Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
during low water (July to October), and boats are available for rent. Both villages can be
reached by mototaxi (about S15) or a S2 minivan ride from the Nauta van stop.
Corrientillo is a lake near the Río Nanay. There are a few bars around the lake, which
is locally popular for swimming on weekends and has good sunsets. It's about 15km from
town; a mototaxi will charge about S15.
Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm
( 065-23-2665; www.amazonanimalorphanage.org ; Padre Cocha; admission S20;
9am-4pm Tue-Sun) A visit to the fascinating Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm is highly recom-
mended. Ostensibly this is a conservatorium and breeding center for Amazonian butter-
flies. Butterflies aplenty there certainly are, including the striking blue morpho (Morpho
menelaus) and the fearsome-looking owl butterfly (Caligo eurilochus) . But it's the farm's
exotic animals that steal the show. Raised as orphans and protected within the property are
several mischievous monkeys, a tapir, an anteater and Pedro Bello, a majestic jaguar. To
get there, take a boat from Bellavista-Nanay, a small port 2km north of Iquitos, to the vil-
lage of Padre Cocha. Boats run all day. The farm is signposted: a 15-minute walk through
the village from the Padre Cocha boat dock.
FARM
Laguna Quistacocha
This lake, 15km south of Iquitos, is served by minibuses several times an hour from near
Plaza 28 de Julio (corner of Bermúdez and Moore; S2), as well as mototaxis (S12). There
is a small zoo of local fauna here, much improved of recent years, and an adjoining fish
hatchery , which has 2m-long paiche, now an endangered river fish due to loss of habitat
and its popularity as a food. An attempt to rectify the situation is being made with the
breeding program here. A pedestrian walk circles the lake, swimming is possible and
paddleboats are available for hire (S5 to S10). There are several restaurants and a hiking
trail to the Río Itaya. It's fairly crowded with locals on the weekend but not midweek. Ad-
mission is S3.
LAKE
JUNGLE EXPEDITIONS & LODGES
Private Guides
Jungle 'guides' will approach you everywhere in Iquitos. Some will be independent oper-
ators, and many will be working on behalf of a lodge. Travelers have had mixed experien-
ces with private guides. All guides should have a permit or license − if they don't, check
with the tourist office. Get references for any guide, and proceed with caution (also see
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