Discovering the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Departures: Friday

Itinerary

Day 01: Iquitos

• Late afternoon, arrival to Iquitos.
• Soon after you arrive at Francisco Secada Viñeta, Iquitos International Airport, transfer in hand made traditional wooden canoe boats to “Islacocha”, the floating VIP lounge & embarkation port, only 5- minutes away from Iquitos through the shallow waters of the Itaya River. Once on Islacocha, you will be hosted and checked-in by a friendly local staff while enjoying the comfortable lounge and restaurant “Al Frio y al Fuego” (Cold & Broiled), with an exotic drink. Then, you will board the “Delfin”, a casual style but luxurious, classy and comfortable river vessel.
• Just before dawn, while the “Delfin” starts its journey into the Rainforest, cruising up the Amazon River, you will enjoy a breath taking Amazonian sunset view from the comfort of the Third Deck (Top Observation Deck) while an experienced Barman and staff provide you with a wide variety of, opportunity to taste drinks and cocktails including the famous Peruvian traditional cocktail called “Pisco Sour”, made out of “Pisco”, a genuinely Peruvian grape-based liquor made from more than four different kinds of grapes grown on the south Pacific coastal valleys of Peru.
• Dinner.
• You will enjoy the best of the Amazonian Peruvian cuisine with dishes cooked in different styles and seasoned with the widest variety of herbs and spices, as well as Amazonian exotic fruits rich in color and taste, all delicately prepared by a highly qualified chefs and kitchen staff. For those who are on a diet or are allergic to certain ingredients, the kitchen will also consider a specially prepared alternative menu, always gourmet style.
• In the evening, at the Third Deck (Top Observation Deck), with the use of charts and short videos displayed, guides will conduct a brief orientation outlining details of your journey, including references to the itinerary, places you will visit, animal wildlife and vegetation you would be expected to see as well as the historical and geographical background of the Amazonian Basin. Relax time. (D).

Breackfast: Not Included Lunch: Not Included Dinner: Agency Overnight: Hotel

Day 02: Amazon, Yanayacu and Yarapa Rivers

• Early morning, breakfast – buffet.
• Expedition to Yanayacu River, one of the so called “black water rivers” (life preservers, ponchos and rubber boots will be made available for you when boarding). As you cruise this river exploring its rich wilderness habitat, occasional fishermen paddling in their dug-out canoes and children will greet you with their smiles, while a great variety of birds such as terns, oriole blackbirds, wattled Jacanas as well as monkeys, sloth and black collared hawks share this lush environment with you. Skilled guides will illustrate you about this wonderful place. Upon arrival back to the vessel, icy towels will be also provided to relieve you from the early morning jungle heat.
• Late morning, return to the vessel. You will continue cruising upstream the Amazon River.
• Lunch.
• Then, excursion to Yarapa River. On board of excursion skiffs, you will head for Puerto Miguel, a native village where you will have the opportunity to have a first hand experience of interaction with local villagers. You will have the chance to acknowledge their culture, traditions and folklore. Opportunity to purchase some of the handcrafted works they manufacture for self-subsistence. Afterwards and until late afternoon, you will explore the wonders of this narrow river to let you experience the abundant and spectacular deep rainforest wilderness including: squirrel monkeys, herons egrets and the rare horned screamers. While the sun sets down, you will also enjoy listening the loudly vocalisation of all different kinds of diurnal creatures marking their territories.
• Late afternoon, you will return the vessel and happy hour. You will start cruising upstream heading for the formation of the Amazon River, then upstream the Marañon River.
• Dinner. You will continue enjoying with a special gourmet food service and unique culinary recipes.
• After dinner, live music at the Third Deck (Top Observation Deck).
• (B-L- D).

Breackfast: Agency Lunch: Agency Dinner: Agency Overnight: Hotel

Day 03: Ucayali River, Dorado River, Carocurahuaite Lake

• Early morning, breakfast – buffet
• Dorado River and dolphins observation boat trip. This morning you will be cruising this beautiful river called “Dorado”. Going along its shores, you will surprise several species of monkeys and different kinds of birds such as terns, neotropic cormorants, egrets, herons, hawacks and the unusual horned screamers. Chance to explore several black water lakes linked to this huge river.
• On the way back to the vessel, you will head for a spectacular spot where you will also experience an unforgettable encounter with dolphins (gray as well as pink). Optional for anyone who would like to swim with them.
• Late morning, you will return back to the vessel and continue cruising upstream de Ucayali River. Lunch
• In the afternoon, Carocurahuiate lake and Fishing trip. You will head to a beautiful lake to a spectacular spot where you will fish, being the target piranhas. These small carnivorous fish have a fearsome reputation but the locals consider them a good of food.
• Late afternoon, you will return back to the vessel and continue cruising upstream de Ucayali River towards the Puinahua River
• Dinner. (B-L- D).

Breackfast: Agency Lunch: Agency Dinner: Agency Overnight: Hotel

Day 04: Puinahua river, Sapote River, Tapiche River

• Early morning, breakfast – Buffet, and Sapote River excursion. You will have the chance to explore this narrow river with a wonderful primary forest where you will enjoy observing the largest toucan on the Peruvian Amazon called “white throated toucan”, as well as different kinds of monkeys. Back to the vessel. You will start to return towards Iquitos downstream river. Lunch.
• In the afternoon, Canoeing at Yarina Village (Tapiche River). Along cruising during this journey you will see how local villagers use the only mean of transportation to move around within their own surroundings going who knows, fishing, farming, hunting and even to visit relatives from different villages. You will visit a beautiful local village called “Yarina” along the Tapiche river where you will learn to steer yourself a dug out canoe, supervised by local canoe makers. This wonderful interaction will allow you to understand their real culture. Back to the vessel and continue cruising down stream the Ucayali river.
• Farewell Dinner. (B-L- D).

Breackfast: Agency Lunch: Agency Dinner: Agency Overnight: Hotel

Day 05: Amazon and Tahuayo Rivers & arrival at Islacocha

• Early morning, breakfast – Buffet.
• Then, you willnejoy a jungle and water fall walk at Tahuayo River. More than a jungle walk, will be a botanical lesson where you will learn how native people make their plantations for their subsistence and how they also learned to cultivate wild plants and trees that they still use to get a little income by taking their products to be sold at the market in Iquitos.
• Once you get to the primary forest, you will be able to appreciate many plants and trees.
• Finally, you will reach a beautiful waterfall in the heart of the jungle in the middle of nowhere. If somebody plans to swim please bring your swimsuit with you.
• At midday approx, back in the vessel and continue cruising down the Amazon river towards Iquitos.
• In the afternoon, lunch time.
• Later, you wil arrive to Islacocha VIP Port and Lounge. You will be assisted to disembark, do your check-out in the floating VIP lounge “Islacocha” with a cool drink in your hands and then get ready to head for the airport.
• On the way to the airport, a brief guided sightseeing city tour. (B-L)

Breackfast: Agency Lunch: Agency Dinner: Not Included Overnight: Not Included

INCLUDED

• Excursions as described, transportation, entrances, specialised tour guide.
• Meals where stated (B=Breakfast/ L=Lunch/ D=Dinner).
• Transfer in / out Iquitos

 NOT INCLUDED

• Services not specified in the programme, extras and tips.
• National flights to & from Iquitos