Amazon Explorer Cruise

Ex Lima

Aboard the Amazon Explorer, a 19^th century style Riverboat

Duration:10 days

Our Amazon Explorer tours are designed around our first class 19th century style riverboat. Ecologically designed with the fragile Amazon river and surrounding environment in mind.

This luxuriously decorated riverboat was built with the finest woods offering elegance and local charm. The cabins are well appointed offering a tropical decor with twin or double beds, private facilities all are outside facing cabins with a large window. Life onboard will have you capturing the essence of the Amazon along the Marañon, Pucate and Ucayali Rivers. Enjoy a cool drink at the bar, relax on the observation deck and watch for wildlife or take in the sights and sounds while lecturers share their knowledge of the local river tributaries, cultures and wildlife. At sunset dine in the elegant dining room and try local delicacies such as ceviche, fried banana and locally caught fish.

This Amazon Explorer riverboat offer an unparalleled wildlife and cultural journey! While not on board you will be lead by our Expert Naturalist Guides on daily excursions allowing you the opportunity to spot diverse wildlife such as sloths, toucans, pink dolphins, monkeys and plenty more. Night walks and visits to remote villages where few travellers have ever gone add to the experience while an overnight excursion at Superior Permanent Camp brings you deeper into the jungle than any other river cruises in the area.

Travelling by foot and also by canoe in the wet season you will get an up-close look at all of the beauty that the Amazon has to offer. After an hour-long nature walk we will arrive at our exclusive camp, our home for the evening. This is the base for our native cooking class, a visit to the canopy-walk at dawn or dusk, the two best times to view wildlife and for a night filled with local myth and folklore.

Day 1

Arrive Lima

Arrive in Lima at any time.

Day 2

Lima - Nauta

Enjoy the morning in Lima before taking an afternoon flight to the remote jungle city of Iquitos. Transfer by private bus to Nauta, one of the oldest communities found along the banks of the Marañon River. Here we will board our 19th century style riverboat that will be your home for the next seven days. BD

Day 3

Marañon River - Amazon River - Ucayali River

Today we set sail down the Marañon River to the point where it joins with the Ucayali River to form the majestic Amazon River. The distinct colour variation of the rivers is clearly seen as the waters merge to form one body of water. From here we continue up the Ucayali river where we will see pink and gray dolphins and locals from the area in their dugout canoes. In the afternoon we will take skiffs to visit the Yarapa Creek and get a chance to spot blue and yellow macaws, herons, martin kingfishers, sloths and monkeys.B,L,D

Day 4

Marañon River / Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

This morning will take us to the Nauta Caño within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. We travel by skiff to this area, which is considered one of the best places to be able to spot wildlife within the Peruvian jungle. Protected by 20 to 30 park rangers this reserve is home to manatees, caiman, abundant bird life and monkeys. In the afternoon we will visit the community of Las Palmas to deepen our understanding of life within the Amazon jungle. Learn about the every day life of the inhabitants, the economic activities of the area and?time permitting?get a ride in a hand-made canoe, the typical transport of the area. B,L,D

Day 5

Marañon River / Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Today we spend the whole day on skiffs navigating the small streams of the reserve and visiting the area of Pucate. We have a picnic lunch and do our best to spot the many species that live nearby. Return to the boat for dinner. B,L,D

Day 6-8

Marañon River / Amazon Natural Park /La Lupuna Camp

Head out early as we sail upstream to the Amazon Natural Park, a privately owned and protected area on the shores of the Marañon River. Here we will be able to take nature walks through the rain forest, visit a butterfly farm, a reptile vivarium, take a canoe ride on a black-water lake and take a walk on the canopy walkway to get a different perspective on the forest. For those interested there will be the opportunity to take a night walk and spot some of the nocturnal animals. On Day 7 we will spend the evening at the Lupuna Camp, a superior-level, permanent, tented camp built exclusively for Gap Adventures. Here we will learn about the lore of the land and learn to cook a local dish for those interested.3B,3L,3D

Day 9

Iquitos - Lima

Arrive to the port of Nauta early in the morning and transfer by private bus to Iquitos, where we will enjoy a city tour before heading to the airport for our flight back to Lima. Enjoy one last night on the town and savour the delicious Peruvian cuisine.B