Amazon River Cruise

5 Day Example Itinerary

Iquitos Amazon River cruise Pacaya Samiria National Park Nauta

The time-honoured jungle experience! Your journey starts in Iquitos on the banks of the mighty Amazon River where you board a riverboat and head off into the green wilderness following in the footsteps of traders and adventurers alike. The cruise takes you deep into the natural wonderland of the Pacaya Samiria National Park, one of the great natural reserves in Peru with over 600 species of birds and mammals.

NOTE:- Each riverboat operates its own unique itinerary and this sample tour is based around a comprehensive 4 night MV Aria navigation into the Pacaya Samiria National Park. Please contact us for detailed information on the individual boats as well as the day-to-day cruise itineraries on offer.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Cruise the headwaters of the mighty Amazon River
  • Spot Pink River Dolphins amidst a host of incredible wildlife
  • Enjoy daily guided excursions into the rainforst by boat or on foot
  • Explore the vast wilderness of the Pacaya Samiria National Park
  • Visit local indigenous riverine communities

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

4

Nights

Price Guide

from $7400 pp

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 0

Peru

plan line
Day 1

Iquitos – Gateway to the River Amazon

You will be driven to the airport for a flight north to Iquitos, northern gateway to Peru’s mighty Amazon. On arrival, you will be met and driven to Nauta port just outside the city and board your Amazonian riverboat. You will enjoy a welcome dinner on board as the boat raises anchor and slowly chugs upriver.

Day 2

Amazon Cruise

Start of the Amazon cruise. Escorted by expert guides, you will board skiffs to explore the Yanallpa black water stream, part of the vast Amazon flooded forest. Your guides will introduce you to the rainforest and the area’s “gallery forest,” so-named after the low-lying vegetation. There is every chance you will catch your first sight of parrots, macaws, and perhaps even saki monkeys. After lunch, you will head into the “mirrored forest” of the Dorado River and observe the dense canopy perfectly reflected in the breathless water, an area home to a great number of birds, primates and even sloths.

Day 3

Amazon Cruise

As ever, you enjoy an early start to catch the dawn chorus as you explore the river bank for signs of life. The area is famous for its ox-bow lakes and you will almost certainly stumble upon several species of monkeys and birds ranging from terns, cormorants and egrets to herons, hawks and screamers. After breakfast, you will set off on foot into the jungle accompanied by guides and later explore Yanayacu Lake which boasts an abundance of life including capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and giant river caiman.

Day 4

Amazon Cruise

Finally, the riverboat arrives at the Pacaya Samiria National Park. As the sun rises, the forest explodes into life and you will observe a dizzying array of birds and animals from macaws and toucans to countless monkeys and the odd “surprise”. The Amazon is also famous for the pink river dolphins and there is every chance you will observe them playing around the boat. Sadly by late afternoon, the riverboat will now be working its way slowly back to Iquitos though you will have a last chance to fish for piranha and experience these ferocious fish from close up.

Day 5

Return to Iquitos

Your final day starts with a morning excursion to experience the life of the local villagers who live along the banks of the river before you disembark after lunch. You will have a last chance to look around the bustling city of Iquitos taking in the Manatee Rescue Centre and the colourful San Juan Amazonian Indian Market before you are transferred to the port for a flight back to Lima.

dot joiner for itins
Day 6

Onward Connections

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide from $7400 per person

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season from April to November when there are bright sunny days and an average temperature of around 20° though dropping to just above zero at night due to the altitude. The Amazon is hot and sticky all year round though marginally more oppressive and wet between the months December and March.

Add on’s

The Amazon rainforest is just one of the country’s highlights and no visit is complete without visiting the iconic site of Machu Picchu and the fascinating Inca heritage of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca.

Continuing the wildlife theme, Peru combines beautifully with Ecuador and the breathtaking Galapagos Islands as well as Mindo Cloudforest, a short distance from the Ecuadorian capital Quito. Heading east, Brazil’s Pantanal is the wildlife capital of South America, 140,000 square kilometres of pampa, forest, grasslands and marsh. Stay at Caiman Lodge or Porto Jofre and there is even every chance that you will add a jaguar to your wildlife list!

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