Peru Amazon Cruise 5 Days | Zafiro

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

Tour Overview

Venture on an unforgettable 4-night journey through the heart of the Amazon, Ucayali, and Marañón rivers. This expedition takes you through the serene waters to the Sapote River in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, where the adventure truly begins. 

Step into the world's largest and most biodiverse flooded forest, surrounded by comfort and elegance on the Zafiro, a state-of-the-art riverboat designed to offer the perfect balance of luxury and nature. As you glide through the tranquil Amazon waters, you’ll be treated to top-tier amenities while immersing yourself in the mesmerizing sights and sounds of the rainforest. Watch pink dolphins leap playfully from the water, hear the enchanting calls of exotic birds, and explore jungle trails that lead you into the heart of this vibrant ecosystem.

Every day brings new discoveries, guided by expert naturalists who will deepen your understanding of this incredible wilderness. Wander through the rainforest and witness rare wildlife up close, all while staying in the luxurious comfort of your riverboat retreat. The Zafiro's panoramic windows offer sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes, allowing you to relax in style as you take in the majesty of the Amazon. 

The experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with the Amazon rainforest through expert local staff, who guide visitors to unforgettable adventures. Highlights may include a ceremonial ritual with a Shaman, a visit to a manatee conservation center, and an immersive tour of nearby local communities, showcasing the region's rich culture and natural wonders. 

Your voyage on the Zafiro Riverboat is not just a journey through the rainforest—it’s a transformative experience that will stay with you forever.

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Indulge in comfort aboard the Zafiro, enjoying breathtaking 180-degree views, a private balcony, spacious living room, telescope,and a luxurious bathtub for the ultimate experience.

Listen to the birdsong, birdwatch, and spot plenty of wildlife including infamous; Anaconda, Rainbow Boas, Tarantulas, Poison Frogs and the famous Pink Dolphins, plus the ever so elusive 2 Toed Sloth!

Relax & Adventure all in one - Walk, hike, cruise, fish and kayak, with great food and comfort, as you explore the "mirror forest," the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the largest protected flooded forest in the world.

Tour Itinerary

 
Day 1
Iquitos | Embarkation

December to May itinereary

You’ll be picked up at the airport and brought to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Iquitos where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch. On the road to the main dock to board the cruise ship, we will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city of Iquitos.

The guide will show you to your suite, which will be equipped with comfortable beds, 100% Peruvian Pima cotton sheets, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a shower and amenities.

Before setting sail, our bartender will serve you a cocktail prepared with local fruit and pisco, the most popular liquor in Peru. You can sip it while enjoying 360° views from the observation deck or a panoramic view from the indoor or outdoor lounge.

After setting sail, our naturalist guides will offer an overview of the travel itinerary, including activities, routes, information about wildlife and vegetation, geographical and historical context, as well as other useful info. If you have any doubts or concerns, our guides are always available to answer your questions.

We’ll then enjoy the welcome dinner. Start your journey by dining Peruvian cuisine with an Amazon flare. There are many options on our menu, including vegetarian alternatives. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs.

After dinner, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the starry night sky while we start our journey to the depth of the Amazon rainforest.

Day 2
Amazon River Kukama Reserve - Source of the Amazon Marañón River - Nauta Creek

Before breakfast, we’ll go out for a boating expedition on the Amazon River to explore the local flora and fauna.

When you get back, enjoy our breakfast buffet, which offers a daily selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked goods and a range of freshly squeezed juices.

After breakfast, we’ll head out to see the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which give rise to the Amazon River. Here we’ll observe pink and gray river dolphins.

We’ll go back to the boat for lunch by midday and then have time to rest. Make sure you attend the talk about the source of the Amazon and the hydrography of the river so that you’ll be up to speed for our walk to Puerto Prado, where we’ll see the Victoria Amazonica, the largest water lily in the world.

We’ll then head back to the boat for dinner and live music.

