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A unique expedition voyage sailing down and up, from
Iquitos to the frontier cities of Leticia (Colombia) and
Tabatinga (Brazil), along the Mighty Amazon River and
many narrow tributaries. Explore the world’s most
diverse bio-diversity filled with exotic flora and
fauna, learn traditional and medicinal plant uses, and
visit the Bora and Yagua native villages at the Ampiyacu
River |
Day 1. Saturday - Arrive Iquitos / Cruise
Arrive in the jungle frontier city of
Iquitos in the morning
hours. A representative will meet us at the airport and bring us
to Iquitos’ main dock area where we board the
M/Y Arapaima, the most modern tourist vessel on the
Amazon River and our ultra-comfortable home for the next week.
As soon as everyone is aboard and settled, we begin our cruise
down the Mighty Amazon. Following cabin assignments, an English
speaking naturalist/guide gives a general ship orientation, crew
member introduction and ship’s safety information while sailing
along the city’s river front, passing lumber factories and small
villages. Later we enjoy a delicious lunch featuring authentic
Peruvian dishes aboard the ship followed by a visit to a local
sugarcane liquor, or “cachaza”, factory at Yanamono creek. At
sunset, we take the motorized canoes further downstream to the
mouth of the Napo River - feel like explorers in the wake of
Francisco de Orellana, the Spaniard who in 1541 named the river
"Amazonas" for the Amazons of Greek mythology as his expedition
encountered fierce female warriors in the area - and see
graceful herons with their slimmer postures reflected on the
river, curious pink and gray river dolphins checking us out, and
countless birds. Return to the M/Y Arapaima for dinner and
overnight on board. (L, D)
Note:
We suggest our customers to arrive one day prior or in
the early morning hours of the ship's departure day. We can help you book
additional services, such as airport transfers, overnight or day-use rooms at local hotels
and other, if needed.
 A day on the M/F Arapaima begins
with a hearty breakfast which will normally be
served between 7:00 and 8:30 AM followed, or
preceded, by daily excursions.
During a "normal" day
in the Amazon we will take three excursions which
may focus on bird
watching, fishing for piranhas, short and long day
and night jungle walks into primary and secondary
forests and visits to local Indian communities and
small Amazon villages. Lunch is ready between 12:30
and 2:00 PM and dinner is served between 7:30 and
9:00 PM. The bar opens from 9:00 AM till 11:00 PM.
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Day 2. Sunday - Palometa / Pebas
When we arise this morning, the M/Y Arapaima is tied up
at the mouth of Palometa creek, near the village of Pebas. Our
tour guide takes us on a motorized canoe excursion to a nearby
black water lake, or “cocha”, for an exciting early-morning
bird-watching adventure. Here we have lots of opportunities to
look for exotic birds as well as other wildlife. For example, we
are likely to encounter the Hoatzin, one of the jungle’s most
unusual birds, which can mimic the sounds of a number of
animals. After breakfast, we visit a small Bora or Huitoto
Indian community where we receive a warm welcome from the chief
and villagers alike. This visit carries us back in time, as
these natives live much like their ancestors hundreds of years
ago. We are invited into their traditional building, or
“Maloka”, made from sticks and palm leaf thatched roof held
together with different types of jungle vines, where they
perform some traditional dances. We also have time to buy, or
bargain, for their multi-colored handicrafts they make using
jungle seeds and vines. Boras and Huitotos maintain their
traditions, values and customs as in the old days, such as using
hand-made tools in their everyday lives as yuca or manioc
grinders and shakers.
After lunch aboard the M/Y Arapaima, an extensive primary and
second-growth forest hike on the Limon creek gives our guide the
chance to point out one wonder after another. We see oriole
blackbirds, yellow-headed caracaras, Squirrel and Capuchin
monkeys, colored butterflies, leaf-cutter ants, trees like the
giant Kapok merging overhead to form a verdant archway, leaves
the size of umbrellas, vines with incredible sizes and shapes,
and medicinal plants. Along the trail, we learn which plants are
edible and which are poisonous. After dinner the day ends with a
night boat excursion to look for nocturnal wildlife and watch a
crowded sky full of stars, above our heads, while we sail the
silent waters of the Amazon River. (B, L, D)
Day 3. Monday - Cruise / Caballococha
Early this morning, we explore the rainforest along the
banks of the Amazon River in our motorized canoes. We should
hear and perhaps see monkeys and birds like toucans, parrots,
kingfishers, and Black-necked Red Cotingas at Alfaro Island.
After breakfast, our ship drifts silently downstream while we
observe on both sides of the river lush green forest and
occasionally a dugout canoe loaded with bags or people with
merely an inch of freeboard showing.
At mid-morning we visit a typical Amazon jungle village at
Paranaquiro to observe how these people live daily in this part
of the world. We continue sailing down the Amazon River, passing
a few jungle homes, which are light thatched-roof dwellings with
countless natives, especially children, walking along the
shoreline. After a lavish lunch served aboard, arrive at the
channel of Caballo Cocha Lake. The next hour up the channel is
amazing as it is only a hundred feet wide with countless
varieties of animal sounds on both sides. Near the mouth of the
channel it is easy to spot groups of grey and pink Amazon River
dolphins arching silently out of the black water. At mid
afternoon, ship ties up at the village of Caballo Cocha for a
short walk. Then using the motorized-canoes our guide lead us to
a piranha fishing trip, using just a wooden stick, line, hook
and a cube of beef. After dinner, there will be time for
alligator spotting with a flashlight and with the best of his
skills our guide will catch an alligator with his bare hands! We
enjoy additional opportunities for viewing nocturnal wildlife
and Southern constellations while returning to the ship for
overnight and continue our journey down the Amazon River. (B, L,
D)
Day 4. Tuesday - Arrive Leticia / Tabatinga / Cayaru River /
Cruise
After cruising all night, we awake this morning on the
Amazon River at Santa Rosa Island (Peru). Breakfast is served
aboard and then the motorized-canoes transfer us to the remote
cities of
Leticia,
Colombia, and
Tabatinga,
Brazil for walking
and visiting these two interesting cities at our own pace. We
also have time to shop for souvenirs, or just relax with a
refreshing soda in one of the local bar-restaurants adjoining
the main square. Return to the M/V Arapaima right on time for
our lunch aboard and sail up the Mighty Amazon River to Iquitos.
