This tour “Quick Cultural Inmersion in San Roque de Cumbaza (3D2N)” is a shortened version of “Connect with the Heart of Amazonian Culture (4D3N)” that offers a more convenient way for travelers with limited time and a smaller budget to experience the essence of Amazonian culture around Tarapoto.
Experience a quicker connection without compromising on the richness of the journey even though you will be visiting one of the two originally proposed towns. However, if you find yourself somewhere in between financially, why not trying the condensed version called: “The Amazonian Culture of San Roque de Cumbaza and Lamas (3D2N)”, It is still affordable and yet includes the captivating town of Lamas, which this expedited option leaves out.
Escape the hustle and bustle of Tarapoto’s warm streets and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of San Roque de Cumbaza, a small town nestled amidst lush greenery. This tour offers a unique chance to experience the daily lives of locals through a variety of activities and story-telling that are sure to leave you with lasting memories. Whether it’s learning traditional crafts, such as producing your own chocolate or copying skilled weavers and pottery artisans, or simply enjoying the breathtaking natural surroundings, this tour is the perfect way to recharge your spirit and reconnect with faraway cultures and nature. Don’t miss out on this enchanting journey!
If you want to discover other similar experiences in the country, look at all our tours in the Peruvian Jungle.
If you’re uncertain about your desired destination or seeking suggestions on how to proceed, take a moment to explore our dedicated pages featuring a wide range of destinations and various travel styles. It’s the perfect way to find inspiration and make informed choices for your next adventure.
We suggest flying to Tarapoto in the afternoon, where we will be happy to arrange airport pickup for you. However, if you are already in Tarapoto, feel free to enjoy your favorite activity in the morning before preparing to be picked up by us (in a moto-taxi) at 4 pm.
After taking in the beautiful countryside during the brief journey (1 h) from Tarapoto to San Roque de Cumbaza, it’s time to settle into your lodgings for the night. You’ll check into a charming family inn where the cozy atmosphere of this small town will envelop you immediately.
Then, around 7 pm the experienced cook Emira takes charge of dinner, preparing a mouth-watering assortment of traditional Amazonian dishes for you. From plantains and peanuts to free-range hen and fish, you’ll find a variety of delectable flavors to savor.
Finally, before retiring to bed (around 8 pm), indulge in Angel’s life stories. Sit back at the square, the inn, or even at his place. Each tale unravels within the town, featuring a fusion of real and mystical creatures. Absolutely the perfect end to your day! (by 9.30 you can be getting into bed if that is your desire).
Today, you’re on the right track to experience daily life in this town to the fullest. We guarantee that you won’t be disappointed! But first, breakfast (around 8 am).
Around 9 am, after an early morning walk, you will be at Maricel’s to experience the activities that take place at her agroecological plot, to avoid the midday heat. Discover sustainable management of a circular system of crops with medicinal herbs, fruit trees, greens, aromatic plants and honey production.
For lunch (1 pm), we will go back to San Roque’s downtown.
At 3 pm Segunda and her husband Santos are bringing us something finger-licking good chocolate! Get ready for a delicious treat.
Experience the whole cacao-making process on-site, from plucking the beans from the pod (depending on the season) to fermentation, drying, grinding, and chocolate candy production. You’ll savor your sweets infused with the local flavors of coconut, mocambo (a cacao relative), sacha inchi (inca nut), and honey.
NOTE: The availability of fresh cacao hinges on the season. But even if you arrive too late, you can still partake in later phases of the process to achieve the same results. Alternatively, coffee production activities are available, but the restrictions remain the same. It all comes down to what takes your fancy.
Free night with dinner included at 7 pm.
Following an early breakfast (7 am), an easy one-hour walk up a gentle slope will lead us to the boundaries of the Chunchiwi Native Community.
This region, akin to several other rural communities in Peru, spans across a large area with low population density. Basic modern amenities such as electricity are noticeably absent, while the inhabitants utilize locally-sourced, natural materials as their primary means of housing.
During our journey, we’ll visit Indanal, a quaint sector inhabited by merely four families. One cannot miss their vibrant attire, especially the women’s. They speak a local dialect of Quechua and are known for their unique art, providing the perfect gateway for social interaction.
At Petrona’s place (around 9 am), you get to select your preferred crafting activity – learn textiles or pottery by making either a ‘chumbe’ or a ‘tiesto’. It doesn’t matter which you choose, as both options include an introductory workshop. Come and explore your creative side!
For lunch (1 pm), we’ll return to San Roque and then we will experience a secluded yet very popular way to connect with nature among locals. We’ll hike and soak in the river until sunset, a delightful means to refresh after our morning excursion.
