Amazon Birding Tours — Iquitos, Peru
The Amazon basin around Iquitos is one of the most species-rich birding destinations on the planet, with over 500 documented bird species across jungle, river, and wetland habitats. Our guided birding tours are led by expert local guides who know the calls, nesting sites, and seasonal patterns of the region's birdlife. Whether you're a serious lister working toward a life goal or a casual nature lover who wants to see macaws fly overhead at sunset, we build your birding experience around what matters to you.
Species to Watch For
The diversity near Iquitos is staggering. On a typical multi-day birding tour, guests can expect to see species across a wide range of families. Some of the most notable include the hoatzin — a prehistoric-looking bird found perched along riverbanks at dawn — scarlet macaws, blue-and-yellow macaws, toco toucans, channel-billed toucans, ringed and Amazon kingfishers, cocoi herons, great egrets, motmots with their signature long tails, and secretive antbirds that follow army ant swarms through the forest floor. The region is also home to apex raptors like the harpy eagle and Orinoco eagle, along with a variety of hummingbird species. Deeper trips into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve open up even more territory and rarer sightings.
How Our Birding Tours Work
The best birding in the Amazon happens during the early morning and late afternoon when activity peaks. Our tours are scheduled around these windows so you're in the right habitat at the right time. A typical day might start with a pre-dawn boat excursion along quiet tributaries to spot kingfishers, herons, and parrots gathering at the water's edge, followed by a guided walk through dense jungle canopy where toucans, tanagers, and canopy dwellers are most active. Late afternoon brings a second outing — often by canoe — as macaws and other species move across the sky before dusk.
Your guide identifies species by sight and call throughout the day, and can help you photograph and log sightings. Tours are flexible — if you want to spend more time at a productive spot or return to a location where activity was high, we adjust the schedule on the fly.
Dedicated Birding Trips or Combined Adventures
You can book a birding-focused tour where every day is structured around maximizing species counts and reaching the best habitats. Or you can add birding excursions into a broader jungle tour that also includes sport fishing, rainforest camping, or jungle trekking. Many guests do a mix — mornings scanning the canopy, afternoons fishing for peacock bass or hiking trails deeper into the forest. We'll design the itinerary based on your priorities and how many days you have.
Where You'll Stay
Birding guests can stay at Brisa TropicaLodge, our eco-lodge along the Yanayacu River with private rooms, jungle and river views, and freshly prepared meals. We also offer a hostel option with private and shared rooms and communal spaces where you can connect with fellow birders and travelers. Both options put you within direct access to prime birding territory from the moment you wake up.
What's Included
Birding tours include expert bilingual guides, transportation from Iquitos to the lodge, and guided excursions timed around peak bird activity. Tours run from 2 to 7 days with daily departures. No hidden fees — contact us to build a trip around your target species and schedule.
Ready to Bird the Amazon?
Whether you're chasing a specific species or want to immerse yourself in one of the richest birding ecosystems on earth, we'll put together the right trip for you. Reach out today to start planning.
WhatsApp: +51 (906) 280-820 Phone (English): +1 (209) 347-7637 Email: contact@brisatropicalodge.com
