Itinerary of the 7 Day
Amazon Riverboat Wildlife Cruise
The rainforests of the western Amazon basin harbor some of the greatest mammalian, avian, floral and fish diversity on earth.
On the 7 Day cruise, you will observe wildlife along the Samiria River in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve including macaws, monkeys, caimans, dolphins, aquatic birds, river turtles and fish, and possibly see giant river otters, manatees, peccaries, deer, tapir, large cats, and other large mammals. You’ll also visit a local indigenous village.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 0, Saturday - Fly to Lima. (Optional lodging available in Lima if desired.)
Day 1, Sunday - Make your early morning flight into Iquitos. Greeting at the airport and transfer by private bus to our boat in Nauta (100 kms south of Iquitos on the Marañón river, one of the two sources of the Amazon). Depart Nauta on the riverboat, travel up the Marañón towards the Samiria River, instructions on onboard safety and introduction to the staff will be given. Lunch. Introductory talk on the Amazon and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Late afternoon small boat excursion to view wildlife at Nauta Caño in the Reserve. Afternoon tea. Sunset observations with drinks from the bar. Dinner. (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2, Monday - Breakfast. We will arrive at the mouth of the Samiria River mid-morning. We check in at the reserve's ranger station and visitors' center. Travel up the Samiria River. Bird watching and wildlife observations. Lunch. Talk on wildlife of the Samiria and how to best observe wildlife. Bird watching and wildlife observations. Afternoon tea. We arrive at the field site. Dinner. Nighttime caiman observation using auxiliary boats. Optional night hike. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 - 5, Tuesday - Thursday - Activities these days to include: Small boat excursions for river dolphin, macaw, monkey and other wildlife observation, rainforest hikes in search of wildlife, piranha fishing, nighttime caiman observation and night hikes in the forest. There is a lot of wildlife to observe and a lot of excellent photo opportunities. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6, Friday - Breakfast. Morning visit to a local Cocama indigenous village. Lunch. Afternoon departure back downriver. Time permitting, we will see the union of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, birthplace of the Amazon. Return back upriver to Nauta. Time permitting, an evening walk around Nauta. Dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7, Saturday - After breakfast on the boat, transfer to Iquitos and the airport for your flight to Lima. (Or day in Iquitos to explore this lively Amazon riverside town.) Connect with your evening flight to the States. (Or continue on with the Cuzco and Machu Picchu extension tour.) (Breakfast)
About 3 of the destinations we explore: