About The Butterfly Farm

Butterfly farms in tropical rainforest areas are becoming an important factor in creating a greater understanding of rainforests and the necessity of their conservation. It was the owner’s, Gudrun Sperrer, dream was to work with animals, including breeding one of the world's most beautiful creatures—butterflies. The Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm is the only butterfly farm in Peru, complete with guided tours for the public. Many tour companies include Pilpintuwasi in their itineraries. Please check with your travel agent or travel organizer or contact Qoyllur Tours

Visitors to Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm in Iquitos are able to see the complete life cycle of these exotic creatures and learn about the impressive development of Amazonian butterflies. More than 40 species of the most colorful (and least dangerous) insects of the Amazon thrive at Pilpintuwasi. Visitors learn about the problems with finding a host plant for each caterpillar and problems with predators, all the while experiencing the tranquility of the rainforest and its inhabitants.

On a guided tour, accompanied by the owner Gudrun Sperrer, one can enter the mesh covered butterfly house early in the morning to see the new butterflies emerge from their cocoons. The word Pilpintuwasi in the Quechua language means "butterfly’s home."

After passing first through the largest of those homes, one can follow the meandering stone paths through an exotic and incredibly varied garden. Each plant in this garden and sanctuary was selected according to the needs of the insects. However, each species of caterpillar and butterfly feeds on only one or two kinds of these plants. The farm hosts 42 species of butterfly and the corresponding fruits, flowers and leaves on which they feed.

Would like to know more about the sanctuary?

Considering a visit? Interested in Volunteering?

Amazon Animal Orphanage and Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm

Open Tuesday to Sunday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance: $5 for adults; $3 for students.

Contact Information:

Email: pilpintuwasi@yahoo.es or e-mail: pilpintuwasi@hotmail.com.
Phone: 063-23-2665
Location: Padre Cocha Iquitos, Peru

We’d love to hear from you!

Ok, I’m ready for a visit! How do I get to Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm?

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm in Padre Cocha (located on the Nanay river) is a day trip from Iquitos. It is a 20-minute boat ride from the BellaV ista-Nanay area. In the dry season, it takes about 15 minutes to walk from the boat landing to the farm. In the wet season the boat travels all the way to the farm.

The farm is set in the village of Padrecocha. You can catch a water taxi from Puerto Bellavista, either with the slowboat or the speedboat. From there, depending on the season, you can either walk right up to the lodge or, possibly, hike a short distance through the village. If you get lost just ask for "Las Mariposas."

The last guided tour of the day starts at 4:00 pm.

The butterflies are waiting for you!

Be sure to visit their website at: http://www.amazonanimalorphanage.com.