Dive into the black waters of the Amazon and its tributaries, enjoy swimming in the company of pink dolphins, as our guides make sure that the swimming experience is completely safe for you and your crew.
Fish for piranhas and learn the various fishing techniques that native civilizations use while navigating on our skiff boats along rivers and streams getting close to the most authentic aspects of the Amazon.
Discover diverse species, learn about medicinal plants, and survival techniques. Over 1,500 species of birds inhabit the Amazon. How many will you be able to identify?
Join a night walk full of discoveries with our experienced guides, and see species such as black caimans, bats, poisonous frogs, as well as other wildlife that awakes at night.
ITINERARY HIGH WATER
November – May
DAY 1 – SUNDAY IQUITOS / NAUTA / RÍO AMAZONAS / ORIGIN OF THE AMAZON – YANAYACU YACAPANA
The guides will be expecting your arrival at the airport with a Jungle Experiences sign for your transfer to Nauta to board the cruise M/V La Perla. As you enter into your cabin, which will be fully equipped with everything you need, you will feel how this lifetime trip is about to start. The navigation will initiate in the Marañon River to the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers where the majestic Amazon begins. We suggest to take a time to go to the observation deck and enjoy the amazing panoramic view, the guides will be explaining the story of the Amazon’s origin. During the next days, you will be navigating through the Marañon and Ucayali rivers, then through the Amazon and its amazing confluences full of wildlife. After getting familiar with your new environment, you will be invited to the dining room for lunch, where you will experiment our exquisite regional gastronomy, a delicious flavourcelebration. Later, our guides will provide a general briefing about the trip itinerary, activities, routes, wildlife and vegetation. Our guides will be attentive to help you with any question you might have. After lunch on board, you will have an afternoon-night excursion for searching wildlife in the communal reserve of Yanayacu de Yacapana. During the excursion, you will observe the biggest water plant in the world (Victorias Regias), birds, lizards, sloths, beautiful pink dolphins and other animals. At the end of the night, the guides will use the lanterns to locate caimans, owls and capybaras. Upon returning, a reception with live music by the Ship Band awaits you to enjoy the local music followed by a welcome dinner. Once dinner is finished, the guides will invite you to a lecture about the Amazon origins.
DAY 2 – MONDAY AMAZONAS RIVER / YARAPA RIVER / UCAYALI RIVER / VISTA ALEGRE / YANAYACU DE YACAPANA – YARAPA
Early call in the morning with serenade to enjoy the beautiful sunrise from the Amazon River. A small trek will take place to observe the birds of the communal reserve Yanayacu de Yacapana, sunrise is the best time of the day for bird sightseeing. This morning we will also be observing macaws, sloths, monkeys, toucans, trogons, quetzals, parrots among others. We will return to have a delicious breakfast as the ship sails to the Ucayali. Later, there will be a morning excursion to explore the tributaries rivers, like the Yarapa where you can observe a variety of reptiles as iguanas, sloths and others. We will be back to the ship to enjoy our delicious lunch and breath the purest air ever. In the afternoon, there will be a retelling of the geographical orientation and the species that we have been observing throughout the day with our guides. We will visit the butterfly farm project of Vista Alegre, where you will learn about the Amazon butterflies and their importance in the jungle. You will be amazed of the relevance they have. You will be back on board for dinner and for enjoying live music. You can’t miss this! A chilling and really interesting excursion will be offered at night, which is based on the search of caymans, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, anacondas, nocturnal monkeys among others. If you don’t want to participate, you can rest in the moonlight enjoying the nature sounds and drinking pisco sour on board.
