Matsés Expedition

Deep in the Amazon rainforest lies the territory of the enigmatic ‘Feline Tribe,’ the Matsés. This remote and largely unexplored region remains inaccessible to most travelers. This itinerary offers a unique and exclusive opportunity to encounter one of the most geographically isolated Indigenous cultures and experience their ancestral way of life.

Live the experience of sharing daily life with a Matsés family living in isolation within a maloca (traditional communal longhouse), combined with explorations through pristine areas rich in wildlife—allowing for fascinating encounters with Amazonian fauna.

Amazon Explorer is the only company with a special agreement with Matsés authorities, granting us exclusive access to visit this maloca.

The itinerary includes a flight into Matsés territory, followed by a challenging return on foot with a 50-kilometer (31-mile) trek through the rainforest. Due to unpredictable weather conditions, flights may be rescheduled by the operator, so we recommend allowing extra days at the end of your itinerary.

Today, the Matsés communities are located in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon, near the border with Brazil. They have successfully preserved their ancestral way of life, continuing as skilled hunters and gatherers who rely on both physical endurance and deep knowledge of the jungle to survive. Their worldview is deeply connected to nature, where plants and animals play a fundamental role in their existence.

Includes

• Transfer from Iquitos Airport.
• Land and river transportation throughout the itinerary.
• Air ticket from Iquitos to Angamos.
• Public speedboat from Requena to Nauta.
• Slow peke-peke motorboat (with stationary motor).
• All meals during the trip.
• Purified water.
• Permit from SERNANP (National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the Peruvian Government).
• Authorization from the Matsés Communities visited during the trip.
• Authorization from the Supreme Matsés Chief to enter their territory.
• Authorization to enter the Maloca (indigenous longhouse).
• Expert indigenous wildlife trackers and Amazon Explorer’s lead guide.
• Equipment: mosquito net and bed sheet.

Each participant should bring:

• Their own light camping mat.
• A personal water filter for hiking.
• Rubber boots.

Important

• Expedition start date: Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• You must arrive in Iquitos at least one day prior to the start date of the program.
• The air transportation for this expedition is subject to the schedule set by the Peruvian Air Force. Flights may be postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
• The Peruvian Air Force permits a maximum baggage allowance of 22 pounds (10 kilograms) per person.
• We recommend adding additional days at the end of the itinerary as a precautionary measure against possible rescheduling of the departure flight to later dates.
• Responsibility for Flights and Lost Days
  • Departure Flight: This program includes only one outbound flight from Iquitos to the expedition area. If this flight is postponed to a later date, we recommend that travelers allow for additional days at the end of their itinerary.
  • Flight Rescheduling: Flight Rescheduling: If the flight is delayed, it may be possible to adjust the activities to recover lost days, provided the traveler’s availability permits.
  • Important Notice: No refunds will be issued for lost expedition days, additional expenses, or any other consequences arising from circumstances beyond our control.
• Barbasco Fishing: This activity is available exclusively from June to November, during periods of low river levels.
• Clay Licks (Collpas): Clay licks are only accessible from June to November, when river levels are low.
• Wildlife Sightings: Wildlife is unpredictable, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, exploring a remote area significantly increases the chances of encounters.
• Each traveler is responsible for carrying their own backpack during the return trek, which covers a distance of 31 miles (50 kilometers).
• This expedition is open to highly motivated participants with strong adaptability and good physical and mental condition.
• Reservations must be made at least 60 days in advance.

Day 1

• Departure by a light aircraft from the Iquitos Air Force Base or International Airport.
• One-hour flight to the town of Angamos located on the border with Brazil.
• Meet with our Matsés guides who will accompany us on this expedition.
• Overnight in Angamos.

Day 2

• Organization of supplies and logistics before navigation.
• Motor boat to one of the least explored areas of the Amazon rainforest, the Matsés Reserve (8 h).
• Bird watching.
• Hike to reach the genuine Maloca of the “Feline Tribe”.
• Camp in the jungle, next the genuine Maloca.

Day 3-5

• Enter to the Authentic Maloca (indigenous longhouse).
• Live with a tribal family.
• Learn their customs and way of life.
• Listen to ancient stories told by elderly Matsés.
• Harvest food from their “Chacras” (plantations and crops).
• Motor boat (2 h).
• Fish for piranha (Serrasalmus nattereri) and other species.
• Fish with “Barbasco” (toxic plant). Just during Low river season (June to November).
• Identify medicinal plants.
• Sniff “Nënë” (native tobacco) ritual (optional).
• Night exploration in search of the monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) used for the Kambô.
• Watch or participate in the Frog ritual “Kambô” (optional).
• Ritual of the bullet ant – isula (Paraponera clavata).
• Buy or barter for handicrafts and authentic weapons (optional).
• Overnight in a jungle camp, next to the Maloca.

Day 6

• Motor boat back to Angamos village.
• Overnight in Angamos.

Day 7

• Motorboat during 8 hours.
• Overnight in the jungle.

Day 8-10

• Motorboat to our base camp.
• During this period:
• Search for wildlife by canoe.
• Hiking on primary jungle.
• Drink water from forest vines “Soga de agua”.
• Excursion a palm wetland to observe macaws and parrots.
• Explore clay licks “Collpas” (deposit of clay containing mineral salts where a large number and variety of animals gather). Only from June to November, when the rivers are low.
• Identify animal tracks and footprints.
• Overnight in our base camp.

Day 11-12

• Motorboat to the Matanza River.
• Overnight in the jungle.

Day 13-14

• Hike through primary jungle to the town of Requena (31 mi or 50 km).
• Cross rivers and streams.
• Overnight in the jungle.

Day 15

• Arrive in Requena.
• Speedboat from Requena to Nauta city (3 h).
• Bus from Nauta to Iquitos (2 h).
• Arrive in Iquitos.