Iquitos is a bustling river city, and the largest city in the Peruvian Rainforest, with 600,000 people living in its four districts. During the 20th century, the city attracted many Europeans immigrants who contributed to a period of great wealth, commercial, and social development. Upon arrival in Iquitos, transfer by coach to the embarkation port on the Itaya River for embarkation. After a short orientation and welcome reception, enjoy a traditional welcome dinner on board.

This morning we have the chance to search for the elusive freshwater pink river dolphin. This area is a favorite feeding spot for these medium- sized dolphins with little or no dorsal. We may also have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in this pristine area. We enter another tributary of the Amazon River this afternoon, teeming with tropical flowers, where you will explore its shores and small creeks in search of rare and unusual Amazonian wildlife, including species of monkeys, birds, and iguanas found nowhere else on earth.

This morning you awake at the birthplace of the Amazon River: the convergence of the Ucayali & Marañon Rivers. After exploring the area, we visit the San Francisco village, where you will be greeted by happy smiles from the villagers. After taking time to stroll around the village, visiting the local people’s homes and observing their daily lives, we have an opportunity to visit the local school (when in session), and ask the teacher any questions you may have. Our visit ends with a time to shop the village’s arts and crafts market, where all items are made by the local women and children. 
This tributary of the Amazon River has small clusters of “ribereños” people (those who live symbiotically with the rivers), making their living through small-scale agricultural and charcoal commerce. Visit a local shamanic healing clinic and listen to a native shaman speak about the mythical world of hallucinogenic and medicinal plants in the Amazon basin. 

Upon disembarkation in Iquitos, we enjoy a panoramic city tour of the farthest inland port that serves ocean vessels in the world. We will pass the historic area of the city, where many of the wonderful houses of the 20th century “rubber barons,” including the famous Casa de Fierro (the Iron House).  After disembarkation, we visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a fantastic project committed to saving orphaned manatees and reintroducing them into the wild. We learn about their importance to the world’s ecosystem, and why they are so endangered in this part of the Amazon. Sometimes we have the opportunity to swim with these gentle giants. Following this visit, we transfer to the airport for your return flight.