DAY 3 – TUESDAY YARAPA RIVER– PIRANHA CREEK / UCAYALI RIVER / MARAÑÓN RIVER/ PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE
This morning we get ready to navigate through the black waters of the Yarapa River, where we will have an unforgettable experience in the search for wildlife, enjoying the amazing landscape of the jungle. Finishing the excursion, a delicious breakfast will be served on board. We will continue sailing through the paths of the Ucayali upon the high confluence of the Marañon river until arriving in Piranha Creek. One of the first tributaries of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This morning there will be a boat excursion to explore Piranha creek. This area is great for the piranha fishing. Once the excursion is finished we will return to the ship to have lunch on board. Later, there will be a trekking tour in the jungle, where we will learn about medicinal plants. We will be looking for exotic insects of the Amazon like tarantulas, frogs, spiders and a multitude of species never seen before. Before returning to the ship, our naturalists will teach us about basic survival in the jungle. Back on board, you will be welcomed with live music. Then, you will enjoy an exquisite dinner, it’s time to relax and appreciate the beauty of the Peruvian Amazon.
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE / MARAÑÓN RIVER / UCAYALI RIVER / PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE
After an energetic breakfast, we will visit one of the local coastal families. They will share their traditions and culture with you. This once in a lifetime experience will give you the opportunity to see life from other perspectives. During lunch, the ship will start to sail on the Marañon river. In the afternoon, we will visit the Samiria Reserve to observe the Charapas turtles. Later at night, an excursion will be offered for searching wildlife in the Amazon. Back to the ship our naturalist guides will share more information and enrich the experiences of the day. You will be able to enjoy the local music followed by an exquisite dinner.
DAY 5 – THURSDAY YANAYACU DE PUCATE / PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE / SAN REGIS
This morning, you will explore Yanayacu de Pucate and enjoy a picnic breakfast in the Pacaya Samiria Natural Reserve accompanied by nature. Some pink dolphins might enrich the panorama. Also, it’s possible to observe blue and yellow macaws, toucans and different types of monkeys. You will have a canopy walk where we will look for wildlife and enjoy the breathtaking view. After lunch on board, a ceremony will be held with shamans in St. Regis will take place, where you will learn about the ancient secrets of the rainforest. Later, you will be part of the tree planting ceremony. Before dinner, a reception with live music will be held by the ship band. In the warm night, you can be part of the boat ride through Nauta Creek within Pacaya Samiria Natural Reserve which is known as the mirrored forest, which makes perfect sense as you gaze upon its glistening black water where you can observe lizards, frogs and different kinds of nocturnal animals.
DAY 6 – FRIDAY SAN JOSÉ DE ZARAPANGA SHIRIYUCU / PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE / NAUTA
After a delicious breakfast, we head for the black water stream of San José de Zarapanga called Shiriyacu to fish piranhas, using traditional and local techniques, you will be surprised by the many ways there is to fish. We will visit Kukama Prado village to learn about ancient traditions and medicine used by the ancestors; in the Peruvian Amazon are different types of traditional medicine that maybe you have not heard before. Then, you will be part of a cooking demonstration, where you can learn about local techniques and the variety of vegetables and dishes that exists in the Peruvian Amazon. In the afternoon, a boat excursion will be offered before sunset in the Amazon River, where we can hear the sounds of wildlife, colors, and symphony. At the same time, we will look for caymans, frogs, tarantulas, snakes, and anacondas. After dinner, our naturalist guides will introduce the crew members whom you may not have met, as they have been busy “behind the scenes” to create your seamless Jungle Experience.
DAY 7 – SATURDAY NAUTA / IQUITOS
After enjoying your last breakfast on board. We will proceed with the transfer by bus from the city of Nauta to Iquitos. We will have a stop at the Rescue Center Amazon – Manatee (ACOBIA), where you will be able to see and feed this beautiful animal. Then, you will have a brief visit to the city of Iquitos to observe the famous houses of the rubber boom, Fierro’s house, and Belen market.
