Trip to Matses Tribe

Trip to Matses Tribe
6-day, 5-night tour to visit the Matses Tribe in the Nuevo Aucayacu community near Genaro Herrera

Offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience one of the most remote and traditional Indigenous groups of the Peruvian Amazon. The Matses, also known as the Jaguar People, live deep in the Amazon rainforest, maintaining a strong connection to their ancestral customs, making this an unparalleled cultural and wilderness immersion.

Overview of the Tour:

Day 1: Departure from Iquitos – Travel to Genaro Herrera

• Morning Departure from Iquitos: You will start the journey early in the morning, either by boat or via a combination of road and river travel. The route will take you along the Amazon and Ucayali Rivers, passing through lush jungle scenery and small riverside communities.
• Arrival at Genaro Herrera: Genaro Herrera is a small town located on the banks of the Ucayali River, serving as the gateway to the Matses territory. You’ll stop here for the night to prepare for the deeper journey into the jungle.
• Introduction and Briefing: Upon arrival, your guide will brief you on the upcoming days, the Matses people’s customs, and the cultural sensitivity required for the trip.

Day 2: Journey to Nuevo Aucayacu – Arrival in the Matses Territory

• Early Morning Departure: After an early breakfast, you'll continue your journey by boat or motorized canoe deeper into the Amazon. This leg of the journey takes you into more isolated parts of the jungle, offering a glimpse of unspoiled nature.
• Arrival at Nuevo Aucayacu: After several hours of travel, you’ll reach the community of Nuevo Aucayacu, home to the Matses people. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by community members and introduced to the local customs.
• Cultural Introduction: You’ll start to learn about the Matses way of life, including their traditional hunting, fishing, and farming practices. The Matses use blowguns and arrows for hunting and gather a variety of forest resources for daily living.

Day 3: Immersion in Matses Culture – Learning Traditional Skills

• Participating in Daily Activities: You will spend the day immersed in the daily life of the Matses. Activities may include learning how to use traditional tools like the blowgun, setting fishing traps, or gathering medicinal plants from the forest. The Matses are skilled healers, with extensive knowledge of jungle plants and their medicinal properties.
• Exploring the Jungle: You’ll have the opportunity to go on guided jungle walks with Matses hunters, where they will demonstrate their deep knowledge of the rainforest. You may spot wildlife such as monkeys, birds, and other species the Matses rely on for survival.
• Evening Stories: At night, you will gather around a fire with the elders of the community, who may share stories of their traditions, myths, and historical interactions with other tribes and settlers. This is a special time to listen to ancient wisdom passed down through generations.

Day 4: Matses Ceremonies and Traditional Life

• Participation in a Matses Ceremony: Depending on the timing of your visit, you may be invited to witness or participate in a Matses ceremony. The Matses have strong spiritual beliefs connected to the forest, animals, and ancestral spirits. You might also have the rare chance to observe the "nënë" (frog poison ceremony), a ritual that involves the application of frog secretion for healing and hunting preparation.
• Traditional Cooking: You will also learn about Matses cooking techniques. Meals are typically prepared using locally sourced fish, jungle animals, and plants, cooked in traditional ways such as roasting over an open fire or boiling in leaves.

Day 5: Further Exploration and Wildlife Viewing

• Deeper Jungle Exploration: On this day, you’ll venture deeper into the surrounding jungle. The Matses people will guide you to their hunting grounds or fishing spots, providing a more hands-on experience of survival in the Amazon. This is also a chance to observe wildlife, as the Matses are experts at tracking animals like peccaries, tapirs, and birds.
• Fishing Excursion: You’ll learn to fish using traditional Matses techniques, including the use of natural fishing poisons that stun fish in the river.
• Farewell Celebration: On your final evening in the village, you might participate in a farewell celebration, which can include traditional music, dancing, and shared meals with the Matses families.

Day 6: Return to Iquitos via Genaro Herrera

• Departure from Nuevo Aucayacu: After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to the Matses community and begin your journey back to Genaro Herrera by boat.

Travel Back to Iquitos: From Genaro Herrera, you will continue your trip back to Iquitos, arriving in the late afternoon or evening. This marks the end of the tour, with memories of an enriching experience among the Matses

What’s Included:

• Transportation: Round-trip boat and land transport from Iquitos to the Matses community.
• Accommodations: Simple accommodations in Genaro Herrera and with the Matses (basic lodges or hammocks with mosquito nets).
• Meals: All meals provided, featuring traditional Amazonian and Matses cuisine.
• Guides: Professional billingual guide, Experienced local guide of the Matses community.
• Permits and Entry Fees: All necessary permits for entering Matses territory and visiting the reserve.

What to Bring:

• Clothing: Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing to protect against insects, sturdy hiking shoes, a hat, and rain gear.
• Insect Repellent and Sunscreen: Essential for protection from mosquitoes and the sun.
• Camera/Phone: For capturing the experience (with permission from the community for photos).
• Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial in the jungle.
• Basic Medical Supplies: Personal medication, a first aid kit, and hand sanitizer.
• Small Gifts for the Community: It is customary to bring small gifts like food, tools, or educational supplies as a gesture of goodwill.

Important Considerations:
• Physical Fitness: The tour involves long periods of travel and walking through dense jungle, so it’s suitable for those in good physical condition.
• Cultural Sensitivity: The Matses are a traditional and proud community; it’s important to respect their customs, including asking for permission before taking photos.
• Remote Living Conditions: Be prepared for rustic living conditions with limited electricity and basic facilities.
This 6-day journey is a rare chance to experience the authentic and time-honored ways of the Matses people, one of the Amazon’s most fascinating Indigenous cultures, while being immersed in the natural beauty of one of the world's most remote rainforests.