Leave the pier on Iquitos Boulevard and follow the Itaya River to where it meets the Amazon. Where should you look first? Your guide can help you pick out birds in the riverside trees, but keep an eye on the water, too. A pink river dolphin might surface for a breath, and if you look closely along the bank, you may spot a caiman. What you see depends on the season, the river level and a little luck.

At a pond along the way, meet the giant water lily known locally as victoria regia (Victoria amazonica). Take a closer look at a leaf and you'll see why it looks like a great green tray: its round edges curve up above the water. Then head to the viewpoint, choose a hammock and enjoy the view over the Amazon and the forest along its banks.

On the 15-minute forest walk, remember to look up. That shape tucked between the branches? With luck, it could be a resting sloth. Your guide will help you look for wildlife on the way to a towering lupuna tree. Gather at its base to hear the stories people tell about this giant of the forest before returning to Iquitos.