15-Day Expedition to the Matses Indigenous Territory, Iquitos

About this activity

Off-the-beaten track expedition to the territory of the Matses tribe. This is a hard jungle program to one of the most remote areas of the Amazon rainforest, located near the Peru-Brazil borderline. Little exploration has been done and is inaccessible for most tourists to this non-touristic indigenous people. The trip is open to highly motivated, interested people who have the attributes of adaptability, versatility and are in good condition both physically and mentally.

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At a glance

Duration: 15 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Amazon Explorer S.R.L

Ages: Adults (18–80 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Transfer from Iquitos airport.
Included: Permission to the Matsés National Reserve, permission to the Community and Maloca
Included: Lunch
Included: Dinner
Included: Indigenous Matses guides.
Included: Breakfast
Included: Tour leader.
Included: Public speedboat from Requena to Nauta.
Included: Taxes.
Included: Purified water.
Included: Support to local indigenous communities.
Included: Materials/Gear: Mosquito nets and sheets.
Included: Air ticket from Iquitos to Angamos.

Not included

Not included: Additional costs in Iquitos, if Iquitos-Angamos flight is postponed
Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Light camping mat.

Itinerary

Day 1 · From Iquitos to Angamos Village, border between Peru and Brazil

1
Amazon Rainforest

one day Admission included
- Departure by light aircraft from the Iquitos Air Force Base.
- One-hour flight to the town of Angamos located on the border with Brazil.
- Meet with the natives who will accompany us on this expedition.
- Overnight in Angamos.

Overnight in Angamos, in a local accommodation

Day 2 · From Angamos to the Matses tribe territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Organization of supplies and logistics before navigation.
- Motor boat to one of the least explored areas of the Amazon rainforest, the Matsés Reserve (8 h).
- Bird watching.
- Hike to reach the genuine Maloca of the "Feline Tribe".
- Camp in the jungle, next the genuine Maloca.

Overnight in the native community, in a local house.

Day 3 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Enter to the Authentic Maloca (indigenous longhouse).
- Live with a tribal family.
- Learn their customs and way of life.
- Listen to ancient stories told by elderly Matsés.
- Harvest food from their “Chacras” (plantations and crops).
- Motor boat (2 h).
- Fish for piranha (Serrasalmus nattereri) and other species.
- Fish with “Barbasco” (toxic plant). Just during Low river season (June to November).
- Identify medicinal plants.
- Sniff “Nënë” (native tobacco) ritual (optional).
- Night exploration in search of the monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) used for the Kambô.
- Watch or participate in the Frog ritual “Kambô” (optional).
- Ritual of the bullet ant - isula (Paraponera clavata).
- Buy or barter for handicrafts and authentic weapons (optional).
- Overnight in a jungle camp, next to the Maloca.

Overnight in the native community, in a local house.

Day 4 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Enter to the Authentic Maloca (indigenous longhouse).
- Live with a tribal family.
- Learn their customs and way of life.
- Listen to ancient stories told by elderly Matsés.
- Harvest food from their “Chacras” (plantations and crops).
- Motor boat (2 h).
- Fish for piranha (Serrasalmus nattereri) and other species.
- Fish with “Barbasco” (toxic plant). Just during Low river season (June to November).
- Identify medicinal plants.
- Sniff “Nënë” (native tobacco) ritual (optional).
- Night exploration in search of the monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) used for the Kambô.
- Watch or participate in the Frog ritual “Kambô” (optional).
- Ritual of the bullet ant - isula (Paraponera clavata).
- Buy or barter for handicrafts and authentic weapons (optional).
- Overnight in a jungle camp, next to the Maloca.

Overnight in jungle camp.

Day 5 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Enter to the Authentic Maloca (indigenous longhouse).
- Live with a tribal family.
- Learn their customs and way of life.
- Listen to ancient stories told by elderly Matsés.
- Harvest food from their “Chacras” (plantations and crops).
- Motor boat (2 h).
- Fish for piranha (Serrasalmus nattereri) and other species.
- Fish with “Barbasco” (toxic plant). Just during Low river season (June to November).
- Identify medicinal plants.
- Sniff “Nënë” (native tobacco) ritual (optional).
- Night exploration in search of the monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) used for the Kambô.
- Watch or participate in the Frog ritual “Kambô” (optional).
- Ritual of the bullet ant - isula (Paraponera clavata).
- Buy or barter for handicrafts and authentic weapons (optional).
- Overnight in a jungle camp, next to the Maloca.

Overnight in jungle camp.

Day 6 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Motor boat (6 h) back to Angamos village.
- Overnight in Angamos.

Overnight in jungle camp.

Day 7 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Motorboat during (8 h).
- Overnight in a Native Community.

Overnight in jungle camp.

