10 Best Iquitos, Peru, Amazon Cruises & Tours for 2023-2024

Amazon Journey via Ucayali River -High Water Season

La Perla hosts this 4-day Amazon cruise from Iquitos. Explore the Amazon, Ucayali, and Pacaya Rivers on their way deep into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Trek into the dense jungle in search of Amazon wildlife and birds, take a night safari and guided trips, visit local villages, and learn about wildlife preservation efforts in Peru’s Amazonia.

Luxury Amazon Discovery - High Water

Iquitos to Iquitos
4 Days from $4,500

Embark on this 4-day Amazon River luxury cruise on the Aqua Nera, from the Amazon port town of Iquitos. Your journey includes Yacapana Islands, Lake Clavero, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and the major tributaries of Ucayali and Maranon. Keep your eyes open for the mysterious pink river dolphin along the way, and enjoy activities like hiking & kayaking.

Interact with the locals on your small ship Amazon cruise

Amazon Discovery

4 Days from $4,500

Sail the legendary Amazon River on this 4-day luxury cruise on the Delfin. Visit remote villages that line the rivers and search for the mysterious pink river dolphin. Along the way you will have many opportunities to go fishing, kayaking, shopping in local markets, and viewing incredible wildlife.

Amazon Encounter

5 Days from $4,800

Cruise the storied Amazon River in luxury on this 5-day itinerary aboard the Delfin III. Experience the local and remote villages lining the river and search for the mysterious pink river dolphin that lives between its shores. Opportunities to explore nature abound with day and night hikes where you'll see jaguars, monkeys, manatees, sloths, and more!

Amazon Discovery

4 Days from $3,600

Explore the Amazon River on this spectacular 4-day river cruise, where you'll learn more about this incredible biome and its exceptional culture and wildlife, visiting local indigenous communities, doing nature hikes at day and night, and immersing yourself in the jungle world of monkeys, macaws, sloths, jaguars, and pink river dolphins!

Canoe up the Amazon on your small ship cruise

Amazon Encounter

5 Days from $5,900

The luxurious Delfin hosts this Amazon cruise visiting Yanaycu Pucate, with chances to kayak along Jacinto Lake as you navigate the Yarapa River. The small size of the Delfin allows passengers to explore the Amazon in an intimate small group setting, with plenty of daily activities and opportunities to spot the elusive pink river dolphin.

Amazon Journey via Ucayali River - High Water Season

Iquitos to Nauta
4 Days from $3,000

Explore the Amazon, Ucayali, and Pacaya Rivers on their way deep into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, one of Peru´s largest national parks. Go piranha fishing, trek into the dense jungle in search of Amazon wildlife and birds and guided trips, visit local villages, and learn about wildlife preservation efforts in Peru’s Amazonia.

Colorful canoes await passengers on the river

Amazon Journey via Ucayali River-Low Water Season

Iquitos to Nauta
4 Days from $1,785

Trek through dense jungle in search of Amazon species and birds, participate in night safaris and guided tours, see indigenous towns, and learn about wildlife conservation efforts in Peru's Amazonia on this 4-day cruise aboard La Perla. Discover the Amazon, Ucayali, and Pacaya rivers as they meander through the Pacaya Samiria Reserve.

Wild Peru Escape: Amazon & Machu Picchu

Lima to Nauta
9 Days from $8,390

Actively experience the wonders of Peru as you explore the upper Amazon, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley on this 9-day cruise & inland adventure. The 28-guest Delfin II hosts this incredible journey with stops in Cusco, Iquitos, Lima and chances to snorkel, kayak, and visit indigenous communities.

Luxury Amazon Expedition - High Water

Iquitos to Iquitos
8 Days from $8,960

An 8-day river cruise on the awe-inspiring Amazon awaits you aboard the Aria Amazon. Get up and personal with wildlife like Amazon dolphins and monkeys, interact with local indigenous people, eat fantastic food, and learn from naturalist guides while exploring Pacaya-Samiria Reserve in the company of just 32 passengers.

