn about traditional Amazonian medicine at Pasaje Paquito
• Visit the 'Amazonian Venice' and see houses built on stilts in the river
• Participate in a unique experience: traditional piranha fishing with rods

Description

Discover the vibrant atmosphere of Iquitos on a walking tour of the city's boulevard. Explore the traditional Belén neighborhood, visit the Belén Market, and take a boat ride to the village of San José de Río Itaya.

Begin your tour with a pickup from your hotel or a designated meeting point. Walk along the Iquitos Boulevard, immersing yourself in the city's vibrant atmosphere until you reach the traditional Belén neighborhood.

Opt for a moto-tuk-tuk ride to the market, a fast 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.

Find an impressive variety of products, from exotic fruits and spices to local meats and even wild animals on display, such as small caimans. 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, 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.

Have the opportunity to purchase handcrafted goods made by talented local artisans, each piece reflecting a fragment of Amazonian culture. 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.

Visit an area where locals work with mapacho, a natural Amazonian tobacco. Observe the artisanal process, from drying the leaves on the ground to the manual crafting of these cigars, an art passed down through generations.

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.

Take a canoe-style boat to explore the village of San José de Río Itaya, also known as the 'Venice of Loreto.' 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 the tour, return to the dock and take a transfer back to your hotel.

Includes

• Guided walking tour of Iquitos Boulevard
• Visit to Belén Market and Pasaje Paquito
• Exploration of the lower part of Belén, 'Amazonian Venice'
• Canoe-style boat ride through San José de Río Itaya
• Opportunity for traditional piranha fishing (optional)
• Visit to local artisans and traditional medicine practitioners

Excludes

• Moto-tuk-tuk ride to the market
• Food and drinks
• Tips

Important Information

• Wear comfortable walking shoes and light clothing
• Bring insect repellent and sunscreen to protect against the sun and insects
• Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated
• Be prepared for a unique cultural and natural experience
• Respect the local customs and wildlife
• Yellow fever vaccination is optional
• This activity is suitable for all ages

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund