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Amazon Journey - High Water Season

November to May - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Zafiro
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Embark on this 8-day experience showcasing the mighty Amazon River’s treasures. Navigate deep into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve for a real and safe adventure, in the hands of your expert naturalist guides, to spot the wonderful creatures of the Amazon. Your journey includes jungle walks, fishing, birdwatching, exploring the Yacapana Islands, dolphin sightings, visits to local villages, the “Mirrored Forest”, wildlife safaris by night, and a visit to the Manatee Rescue Center.
Monkey on the branchhuge lillypadsPink dolphin in the AmazonZafiroLooking up the trunk of a giant rainforest tree
Highlights
  • See the birthplace of the Amazon River, where nature is especially dramatic
  • Take a nocturnal boat ride and enjoy a symphony from the night
  • Meet and interact with Amazonian locals from a riverside village
  • Swim in the mighty Amazon River alongside the famous pink dolphins
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Iquitos | Embark on the Amazon River

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
You'll be picked up at the airport and brought to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Iquitos where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch before being transferred by private vehicle to the main dock of the city of  Iquitos to board the cruise ship. The staff will show you to your suite, which will be equipped with comfortable beds, 100% Peruvian Pima cotton sheets, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a shower and amenities. Before setting sail, the bartender will serve you a cocktail prepared with local fruit and pisco, the most popular liquor in Peru. You can sip it while enjoying 360° views from the observation deck or a panoramic view from the indoor or outdoor lounge.

After setting sail, the naturalist guides will offer an overview of the travel itinerary, including activities, routes, information about wildlife and vegetation, geographical and historical context, as well as other useful info. If you have any doubts or concerns, the guides are always available to answer your questions. You'll then enjoy the welcome dinner. Start your journey by dining in Peruvian cuisine with an Amazon flare. There are many options on the menu, including vegetarian alternatives. Please let them know in advance if you have any special dietary needs. After dinner, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the starry night sky while you start your journey to the depth of the Amazon rainforest.

Day 2: Amazon River | Kukama Reserve (Yanayacu of Yucapana) | Source of the Amazon | Marañon River | Casa | Nauta Creek

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Before breakfast, you’ll go out for a boating expedition on the Amazon River to explore the local flora and fauna. When you get back, enjoy your breakfast buffet, which offers a daily selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked goods, and a range of freshly squeezed juices. After breakfast, you'll head out to see the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which give rise to the Amazon River. Here you'll observe pink and gray river dolphins. You'll go back to the boat for lunch by midday and then have time to rest.

Make sure you attend the talk about the source of the Amazon and the hydrography of the river so that you'll be up to speed for your walk to Puerto Prado, where you'll see the Victoria Amazonica, the largest water lily in the world. You'll then head back to the boat for dinner and live music. After dinner, you'll enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas, frogs, and other nocturnal species.

Day 3: Yanayacu of Pucate | Japanese Lagoon | Yanayaquillo | San Regis | Amazonian National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Outing on a skiff to different lakes and lagoons, until you reach the Japanese Lagoon. There, you'll enjoy a picnic in one of the best conserved and protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria  National Reserve. It's also a popular spot to watch pink river dolphins. Before heading back to Zafiro cruise, you'll take a trip to the Yanaquillo gorge. Once you're back on the cruise ship, you'll get ready to go kayaking and take a dip in the black waters.

Head back for lunch aboard Zafiro. Before starting the afternoon activity, the guides will give a talk about the Amazon philosophy. Afterward, you'll take a walk through the rainforest over hanging bridges, where you can admire the riches of the rainforest from the treetops. Once you're back on the cruise, the bartender will give a demonstration of how to prepare Peruvian cocktails, and you'll then enjoy live music while you await the gala dinner with the captain.

Day 4: Marañon River | San Regis | Shiriyacu Lake

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Breakfast and visit the community of San Regis, where you'll learn about the local people's way of life and traditions. You'll also learn about their ancestral traditions from the community's shaman. With your guides as interpreters, you'll be able to ask questions about spiritual connections and curing the soul. You'll then continue the ceremony by planting a tree as a positive contribution to the environment. There, you'll also see a market set up by women from the community to sell their handmade crafts. Head back for lunch aboard the Zafiro.

