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Pink dolphin in the Amazon

Amazon Journey via Marañón River- High Water Season

Example 5 Day Cruise aboard Zafiro
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Enjoy a 5-day trip in the Amazon, Ucayali, and Maranon rivers aboard the Zafiro! The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve's buffer zone, the Sapote River, can be reached by skiffing through its tributaries. Witness some of the world's most incredible wildlife, including many kinds of primates, hundreds of unusual birds, and even groups of pink and gray dolphins.
A monkey clings to the treeTree frog spotted in the AmazonCattleya cruise adventuresPink dolphin in the Amazon
Highlights
  • Visit where the Maranon and Ucayali Rivers join together forming the Amazon
  • Kayak and swim with the famous Amazon pink dolphins
  • Meet and visit with locals and learn about life on the Amazon River
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Iquitos | Embark | Amazon River

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up at the airport and taken to the DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos for lunch. On the way to the main dock to board your cruise, enjoy a panoramic tour of Iquitos. The staff will guide you to your suite, featuring comfortable beds, Peruvian Pima cotton sheets, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with shower and amenities. Before departure, relax with a cocktail made from local fruit and Peruvian pisco on the observation deck or in the lounge. After setting sail, the naturalist guides will review the itinerary, covering activities, routes, and details about wildlife, plants, and local history. Guides are available to answer any questions. Enjoy a welcome dinner with Peruvian cuisine inspired by the Amazon, with vegetarian options and accommodations for dietary needs upon request. After dinner, take in the stunning night sky as you begin your adventure into the Amazon rainforest.

Day 2: Amazon River | Kukama Reserve | Source of the Amazon | Marañón River | Casual | Nauta Creek

Start the day with a boating tour on the Amazon River to observe the area’s local flora and fauna. Upon returning, enjoy a breakfast buffet featuring traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked items, and a variety of fresh juices.

After breakfast, head to the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, the starting point of the Amazon, and spot pink and gray river dolphins. Return to the boat for a midday lunch, followed by a rest period. Make sure you attend the informative talk about the Amazon's source and river hydrography to prepare for the walk to Puerto Prado, where you’ll see the Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily.

Back on the boat, enjoy dinner with live music. Conclude the day with a night expedition in search of caimans, tarantulas, frogs, and other nocturnal wildlife.

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

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

Head back for lunch aboard the Zafiro. Before starting the afternoon activity, your guides will give a talk about the Amazon philosophy. Afterward, 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 Zafiro, the bartender will give a demonstration of how to make Peruvian cocktails, and you'll then enjoy live music while you await the gala dinner with the captain.

Day 4: Marañón River | San Regis | Shiriyacu Lake

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: Marañón River | Nauta | Disembark | Iquitos Airport

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
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. 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. You will 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
$4,056 2-3 travelers
First Deck Suite
21 m2 / 226.04 sq. ft. Panoramic floor to ceiling windows on the first deck.
Suite on board the Zafiro
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
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
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
  • 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • 4 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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This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf

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