3 days in the Amazon: Mocagua and Altamira Indigenous Community from Leticia

Day 1

Mocagua Community

A local host will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to the dock in Leticia where you will take a public ferry boat towards the Mocagua community. When you arrive, lunch will be available after which you can choose to go for a walk around the Mocagua Island to observe the flora and fauna or you can choose to get back into the launch and observe pink dolphins. You will return to the hotel (where is the hotel?) And at night you can go out on a night walk to discover this amazing facet of the Amazon rainforest. Guided?. A word of caution, nocturnal safaris in the Amazon are absolutely amazing, there are more stars in the sky than you could imagine, the noise of so much life is practically deafening and the atmosphere is magical and unforgettable. Do not however forget to wear mosquito repellent and long sleeves and long trousers, mosquitoes are no less enthusiastic at night than during the day time.

Day 2

Visit to the Altamira Community in Peru

We have breakfast and head out to the Altamira Community in Peru, just across the river. This community has only recently opened itself up to tourism, but specifically focused on tourism dedicated to preserving the three-toed sloths who live in their part of the forest. To reach the community, we take another launch to cross the immensity of the majestic Amazon river, and once there will be guided by trained local guides who will reveal the Amazon as they know it, the ancestral medicinal plants, the significance of the different trees, the secret language of the birds, which insects can hurt and which help and heal. Our guide will lead us to a magnificent tree which is more than 500 years old and at lunchtime will lead us back to the community to eat a delicious meal in the company of our hosts. After eating we return to the forest and walk amongst the yarumos (wonderful native trees) to observe the three-toed sloths and, if the height of the river allows it, we will go to a wonderful lake to take in the sights of the giant, Amazonian waterlilies and the enormous lily pads. We return to the Mocagua community for dinner and rest.

Day 3

Return to Leticia

Depending on the time of your return flight you can have breakfast at the time of your choosing, and go for a final walk through a community as a last opportunity to enjoy the culture and hospitality of our hosts.

The Amazon

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, extending for more than 7 million square kilometres across nine countries, of which Brazil and Peru contain the largest quantities, followed by Colombia and Ecuador. The Amazon stands out for being the most biodiverse region on our planet, with the rainforest burgeoning wherever the sediment-rich and muddy-brown Amazon river and its thousands of tributaries leaves organic wealth and life on their shores which, combined with the year-round high temperatures and humidity, make up the ingredients for dense, exuberant, endlessly green forests and a cacophony of animal, insect and birdlife.

Mocagua Community

This community is an indigenous reserve made up of individuals from the Tikuna, Cocama and Witoto peoples who live their extraordinarily peaceful lives along the banks of the Amazon river. A sincerely beautiful place surrounded by the wonderful density of life to be found in the tropical rainforest. Here you will eat delicious local food made up from the crops grown by the local community, and you will observe animals, birds and insects, as well as hiking through the forest, canoeing on the river and visiting a monkey rehabilitation centre.

💧 Carry a bottle of water and maintain constant hydration.

🧢 Wear a hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun. It is important to use sunscreen, remember to use a mineral sunscreen for your face.

👕 Pack light clothes, enough for hot land for five days and that include a change of clothes. We suggest long pants and a long-sleeved shirt since some routes have trees with long branches and this will help us avoid scratches. It is also important to bring a raincoat. Carry comfortable luggage previously packed in plastic bags to avoid humidity

🥾 Wear comfortable shoes, preferably hiking shoes, in any case avoid ballet shoes or cloth tennis shoes. It is important to bring a change of shoes in case your shoes get wet during the tour.

💊 Bring your medications and personal documents (medical insurance card and ID), there are no ATMs in the area. Therefore, we suggest bringing the cash you consider necessary for your personal expenses.

🎒 Do not use a wheeled suitcase and carry an additional kangaroo or small backpack so you can take your personal items on walks.

🔦 Carry a flashlight.

🧴 Bring organic repellent and sunscreen to avoid contaminating water sources.

🩱 Don't forget to pack your swimsuit and towel for personal use.

Relevant information:

Keep in mind that you are responsible for your belongings. Protect your electronic devices and personal documents from rain and humidity.

Carry your cell phone charged, this will allow you to take photographs and use it in case of emergency.

Your safety is very important, please be cautious, always keep the group in sight and follow the instructions of the guide or trip coordinator.

Do not attend a walk late at night, while intoxicated, pregnant, or with medical disabilities.

Strictly follow your doctor's instructions regarding injuries and, if necessary, carry your personal medications.

It is recommended to reserve your plan at least 3 weeks in advance of the selected travel date. Short dates will be subject to hotel availability, air flights and river transportation.

For people with special health restrictions, it is recommended to consult your doctor before purchasing your airline tickets.

During the rainy season (June, July, August, October and November) the river and its tributaries rise, allowing boats to navigate more properly within the flooded forest and enjoy a magical setting over high canopies that provide a beautiful option for bird watching. In the summer season (December, January, February, March and April) you can see a beautiful scenery with landscapes of beaches, savannahs and streams, ideal for resting and hiking along various trails.