At a glance
- Duration:
- 10 Days
- Start/End:
- Roundtrip Lima, Peru
- From:
- $7,915
- Time of Year:
- January - December
On this 10-day Upper Amazon: A River Expedition, venture to the headwaters of the mighty Amazon in the heart of Peru’s rainforest aboard the elegant riverboat, the 28-passenger Delfin II.
Slip through jungle waterways by skiff or kayak in search of diverse wildlife. Skim past massive lily pads, peer up at towering ceiba trees, and witness glorious sunsets on the still waters of quiet lakes off the mighty Amazon. Interact with the local ribereños, whom we support with our visit.
Upper Amazon: A River Expedition Highlights
- Explore the seasonally flooded forest of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve at the headwaters of the Amazon with a team of experienced naturalists.
- Watch for elusive Amazon wildlife like pink river dolphins, monk saki monkeys, piranhas, and scarlet macaws.
- Meet the welcoming ribereños, natives of the reserve, and learn about their ways of life along the river.
- Get photo tips in the field from a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Certified Photo Instructor.
- Explore even more: combine your Amazon expedition with a voyage to Galápagos or an expedition to Machu Picchu and Peru’s Land of the Inca
Travel in excellent company
Your voyage is staffed with a seasoned Lindblad expedition leader and a team of local naturalists. Born in towns along the river and educated in Iquitos, all are fluent in English and have deep knowledge of the river environment and interesting stories about life here to share. They are adept at spotting and identifying wildlife—and their enthusiasm for the jungle’s creatures is infectious.
Upper Amazon: A River Expedition Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Lima, Peru
Arrive in Lima, Peru’s thriving capital, and transfer to the convenient Wyndham Costa del Sol, connected to the airport. Most international flights arrive in the late evening. Opt to arrive early for a Lima pre-voyage extension staying at the iconic Country Club Lima Hotel. The extension adds just a day to the expedition and gives you a chance to rest, relax and see this UNESCO World Heritage designated city.
Day 2: Lima / Iquitos / Nauta / Embark Ship
After breakfast, fly to Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon and continue overland to the riverside village of Nauta, where the Delfin II awaits. Settle into your cabin and gather for a welcome dinner of fine Peruvian cuisine on board. Tonight, step out on deck to gaze at the magnificent Amazon night sky.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - 8: Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
Spend this week exploring the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, a pristine swath of jungle stretching more than five million acres and harboring some of the Amazon’s most diverse flora and fauna. The reserve is bordered by the Marañón and the Ucayali, two powerful rivers that converge to create the famed Amazon, which floods annually with nutrient-rich waters and is known locally as the Mirrored Forest for the reflections created by its glassy water.
Set out into this remarkable wilderness on daily excursions by skiff, kayak and, when the water level permits, hikes on dry land. Skim past giant lily pads afloat on black-water lakes, and venture deep into the rainforest on narrow tributaries. Look for sloths and monkeys, including variably colored saddleback tamarins, noisy howlers and shaggy-tailed monk saki monkeys. Watch for an astounding variety of birds, from tanagers and hummingbirds to parrots and endangered scarlet macaws. In the river, look for massive paiche fish, the Amazon’s largest; rare pink dolphins; and the infamous piranhas.
Enjoy an opportunity to swim in a lake in the reserve’s interior. Seek out Victoria amazonica, a giant water lily that grows in small lagoons. Go on a bird-watching hike, listening for the vocal oropendola and then looking for its telltale yellow tail. Watch the sun set and listen to a cacophonous symphony of nocturnal animals calling out across the treetops. Then slip through the forest in a skiff as night falls, using a spotlight to find caimans, frogs, fishing bats and other creatures of the night.
One of the unexpected joys of traveling in the Upper Amazon of Peru is interacting with the local ribereños, the traditional people who live on the riverbanks. Visit one of the local communities and see the projects that National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions supports through a local nonprofit, including a variety of handicrafts, women’s health initiatives and sustainable farming.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Nauta / Disembark Ship / Iquitos / Lima
Disembark in Nauta, stopping at the Amazon Rescue Center on the drive to Iquitos. Fly to Lima for an overnight at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel. You may be able to take advantage of overnight flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Lima
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Lima for your flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
