Belen Market And Floating Houses

We will pick you up from selected hotels or a designated meeting point to embark on a walking tour along the Iquitos Boulevard, immersing ourselves in the city's vibrant atmosphere until we arrive at the traditional Belén neighborhood. If you prefer, you can choose to take a moto-tuk-tuk ride to the market—a quick (not included) and charming option that offers a different perspective on local life.

The Belén Market stands as one of the most vital commercial centers in Iquitos, a captivating place where the colors, aromas, and sounds of the Amazon converge. Here, you’ll discover an impressive array of products, from exotic fruits and spices to local meats and even wild animals on display, such as small caimans. We will navigate its narrow aisles, delving into the daily lives of merchants and locals who sustain the ancestral traditions of Amazonian trade.

Within the market, we will reach Pasaje Paquito, a historic spot where you will learn about traditional Amazonian medicine. Locals utilize herbs and natural extracts to address various ailments, and here you’ll find renowned products like Cat's Claw and Dragon’s Blood, celebrated for their healing properties. You will also have the opportunity to purchase handcrafted items made by skilled local artisans, each piece reflecting a segment of Amazonian culture.

We will proceed to the lower part of Belén, known as the "Amazonian Venice," where wooden houses are constructed on stilts to endure the rising river waters. In this section of the tour, we will visit an area where locals work with mapacho, a natural Amazonian tobacco. You’ll witness the artisanal process, from the drying of leaves on the ground to the manual crafting of these cigars—an art handed down through generations.

Further along, you will learn about "frotaciones," traditional medicine used in the jungle to alleviate muscle and joint pain. These preparations are composed of natural ingredients, including oils and fats extracted from regional animals, such as anaconda fat, and are utilized by Amazonian healers in their treatments.

We will then board a canoe-style boat to explore the village of San José de Río Itaya, also referred to as the "Venice of Loreto." We will glide through its waterways, where houses appear to float on the river, adapting to the fluctuating water levels.

For those interested, there will be a special opportunity to engage 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 transport you back to your hotel or meeting point.