From the observation deck, we have spectacular
views of the forest as ship winds along a narrow section of the
Amazon River on our way to
Iquitos. Late afternoon, and If time permits, we make a
brief stop at Micos Island on the Colombian side to spot a great
number of monkey species and huge Victoria Amazonica Lily pads
which are blooming in an estuary of the river
bank. Later, stop by the Cayaru River where we have chances to
see a huge variety of colorful birds, and with luck, three toed
Sloths and some monkeys. Dinner aboard and as our ship moves
against the river current through the night, we can observe,
from the observation deck, the stars presenting a marvelous and
incredible spectacle of both Southern and Northern
constellations. (L, D)
Day 5. Wednesday - Cruise / San Juan de Camucheros
An early wake up call give us time for a cup of coffee or
tea before leaving on motorized canoes for a bird watching
excursion at one of the many oxbow lakes in the area. Right
after breakfast, get ready for an extensive jungle walk through
primary and secondary forest nearby the village of San Juan of
Camucheros -
Guides show how to survive in the jungle; finding
food, water, learn how to make a fire; and point out termite
nests, lizards, big trees, medicinal plants, and other type of
wildlife.
Here, we get a good start on understanding Amazon
ecology. After lunch aboard the M/Y Arapaima, we experience a
new venture into the virgin rainforest by entering Terra Firma
for a jungle hike and chances to spot a great variety of
blossoming bromeliads, delicate orchids, ferns, huge Ceiba
trees, strangler figs, lianas, vines, medicinal plants, frogs,
caterpillars and ants. Then visit a nearby colpa to watch for
blue-and-yellow macaws, white-throated toucans, tanagers,
woodpeckers among other birds. Also we have chances to observe
the distinctive red shining eyes of the black caimans along the
narrow shorelines of a stream. Tonight ship continues sailing up
the Mighty Amazon River while we are relaxing and absorbing the
sights, sounds and smells of the lush forest from the top deck
of the ship. (B, L, D)
Day 6. Thursday - Cruise / Ampiyacu River / Apayacu River / Pebas
Very early in the morning, we grab our binoculars and set off to
a small black-water lake, home to a myriad of birdlife. As we
move on the tranquil waters of the Ampiyacu River, enjoy
breathtaking views of the rainforest and spot pink river
dolphins and a large collection of exotic birds. On returning
from our bird watch, a filling breakfast will be served, then
get ready to visit a Yagua Indian village to get a first-hand
look at the daily lives of their people. The tour through the
village lets us see the virtues of rainforest life, and
highlights the problems facing a people caught
between their own culture and traditions, and the imposing
Western way of life. It is an amazing experience to chat with
the village chief and his relatives who teach us their unique
blowgun hunting techniques and perform some typical dances. Try
out our bartering skills, or just buying their handicrafts, with
westernized articles. The breeze on the river is quite
comforting once we reach cruising speed, and the views are
excellent from the observation deck of the ship. After lunch, we
go out fishing for black and red piranhas at the Apayacu River,
also habitat of other fish species such as Arawana, sardine, and
zungaro catfish. Sunsets are a special time in the Amazon as
they can provide an unbelievable myriad of colors so this last
afternoon have our camera at hand to take pictures when the sun
begins to set behind the trees. (B, L, D)
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Day 7. Friday - Arrive / Depart Iquitos
At mid-morning we arrive in Iquitos, and following
breakfast and disembarkation, we have time to browse on our own
pace by visiting some of the city’s tourist sights, relaxing,
shopping or just taking a motorized rickshaw, with a very
inexpensive price, to ride around this exotic town. Transfer to
the airport for flight to Lima. (B)
Flexibility is a GREAT tool during Amazon Expedition Cruises!
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Please note:
The itinerary, as outlined here, is a guideline – it is
important to allow room for the unpredictable and unexpected
surprises that make each trip unique. We will find it is more
satisfying to let the jungle, the weather and our naturalist
guides lead the way. Trust the expert guides if they find the
need to modify the itinerary for the best interest and safety of
the group. |
Package includes
- Welcome drink
- Accommodations in air conditioned cabins
- All shore excursions and sightseeing as described
*
- Naturalist English speaking guide
- Snacks (certain days)
- Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Package DOES NOT Include
- International and domestic airfare (can be quoted
separately)
- Airport transfers
- Hotels
- Tours not offered in the program
- Any type of insurance
- Tips to porters, drivers, crew and Tour Guides
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
- Domestic airport taxes of US$6.00 at each airport in Peru and
International departure taxes of US$31.00 upon leaving Peru
- Any other services not mentioned in itinerary
Note:
Transfers from / to hotel or airports are not included and are
charged as
additional services. Also at additional costs, an
array of activities like city tour, visit to local zoo, meals at
local restaurants, jungle lodges before or after cruise program,
suited to every interest, may be scheduled.
