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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,9002-3 travelers
First Deck Suite
21 m2 / 226.04 sq. ft. Panoramic floor to ceiling windows on the first deck.
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.
Master Suites
23 m2 / 247.57 sq. ft. 90-degree front-facing windows, air conditioning with en-suite bathroom and living room.
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.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
The booking was processed efficiently and quickly. We got what we wanted.
Doug Laporte
1 day ago
Great company. Good communications. Great accommodations, excursions, transport. Guide Elvira was spectacular along with transport, driver, Cesar and activities
Kathy S
2 days ago
Very responsive to questions. Helpful with all arrangements
Roz
3 days ago
The ship company they sent us on was perfect in every detail
lisa wegener
4 days ago
I’m so glad we found AdventureLife. Jess, our planner, was such a pleasure to work with. She readily shared her extensive knowledge about Panama, she offered good suggestions and creative ideas, kept everything organized and handled the details each step of the way.
