Amazon Journey via Ucayali River

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be waiting for you to start the adventure. You will take a city tour of Iquitos, a colorful, dynamic city with a captivating past. In this tour you will be able to appreciate the most emblematic attractions of the city. Then, you will transfer by private vehicle to the city of Nauta, the historic river port where you will embark. Upon arrival in Nauta (about two hours from Iquitos), you will board La Perla and our staff will accompany you to your cabin. All cabins are specially equipped for you to enjoy the most comfortable stay.

The ship will start sailing down the Marañón River, as the naturalist guides present the trip plan, the routes to follow and the scheduled activities, and the best thing: they will begin to introduce us to the wonderful world of Amazon wildlife. Pay attention to their advice and recommendations, and keep in mind that if you have any doubts or questions, our guides will always be more than happy to assist. After this presentation, enjoy a welcome lunch, your first experience with the delights of regional cuisine. The menu offers several options, including a vegetarian alternative. If you have any particular requirement, please let the crew members know in advance, so that they can attend to it in a timely manner.

Before dinner, you will start a night boat excursion to the Nauta Caño area, in search of animals that can only be seen when the sun goes down: alligators, bats, frogs, tarantulas and other species that inhabit the Amazon basin. After this first immersion in the jungle world, you will return to the ship and enjoy dinner and then you can rest and recover energies for the next day.

At dawn, you will board the skiffs to visit the banks of the Ucayali River, and observe the beautiful Amazonian birds that fill the dense treetops, a true spectacle of color and life in the heart of the forest. After this exciting ride and back on the boat, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, that offers a daily selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked homemade products and a variety of fresh juices made with exotic fruits that can only be found in the jungle.

Following, you will get ready to start a new excursion by boat, but this time, on the Yarapa River, this area is ideal for spotting toucans, parrots, macaws, iguanas, sloths and monkeys high up in the trees. Back at La Perla cruise, you will enjoy lunch on board followed by a moment of rest, the guides will offer a talk on local Amazonian culture. During the afternoon, you will visit the town of Vista Alegre, to meet the native community and learn about their customs, having guides as interpreters and translators. Upon return, you can enjoy live music while you wait for dinner on board.

After breakfast, the guides will offer a talk about the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, one of the most amazing jungle reserves in the world, with forests that remain flooded for much of the year. Later, you will be ready for the boat expedition to the point of confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers, the majestic location of the jungle where the Amazon River is born. Before returning to La Perla, you will explore the Piraña Cocha area, looking for more wildlife.

Back on the boat, they will offer lunch and you will have time to rest and prepare for the next adventure: a walk through the winding jungle trails located at the beautiful area of Casual, inhabited by poisonous frogs and countless exotic animal species. In this area you will also observe a variety of giant trees known by the locals as “Avatar”. You can also purchase local handicrafts made by the local women artisans and in this way contribute with their local economy. As you return to La Perla, there will be a special moment to contemplate the majestic Amazon sunset. Late at night, you can listen to some live music before the final presentation of the crew and farewell dinner.

This morning begins quietly with breakfast on board, but becomes exciting with a visit to the city of Nauta, the second largest in the region. Upon arrival, you will reach the city market, where you can interact with locals and learn about the particular commercial circuit of the region. You will visit the stalls of typical food, crafts, aphrodisiac drinks and many more. A true immersion in the life of the Amazonian population. Back on the ship, you will proceed to disembark. 

On your way to the airport, visit Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as Manatees Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species. Learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, other animals are also rescued, treated and reinserted in their natural habitat. They actively collaborate with this dedicated organization and think tank. They invite you to do so as well and help this meaningful cause.

Transfer to the airport.