After resting, the guides will tell you about the myths and legends of the Amazon. In the afternoon, you'll head out on a skiff to the Shiriyacu stream. There, you'll find a good spot to do some piranha fishing using local techniques and equipment. Back on the boat, you'll enjoy the stunning colors of the sunset. Return to the Zafiro, live music, and dinner.

Day 5: Marañon River | Nauta | Reserve of Comunal Florida | Pahuashiro

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Before breakfast, you'll visit Nauta, the second most important city in the region. Upon arriving, you'll take a motorcycle taxi to the local market where you'll see what business in the city is like firsthand. After, you'll head back to Zafiro cruise for breakfast. Then be ready to start a new outing, this one consists of a walk on “Comunal Florida” Reserve, in search of wildlife including frogs, birds, and other exotic animal species. In this area, you will find the popular selected trees known as Caoba or Mahogany.

You'll have lunch at midday and then rest up for the afternoon activity: another outing on the skiff to explore the area of Pahuachiro and its wildlife. You'll then head back to the boat for some free time until dinner.

Day 6: Ucayali River | Yanallpa del Ucayali | Tapiche River | Dorado River

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Before breakfast, you'll head out on a skiff to the Yanallpa area of the Ucayali River in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where you'll see many native animal species. After breakfast, you'll head out on a skiff to the Tapiche River in search of wildlife. Before midday, you'll head back to the boat for a cooking demonstration by the executive chef.

After lunch, whoever is interested may attend a talk about the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and in the afternoon you'll take a skiff to the Dorado river, where you'll fish using local techniques. Before heading back on board, you'll enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas, and other species that make an
appearance after the sun goes down. Dinner will then be served aboard the Zafiro.

Day 7: Ucayali River | Yarapa of Ucayali (Black Waters) | Amazon River | Tahuayo River

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, you'll set out to explore the Yarapa River, where the famous pink and gray river dolphins swim in its black waters. Back on the Zafiro, you'll see the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which give birth to the Amazon River. After enjoying lunch and resting, you will set out on skiffs on a nice sail on the Amazon river. You will explore and observe the daily activities that local communities do on the river banks. Before heading back to the boat, enjoy a colorful Amazon sunset. Back on board Zafiro, you'll have some time to relax and enjoy live music before the presentation by the crew and farewell dinner.

Day 8: Disembark in Iquitos | Transfer to the airport

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After breakfast, you will proceed to disembark. On the way to the airport, you will visit the Manatee Rescue Center (Amazon Forever Organization) where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species that authorities have rescued. Learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, you will be able to see other animals that have also been rescued. They will invite you to make a donation to this dedicated organization and study center. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to the airport.

Ship/Hotel

Zafiro

Zafiro
Zafiro
Zafiro

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,500
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First Deck Suite
21 m2 / 226.04 sq. ft. Panoramic floor to ceiling windows on the first deck.
Suite on board the Zafiro
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Second Deck Suite
21 m2 / 226.04 sq. ft. Panoramic view floor to ceiling windows with separate balcony overlooking the Amazon River on the second deck.
Suite on board the Zafiro
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Master Suites
23 m2 / 247.57 sq. ft. 90-degree front-facing windows, air conditioning with en-suite bathroom and living room.
Suite on board the Zafiro
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Zafiro Suite
44.60m2 / 480.07 sq. ft. 180-degree front facing window with jacuzzi and amazon view located on the second deck.

Notes

Single Supplement: 50% in additional to the total adult rate.

Child Policy: Children must be a minimum of 7 years old on all departures. Children must be accompanied by one or two adults in the same cabin. 
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Entrance Fee 
  • All excursions and equipment including rubber boots and rain ponchos
  • Transfers to/from the vessel when arriving on recommended flights.
  • Sodas, natural juices, coffee, tea, water, and local alcoholic beverages (house wines, beer, and pisco cocktails) are included with lunch and dinner
  • Welcome drink: Pisco Sour
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Domestic Flights
  • Any additional bar consumptions
  • Cost of medical emergencies (including evacuation)
  • Any additional transportation services

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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