South America

Pacaya Samiria Amazon Cruise – High Water Season

5 Days aboard M/V Zafiro. From AUD $6,760pp.
Details

Overview

Peruvian Amazon: This 5-day luxury cruise on the MV Zafiro gives you the chance to get a real feeling of life in the Amazon whilst cruising the Ucayali, Maranon & Nahuapa Rivers. You will witness some of the best preserved and protected areas of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Explore the Amazon, Ucayali, and Pacaya Rivers on their way deep into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, one of Peru ́s largest national parks.
  • Trek into the dense jungle in search of Amazon wildlife and birds
  • Visit local villages and learn about wildlife preservation efforts in Peru’s Amazonia
  • Swim along with the famous pink dolphins
  • Vessels have an open policy, so you are welcome to learn about the navigation systems and spend time with the driving captain at any time 

Itinerary in Brief

High Water Season: Nov-May

  • Day 1: Iquitos, Amazon River
  • Day 2: Amazon River, Yanayacu of Yacapana - Amazon Birth Place - Nauta Creek - Puerto Prado Community - Maranon River
  • Day 3: Yanayacu De Pucate - Laguna de Japon - Yanayaquillo - San Regis - Amazon National Park
  • Day 4: Maranon River - San Regis - Shiriyacu
  • Day 5: Nauta - Manati Rescue Centre - Airport

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Iquitos, Amazon River

Our crew will be expecting your arrival at the airport to transfer you the short distance to the awaiting Zafiro riverboat in Iquitos. Aboard the Zafiro, you will be served by our qualified staff who will introduce you to your stylish suite.

While the Zafiro begins its primary navigation, enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the gracefully interior lounge located on the third deck. Our bartender will be waiting to serve you an exotic cocktail made with regional fruits and pisco, the national brandy liquor of Peru.

Before lunch, your naturalist guide will give you an overview of your journey's schedule, activities, route, highlights, wildlife and vegetation, geographical and historical background, and other useful details.

Welcome Dinner at 8:00 pm. Salute your journey with our fine South American wine that accompanies the Amazonia-influenced cuisine of Jungle Experiences, our menu offers several choices, including a vegetarian option.

After the welcome dinner we invite you to the third deck were you can enjoy star watching while we cruise into the depths of the Amazon Rainforest, or else relax with live music performed by our band on board enjoying a varied repertoire of Amazon, national and international music.

Day 2: Amazon River, Yanayacu of Yacapana - Amazon Birth Place - Nauta Creek - Puerto Prado Community - Maranon River

Before breakfast, we will take part in our first activity: Birdwatching. We will travel aboard our comfortable expedition boats to the native reserve of Kukama (Yanayacu de Yacapana): an exotic place with around 17 blackwater lakes, abundant wildlife and home to the indigenous communities of Ayacucho and San Juan. Life-jackets, rain ponchos, rubber boots, and lots of cold water are always available aboard the expedition boats. During this activity, you can observe all kinds of birds such as herons, swallows, macaws and more. On this excursion we will also have the opportunity to see another type of wildlife such as the monk monkey, lion monkey, iguanas, sloth, mama vieja and we will
learn more about nature.

We then reurn to Zafiro where our breakfast buffet offers a wide selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, homemade baked goods and freshly prepared fresh juices. After breakfast, we start to explore the Yanayacu area of Yacapana or Isla de Yacapana, better known as Isla de las Iguanas. We will be ready to identify different species in this area. We continue the expedition to the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers; where these two rivers join giving rise to the birth of the great “Amazon River”. Here we can see the famous pink dolphins. After lunch we will have a talk on Amazonian philosophy. Our guides will present us with the idiosyncrasies, beliefs and deep thoughts of the
Amazonian population.

In the afternoon, we will leave in the expedition boats towards Nauta Creek inside the Pacaya Samiria reserve. We will discover the jungle of the mirrors and sharpen our senses to locate toucans, parrots, macaws, iguanas, sloths and monkeys on the top of the trees. We will go on ahike through the community of Puerto Prado, where we can admire the largest aquatic plant in the world, giant water lilies, or “Victoria Regias”. Later, enjoy the colours of the sunset as they fall over the waters on the way back to Zafiro. Once on the boat, we can enjoy a live music concert held by our local band accompanied by an exquisite cocktail. At nightfall, opt to take a boat ride that allowing you to enjoy the constellations while the naturalist guides look for alligators, tarantulas and snakes.

Day 3: Yanayacu De Pucate - Laguna de Japon - Yanayaquillo - San Regis - Amazon National Park

Today we will visit various lakes and lagoons aboard our expedition boats. The guide will use his expert eye to point out all the biodiversity of the region to reach the Laguna de Japón. Here we will have our picnic breakfast and enjoy one of the best preserved and protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. This area is popular for watching pink dolphins. Before returning to Zafiro, we will take a hike and continue the exploration towards the Yanaquillo Ravine, which crosses towards the Marañón River where we will search for toucans, camungos, blue-billed herons, kingfishers, gray herons, parrots and more. In the afternoon, enjoy a small presentation about geographical orientation in our indoor air- conditioned lounge. Learn about the hydrography of the rivers to explore sustainable species according to the natural resources of the area. Later we will take a short walk through the forest and the hanging bridges of the Amazonian National Park full of colorful birds, where you can admire the beautiful jungle from the canopy of the trees that make up the bridges.

Day 4: Maranon River - San Regis - Shiriyacu

After breakfast we will visit the community of San Regis. We will meet the genuine and welcoming inhabitants of this Amazonian community through our guides, who will act as interpreters. After we have the opportunity to buy homemade crafts we will walk through the jungle to meet the shaman of the community and learn about the complementary medicine of the Amazon and the ancestral traditions. After this experience, we will participate in the tree planting ceremony and contribute to the environment. After lunch we will explore the Shiriyacu stream. We will discover this hundredyear- old lake that houses an ample supply of good fish, including red-bellies and freshwater sardines. We will look for a space to fish for the famous piranhas while using local equipment and techniques.

