Eight days and seven nights in the heart of the Amazon to explore the immense diversity of the Peruvian rainforest and discover breathtaking flora and fauna. Share new experiences with native cultures and savor the fruits of the Amazon. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, also known as the Forrest of Mirrors, is the setting for a trip through the most exotic nature you can imagine. Walks through the rainforest, fishing, birdwatching, observing pink and gray river dolphins from up close, and nighttime outings are just some of the activities you’ll participate in to get to know and fall in love with the Amazon.
You’ll be picked up at the airport and brought to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Iquitos where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before being transferred by private vehicle to the main dock of the city of Iquitos to board the cruise ship. Our staff will show you to your suite, which will be equipped with comfortable beds, 100% Peruvian Pima cotton sheets, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning and a private bathroom with a shower and amenities. Before setting sail, our bartender will serve you a cocktail prepared with local fruit and pisco, the most popular liquor in Peru. You can sip it while enjoying 360° views from the observation deck or a panoramic view from the indoor or outdoor lounge.
After setting sail, our naturalist guides will offer an overview of the travel itinerary, including activities, routes, information about wildlife and vegetation, geographical and historical context, as well as other useful info. If you have any doubts or concerns, our guides are always available to answer your questions. We’ll then enjoy the welcome dinner. Start your journey by dining Peruvian cuisine with an Amazon flare. There are many options on our menu, including vegetarian alternatives. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs. After dinner, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the starry night sky while we start our journey to the to the depth of the Amazon rainforest.
Before breakfast, we’ll go out for a boating expedition on the Amazon River to explore the local flora and fauna. When you get back, enjoy our breakfast buffet, which offers a daily selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked goods and a range of freshly squeezed juices. After breakfast, we’ll head out to see the confluence of the Ucayali and We’ll go back to the boat for lunch by midday and then have time to rest.
Make sure you attend the talk about the source of the Amazon and the hydrography of the river so that you’ll be up to speed for our walk to Puerto Prado, where we’ll see the Victoria Amazonica, the largest water lily in the world. We’ll then head back to the boat for dinner and live music. Marañón rivers, which give rise to the Amazon River. Here we’ll observe pink and gray river dolphins. After dinner, we’ll enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas, frogs and other nocturnal species.
Outing on skiff to different lakes and lagoons, until we reach the Japanese Lagoon. There, we’ll enjoy a picnic on one of the best conserved and protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. It’s also a popular spot to watch pink river dolphins. Before heading back to Zafiro cruise, we’ll take a trip to the Yanaquillo gorge. Once we’re back on the cruise ship, we’ll get ready to go kayaking and take a dip in the black waters. Head back for lunch aboard Zafiro.
Before starting the afternoon activity, our guides will give a talk about the Amazon philosophy. Afterwards, we’ll take a walk through the rainforest over hanging bridges, where you can admire the riches of the rainforest from the treetops. Once we’re back on the cruise, our bartender will give a demonstration of how to prepare Peruvian cocktails, and we’ll then enjoy live music while we await the gala dinner with the captain.
Breakfast and visit to the community of San Regis, where we’ll learn about the local people’s way of life and traditions. We’ll also learn about their ancestral traditions from the community’s shaman. With our guides as interpreters, we’ll be able to ask questions about spiritual connections and curing the soul. We’ll then continue the ceremony by planting a tree as a positive contribution to the environment.
There, we’ll also see a market set up by women from the community to sell their handmade crafts. Head back for lunch aboard the Zafiro. After resting, the guides will tell us about the myths and legends of the Amazon. In the afternoon, we’ll head out on a skiff to the Shiriyacu stream. There, we’ll find a good spot to do some piranha fishing using local techniques and equipment. Back on the boat, we’ll enjoy the stunning colors of the sunset. Return to the Zafiro, live music and dinner.
Before breakfast, we’ll visit Nauta, the second most important city in the region. Upon arriving, we’ll take a motorcycle taxi to the local market where we’ll see what business in the city is like firsthand. We’ll have lunch at midday and then rest up for the afternoon activity: another outing on the skiff to explore the area of Pahuachiro and its wildlife.
After, we’ll head back to Zafiro cruise for breakfast. Then we will be ready to start a new outing, this one consists on a walk on “Comunal Florida” Reserve, in search of wildlife including frogs, birds and other exotic animal species. In this area we will find the popular selected trees known as Caoba or Mahogany. We’ll then head back to the boat for some free time until dinner.
Before breakfast, we’ll head out on a skiff to the Yanallpa area of the Ucayali River in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where we’ll see many native animal species. After breakfast, we’ll head out on a skiff to the Tapiche River in search of wildlife. Before midday, we’ll head back to the boat for a cooking demonstration by the executive chef.
After lunch, whoever is interested may attend a talk about the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and in the afternoon we’ll take a skiff to the Dorado river, where we’ll fish using local techniques. Before heading back on board, we’ll enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas and other species that make an appearance after the sun goes down. Dinner will then be served aboard the Zafiro.
After breakfast, we’ll set out to explore the Yarapa River, where the famous pink and gray river dolphins swim in its black waters. Back on the Zafiro, we’ll see the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which give birth to the Amazon River. After enjoying lunch and resting, we will set out on skiffs on a nice sail on the Amazon river.
We will explore and observe the daily activities that local communities do on the river banks. Before heading back to the boat, enjoy a colorful Amazon sunset. Back on board Zafiro, you’ll have some time to relax and enjoy live music before the presentation by the crew and farewell dinner.
After breakfast we will proceed to disembark. On the way to the airport, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center (Amazon Forever Organization) where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species that authorities have rescued. We will learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat.
Likewise, we will be able to see other animals that have also been rescued from their captors with the intention of turning them into pets or because they have been in threatening conditions. We will invite you to make a donation to this dedicated organization and study center. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
