La Perla - 4 Day Cruise Peru

From Iquitos, Peru to Iquitos, Peru OR From Iquitos, Peru to Iquitos, Peru

Tour Overview

Cruise into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, on a 4-day adventure aboard La Perla.

From the charm of this classic riverboat, set out along the serene Yanayacu River in Pucate, where expert naturalist guides lead you to prime piranha-fishing spots and through winding waterways alive with wildlife. Spot capybaras lounging on the banks, sloths nestled in the canopy, and a kaleidoscope of tropical birdlife. Visit remote indigenous communities to learn about their traditions and daily life, and glide by skiff into hidden lagoons and dense jungle passages for an intimate perspective of this vast wilderness. A special highlight includes a visit to the Manatee Rescue Center, where you’ll witness firsthand the rehabilitation of these gentle, endangered creatures and support vital conservation efforts.

Back onboard, retreat to one of just 14 air-conditioned cabins, each a light-filled sanctuary of comfort in the heart of the jungle. Social spaces invite you to relax and connect, whether savoring quiet moments in the lounge or swaying in a hammock on the upper deck as the sounds of the rainforest surround you. Evenings bring a chance to share stories with fellow travelers and reflect on the wonders of the Amazon before another day of discovery begins.

 

Viva's Best Bits...

Get up close to the Amazon's unique wildlife on a zodiac tour, exploring hidden waterways and experiencing the jungle’s untouched beauty. A truly immersive adventure for nature lovers.

La Perla is designed for ultimate comfort while offering a perfect connection to nature. Explore the Amazon’s hidden gems, encounter exotic wildlife, and enjoy immersive, personalized tours.

Enjoy a boat ride to the Shiriyacu stream, spotting pink dolphins, while guides take you to the perfect spot for piranha fishing with local gear and techniques.

Tour Itinerary

 
Day 1
Ariive in Iquitos Embark in Nauta

Upon your arrival at the airport, we will be waiting for you to start the adventure. We will take a city tour of Iquitos, a colorful, dynamic city with a captivating past. In this tour you will be able to appreciate the most emblematic attractions of the city.

Then, we will transfer by private vehicle to the city of Nauta, the historic river port where we will embark. Upon arrival in Nauta (about two hours from Iquitos), we will board La Perla and our staff will accompany you to your cabin. All cabins are specially equipped for you to enjoy the most comfortable stay.

The ship will start sailing down the Marañón River, as the naturalist guides present the trip plan, the routes to follow and the scheduled activities, and the best thing: they will begin to introduce us to the wonderful world of Amazon wildlife. Pay attention to their advice and recommendations, and keep in mind that if you have any doubts or questions, our guides will always be more than happy to assist.

After this presentation, enjoy a welcome lunch, your first experience with the delights of regional cuisine. The menu offers several options, including a vegetarian alternative. If you have any particular requirement, please let our crew members know in advance, so that we can attend to it in a timely manner.

Before dinner, we will start a night boat excursion to the Nauta Caño area, in search of animals that can only be seen when the sun goes down: alligators, bats, frogs, tarantulas and other species that inhabit the Amazon basin.

After this first immersion in the jungle world, we will return to the ship and enjoy dinner and then you can rest and recover energies for the next day.

Please note: The Peruvian Amazon is a very remote region. Cruise and lodge operators design transfer schedules to align with specific incoming and departing flights to maximise their operations. Frequent flight schedule changes can also complicate matters. We strongly advise consulting with your booking agent prior to confirming your flights to avoid any potential long delays and/or missed connections.

Day 2
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

In the morning, we will organize a fun picnic breakfast on the Yanayacu River in Pucate, one of the best protected and preserved areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This area is often visited by pink dolphins. After, we will take a ride in local canoes and live the experience of paddling in one of the most beautiful aquatic ecosystems in the world. Also, if you want, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the river.

Back on the ship, we will have lunch in the dining room, followed by some time to rest, after which our guides will offer a talk about Amazonic philosophy.

