15-Day Expedition to the Matses Indigenous Territory
Overview
Available languages
2 weeks 1 day
Mobile ticket
Off-the-beaten track expedition to the territory of the Matses tribe. This is a hard jungle program to one of the most remote areas of the Amazon rainforest, located near the Peru-Brazil borderline. Little exploration has been done and is inaccessible for most tourists to this non-touristic indigenous people. The trip is open to highly motivated, interested people who have the attributes of adaptability, versatility and are in good condition both physically and mentally.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Air transport used in this expedition is subject to pre-established dates by the Peruvian Air Force. Angamos village has an aerodrome with a dirt runway, therefore, depending on weather conditions, flights may be postponed. We suggest having additional days after finishing the itinerary.
We suggest you have additional days after finishing the itinerary to recover the days lost in case the flight from Iquitos-Angamos has been postponed
You must get your flights from Iquitos to Lima or out of Peru, flexible to change dates if necessary.
If the plane postpones its departure from Iquitos to Angamos, Amazon Explorer will not cover additional costs as accommodation and food in Iquitos, there will also be no refund for lost days.
It is suggested to arrive in Iquitos a day before to avoid issues caused by flight delays. Flight out must be taken a day or, much better, days after the program
The return trip requires hiking in the jungle for 3 days (50 km or 32 miles)
This program is for adventurers. We spend the night in a villager's traditional house and camp. We do not offer eco-lodges
We provide financial support for the villages and Matses people
We reserve the right to change the activities listed in the itinerary, in case they cannot be performed due to weather conditions or due to water levels of rivers in different seasons
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
From Iquitos to Angamos Village, border between Peru and Brazil
Accommodations
Overnight in Angamos, in a local accommodation
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Amazon Rainforest
• Departure by light aircraft from the Iquitos Air Force Base. • One-hour flight to the town of Angamos located on the border with Brazil. • Meet with the natives who will accompany us on this expedition. • Overnight in Angamos.
From Angamos to the Matses tribe territory
Accommodations
Overnight in the native community, in a local house.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• 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.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in the native community, in a local house.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• 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.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in jungle camp.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• 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.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in jungle camp.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• 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.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in jungle camp.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Motor boat (6 h) back to Angamos village. • Overnight in Angamos.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in jungle camp.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Motorboat during (8 h). • Overnight in a Native Community.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in jungle camp.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Motorboat to our base camp (4 h). • 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.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in jungle camp.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Motorboat to our base camp (4 h). • 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.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in jungle camp.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Motorboat to our base camp (4 h). • 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.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in the jungle.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Motorboat to the Matanza River. • Overnight in the jungle.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in the jungle.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Motorboat to the Matanza River. • Overnight in the jungle.
Matses Indigenous Tribe Territory
Accommodations
Overnight in the jungle.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
• Hike through primary jungle to the town of Requena (31 mi or 50 km). • Cross rivers and streams. • Overnight in the jungle.
From the Amazon Rainforest to Requena and Iquitos
Accommodations
Overnight in the jungle.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Requena
• Hike through primary jungle to the town of Requena (31 mi or 50 km). • Cross rivers and streams. • Overnight in the jungle.
Back in Iquitos
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Iquitos
• Arrive in Requena. • Speedboat from Requena to Nauta city (3 h). • Bus from Nauta to Iquitos (2 h). • Arrive in Iquitos.
What‘s Included
Transfer from Iquitos airport.
Indigenous Matses guides.
Tour leader.
Public speedboat from Requena to Nauta.
Taxes.
Purified water.
Support to local indigenous communities.
Permission to the Matsés National Reserve, permission to the Community and Maloca
Materials/Gear: Mosquito nets and sheets.
Air ticket from Iquitos to Angamos.
Additional costs in Iquitos, if Iquitos-Angamos flight is postponed
Gratuities
Light camping mat.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Multiple Travelers
A hard expedition to the territory of the Matses. Their land is considered one of the most remote areas of the Amazon rainforest. From 2 to more travelers.
Pickup included
Reviews
24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
12 Days wiLiving the Amazon, Not Visiting It — A 12-Day Matsés Expedition
lucianyao,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I joined a 12-day Matsés expedition led by Héctor and his team, and it stood apart from any Amazon experience I had before. In 2024, I took part in a conventional 3-day tour in Tambopata National Reserve, which was visually stunning but largely observational in nature. This expedition was different: instead of watching the rainforest, you inhabit it — sharing daily life with the Matsés people and experiencing what it truly means to move through deep, remote jungle. The Matsés people themselves were deeply kind to us. An elderly woman once sat beside me and taught me how to weave a fan. In that moment, she felt like a mother to me. This was not a sightseeing trek. We walked, slept, ate, drank, and bathed in the jungle. It was hard, and at times exhausting. Our guide, Héctor, genuinely enjoys this journey, even after having led teams into the jungle countless times. One thing worth mentioning is his high standard for food. Whether staying in the Matsés maloca or trekking deep in the forest, the team traveled with a dedicated cook, ensuring meals were warm, well prepared, and as close to home-style food as possible. You never feel like you are merely enduring the jungle on cold snacks. If I have the chance to travel in the Amazon again, I would go with them.
