Itinerary

Fri., Aug. 10 U.S. / Lima
Fly independently to Lima, Peru, the nation’s capital and largest city, and transfer to our first night’s hotel. Dinner is not included as it is typically on the plane; if you arrive early you can dine at your leisure in the city or at our hotel. Be sure to try one of Peru’s wonderful Pisco Sours!
Accommodations at the Swissôtel, Lima

Sat., Aug. 11 Lima / Iquitos / Embark Amazon Riverboat / Amazon River
In the morning, tour historic Lima, visiting Casa Aliaga, a private home dating back to the Conquistadors. See the Cathedral, where Francisco Pizarro is entombed, and Plaza de Armas, and the monastery and vast catacombs of the Iglesia de San Francisco. Mid-day, we fly over the Andes Mountains to Iquitos. Here we board our riverboat, the Aquamarina, home for the next seven days of our Amazon cruise. During the first of subsequent nightly briefings, we review the following day’s Amazon Voyage itinerary and meet the crew. Tonight, we journey slowly toward the confluence marking the beginning of the Amazon River, stargazing and storytelling with our local guides. (B,L,D)

Sun., Aug. 12 Confluence of the Amazon River / Río Ucayali
Awaken to a cacophony of sound this morning. You are on the Amazon River, seeing some of the ever-changing panorama of jungle life as our Amazon River cruise ship continues upriver. Small villages dot the shoreline, and channels weaving through island mazes provide close- up views of a variety of birds. The confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers is famous as the beginning of the Amazon River in Peru. 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! On our Amazon Voyage, we travel smaller waterways aboard sturdy excursion boats to areas where we may find marsh birds such as Oriole Blackbirds, Green Ibis, Yellow-headed Caracaras, Black-capped Donacobis and White-headed Marsh-Tyrants. We turn into the Río Ucayali, where we’re aptto 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. With a bit of luck, we could see an anaconda, as they do much of their hunting in the water. As dusk approaches, Fishing Bats begin their night’s foraging. (B,L,D)

Mon., Aug. 13 Río Ucayali / Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
After a peaceful breakfast along the black-water Sapote Creek, we explore a small tributary of the Ucayali. We look for animals including primates, sloths and an enormous variety of birds. Our Amazon Voyage adventure continues upriver to the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Although scientific studies are far from exhausted, the Pacaya-Samiria is the known home to 450 bird species, 102 species of mammals, over 130 species of reptiles and amphibians, and countless plants. This afternoon, an excursion into this largest wetland reserve in the world provides the opportunity to see many of the 13 species of primates here, including Monk Sakis, Red Howler, Saddle-backed Tamarin and Squirrel Monkeys. We explore Caro Lake, connected to the river by way of a very small stream, where we may find flocks of Greater Ani, often seen following monkeys in search of insects disturbed by the monkeys’ foraging. We enjoy a nighttime boat excursion for a chance to find caimans, capybaras, common potoos, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife. (B,L,D)

Tues. Aug. 14 Rio Pacaya / Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
We spend the day exploring this flooded realm, seeing wading birds such as herons, Wattled Jacanas and Horned Screamers. Venturing deep into the rainforest, tour an Igapo (seasonally flooded forest), where plant life is very different from what we see along the main course of our Amazon cruise, and walk through the forest. Once we reach the reserve's second checkpoint, hike around the ranger station, where we may see colonies of Leaf-Cutter and Army Ants. Lucky guests may release turtle hatchlings. A delicious lunch energizes us and our expert naturalists for afternoon excursions, where we may find Scarlet Macaws, Hoatzins, Black-collared Hawks and
Red Howler Monkeys. (B,L,D)

Wed., Aug. 15 Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
After an early breakfast, we board our excursion boats for access even farther into the heart of these vast wetlands. As our Amazon Voyage adventure cruises the narrow waterways, we 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. Visit a village along the river, with the chance to learn about the lives of the“Ribereño” people who live there. Accompanied by guides who grew up along the river, this is a fantastic opportunity to stroll through gardens learning about medicinal plants and folklore, visit a school, or join in a game of soccer. The children are especially excited to see their faces on digital cameras and to show off their school and sing Peruvian songs. Depending on the villages visited during your Amazon River tour, you may also have the opportunity to see an IE-funded water treatment plant. The clean drinking water provided by these plants is having an enormous positive health impact in remote river villages. Learn about medicinal plants and enjoy a blessing ceremony by a respected village shaman. (B,L,D)

Thurs., Aug. 16 Río Ucayali / Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
This morning we head back downriver at a leisurely pace, with a morning wildlife cruise or other activity. Aboard the ship, take advantage of the open-air top deck, learning to make traditional Peruvian dishes or enjoying an enriching lecture. After dark we’ll go out in our excursion boats to listen to the sounds of the rainforest and look for nocturnal wildlife. (B,L,D)

Fri., Aug. 17 Amazon River
Wake up early for a morning birdwatching excursion along the Yarapa River. After breakfast, try your hand at piranha fishing in Ubos Lake. Piranha are very common in the slower-moving water. With luck, we may catch Red-breasted, White or Black piranha, and feast on our catch this evening at dinner. Once back aboard our Amazon River cruise ship, we enjoy a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Sat., Aug. 18 Disembark the Aquamarina / Iquitos / Lima / Depart
In the morning we disembark in Iquitos. Enjoy a walking tour of this frontier city. Take a boat excursion to tour the Belen Market before visiting the IE-funded Las Mavinas urban garden project. After lunch, we fly back to Lima in time to connect with your overnight flight to the U.S. Or, stay on to explore more of Lima at your leisure, or join one of the trip extensions. (B,L)

Sun., Aug. 19 Arrive U.S.
We arrive back in the USA Sunday morning and connect with flights home.
(Meals Aloft)
Please note: Because conditions at the time of our visit and new opportunities always determine what is possible on the Amazon, our Amazon cruise expedition itinerary is flexible. The itinerary shown is a guide to what we may do, but it’s always subject to change.

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