Later, we will meet the shaman of the San Regis community, a wise woman from the native community who will share with us her knowledge about the rituals of her ancestors, medicinal plants, and the Amazon worldview. Our guides will be the interpreters in case you want to ask questions or make comments to the shaman. After this authentic experience of reflection and spiritual exploration, we will continue with the ceremony of planting a tree, as a contribution to caring for the environment.

Back on the boat, you can relax with live music while we wait for dinner. After eating, the guides will indicate the activities of the following day.

Day 3
Amazon National Park Shiriyacu

Early dawn in the Amazon has a special charm, it is the perfect moment to sight many animal and insect species. For this reason, on this morning, you also have a boat excursion scheduled before breakfast. This time the destination is Iquitos Brook, a privileged area for sighting numerous endemic species. Back on board, buffet breakfast will be served.

After breakfast, we will start a walk through the jungle until we reach the area of the hanging bridges, a set of structures stretched out on top of the trees that will allow you to experience a canopy walk and admire the richness of the jungle from higher grounds.

Before noon, we will return to the ship for lunch on board and then we will have time to rest before the next departure.

Later, get ready for the boat expedition to the Shiriyacu stream. Our guides will find the perfect location for piranha fishing, using local equipment and techniques. This area is very popular for spotting pink dolphins.

Upon returning to the ship, we can relax even more with live music and comfort ourselves with the delicious dinner on board.

Day 4
Manatees Rescue Center | Disembarkation

Early in the morning, we will leave by boat towards Gasparito Brook, a very popular area for bird and primate watching.

After breakfast, the bartender awaits us for a Peruvian cocktail demonstration, Pisco Sour, the emblematic drink of Peru. Then, we will disembark to head to Iquitos. On your way to the airport, visit Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as Manatees Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species. Learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, other animals are also rescued, treated and reinserted in their natural habitat. Jungle Experiences actively collaborates with this dedicated organization and think tank. We invite you to do so as well and help this meaningful cause.

Finally, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your onward journey, bringing your Amazon adventure to a close.

Please note: The Peruvian Amazon is a very remote region. Cruise and lodge operators design transfer schedules to align with specific incoming and departing flights to maximise their operations. Frequent flight schedule changes can also complicate matters. We strongly advise consulting with your booking agent prior to confirming your flights to avoid any potential long delays and/or missed connections.

Day 1
Arrive in Iquitos | Embarkation

Upon your arrival at the airport, we will be waiting for you to start the adventure. We will take a city tour of Iquitos, a colorful, dynamic city with a captivating past. In this tour you will be able to appreciate the most emblematic attractions of the city.

Then, we will transfer by private vehicle to the city of Nauta, the historic river port where we will embark. Upon arrival in Nauta (about two hours from Iquitos), we will board La Perla and our staff will accompany you to your cabin. All cabins are specially equipped for you to enjoy the most comfortable stay.

The ship will start sailing down the Marañón River, as the naturalist guides present the trip plan, the routes to follow and the scheduled activities, and the best thing: they will begin to introduce us to the wonderful world of Amazon wildlife. Pay attention to their advice and recommendations, and keep in mind that if you have any doubts or questions, our guides will always be more than happy to assist.

After this presentation, enjoy a welcome lunch, your first experience with the delights of regional cuisine. The menu offers several options, including a vegetarian alternative. If you have any particular requirement, please let our crew members know in advance, so that we can attend to it in a timely manner.

Before dinner, we will start a night boat excursion to the Nauta Caño area, in search of animals that can only be seen when the sun goes down: alligators, bats, frogs, tarantulas and other species that inhabit the Amazon basin.

After this first immersion in the jungle world, we will return to the ship and enjoy dinner and then you can rest and recover energies for the next day.

