Luxury Crossing through Amazonas • Waypoints Expeditions

04D / 03N

IQUITOS – PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE

TOUR GALLERY

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Luxury crossing through the Amazon •

01 Wednesday: Iquitos/ Nauta/ Embarcation /Marañon River / Ucayali River

Reception upon arrival in Iquitos and transfer by private vehicle on a paved route to the city of Nauta, 95 kilometers away. Nauta is literally at the “end of the road” where you will embark on the Sapphire boat.

The staff will lead you to your elegant suite, specially equipped with all the comforts. Comfortable beds, pure cotton sheets, pillows, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning and private bathroom with Spanish shower. While the Sapphire begins its initial navigation, you can enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the observation area elegantly enabled and located on our third deck. The bartender will be waiting to serve you an exotic cocktail prepared with fruits of the region and pisco, the national drink of Peru.

Before the welcome dinner, your naturalist guides will give you an overview of the trip program, activities, routes, important moments, wildlife and vegetation, the geographical and historical background, and other useful details. During the next three days, the Sapphire will sail along the branches of the Amazon River, as well as the Amazon River itself. Before dinner, participate in our safety drill and then meet the cruise director for the first summary of their activities. Welcome dinner at 8:00 p.m. Begin your trip with one of our fine South American wines accompanied by Amazonian-influenced cuisine. Overnight (D).

02 Thursday: Yanallpa River / Trapiche River / Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

After breakfast, in the middle of the vast flooded forest of the Amazon, you will walk along incredible streams of black water, while your guide tells you about the jungle. We explore what scientists call “forest gallery”, this due to its narrow vegetation that creates a tunnel of leaves. As we float through this tunnel, our naturalist guides will help us observe parrots, the fluffy monk, macaws, and saki monkeys in the trees along the banks of the river.

On the way back to the Sapphire, we will explore the Trapiche River and begin our walk guided by our guides to learn about medicinal plants, search for insects, snakes, birds and more. Here, in the depth of the primary forest, your guides will identify the fruit trees and medicinal plants that comprise the natural pharmacy of the Amazon. Return to Sapphire followed by lunch.

At 4:00 pm, take a magical trip on our skiffs through “the jungle of mirrors” to see the tall trees reflected in the black water of the river, meanwhile you can see the lovely parrots, yellow-colored macaws and blue, as well as the large number of primates and sloths undisturbed by their presence. Upon returning to the ship, our guides will point out the alligators and frogs in the water, and fishing bats on you. Return to Sapphire around 6:30 pm followed by a delicious dinner. Overnight (B, L, D)

03 Friday: Ucayali River / Yarapa River / Amazonas River / Panguada 2nd Zone

We continue exploring the waterways in skiff, to the place where the pink and gray freshwater dolphins swim and play. On this excursion we will observe monkeys such as the capuchin and marmosets, birds such as flycatchers, trogons, woodpeckers and more. Return to the Sapphire at 12:00 p.m., and start of navigation downstream towards Iquitos. Lunch and nap.

Experience a cooking class in Panguana 2nd area. We will have a cooking class in a native home with our naturalist guides as interpreters. We will learn first-hand about the local cuisine and taste the Amazonian culinary art. Return to the Sapphire. Once on board, the ship continues its course downstream, sailing towards Iquitos through the night.

04 Saturday: Disembarkation at Iquitos /Manatee Rescue Center / Airport

Last excursion by boat on the Itaya River, a tributary that flows into the Amazon and where the floating houses of the market of Bethlehem are located.

Return to ZAFIRO at 11:00 am followed by an early lunch. Share the last lunch with the passengers before your trip back home.
He will visit the manatee rescue center, where biologists and volunteers take care of the endangered species of manatees that the authorities have rescued. See how manatees are cared for, and prepared for their re-introduction to their natural habitat. Check-in at the international airport of Iquitos. (B, L).