Explore the black waters of the Nauta Caño creek, one of the many tributaries of the upper Amazon, in search of wildlife including monkeys, snakes and piranhas. At night, it’s also an atmospheric location for a spot of stargazing.

The Amazon town of Nauta, founded in 1830, is situated a couple of hours’ drive south of Iquitos, and serves as a hub for river cruises venturing into the remote Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. The town lies at the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers, and villagers from around the Amazonian region come here to sell their wares at the local markets.

The tiny community of San José de Sarapanga lies on the edge of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve on the Ucayali river. The highlight of an excursion into the forest here is the sight of the remarkable giant water lilies, and there is plenty of wildlife lurking amongst the jungle too.