Peru Luxury Travel

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve spans more than five million acres, making it twice the size of Yellowstone Park—and is rich with wildlife and aquatic life. In winter, when the river is high, visitors can explore the small inlets and various winding river systems that make up the Reserve’s flooded forest. In summer, the river recedes and beautiful sandy river beaches form. Only about 30,000 people live in this vast tract of land. You will have the chance to meet some of them. In addition, park rangers will show you some of the conservation and sustainability projects that are part of this vast reserve.

Over the next four days, you will also sail along the two largest tributaries of the Amazon: the Ucayali and the Marañon, as well as on the mighty Amazon itself. You are embarking on a spectacular adventure, to a place visited by only a few of even the most experienced world travelers.

The M/V Aqua luxury riverboat is a 24-passenger vessel offering comfortable over-sized suites with private bathrooms, an observation lounge and a scenic, air conditioned dining room in addition to an onboard bar, outside lounge, and boutique.

TRIP STYLE

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY

Day 1: Arrival in Iquitos / Embarkation / Amazon River

• Upon arrival into Iquitos, you will board an air-conditioned bus and transfer to Iquitos’ main dock where the M/V Aqua awaits your arrival.
• As you settle into your over-sized suite, your vessel will start on its journey toward the Yanayacu River, deep in the heart of Amazonia.
• Following a routine safety drill and a brief orientation about life on board, you will have your first culinary experience aboard. Dinner will consist of Peruvian cuisine with a European flair accompanied by fine South American wines to toast the beginning of a beautiful journey.

Day 2: Ucayali River / Yanallpa Area

• After you enjoy our sumptuous daily breakfast buffet featuring a broad choice of traditional breakfast egg dishes, plus Peruvian specialties and fresh-squeezed fruit juices, we will go in search of the bizarre-looking birds called “hoatzins”, which live in huge colonies in a Jurassic Park-like lake.
• This afternoon we will cruise the majestic Ucayali River, giving you a chance to see and meet native balseros, or fishermen, who will demonstrate their skill and let you see their catch—including a type of “armored” catfish with a shell-like skin—which they take to the market in the small village of Requena.
• After a delightful dinner, you will be taken on a guided night tour where you will see several types of caiman, members of the alligator family, along the fish-rich Sapote River. Chances are good that we will surprise other night-dwelling creatures as well.

Day 3: Puinahua River / Hatum Posa Lake / Pacaya River

• Today you will experience a jungle walk near the Hatum Posa Village, where you will learn how native subsistence farmers cultivate wild plants and trees to earn farm income, as well as discover the wealth of fruit trees and medicinal plants hidden deep within the jungle.
• After a tasty lunch, we will take our skiffs along the Pacaya River where you can view the abundant life that is hidden in the deep rainforest: saki and capuchin monkeys and the easy-to-spot heavy howler monkeys. When night falls, we will use our special spotlight torches to locate night creatures.

Day 4: Puinahua and Pacaya Rivers / Carocurahuayte Lake

• This morning you will enjoy breakfast on the skiffs while being entertained by parrots, macaws, toucans, and many different types of monkeys. We will also go to the dolphin feeding spots along Yanayacu Lake.
• On our homeward journey toward Iquitos, we will visit a special place on this fish-rich river, where you will catch some of the more than 3,000 species of tropical fish that live in the Amazon Basin.
• The night will conclude with a farewell dinner, a final gourmet feast in the ship’s dining room.

Day 5: Arrive in Iquitos / Disembarkation / Iquitos City Tour/ Transfer to Airport

• In the early morning, you will be given the option of one last brief skiff trip along the majestic Amazon.
• After a light lunch, we will disembark in the remote city of Iquitos for a city tour and stop at San Juan Market for some last-minute shopping.
• You will be transferred to the Iquitos International Airport, where your guides will help you check-in and wait with you until your flight departs.

Note: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.
*The above itinerary is for travel from June to November. If traveling December through May please see the variation below.

(DEC-MAY)

Day 2: Ucayali / Yanallpa Area / Dorado Rivers / Pacaya-Samira National Reserve

• This morning we will board the skiffs to explore an amazing black water stream known as a “gallery forest” because of its narrow vegetation. There we will spot parrots, macaws and fluffy monk saki monkeys.
• In the afternoon we will take a magical journey through the “Mirrored Forest” to see towering trees reflected in the black water river while spotting dozens of enchanting parrots, blue-yellow macaws, a great variety of primates and sloth, caimans, frogs and fishing bats.

Day 3: Puinahua River / Hatum Posa Lake / Pacaya River

• We will rise early to cruise this beautiful and intricate ox-bow lake and surrounding black waters where we will encounter several kinds of monkeys and many types of birds, including terns, neo-tropic cormorants, egrets, herons, hawks, and our favorite: horned screamers.
• You will take a jungle walk near the Hatum Posa Village where you will learn how native subsistence farmers cultivate wild plants and trees to earn farm income as well as discover the wealth of fruit trees and medicinal plants hidden deep within the jungle.
• After a tasty lunch, we will take our skiffs along the Pacaya River where you can view the abundant life that is hidden in the deep rainforest: saki monkeys, capuchin monkeys and the easy-to-spot heavy howler monkeys. When night falls, we will use our special spotlight torches to locate night creatures.

• All tours started in the itinerary
• All transfers and entrance fees
• All meals
• English speaking tour guides

M/V Aqua is 130-foot luxury river expedition vessel. Its 12 luxury guest suites, designed by an internationally renowned Peruvian interior designer, measure a generous 230 to 240 square feet, and feature large, outward facing panoramic windows and en suite sitting areas. All suites are air conditioned, and four are interconnected to cater to families. Guests can socialize in the dining room, bar, on the observation deck and in the outdoor lounge. There is also a small boutique. You'll be served by a crew of 16, plus three skilled English-speaking guides. Rates include all excursions, meals, and wine with meals.

Facilities and Services:
Restaurant, bar, observation deck, outdoor lounge, boutique and English-speaking guides.