Peru Travel Deals

6 Best Travel Deals to Iquitos, Peru for 2023-2024

Peru Travel Deals

Amazon Journey via Ucayali River -High Water Season

Iquitos to Nauta
4 Days from $1,785

Riding a traditional canoe down the river

Amazon Journey-High Water Season

Iquitos to Nauta
4 Days from $1,785

This 4-day Amazon cruise of Iquitos & Nauta aboard La Perla gives you an insider's view of life in Peru's rainforest, including piranha fishing, wildlife spotting, visit local villages, and opportunities to learn about wildlife preservation!

Amazon Wildlife & Culture Journey-High Water Season

Iquitos to Iquitos
7 Days from $2,950

This week-long river cruise onboard La Perla is ideal for flora and fauna enthusiasts who want to experience the Amazon rainforest. This region of the world is a birding enthusiast's paradise. Also, witness pink river dolphins in a way you've never seen them before.

Amazon Wildlife & Culture Journey-Low Water Season

Iquitos to Nauta
7 Days from $2,950

Take a trip down the Amazon River with La Perla. This fantastic excursion is geared toward wildlife enthusiasts. The Amazon Jungle is a fascinating place to explore, and your trip provides a great opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation, piranha fishing, and other fascinating aspects of jungle life.

Looking up the trunk of a giant rainforest tree

Amazon Journey-Low Water Season

Nauta to Iquitos
4 Days from $1,785

Amazon Journey via Ucayali River-Low Water Season

Iquitos to Nauta
4 Days from $1,785

Iquitos Travel Guide

Peru Animals and Wildlife

Peru is brimming with diverse wildlife that changes drastically depending on what area you're located in. Between the Andes Mountains and Amazon Rainforest there's a lot of room for biodiversity throughout Peru. Read this article to get a sense of the differences in species in these drastically different regions.

Climate in Iquitos

July-December (Low Water)–
78-104ºF (26-40ºC)

Lower rivers
Less precipitation

January-June (High Water)–
73-86ºF (23-30ºC)

Higher Rivers
Cooler Temperatures
Expect intermittent daily showers, occasionally pretty heavy

When to visit Iquitos
Low Water Season
Better trail access

Better fishing & birding
opportunities
Fewer mosquitos
Great time to see the caiman crocodiles

High Water Season

Better river accessibility & navigation
More mosquitos
Good time to swim in blackwater creeks

Highlights of Iquitos
Iquitos serves as the main port city for all of our Peruvian Amazon cruises, meaning that if you don't plan to arrive a day early or leave a day later, you might not have too much time to spend in the city itself before your cruise departs. If you are fortunate enough to spend some time in Iquitos, you will have opportunities to check out:

Manatee Rescue Center: Where you can learn about and witness conservation and care of young manatees.
Plaza de Armas: City square and park.
Pacaya-Samiria National Park: You will find hundreds of colorful bird species, a number of small primates, and even the playful pink river dolphins.
Museum of Indigenous Amazonian Cultures: To learn more about the native people who have learned to live off the forest, and their customs & traditions.
Cathedral of Iquitos
Walking tours of the city: You will see the European-influenced design, which came here at the turn of the 19th century when the rubber boom made Iquitos an essential Peruvian port.

Best Time of Year to Travel to the Amazon

Find the best months of the year to travel to the Amazon Rainforest & the Amazon River. The Amazon is huge, and different regions have different weather and climate.

Portrait of an Indigenous Brazilian in the Amazon

Indigenous People

Do you have questions about the people you might encounter on an Amazon trip? Here is a 'Q&A' session from the Rainforest Action Network to help educate people about the indigenous groups of the Amazon. Be prepared to observe unique cultures, interesting traditions and intriguing ways of life.

How to get to Iquitos
The best way to get to Iquitos is by flying in. In fact, this bustling former trade capital is so tucked into the jungle that it is the largest city in the world inaccessible by roads.

There are flights that depart Lima every few hours from early in the morning through the evening.

DON'T take a boat. Although it is possible, it is not recommended. Since Iquitos is the departure point for our cruises, you will have plenty of time on the rivers anyway, without the added planning of how to get there.