Please note: The Peruvian Amazon is a very remote region. Cruise and lodge operators design transfer schedules to align with specific incoming and departing flights to maximise their operations. Frequent flight schedule changes can also complicate matters. We strongly advise consulting with your booking agent prior to confirming your flights to avoid any potential long delays and/or missed connections.

Day 2
Ucayali River, Vista Alegre Yarapa

At dawn, we will board the skiffs to visit the banks of the Ucayali River, and observe the beautiful Amazonian birds that fill the dense treetops, a true spectacle of color and life in the heart of the forest.

After this exciting ride and back on the boat, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, that offers a daily selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked homemade products and a variety of fresh juices made with exotic fruits that can only be found in the jungle.

Following, we will get ready to start a new excursion by boat, but this time, on the Yarapa River, this area is ideal for spotting toucans, parrots, macaws, iguanas, sloths and monkeys high up in the trees.

Back at La Perla cruise, we will enjoy lunch on board followed by a moment of rest, the guides will offer a talk on local Amazonian culture. During the afternoon, we will visit the town of Vista Alegre, to meet the native community and learn about their customs, having the guides as interpreters and translators. Upon return, you can enjoy live music while we wait for dinner on board.

Day 3
Confluence (Origin of the Amazon River)

After breakfast, the guides will offer a talk about the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, one of the most amazing jungle reserves in the world, with forests that remain flooded for much of the year.

Later, we will be ready for the boat expedition to the point of confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers, the majestic location of the jungle where the Amazon River is born. Before returning to La Perla, we will explore the Piraña Cocha area, looking for more wildlife.

Back on the boat, we will offer lunch and you will have time to rest and prepare for the next adventure: a walk through the winding jungle trails located at the beautiful area of Casual, inhabited by poisonous frogs and countless exotic animal species. In this area, we will also observe a variety of giant trees known by the locals as “Avatar”. You can also purchase local handicrafts made by the local women artisans and in this way contribute to their local economy.

As we return to La Perla, there will be a special moment to contemplate the majestic Amazon sunset.

Day 4
Manatees Rescue Center | Disembarkation

This morning begins quietly with breakfast on board, but becomes exciting with a visit to the city of Nauta, the second largest in the region. Upon arrival, we will reach the city market, where you can interact with locals and learn about the particular commercial circuit of the region. We will visit the stalls of typical food, crafts, aphrodisiac drinks and many more. A true immersion in the life of the Amazonian population.

Back on the ship, we will proceed to disembark. On your way to the airport, visit Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as Manatees Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species. Learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, other animals are also rescued, treated and reinserted in their natural habitat. Jungle Experiences actively collaborates with this dedicated organization and think tank. We invite you to do so as well and help this meaningful cause.

Finally, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your onward journey, bringing your Amazon adventure to a close.

Please note: The Peruvian Amazon is a very remote region. Cruise and lodge operators design transfer schedules to align with specific incoming and departing flights to maximise their operations. Frequent flight schedule changes can also complicate matters. We strongly advise consulting with your booking agent prior to confirming your flights to avoid any potential long delays and/or missed connections.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 Cabin accommodation on board ship
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 All meals while on board ship plus soft drinks (natural juice, coffee, tea and water)
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All excursions with expert naturalist and equipment (including rubber boots and rain ponchos)
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers from/to Iquitos airport if on recommended flights
  • Included Copy 20 Entrance fee to Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
  • Included Copy 7 Flights, Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable), tips, travel insurance
Transportation
La Perla

La Perla

32 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Guided Skiff Excursions Into The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
  • Included Jungle Walks To Explore Amazon Flora And Fauna
  • Included Piranha Fishing and Pink Dolphin spotting
  • Included Birdwatching At Dawn With Expert Naturalists
  • Included Night Safaris To Spot Nocturnal Wildlife
  • Included Educational Talks And Presentations On Board About The Amazon Ecosystem.
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

4 days

Price from

$3,310 NZD

Per person, sharing

Based on an Amazon view cabin

Depart Selected Wednesdays and Sundays