Discover one of the most authentic sides of Iquitos on a guided journey through Belén Market, Paquito Passage, and the riverside neighborhood of Lower Belén.
Begin at Iquitos Boulevard and continue to Belén Market, one of the most fascinating traditional markets in the Peruvian Amazon. During the morning, local vendors display Amazonian fruits, fresh fish, regional foods, handicrafts, and products used in everyday life.
Walk through the market with your local guide and discover products connected to Amazonian traditional medicine and ancestral knowledge. You may see tobacco leaves, medicinal plants, aromatic resins, natural oils, reptile fats traditionally used in local remedies, herbal preparations, rapé, and botanical ingredients associated with traditional ayahuasca preparation.
You will also learn about herbal tonics, aphrodisiac drinks, spiritual amulets, perfumes, natural remedies, and other preparations used locally for generations. These products are presented from a cultural and educational perspective. The tour does not include the consumption of ayahuasca, rapé, psychoactive substances, or medicinal preparations.
Continue through Paquito Passage, an area especially known for Amazonian herbal medicine and products connected to local beliefs and ancestral practices. Your guide will explain their traditional uses and cultural significance.
As you explore the market, you may also observe traditional Amazonian foods, including wild game and certain reptiles consumed by some local communities, as well as handmade crafts and regional souvenirs. This part of the visit is observational and focused on understanding local customs and daily life.
After the market, continue to Lower Belén, often called the “Venice of the Amazon.”
During the high-water season, the streets become waterways and the neighborhood can be explored by canoe. Navigate between floating and stilt houses while learning how local families adapt to changing river levels.
During the dry season, especially between August and November, canoe access may be limited and sections of Lower Belén may be explored on foot. The exact route depends on river levels and local conditions.
If river levels prevent the booked canoe or floating section from taking place, or cause a critical change to the itinerary, travelers will receive a full refund. An alternative walking route or rescheduling may be offered only if accepted by the traveler.
When conditions allow, the experience may also include optional piranha fishing.