Day 8 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Motorboat to our base camp (4 h).
- During this period:
- Search for wildlife by canoe.
- Hiking on primary jungle.
- Drink water from forest vines “Soga de agua”.
- Excursion a palm wetland to observe macaws and parrots.
- Explore clay licks “Collpas” (deposit of clay containing mineral salts where a large number and variety of animals gather). Only from June to November, when the rivers are low.
- Identify animal tracks and footprints.
- Overnight in our base camp.

Overnight in jungle camp.

Day 9 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Motorboat to our base camp (4 h).
- During this period:
- Search for wildlife by canoe.
- Hiking on primary jungle.
- Drink water from forest vines “Soga de agua”.
- Excursion a palm wetland to observe macaws and parrots.
- Explore clay licks “Collpas” (deposit of clay containing mineral salts where a large number and variety of animals gather). Only from June to November, when the rivers are low.
- Identify animal tracks and footprints.
- Overnight in our base camp.

Overnight in jungle camp.

Day 10 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Motorboat to our base camp (4 h).
- During this period:
- Search for wildlife by canoe.
- Hiking on primary jungle.
- Drink water from forest vines “Soga de agua”.
- Excursion a palm wetland to observe macaws and parrots.
- Explore clay licks “Collpas” (deposit of clay containing mineral salts where a large number and variety of animals gather). Only from June to November, when the rivers are low.
- Identify animal tracks and footprints.
- Overnight in our base camp.

Overnight in jungle camp.

Day 11 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Motorboat to the Matanza River.
- Overnight in the jungle.

Overnight in the jungle.

Day 12 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Motorboat to the Matanza River.
- Overnight in the jungle.

Overnight in the jungle.

Day 13 · Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory

1
Stop 1

one day
- Hike through primary jungle to the town of Requena (31 mi or 50 km).
- Cross rivers and streams.
- Overnight in the jungle.

Overnight in the jungle.

Day 14 · From the Amazon Rainforest to Requena and Iquitos

1
Requena

one day
- Hike through primary jungle to the town of Requena (31 mi or 50 km).
- Cross rivers and streams.
- Overnight in the jungle.

Overnight in the jungle.

Day 15 · Back in Iquitos

1
Iquitos

one day
- Arrive in Requena.
- Speedboat from Requena to Nauta city (3 h).
- Bus from Nauta to Iquitos (2 h).
- Arrive in Iquitos.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Gussaida Hospedaje
Selva Viva Iquitos
Hostal El Colibri
Delfin Amazonico Suites
Hospedaje Aziyade
Nativa Apartments Boutique Hotel
Casa Morey
Oti Cerva Hotel
Epoca - Hotel Casona
Emperador Terraza
Hotel Europa Iquitos

and 25 more pickup points

Travelers must inform us of the date and time of arrival, name and address of the hotel in Iquitos; at least 72 hours before your arrival in the city of Iquitos, Peru.

Using your ticket

INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR EACH TRAVELER

Names
Passport or ID number
Nationality
Date of Birth
Shoe size
Physical condition and weight
Detailed food requirements (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc)
Allergies or medical conditions
Flights information (airline, flight number and arrival/departure hours)
Name of your Hotel in Iquitos.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Air transport used for this expedition is subject to pre-established dates by the local airline. However, according to weather conditions, flights may be delayed.

Because there a high risk those flights be postponed (Iquitos-Angamos), we suggest that your flight out from Iquitos have extra days or have flexible dates, to recover days lost waiting for the flight to Angamos. Also, this is recommended in order to avoid lose your flight out.

OTHER INFORMATION

Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions

Not recommended for participants with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant women

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

AMAZON EXPLORER S.R.L.

Phone: (+51) 928472928 & (+51) 965828888 (Spanish) | From 9AM to 3PM, Peru Time UTC/GMT -5.

Whatsapp/Telegram (English spoken): (+51) 928472928.

[email protected]

www.amazonexplorer.com

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Air transport used in this expedition is subject to pre-established dates by the Peruvian Air Force. Angamos village has an aerodrome with a dirt runway, therefore, depending on weather conditions, flights may be postponed. We suggest having additional days after finishing the itinerary.
We suggest you have additional days after finishing the itinerary to recover the days lost in case the flight from Iquitos-Angamos has been postponed
You must get your flights from Iquitos to Lima or out of Peru, flexible to change dates if necessary.
If the plane postpones its departure from Iquitos to Angamos, Amazon Explorer will not cover additional costs as accommodation and food in Iquitos, there will also be no refund for lost days.
It is suggested to arrive in Iquitos a day before to avoid issues caused by flight delays. Flight out must be taken a day or, much better, days after the program
The return trip requires hiking in the jungle for 3 days (50 km or 32 miles)
This program is for adventurers. We spend the night in a villager's traditional house and camp. We do not offer eco-lodges
We provide financial support for the villages and Matses people
We reserve the right to change the activities listed in the itinerary, in case they cannot be performed due to weather conditions or due to water levels of rivers in different seasons