Day 1: Iquitos - Itaya River - Amazon River
Upon arrival at Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport in Iquitos, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your Amazon Explorer guide. Located in the Great Plains of the Amazon Basin, fed by the Amazon, Nanay, and Itaya Rivers, Iquitos is known as the capital of the Peruvian Amazon. And so, your Amazon journey begins.
It is here you’ll catch your first look of the Amazon Explorer—your luxurious home-away-from-home for the next few nights. After a brief onboard safety and service orientation, the yacht is yours to explore. Settle into your suite and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime.
AFTERNOON: Later, enjoy your first skiff ride (with your fellow travellers and guide), taking in the sights and sounds of the Peruvian Amazon as we leave the city behind. As the sun sets, immerse yourself in the beauty of the world’s largest river system.
Dinner included.
Day 2: Amazon River - Ucayali River
MORNING: This morning begins with a serene sunrise over the Amazon River, best enjoyed from the deck of the yacht’s Pisco bar. Early risers can take part in birding from this vantage point, spotting a variety of avian species, including tanagers, parrots, and parakeets as the rainforest awakens. After breakfast, set out on a guided skiff exploration in search of sloths, squirrel monkeys and saddleback tamarins, and other vibrant birdlife such as toucans and aracaris. You may also spot white-necked herons, black-collared hawks, and caracaras soaring overhead. Don’t forget to also keep an eye out for the iconic water lilies that flourish in this remarkable ecosystem.
AFTERNOON: Back on the yacht, spend your afternoon at leisure. Tuck into a delicious onboard lunch, participate in an array of educational talks with your knowledgeable guides diving deeper into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve including its medicinal plant life and the local culture, or join your skilled yacht chefs in an interactive cooking class. Alternatively, take advantage of the onboard wellness centre* or consider booking an optional overflight in a floatplane* to experience the grandeur of the Amazon from above.
As the afternoon cools, venture out with your guide for a late-afternoon skiff ride along the serene blackwaters of the Yarapa River. Keep an eye out for woolly and squirrel monkeys, sloths, pygmy marmosets, and a remarkable variety of birdlife, such as the white throated toucan, yellow crowned parrot and yellow billed tern, as you explore this rich ecosystem. Savour a breathtaking Amazonian sunset with sundowners along the riverbanks before continuing your evening excursion. Under the cover of darkness, search for caimans, frogs, and other fascinating nocturnal creatures. End your evening adventure by stargazing under the pristine Amazon sky, offering a serene and unforgettable close to your first full day in the Peruvian Amazon.
*Available at an additional cost
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 3: Ucayali River
MORNING: Begin your day with an early morning skiff exploration before breakfast, venturing into the heart of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Search for incredible wildlife, including monk saki monkeys and saddleback tamarins, as well as a variety of birdlife such as macaws, parrots, and toucans, as the rainforest comes alive in the soft morning light. After breakfast back on the yacht, enjoy a gentle kayak along the river, allowing you to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Amazon’s waterways. While paddling, keep an eye out for pink and grey river dolphins and an abundance of birdlife along the river banks, such as egrets and herons.
AFTERNOON: Later, head out on a guided skiff exploration. Keep an eye out for hoatzin birds, various monkey species in the forest canopies such as squirrel monkeys and playful pink and grey dolphins as you navigate the waterways.
As the sun begins to set and the forest transitions to night, your exploration continues. The night reveals an entirely different side of the forest. The nocturnal rainforest comes alive with an array of fascinating creatures, each adapted to thrive in the dark. Experience the orchestra of nocturnal sounds—chirping frogs, singing insects, and rustling leaves—as your senses heighten. Watch out for glowing caiman eyes near the riverbanks, tree-dwelling creatures like night monkeys, and perhaps even tarantulas or elusive snakes like the emerald tree boa.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 4: Ucayali River
MORNING: Kick-start your day with an early-morning skiff exploration to El Dorado Lake. Enjoy a picnic breakfast alongside kayaking and piranha fishing excursions. Search for howler monkeys in the treetops and pink and grey river dolphins in the cool water. For the more adventurous, take a refreshing dip in the serene waters—an unforgettable and daring experience that few can claim to have embraced. Also keep an eye out for woolly monkeys, sloths, pygmy marmosets, and a remarkable variety of birdlife, such as the white throated toucan, yellow crowned parrots and yellow billed tern.
AFTERNOON: Back on the yacht, spend your afternoon at leisure. After lunch, join your fellow travellers for a variety of engaging onboard activities. Learn to expertly use binoculars and telescopes to enhance your wildlife-spotting experience or for those seeking relaxation, simply unwind on the deck while admiring the breathtaking river views.
Afterward, enjoy an engaging visit to a nearby river community. During your visit you may have the unique chance to visit the community’s local school as well as interact with community members gaining insight into the daily lives of those who live along one of Earth’s largest and most vital rivers. Before leaving, take the opportunity to shop for some beautiful locally crafted items. Not only do they make meaningful mementos of your journey, but your purchase will also support the local community and its people.
Tonight is your last night onboard the Amazon Explorer. Savour a memorable Captain’s farewell dinner alongside the crew you’ve bonded with and cherished throughout this unforgettable journey. As the evening winds down, head to the Pisco bar for a nightcap—the perfect way to end your Amazon adventure.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 5: Farewell to the Amazon
MORNING: Begin your final day onboard with an early breakfast before disembarking. You’ll then transfer to Iquitos for a guided city tour, featuring a visit to the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and a stroll through downtown to admire iconic buildings from the Rubber Boom era and the vibrant Plaza de Armas. Conclude your morning with a delightful brunch at a local restaurant, before heading to the airport to catch your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Amazon adventure.
Your rich and beautiful journey through the Peruvian Amazon aboard the Amazon Explorer has come to a close, leaving you with cherished memories of this remarkable region.
Breakfast included.