After dinner, we’ll enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas, frogs and other nocturnal species.

Day 3
Yanayacu of Pucate

Breakfast and outing on skiff to different lakes and lagoons, until we reach the Japanese Lagoon. There, we’ll enjoy a picnic and one of the best conserved and protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. It’s also a popular spot to view pink river dolphins from the skiff.

Before heading back to the Zafiro, we’ll take a trip to the Yanaquillo.

Once we’re back on the cruise ship, we’ll get ready to go kayaking and take a dip in the black waters.

Head back for lunch aboard the Zafiro. Before starting the afternoon activity, our guides will give a talk about the Amazon philosophy.

Afterward, we’ll take a walk through the rainforest over hanging bridges, where you can admire the riches of the rainforest from the treetops.

Once we’re back on the Zafiro, our bartender will give a demonstration of how to make Peruvian cocktails, and we’ll then enjoy live music while we await the gala dinner with the captain.

Day 4
Marañón River

Breakfast and visit to the community of San Regis, where we’ll learn about the local people’s way of life and traditions. We’ll also learn about their ancestral traditions from the community’s shaman. With our guides as interpreters, we’ll be able to ask questions about spiritual connections and curing the soul. We’ll then continue the ceremony by planting a tree as a positive contribution to the environment. There, we’ll also see a market set up by women from the community to sell their handmade crafts. Head back for lunch aboard the Zafiro.

After resting, the guides will tell us about the myths and legends of the Amazon. In the afternoon, we’ll head out on a skiff to the Shiriyacu stream. There, we’ll find a good spot to do some piranha fishing using local techniques and equipment. Back on the boat, we’ll enjoy the stunning colors of the sunset. Back on the Zafiro, you’ll have some time to relax and enjoy live music before the presentation by the crew and farewell dinner.

Day 5
Disembarkation

Before breakfast, we’ll visit Nauta, the second most important city in the region. Upon arriving, we’ll take a motorcycle taxi to the local market where we’ll see what business in the city is like firsthand. After, we’ll head back to Zafiro cruise for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will proceed to disembark. On the way to the airport, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center (Amazon Forever Organization) where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species that authorities have rescued. We will learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, we will be able to see other animals that have also been rescued. We will invite you to make a donation to this dedicated organization and study center.

Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport.

Day 1
Iquitos | Embarkation

June - November Itinerary

Pick up at the airport and transfer by private vehicle to Nauta port, for boarding. On the road you will enjoy a box lunch.

Our staff will accompany you to your suite specially equipped with comfortable beds, pure Peruvian pima cotton sheets, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, private bathroom with shower and amenities.

Before sailing, our bartender will serve you a cocktail prepared with fruits from the region and pisco, the most popular national liquor in Peru. Do not miss the opportunity to savor it while enjoying a full view of the river from the observation deck, or a panoramic view in the indoor or outdoor lounge.

Once we start sailing the naturalist guides will present an overview of the trip program, such as activities, routes, information on wildlife and vegetation, the geographical and historical background, as well as other useful details. If you have any doubts or questions, our guides are always very happy to assist you.

After the welcome briefing we will enjoy a delicious brunch and have time to rest before the next outing on skiffs to Nauta Caño, where you will enjoy a night excursion in search of alligators, tarantulas, frogs and other species that appear when the sun goes down.

Return to the ship and dinner on dinner on board. Begin your trip with a special Peruvian dinner with an Amazonian influence. It is a varied menu that includes a vegetarian option. Please let us know of any special dietary requirements in advance.

Day 2
Marañon River

Early in the morning, we will invite guests to the third deck of the ship to observe the transit of migratory birds.

Afterwards, we will start our excursion by boat to the Yanayacu de Pucate area, where we will appreciate one of the best preserved and protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria reserve. Moreover, we will enjoy a special breakfast in the middle of nature.

