What to do and see in Iquitos, Peru: The Best Places and Tips

A cage-free rescue center in the Peruvian Amazon dedicated to the protection and conservation of abandoned and orphaned monkeys. The aim of the project is the save the life of these creatures and release them back to their original habitat.

THE #1 place to see wildlife in its natural habitat. BEWARE: we have recently learned of local scammers selling cheap rip-off tours using our name. We are the only company that operates in our private property. Book directly through our website linked here on TA or at our office in Iquitos inside the Green Track Hostel. NEVER trust the street guides and vendors in Iquitos, for your own safety and well-being! When you sign up to go to the jungle with us, you're not just going to experience one of the purest, most pristine primary rainforests on earth. It's not just about witnessing wild animals of the air, land and water in their natural habitats, undisturbed, like you've probably never seen before. Those things are a given. But you should also know that when you visit, you are helping us protect this precious place. We can't do it without you. The Reserve is located in primary rainforest, and it is our Mission to coexist with the jungle environment without disturbing its natural processes. We have ongoing efforts to save a species of river turtle known locally as taricaya (Podocnemis unifilis), which can live to 60 years of age and plays a crucial part in the region's ecosystem. We have also been monitoring our populations of red uakari monkey (Cacajao calvus), which is nearly extinct in Peru due to hunting and the destruction of its habitat. By choosing to visit the jungle with us, you are directly helping us maintain and protect these projects, the Reserve and the local people. Your presence on the trails and in the creeks shows local hunters and loggers that we are watching and patrolling the property. Your financial contribution pays for lodge and boat maintenance and the local people's salaries. Quite frankly, the area's (and Peru's, for that matter) conservation laws are few and weak. Those that do exist are not enforced, making them equal to non-existent. To add insult to injury, the government continues to support business interests over the environment, effectively turning the rainforest into a giant lumber yard/oil well. We don't get support from any other organization, government nor private, local nor international. You absolutely make a difference. We'd like to highlight two main areas of concern with regards to conservation in our area: the illegal animal trade and the illegal logging trade. Both are booming business sectors that have been deeply entrenched in the local psyche and economy for years. Yet, like all businesses, they are driven by demand. And who is doing the demanding? Tourists, clients, customers, buyers...basically you. You can help change the landscape of the market simply by making conscious decisions about what you spend you spend your money on, regardless of whether you're buying experiences, food, souvenirs or furniture. Get ready for a life-changing experience at the Tapiche Reserve!

Ecotourism; Rescue, rehabilitation and release of andangered animals; Environmental education.

Please visit us in Padre Cocha! See our website for more info. Please know that a previous employee of the refuge has also set up a butterfly house and is offering boat-drivers commission to take visitors to this alternative centre rather than the original Pilpintuwasi. The true centre offers homes to a number of rescued animals in addition to the butterfly house. Please ensure you follow our visiting directions as we would love to welcome you all to our centre during your visit to Iquitos. About us: Pilpintuwasi is a wildlife rescue and temporary custody centre located on 20 hectares of land in the village of Padre Cocha, 20 minutes outside of Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon. We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting animals affected by the poaching and trafficking industry which thrives in Iquitos. We work with the ecological police to take in animals confiscated from markets, airports and homes, which often arrive with injuries and malnourishment.

The museum exhibits ethnographic artifacts from 30 different Amazon Indian cultures from the greater Amazon basin including groups from eastern Brazil, Guyana, Xingu, Mata Grosso, Colombia, the Peruvian Lowlands and the foot hills of the Andes. The theme of the museum is how Amazon Indians live within nature and are helping to conserve the fragile rainforests. Exhibits are displayed in a period house on two floors and in line with international museum standards. The museum is located on the riverfront in the historic district of Iquitos at 332 Malecon Tarapaca and is open daily from 8am to 8pm.

The museum is in the historic steamboat "Ayapua" and exhibits Amazon navigation, discovery of the Amazon, missionary outposts, old Iquitos, explorers of the Amazon, rubber industry, atrocities of the Putomayo, and making of the Fitzcarraldo film. The museum is open daily from 9am to 6pm, and includes a 30 minute excursion in a historic launch.