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.

Located downriver from Iquitos is a 250-hectare island dedicated to the preservation and protection of orphaned monkeys. Many of the monkeys on the island were found in local markets and donated to the non-profit organization that manages the island and cares for the seven different species of monkeys currently living here.
The Boras inhabitants are originally from the upper Putumayo region, near the Peru-Colombia border. Attracted by the rubber boom, they migrated to this area, and still maintain Brazilian customs and culturaltheir traditions, celebrating their myths and legends through festivals and ceremonies. You will have the opportunity to visit the “Maloca” ceremonial place, and see an example of their traditional dance, with their bodies painted in the pattern of a stylized snake.

This morning you 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. You may also have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in this pristine area.  You will 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 not seen elsewhere. 

This morning you awake at the birthplace of the Amazon River: the convergence of the Ucayali & Marañon Rivers. After exploring the area, you will 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 peoples' homes and observing their daily lives, you have an opportunity to visit the local school (when in session), and ask the teacher any questions you may have. Your 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 afternoon you'll enjoy a hike through the pristine and unique terra firme ecosystem, passing through a tropical rainforest with emergent and canopy trees reaching 55 meters in height, many with buttress roots extending high up the trunks. Palms are abundant, and many of them have stilt roots. This type of forest is one of the most biodiverse habitats on earth, supporting the largest number of plant and animal species, per unit area, on earth. Our naturalists will introduce you to the giant ceiba, or kapok tree, as well as local medicinal plants you'll encounter during the hike. This area of the jungle is also teeming with exotic birds, including the bluish-fronted jacamar, collared trogon, red-capped cardinals, and many other colorful species. 

This morning you will have the chance to explore one of the most spectacular sites of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the black water river of Yana Yacu Pucate. Aboard skiffs we will have the chance to explore deep into the rainforest, to admire its fantastic diversity of flora and fauna, including a myriad bird species, colorful butterflies and other diverse insects, noisy monkey troops, and active pink and grey river dolphins.

This evening, you will explore Nauta Caño, its lagoons, and its dynamic, stunning panoramas. Cruising is the best way to experience the diversity of the wildlife that populates the rivers and their jungle habitats, quietly exploring marshes, streams and oxbows. Back aboard your excursion skiff, head to a beautiful lake, with a spectacular piranha fishing spot. There are 25 different species of piranha in the Amazon basin, and contrary to popular legends, they largely feed on the flowers, fruit, and outer covering of the trees standing in shallow water.

Once darkness begins to envelope the Amazon basin, the jungle comes alive with the cacophony of night herons, pauraques, spectacled owls, and more than a dozen species of frogs along the river’s edge. Powerful spotlights will allow you to embark on a night safari, searching for the sources of the various sounds, and possibly catching a glimpse of fish bats flying over the water, scooping up fish for their dinner. In the water, you will search for a sighting of the spectacled and black caimans. This is also a perfect time for stargazing, while fireflies light up the jungle around you. 

This morning you have a chance to interact with the local village residents. The children will perform a local dance that tells the story of their traditions, while their parents play music and share a moment of relaxation with their guests.

Upon arrival in Iquitos, you make your way over to Al Frio y al Fuego, a floating restaurant in the middle of the river for our farewell dinner. You will savor local cuisine while watching the sun descend over the river. 

Upon disembarkation in Iquitos, enjoy a panoramic city tour of the farthest inland port that serves ocean vessels in the world. You 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, visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a fantastic project committed to saving orphaned manatees and reintroducing them into the wild. Learn about their importance to the world’s ecosystem, and why they so endangered in this part of the Amazon. Sometimes there is the opportunity to swim with these gentle giants. Following this visit, transfer to the airport for your return flight.