Amazon Voyage: The Greatest Voyage in Natural History

Its surroundings covering nearly half of the territory of Peru, the Amazon is the mightiest river in the world, flanked by vast stretches of lush rainforest.

International Expeditions travelers have been visiting these waters for all of our 27 years of existence, and we continue to be amazed at the natural wonders we find on our 10-day riverboat expedition.

The rainforest canopy shelters the richest and most diverse ecosystem on Earth, making it the perfect place for anyone who cares about nature. Beginning in Iquitos, the world’s furthest inland seaport, we travel upstream along the Amazon’s tributaries, going deep into the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve — the largest wetland reserve in the world. On our exclusive itinerary, you go deeper into the reserve — by far — than on any other Amazon journey, and as a result, you see much more, pure and simple. We’ll look for the Amazon’s myriad forms of wildlife — monkeys.

Itinerary:

Days 1 & 2 • Friday & Saturday - U.S. / Lima
We fly to Lima, Peru’s capital and largest city, meet our guides and transfer to the fine Sonesta El Olivar Hotel, where we spend two nights. We tour this great city, where the Cathedral and Plaza Mayor are among the highlights, enjoy lunch at a terrific local Peruvian restaurant and have an afternoon at leisure. (Day 1: D Aloft; Day 2: B,L)

Day 3 • Sunday - Lima / Iquitos / Amazon River
This morning, we fly over the Andes Mountains to Iquitos. We take a brief city tour before boarding our riverboat, home for the coming week. Tonight, we cruise slowly up the Amazon, looking at the stars of the northern and southern constellations. (B,L,D)

Day 4 • Monday - Amazon River / Río Ucayali
We awake this morning on the Amazon, seeing some of the ever-changing panorama of jungle life as the boat continues upriver. Small villages dot the shoreline, and channels weaving through island mazes provide close-up views of a variety of marsh birds. The confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers is famous as the beginning of the Amazon River. Amazingly, we are about 2,400 miles from where the river flows into the Atlantic. The river drops only about 350 feet the entire way! We turn in to the Río Ucayali, where we’re apt to find gray river dolphins and Amazon pink dolphins cavorting near the boat and along the shoreline. Later we take an excursion into the surrounding rainforest in search of giant water lilies and elusive wildlife such as monkeys and sloths. As dusk approaches, fishing bats begin their night’s foraging. (B,L,D)

Day 5 • Tuesday - Río Ucayali / Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
We explore a small tributary of the Ucayali in search of piranha, which are very common in the slower-moving water. With luck, we may catch red-breasted, white or black piranha, and feast on our catch that evening. Our guides help us search for animals including primates, sloths and an enormous variety of birds. Our ship continues upriver to the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. This afternoon, an excursion into this largest wetland reserve in the world provides the opportunity to see primates, including monk sakis, red howler, saddle-backed tamarin and squirrel monkeys. This afternoon we visit a village along the river, with the chance to learn about the lives of the “Ribereño” people who live there. (B,L,D)

Day 6 • Wednesday - Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
We spend the day exploring this flooded realm, seeing wading birds such as herons, wattled jacanas and horned screamers. Parrots are common, including the endangered scarlet macaw. We’ll watch for giant river otters, which have become increasingly rare but still may be found within the reserve. We may also see massive black caimans and manatees. We enter a varzea (seasonally flooded forest), where plant life is very different from what we see along the main course of the Amazon, and walk through the forest. We also enjoy a nighttime boat excursion for a chance to find caimans, capybaras, common potoos, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife. (B,L,D)

Day 7 • Thursday - Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
After an early breakfast, we board our excursion boats for access even further into the heart of these vast wetlands. Along the narrow waterways we’ll find birds such as canary-winged parakeets and spectacular blue-and-gold and scarlet macaws. Primates also are fairly common, including noisy squirrel monkeys. We arrive at a ranger station, where we may take a short hike to explore the forest. After a picnic lunch, we gradually make our way back to our riverboat through the maze of waterways. (B,L,D)

Day 8 • Friday - Ucayali & Amazon Rivers
This morning we take an early excursion to Caro Lake, connected to the river by way of a very small stream. We may find small flocks of greater ani, often seen following monkeys in search of insects disturbed by the monkeys’ foraging. This afternoon we continue downriver towards Iquitos and enjoy a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 9 • Saturday - Iquitos / Lima
Early this morning we arrive in Iquitos and transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. The afternoon is at leisure, with day rooms at the Sonesta El Olivar. We enjoy dinner at our hotel, then transfer to the airport for our flight back to the U.S. (B,D)

Day 10 • Sunday - U.S.
We arrive in the U.S. and connect with flights home. (Meals Aloft)

What's Included:

• Accommodations, meals as indicated
• Transportation by land and ship
• Guides
• Transfers for group flights
• Tips to porters and to waiters for included meals.

What's Not Included:

• Airfare
• Taxes
• Ticketing fee
• Fuel surcharges
• Passport and visa fees
• Tips to naturalist guides and ship crew

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