ITINERARY LOW WATER
June – October
DAY 1 – SUNDAY IQUITOS / NAUTA / RÍO AMAZONAS / ORIGIN OF THE AMAZON – YANAYACU YACAPANA
The guides will be expecting your arrival at the airport with a Jungle Experiences sign for your transfer to Nauta to board the cruise M/V La Perla. As you enter into your cabin, which will be fully equipped with everything you need, you will feel how this lifetime trip is about to start. The navigation will initiate in the Marañon River to the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers where the majestic Amazon begins. We suggest to take a time to go to the observation deck and enjoy the amazing panoramic view, the guides will be explaining the story of the Amazon’s origin. During the next days, you will be navigating through the Marañon and Ucayali rivers, then through the Amazon and its amazing confluences full of wildlife. After getting familiar with your new environment, you will be invited to the dining room for lunch, where you will experiment our exquisite regional gastronomy, a delicious flavour celebration. Later, our guides will provide a general briefing about the trip itinerary, activities, routes, wildlife and vegetation. Our guides will be attentive to help you with any question you might have. After lunch on board, you will have an afternoon-night excursion for searching wildlife in the communal reserve of Yanayacu de Yacapana. During the excursion, you will observe the biggest water plant in the world (Victorias Regias), birds, lizards, sloths, beautiful pink dolphins and other animals. At the end of the night, the guides will use the lanterns to locate caimans, owls and capybaras. Upon returning, a reception with live music by the Ship Band awaits you to enjoy the local music followed by a welcome dinner. Once dinner is finished, the guides will invite you to a lecture about the Amazon origins.
DAY 2 – MONDAY AMAZONAS RIVER / YARAPA RIVER / UCAYALI RIVER / VISTA ALEGRE / YANAYACU DE YACAPANA – YARAPA
Early call in the morning with serenade to enjoy the beautiful sunrise from the Amazon River. A small trek will take place to observe the birds of the communal reserve Yanayacu de Yacapana, sunrise is the best time of the day for bird sightseeing. This morning we will also be observing macaws, sloths, monkeys, toucans, trogons, quetzals, parrots among others. We will return to have a delicious breakfast as the ship sails to the Ucayali. Later, there will be a morning excursion to explore the tributaries rivers, like the Yarapa where you can observe a variety of reptiles as iguanas, sloths, and others. We will be back to the ship to enjoy our delicious lunch and breath the purest air ever. In the afternoon, there will be a retelling of the geographical orientation and the species that we have been observing throughout the day with our guides. We will visit the butterfly farm project of Vista Alegre, where you will learn about the Amazon butterflies and their importance in the jungle. You will be amazed of the relevance they have. You will be back on board for dinner and for enjoying live music. You can’t miss this! A chilling and really interesting excursion will be offered at night, which is based on the search of caymans, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, anacondas, nocturnal monkeys among others. If you don’t want to participate, you can rest in the moonlight enjoying the nature sounds and drinking pisco sour on board.
DAY 3 – TUESDAY YARAPA RIVER– PIRANHA CREEK / UCAYALI RIVER / MARAÑÓN RIVER/ PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE
This morning we get ready to navigate through the black waters of the Yarapa River, where we will have an unforgettable experience in the search for wildlife, enjoying the amazing landscape of the jungle. Finishing the excursion, a delicious breakfast will be served on board. We will continue sailing through the paths of the Ucayali upon the high confluence of the Marañon river until arriving in Piranha Creek. One of the first tributaries of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This morning there will be a boat excursion to explore Piranha creek. This area is great for the piranha fishing. Once the excursion is finished we will return to the ship to have lunch on board. Later, there will be a trekking tour in the jungle, where we will learn about medicinal plants. We will be looking for exotic insects of the Amazon like tarantulas, frogs, spiders and a multitude of species never seen before. Before returning to the ship, our naturalists will teach us about basic survival in the jungle. Back on board, you will be welcomed with live music. Then, you will enjoy an exquisite dinner, it’s time to relax and appreciate the beauty of the Peruvian Amazon.
