Day 1: Iquitos - Nauta - Marañón 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, who will transfer you to Nauta. During the scenic drive (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours), your guide will point out fascinating sights along the way. Highlights include the unique white sand forest, glimpses of local life and villages, breathtaking scenery, and the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve. The small town of Nauta, located on the northern bank of the Marañón River, serves as a gateway to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. It is here that your Amazon journey begins.
In Nauta, 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, join a small group of fellow travellers and your guide on your first skiff ride (a small boat propelled by a motor perfect for navigating the Amazon River). With our electric skiff engines, you’ll enjoy a quieter, more eco-conscious experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking Peruvian Amazon.
As the sun begins to set and the forest transitions to night, your exploration continues. Equipped with flashlights venture into the mysterious world of the Amazon after dark. Experience the orchestra of nocturnal sounds—chirping frogs, singing insects, and rustling leaves—as your senses heighten. Keep an eye out for glowing caiman eyes near the riverbanks, tree-dwelling creatures like night monkeys, and perhaps even tarantulas or elusive snakes. The night sky, free of light pollution, reveals a stunning array of stars, providing a magical backdrop to this unique adventure.
Dinner included.
Day 2: Amazon River - Ucayali River
MORNING: Start your day with an early outing to the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers, the origin of the mighty Amazon River. This iconic location is a hotspot for Amazon wildlife, offering the chance to observe the incredible biodiversity of the region. Keep an eye out for pink and grey river dolphins gliding through the water and a variety of fascinating monkey species, including common squirrel monkeys and saddleback tamarins. The riverbanks and trees also come alive with colourful birdlife such as toucans and aracaris. You may also spot white-necked herons, black-collared hawks, and caracaras soaring overhead. Iguanas basking on branches or blending into the vegetation add to the array of wildlife that makes your first morning excursion unforgettable.
Afterward, enjoy an engaging visit to a nearby river community. During your visit you may have the unique opportunity 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. From there, continue to a nearby butterfly farm, an essential conservation initiative in the region. The Amazon rainforest is home to an astonishing diversity of butterfly species, including the stunning blue morpho, one of the largest butterflies in the world known for its iridescent blue wings. This visit offers a closer look at the life cycles of these delicate creatures and the crucial role they play in the Amazon ecosystem.
AFTERNOON: Back on the yacht, spend your afternoon at leisure. Tuck into a delicious onboard lunch, join 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 on a nature walk in the Yucuruche area, near the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers. Yucuruche offers a unique opportunity to delve into the micro-world of the rainforest. Explore this fascinating environment as you search for its smaller inhabitants, including the pink-toed tarantula, poison dart frog, and scorpions like the Amazonian giant scorpion. This immersive walk provides a deeper appreciation for the intricate ecosystem and the extraordinary biodiversity of this remarkable region.
*Available at an additional cost
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 3: Ucayali River
MORNING: Kick-start your day with a skiff exploration to Clavero Lake, a stunning blackwater oxbow lake teeming with life. Enjoy a picnic breakfast alongside kayaking and piranha fishing excursions. Best enjoyed during the low water season, Clavero Lake offers excellent sightings of pink and grey river dolphins and an abundance of wetland birdlife, such as egrets and herons. For the more adventurous, take a refreshing dip in the cool, serene black waters—an unforgettable and daring experience that few can claim to have embraced.
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.
As the day winds down, embark on a late-afternoon skiff ride along the Ucayali River. Scout for wildlife that thrives along its banks and take the opportunity to interact with local fishermen, gaining insight into their daily lives and traditional fishing practices.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 4: Ucayali River - Marañón River
MORNING: Begin your day with an early-morning skiff adventure and a short, guided nature walk along the Yarapa River and its surrounding forest. 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.
After breakfast on the yacht, visit a nearby community to spend some time with the local shamanic people. This intimate encounter offers a unique glimpse into their lives along the river and their deep knowledge of the Amazon’s medicinal flora. Learn about the extraordinary uses of these plants, which continue to play a vital role in their daily lives. 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.
AFTERNOON: Set out on a guided nature walk through the forest, immersing yourself in the lush and biodiverse surroundings. As evening falls, prepare for an exhilarating night exploration in a Primary Forest—a pristine, ancient ecosystem that has remained untouched by significant human activity. Known for its dense vegetation and incredible biodiversity, this area provides a rare look into one of the Amazon’s most vital and intact habitats. Accompanied by your guides, explore this unique environment, searching for fascinating wildlife such as colonies of bats flitting through the canopy, playful tamarins, and pygmy marmoset monkeys (the smallest primates in the world). Also keep an eye out for bullet ants, whose reputation as one of the most formidable insects of the forest adds a touch of excitement to the journey, as well as a variety of other insects and creatures that emerge after sunset.
The night reveals an entirely different side of the forest, with bioluminescent fungi glowing softly on the forest floor and the symphony of nocturnal sounds creating an indescribable atmosphere. Your guide will ensure your walk is both safe and enriching, highlighting the ecological importance of Primary Forests and the unique species that call them home.
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: Final Day in Iquitos & Departure
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.