Before returning to the ship, those who wish can take a kayak ride. Others might choose to swim in the refreshing black waters of the river.

Back on the boat, our bartender awaits you with a Peruvian cocktail demonstration, after that enjoy lunch. Followed from some time to rest, the guides will give us a talk on Amazonian philosophy.

In the afternoon, we will visit the native community of San Regis, where we will learn about their way of life and traditions. We will also learn about ancestral traditions from the local shaman. Our guides will act as interpreters during this experience, in which you will have the opportunity to ask questions about spiritual connections and the shaman ́s abilities to heal the soul.

After living this experience, we will continue with the ceremony of planting a tree as a positive contribution to the environment.

Moreover, there will be opportunity to appreciate how the women of the community exhibit in a small craft market, pieces and objects made with their own hands.

Back on the ship you will have time to rest and relax with live music while we make time before dinner.

Day 3
Nahuapa River

After breakfast we will start a walk through the jungle, followed by a canopy walk, which will allow us to admire the richness of the jungle from the top of the trees.

At noon, we will return to the ship for lunch on board, after which we will have time to rest. It is important that you are present at the talk about the animals in the area that are in danger of extinction.

In the afternoon, we will begin our exploration by boat on the Nahuapa River. There you will experience fishing for the famous piranhas, using local equipment and techniques.

Before returning to Zafiro cruise, we will make a night excursion in search of alligators, tarantulas, frogs and other nocturnal species.

Return to Zafiro, live music and dinner.

Day 4
Amazon River

After breakfast, we will start a walk in Casual, in search of wildlife, such as poisonous frogs and other exotic species. In this area we will see the well-known giant trees called Avatar and the “Victoria Amazonica” also known as Victoria Regia or water lilies, the largest aquatic plant on the planet. There you will also have the opportunity to purchase local handicrafts made by local women artisans.

Before noon you will return to the ship where there will be a cooking demonstration by the executive chef.

After lunch, do not miss the talk about the origin of the Amazon, and then start an excursion to the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, the place where these two rivers join, also known as the origin of the Amazon River. This area is very popular for watching the curious pink river dolphins.

Return to the ship and have some free time until dinner.

Day 5
Disembarkation Iquitos

Before breakfast we will visit Nauta, the second most important city in the region. Upon arrival, we will take a motocar tour to the local market where we will learn first-hand what the commercial life of the city is like.

Return to Zafiro for breakfast.

After breakfast, 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.

Transfer to the airport.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 First Deck Suite on board ship
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin/Suite upgrade available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Lunch before boarding on Day 1 (depends on the arrival time of the recommended flight)
  • Included Copy 20 All meals while on board
  • Included Copy 20 Sodas, natural juices, coffee, tea, water, local alcoholic beverages included
  • Included Copy 20 Welcome drink: Pisco Sour
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All excursions & equipment (including rubber boots & rain ponchos)
  • Included Copy 20 Transfers to/from vessel when arriving on recommended flights to Iquitos
  • Included Copy 20 Entrance fee to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
  • Included Copy 20 Zodiac Excursions For Wildlife Viewing
  • Included Copy 20 Piranha Fishing, Canopy Walk, Night Safari
  • Included Copy 20 A Visit To a Manatees Rescue Centre
  • Included Copy 7 International/Domestic flights, Visas, Gratuities, Laundry, bar, other personal charges
Transportation
M/V Zafiro

M/V Zafiro

40 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Explore remote areas of the Amazon river on a luxury cruise.
  • Included Enjoy the sunrise at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
  • Included Take hikes through the jungle, visit local communities and perhaps try piranha fishing!
  • Included Photograph pink river dolphins,monkeys and exotic bird species.
  • Included Explore the amazon by zodiac or even kayak, in search of wildlife.
  • Included Go on a night safari looking for caiman and other nocturnal creatures.
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

5 days

Price from

$4,056 USD

Per person, sharing

Based on a First Deck Suite

Departs Saturdays