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE / MARAÑÓN RIVER / UCAYALI RIVER / PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE
After an energetic breakfast, we will visit one of the local coastal families. They will share their traditions and culture with you. This once in a lifetime experience will give you the opportunity to see life from other perspectives. During lunch, the ship will start to sail on the Marañon river. In the afternoon, we will visit the Samiria Reserve to observe the Charapas turtles. Later at night, an excursion will be offered for searching wildlife in the Amazon. Back to the ship our naturalist guides will share more information and enrich the experiences of the day. You will be able to enjoy the local music followed by an exquisite dinner.
DAY 5 – THURSDAY YANAYACU DE PUCATE / PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE / SAN REGIS
This morning, you will explore Yanayacu de Pucate and enjoy a picnic breakfast in the Pacaya Samiria Natural Reserve accompanied by nature. Some pink dolphins might enrich the panorama. Also, it’s possible to observe blue and yellow macaws, toucans and different types of monkeys. You will have a canopy walk where we will look for wildlife and enjoy the breathtaking view. After lunch on board, a ceremony will be held with shamans in St. Regis will take place, where you will learn about the ancient secrets of the rainforest. Later, you will be part of the tree planting ceremony. Before dinner, a reception with live music will be held by the ship band. In the warm night, you can be part of the boat ride through Nauta Creek within Pacaya Samiria Natural Reserve which is known as the mirrored forest, which makes perfect sense as you gaze upon its glistening black water where you can observe lizards, frogs and different kinds of nocturnal animals.
DAY 6 – FRIDAY SAN JOSÉ DE ZARAPANGA SHIRIYUCU / PACAYA SAMIRIA NATURAL RESERVE / NAUTA
After a delicious breakfast, we head for the black water stream of San José de Zarapanga called Shiriyacu to fish piranhas, using traditional and local techniques, you will be surprised by the many ways there is to fish. We will visit Kukama Prado village to learn about ancient traditions and medicine used by the ancestors; in the Peruvian Amazon are different types of traditional medicine that maybe you have not heard before. Then, you will be part of a cooking demonstration, where you can learn about local techniques and the variety of vegetables and dishes that exists in the Peruvian Amazon. In the afternoon, a boat excursion will be offered before sunset in the Amazon River, where we can hear the sounds of wildlife, colors, and symphony. At the same time, we will look for caymans, frogs, tarantulas, snakes and anacondas. After dinner, our naturalist guides will introduce the crew members whom you may not have met, as they have been busy “behind the scenes” to create your seamless Jungle Experience.
DAY 7 – SATURDAY NAUTA / IQUITOS
After enjoying your last breakfast on board. We will proceed with the transfer by bus from the city of Nauta to Iquitos. We will have a stop at the Rescue Center Amazon – Manatee (ACOBIA), where you will be able to see and feed this beautiful animal. Then, you will have a brief visit to the city of Iquitos to observe the famous houses of the rubber boom, Fierro’s house, and Belen market.
Itinerary Addendum
All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions. All times indicated are approximate, and are also subject to change.
Weather
The weather in Iquitos is warm and humid and the temperature varies between 33 °C (90 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F). The rainy (high water) season is from November to May. The dry (low water) season is from June to October. Each season boastsdramatic difference in plants, animals, and weather.
Clothing
Light and fresh pieces, blouses, long-sleeved shirts, swimwear, shoes with a soft rubber sole for the boat (rubber boots and rain ponchos are provided by us), cardigan or long-sleeved shirts, wind resistant jackets. The days are hot and humid while the night breeze is fresh.
Insects & Mosquitoes
We recommend taking Vitamin B or B-15 a few days before arrival to the jungle. These vitamins are the best natural repellent against insect bites. As well, do not forget to bring conventional repellent and cream for bites. Note: Please note that changes and adjustments in the itinerary may occur due to weather conditions, river conditions, and/or airline issues. We suggest that you coordinate with anticipation with the airline or travel agency through which you have organized your journey with us.