After enjoying your final dinner in San Roque at 6 pm, you can depart for Tarapoto or the airport, which is just a one-hour drive away. We arranged a private transfer, similar to the one that brought you here on the first day (moto-taxi).
Your visit doesn’t just allow you to explore, it also helps support the livelihoods of local families who normally earn their living through agriculture alone. By visiting, you provide them with additional income, making a positive difference in their lives.
This tour shines the spotlight on women and allows their economic independence and leadership within their communities. The aim is to inspire and encourage more women to follow their steps.
This is an exemplary instance of off-the-beaten-path tourism, a known way of exploring the destination, that offer fresh perspectives and hold immense value for marginalized communities.
You’ll find everything you eat here is local, organic, and fresh! That means there’s no transportation required, which is great for the environment since it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. And boost the local economy.
This experience breathes new life into disappearing ancestral traditions – be it material or non-material – by instilling value and appreciation.
Not at all! The hike on day 2 lasts only an hour and, although uphill, it’s a gentle slope. It’s scheduled for the morning to avoid the afternoon heat.
No, they don’t. But a bilingual guide will be with you at all times.
This is a private excursion that will be enjoyed by just you, your family, or the friends in your group.
This is a tricycle-style vehicle designed to accommodate up to three passengers. It consists of a motorcycle combined with a cart that features a seating area for passengers and a rear space for conveniently transporting items such as luggage.
Find more info about climates in Peru in our blog “Best Time to Travel to Peru“.
Unfortunately, that is not likely, unless re-planning the itinerary (when the workshops take place) or incur more logistics (at your expense). This is due to the pottery requiring ample time to dry and then further duration in the oven, while weavings are relatively time-intensive and can only be completed after your departure, with the artisan finishing them for you. In such cases, you are welcome to select any pre-existing piece that was crafted by previous travelers. While we understand it is not the same, we trust that you will appreciate the possibilities available.
You may coordinate with your host, Patricia, to rearrange the itinerary so that you can try to obtain your own pieces before departing. Or if you head out before the pieces are ready, but still have a trustworthy address within the country, they can be sent to you.
If you’re interested in starting the tour earlier, you can! – 7 AM, to be precise.
Shoot us an enquiry using the [pink] booking box, and let us know your thoughts. We’ll be more than happy to customize the tour for you, meaning that we will reorganize the order of activities based on your starting time.
Please refer to our article What to Pack for your Trip to Peru for all your questions about packing for your Peru trip. Whether you’re going to the jungle or the mountains, you’ll find the answers you need. You can also download a full Packing List for free.
Visit a travel doctor who can give you professional advice on what vaccinations may be necessary. But if you go into the Tarapoto area, a yellow fever shot is recommended.
Not necessarily, unless you have a Peruvian SIM card on your smartphone and purchase a data package for navigation. The best service providers in the area are Claro and Entel. In certain situations, your tour host may allow you to use her mobile hotspot.
In case you would have to cancel the reservation, we unfortunately need to charge you costs which we can not get back. We ask you for your understanding. These are the conditions:
– By canceling your trip 31 days or more before arrival: Impactful Travel charges 0% of the total amount.
– By canceling your trip 30-15 days before arrival: Impactful Travel charges 50% of the total amount.
– By canceling 14-7 days before arrival: Impactful Travel charges 75% of the total amount.
– By canceling 6-0 days before arrival: Impactful Travel charges 100% of the total amount.
In case of force majeure or unexpected events before or during the trip (accidents, strikes, climatological circumstances, earthquakes or other natural phenomena, safety conditions, political factors, denial of entry permits or visas, legal affairs of the traveler, health matters, etc.), Impactful Travel may modify, replace or cancel itineraries, dates, flights, hotels, optional services, which is accepted by the passenger with purchasing the services.
Impactful Travel will try its best to have your trip continue as planned. We will refund you within our possibilities and policies of providers involved in the organization of your trip. In case those circumstances lead to additional costs, those have to be covered by you or your travel insurance. We will obviously do our best to keep additional costs to a minimum.
For questions about booking a tour, prices, preparation for your trip, health and safety or other themes, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find your question & answer, email us and we’ll add it!
I was born in the city of Lima, I have lived half of my life in the Peruvian jungle, learning and nourishing myself from nature and its people. I studied Agronomic Engineering at the National Agrarian University La Molina, and then a master’s degree in Ecotourism at the same university. 8 years ago (2015), I completely moved with my family to the rural northeast jungle of Peru, where together with my daughters and husband we enjoy, conserve nature and live in community with the local population.
Seeing a great potential in the rural population of the jungle, mainly in women who push their families forward. In addition to creating synergies, in which we all can benefit, including nature and living beings that live in it motivated me to create this experience.