Day 5: Nauta - Manati Rescue Centre - Airport

Early this morning we head towards the city of Naura. Together with the guides, we will visit the market and learn how to trade in the area, as well as learn about the different important foods and ingredients we use in the Amazon. Later, on the way to the airport, visit the Amazon Rescue Center (CREA), where biologists and volunteers take care of the endangered species of manatees that the authorities have rescued. See how the manatees are cared for, and prepared for their reintroduction to their natural habitat.There are also other animals that have been rescued from captures with the intention of turning them into pets and other dangerous conditions.

Next Departure Date: 25 Jan 2025
DatesCabinFromSpecial Offer
25 Jan 2025 - 29 Jan 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
First Deck SuiteAUD$6760ppContact us
Second Deck Suite AUD$7107ppContact us
Master SuiteAUD$7800ppContact us
Zafiro SuiteAUD$9013ppContact us
15 Feb 2025 - 19 Feb 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
01 Mar 2025 - 05 Mar 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
08 Mar 2025 - 12 Mar 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
15 Mar 2025 - 19 Mar 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
22 Mar 2025 - 26 Mar 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
05 Apr 2025 - 09 Apr 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
19 Apr 2025 - 23 Apr 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
17 May 2025 - 21 May 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
08 Nov 2025 - 12 Nov 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
15 Nov 2025 - 19 Nov 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
06 Dec 2025 - 10 Dec 2025 AUD$6760ppExpand to view offers
03 Jan 2026 - 07 Jan 2026 AUD$6963ppExpand to view offers
14 Feb 2026 - 18 Feb 2026 AUD$6963ppExpand to view offers
07 Mar 2026 - 11 Mar 2026 AUD$6963ppExpand to view offers
28 Mar 2026 - 01 Apr 2026 AUD$6963ppExpand to view offers
18 Apr 2026 - 22 Apr 2026 AUD$6963ppExpand to view offers
09 May 2026 - 13 May 2026 AUD$6963ppExpand to view offers

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

First Deck Suite

21m², twin bedding convertible to a Californian king-size bed, panoramic view with floor to ceiling windows, sitting area, private bathroom with Spanish shower, hot running water, basket of toiletries, hair dryer, safe box, mini fridge & binoculars.

First Deck Suite
First Deck Suite
Second Deck Suite

21m², twin bedding convertible to a Californian king-size bed, private balcony, sitting area, private bathroom with Spanish shower, hot running water, basket of toiletries, hair dryer, safe box, mini fridge & binoculars.

Second Deck Suite
Second Deck Suite
Master Suite

23m², located at the bow of the boat on the first deck, twin bedding convertible to a Californian king-size bed, 90 degree front facing windows, sitting area, private bathroom with 360 degrees shower, hot running water, basket of toiletries, hair dryer, safe box, mini fridge & binoculars.

Master Suite
Master Suite
Zafiro Suite

44.6m², located on the second deck, twin bedding convertible to a Californian king-size bed, 180 degree front facing window with private balcony, sitting area, private bathroom with Spanish shower, hot running water, basket of toiletries, hair dryer, safe box, mini fridge & binoculars.

Zafiro Suite
Zafiro Suite

M/V Zafiro Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • Year of Manufacture: 2015
  • Calling Port: Iquitos, Peru
  • Vessel Type: River Cruise
  • Suites: 19
  • Length: 50m
  • Draft: 01.1m/3.61ft
  • Gross Ton: 620
  • Speed: 11.8 knots
  • Crew: 20 (including Cruise Director and 2 naturalist bilingual guides)

Whats included?

  • One pre-voyage hotel night in Iquitos
  • On-board accommodation
  • All meals during the voyage
  • Activities as specified
  • Use of rubber boots & rain ponchos
  • Airport transfers when arriving on recommended flights
  • Entrance fee to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

What’s not included?

  • International and internal airfares 
  • Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable 
  • Travel insurance 
  • Gratuities
  • Any items not mentioned as included

Notes

  • Changes and adjustments for both seasons may also occur due to weather conditions, river conditions, and/or airline issues
  • Recommended clothing - light and fresh pieces, blouses, long-sleeved shirts, swimwear, shoes with soft rubber sole for the boat (rubber boots and rain ponchos are provided by us), cardigan or long-sleeved shirts, wind resistant jackets. The days are hot and humid while the night breeze is fresh.
  • Insects & Mosquitoes - we recommend taking Vitamin B or B-15 a few days before arrival to the jungle. These vitamins are the best natural repellent against insect bites. As well, do not forget to bring conventional repellent and cream for bites.
  • Other items - we suggest bringing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars (very important for enjoying the fauna and flora. Preferably 1 per person), camera, and extra batteries
  • Connectivity - there is no WiFi Internet or phone signal coverage on our vessels
  • Schedule of activities is subject to change due to weather and river conditions. Please consult with your naturalist guide to discuss any last minute changes or questions.

Extras

Kayaking

Please check with your naturalist guide about the day's weather conditions for the use of kayaks. With the water level and weather forecast permitting, you are welcome to register, at your discretion, for the kayak sessions. These sessions will be conducted in calm waters where you can paddle in a very relaxed manner. Our kayaks are ideal for 2 passengers each. The kayaking group will always be accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide for the entire duration. 
 

Fishing

Our fishing policy is in the form of catch and release.

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

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Pacaya Samiria Amazon Cruise – High Water Season

5 Days aboard M/V Zafiro. From AUD $6,760pp.