incredible experience with Hector and his Matses team
630romanb,Oct 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have done many various expeditions in different outdoor conditions and very remote areas, so I did not have much expectations other then logistics, and organization, but I have found out that Hector (with his Matses team) is a true professional with really serious experiences in jungle. No matter for which trip one would like to go with him, I would not have a single concern about anything. He is responsible and very reliable about just anything you agree about or discuss together. Definitely would like to plan more trips with Hector and his crew, with even much less or none of the "touristic" kind of services, as I feel fully confident about what to expect from his planning, organization and logistic. He even helped us a lot to sort sort out other things and problems we faced outside of our program. Hector, big thanks for all my group and hope to plan and do again with you some other serious things in the future :-)
Once in a lifetime experience
645luzw,Oct 25, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guides were great. It was a wonderful exciting trip. Hector is a very experienced guide; we never felt afraid. The Matses tribe are such beautiful, kind people. We learned so much about the jungle during this trip. Me and my family are so happy we choose Amazon Explorer.....once in a lifetime experience. Thank you Hector.
JOURNEY OF EMOTIONS AND ADVENTURES
cristinagF3339DO,Sep 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just ended one of the strongest experiences of my life. My husband and I wanted an authentic experience and Amazon Explorer gave us the opportunity to live with a matses tribe for a few days and then return to Iquitos crossing rivers and the jungle on foot for another 50km, emotions that you can not tell, I can only say thank you to Hector and his entire team for living with us every day as we were friends forever and a special thanks to my friend Armando who literally took me by the hand in complicated times. These days I will carry with me forever the laughter and stories of our fellow travelers, the affection and teachings of our now Matses friends and of the jungle itself. Simply thank you
The best experience of my like
862benedettom,Aug 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of my best experience of my life. You can come in contact with local Matsés people in a very respectful way, no turistic at all. The organization was perfect, you can trust them. Really is an experience you will never forget. A lot of emotions and time to share with the local community. Hector and his staff is very helpful and respectful. They take care of you in every moment till the very end. Really this is the most beautiful journey of my life
An experience never to be forgotten
Paradise48139593656,Aug 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazon Explorer offers top quality. My partner and I booked the 15-day Wildlife Tracking Quest. All arrangements were met, from the hotel pick-up to the drop-off 15 days later. Hector ensures you lack nothing. No detail escapes him. And the team from the Matse tribe is incredible. It was an honor to witness their passion and expertise. The location deep in the Amazon is also unique. The program is entirely tailored to your own wishes. An experience never to be forgotten.
Next level adventure
U7956JEalfonsoc,Jul 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My 15-day expedition inside the Matsés Reservation exceeded all my expectations. We go deep into the Reservation 2 days boat ride from the last Matsés village, with no phone signal, a brutal experience. I could see dozens of species including one 7-meter anaconda, two 4-5, tarantulas, snakes, coati, giant otters, 9 species of monkeys, alligators and the list becomes endless. Dennys and Second, the Matsés guides are real experts and I felt confident with their help at all times, we also learned survival techniques and guidance. I recommend reading and informing yourself about the Matsés story before going as it is amazing. It is not an easy experience with all the amenities, it is important to keep that in mind, it is a deep jungle expedition where there is no one but the guides, you and the animals, without access to a medical center at least a day and a half or two days by boat, but it is 100% recommended. Hector organized everything fantastic and was very attentive before and after the expedition.
The Best form to live te jungle
KikeGR,Jul 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An impressive trip that far exceeded expectations. I don't think there are any opportunities like this left to be able to enter virgin lands and without a doubt the best way to experience the Amazon in your own skin. The team was a 10, all professional and guaranteeing the smooth running of the expedition all the time and the towns we visited were truly wonderful, I hope to be able to return soon
Matses Expedition - Peruvian Amazon
DiegoNL48,Jan 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Many things can be said about this expedition to the Matses territory in the Peruvian Amazon, but it is often better to be brief and direct. If you are thinking about taking a trip-expedition with professionals in which you want to learn about the culture, wildlife tracking, experience tranquility and explore the jungle in depth, Amazon Explorer is your agency. It was a tough trip because of the heat, but once home you realize the quality and professionalism. Armando, Denis, Antonio or Hector are true professionals.
Outstanding trip
AgaLPhotography,Dec 20, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A highly recommended and trusted company that organized my solo trip to visit Matses Maloca. Clear organization, efficient communication, and outstanding experience- 5 stars !!!
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