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Our 7-day Amazon expedition focuses on the Tapiche River
eco-system.
This amazing river is a new living Paradise
in the Upper Amazon Basin near the Pacaya-Samiria
Reserve, home to some of the planet’s most impressive
wildlife, natural environments and spectacular
landscapes. |
Day 1. Saturday -
Arrive
Iquitos / Cruise
An early-morning flight will take us from
Lima (Peru)
across the majestic snow-capped Andes Mountains to the tropical
forest and winding rivers of the Amazon and the exotic city of
Iquitos. After collecting our luggage, we are met by our
English-speaking naturalist/guide to make our way by 45’ minute
bus ride through Iquitos’ most interesting sites. We will drive
by the Belen Market, the Eiffel or Iron house, Main Square and
the cathedral to arrive at the dock area, where we board the
M/Y Arapaima. After settling in our cabins, guides
provide a general orientation, along with staff introduction, a
discussion of safety procedures on board, amenities and
excursions to be held for this day. We depart a few miles
downstream on the Itaya River to meet the Mighty Amazon and
upriver. A Peruvian welcome buffet lunch is served in the dining
room while the M/Y Arapaima sails during the middle of the day,
stopping in the afternoon for a motorized boat excursion at a
black water lake. (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 - Ucayali River / Sapunillo
This very
early morning we reach the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon
rivers, the point where the Amazon River takes its name, some
2,000 miles from the point where its waters flow into the
Atlantic Ocean. Occasionally, fisherman paddling canoes and
children living in villages along the bank greet us with a
smile. We have chances to observe a wide variety of birds, such
as orioles, jacanas, ibis, egrets and eagles, that can be
spotted in the trees and overhead. We continue cruising the left
branch of the Ucayali River. After lunch sit in for a lecture
about the vast Amazon rainforest and cultures before we visit a
village near Sapunillo Creek for a short jungle walk. Later, we
continue sailing along the Ucayali River to the Tapiche River, a
new Amazon wildlife refuge. Dinner and overnight on board. (B,
L, D)
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Day 3.
Monday - Tapiche River / Aleman / Galacia
We awake to the exotic sounds of the dawn chorus and join our
naturalist-guides for a bird-watching excursion at Aleman Creek.
We are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of
different species we might see here including jacamars, Ibis,
parrots, the spectacular red-and-green, blue-and-gold and
Scarlet macaws among other wildlife that reside within this
virgin paradise. Near the ship, which is anchored, it is easy to
spot groups of pink and grey dolphins arching silently out of
the black waters. A lavish buffet lunch is served on board
followed by an optional lecture. Around mid-afternoon we arrive
at Galacia village where our naturalist-guides lead us into the
Amazon rainforest for an extensive jungle hike. We marvel at the
sudden changes in the vegetation as we observe different species
of huge trees, colorful flowers, lianas, and some wildlife. When
the day again cools we have time to get back into our motorized
aluminum boats to head into the jungle once more for
exploration. Invisible birds call sporadically to each other in
shrill chirps shattering the silence, like distant gunshots,
while our eyes dart in all directions, trying to locate the
sources of these occasional sounds. Our tour ends with a night
excursion for the South American crocodile known as caiman.
Guides using flashlights shine a bright light on the reeds of
the distant shore, and the eyes of caimans light up like bike
reflectors.
They might pick up small caimans for a closer look
and subsequently return them to the same spot where our light
located them. Dinner is served aboard while the ship continues
sailing up and deep into the Tapiche River. (B, L, D)
Day 4.
Tuesday - Tapiche River / Iberia
At daybreak, we continue our fascinating cruise program by
exploring the surroundings at Garza Lake or cocha, nearby
Iberia, visiting an Amazon flooded forest in search of
primitive-looking birds called Hoatzins, and also have the
chance to see a huge variety of colorful birds, three-toed sloth
and numerous species of monkeys like Squirrel and Capuchin.
Guides teach us how to catch piranhas and other species of fish
like sardines and catfish with just a wooden stick, fishing
line, a hook and a cube of beef or chicken. After lunch, our
on-board naturalist-guides, most of whom were born and who grew
up in nearby river villages, lead us on a jungle hike, pointing
out which plants are for medicinal and healing purposes and how
to look for leaves, lianas and pieces of wood people in the
Amazon use to build their houses. Naturalists discuss with us
the fascinating rainforest creatures we may observe while moving
through the dense woodland. Following dinner, the top deck is a
great place to keep an eye out for wildlife while the M/Y
Arapaima makes her way to our next destination. (B, L, D)
Day 05.
Wednesday - Tapiche River / San Pedro
Early morning we arrive at the village of San Pedro, where after
breakfast we have a chance to visit, talk and enjoy the
atmosphere of the local villagers. The children, especially, are
intrigued and pleased by our visit, an opportunity that provides
excellent photograph possibilities. Naturalist-guides are always
on-hand to escort guests, to identify and discuss the thousands
of plants and animal species we may find around the villages,
and all sort of questions about their lifestyle in the Amazon
rainforest. Lunch is served on board, an optional lecture gives
us chances to interchange our experiences in the village. In the
afternoon, a hike through the forest for about three hours at an
easy pace gives us time to study and photograph the wilderness
and wildlife all around us. After this adventure-filled day, we
return to the M/Y Arapaima to relax in one of the hammocks at
the sun deck or just take a hot shower preparing ourselves for a
fantastic dinner while we start our cruise back to the Ucayali
River. (B, L, D)
Day 06.
Thursday - Tapiche River / Requena / Yucuruchi
Early morning, as per our naturalist-guides, is the perfect time
for exploring the rainforest because it is the most active time
for birds and animals - after mid-morning, because of the heat,
the wildlife tend to sleep or to rest - so the ship drops anchor
in mid-Ucayali River and we travel in the aluminum boats up a
tributary as daylight slowly dawns in an amazing experience,
allowing us to see parrots flying overhead in pairs, their
distinctive squawks piercing the jungle air, along with other
species such as tinamous, herons, vultures, kingfishers, ibis,
kites, woodpeckers, flycatchers and many, many more. Following a
hearty lunch, and when the outside temperature is uncomfortably
hot, we have a lecture and slide show, if available, by our
naturalist experts. During this talk we are taught about the
fishes, plants, birds, the fascinating life of river dolphins
and details about weather patterns of the Amazon region. The
rest of the afternoon brings time to explore for wildlife,
taking an optional short jungle hike or just relax in a hammock
overlooking breath-taking panoramic views along the river.
Before sunset a brief stop at Libertad village gives us a chance
to understand how these people live in the Amazon and buy some
of the handicrafts they make. Dinner is served on board. (B, L,
D)
Day 07.
Friday - Yanaquillo / Depart Iquitos
After cruising all night down the Ucayali River, we awake this
morning on the Mighty Amazon. After breakfast, the M/Y Arapaima
moors at the Yanaquillo creek for a boat excursion to see
Victoria Amazonica water lilies, which can be several feet
across and adorned with basketball-size flowers, and some
wildlife along river shores. We arrive in Iquitos around midday
and enjoy the afternoon at our leisure. We can walk through the
stunning streets of this exotic city or have a cold drink at one
of the local restaurants in front of the Main Square or
Boulevard area. At late-afternoon, we transfer to the hotel or
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.
