The headwaters of the Amazon River rise in Peru as this mighty river winds its way out of the Andes Mountains into the rainforest basin, passing through Iquitos where Amazon cruises commence. There are precious few roads & in the wet season, they become impassable, so the river & its many tributaries become arterial highways.

Sunday: Iquitos

Upon arrival to Iquitos, guests will be met & transferred to the port for embarkation on one of three sister-ships: ‘La Amatista’, ‘La Esmeralda’ or ‘La Turmalina’.

Cast off soon & a briefing for the itinerary will be given by the guides. After the briefing lunch will be served as the journey into the greatest wilderness on Earth gets underway. Tonight, cruising slowly up the Amazon, the stars above present an incredible spectacle of both northern & southern constellations.

Monday: Amazon River - Rio Ucayali

Awake this morning on the mighty Amazon continuing upriver. Likely guests will be amazed at the ever-changing panorama of jungle life. Small villages occasionally dot the shoreline & channels weaving through island mazes providing close-up views of a variety of marsh birds, including the oriole, blackbird, purple gallinule & yellow-headed caracara.

This morning arrive at the junction of Río Marañón & Río Ucayali, the place approx. 3550km west of the Atlantic Ocean indicated on most maps as the inception of the Amazon River. Turning up the Rio Ucayali, one of the outstanding features of this river is the large population of both gray & pink Amazon River dolphins often to be seen cavorting near the vessel, along the shallows close to the shoreline.

During the morning guests get to head out on the first ‘off-vessel’ guided excursion into the surrounding rainforest in search of giant water lilies & elusive wildlife such as monkeys & sloth. Return to the vessel for lunch. This afternoon we may visit a small river village or, perhaps call on a local shaman. As dusk approaches focus your attention on the river as fishing bats begin their night’s foraging.

Tuesday: Rio Ucayali – Requena

This morning we head into a small tributary of the Rio Ucayali. Guides search for animals including primates, sloth & an incredible variety of birds. After returning to the vessel, continue up river heading for the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve.

This afternoon’s excursion into the largest wetland reserve in the world provides the opportunity to view variety of primates including red howler & squirrel monkeys. Tonight a nocturnal visit to the reserve adds the chance to view caiman, capybara, common potoo, frogs & other wildlife.

Wednesday: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

After an early breakfast, an expedition begins at an optimal time for wildlife observation. Boarding small excursion boats (which allow greater access to the vast wetlands of the reserve) spend the day exploring this flooded wonderland.

Expect to see numerous wading birds: white-necked heron, black-capped heron, wattled jacana & sun bittern frequent this region. In addition many parrot species are quite common, perhaps even the most conspicuous member of this family, the highly endangered scarlet macaw, often seen flying in pairs or small family groups.

Along the river channels monkeys rustle high in the trees foraging for food. With luck we may encounter monk saki, a unique primate that frequents seasonally flooded forests. Higher in the canopy red howler monkeys can be seen in small family groups feeding on leaves. Mid-morning there’s a stop to take a leisurely hike through a seasonally flooded forest. Surprisingly open, due to being periodically inundated with water, this type of forest is home to three-toed sloth in the upper canopy & a proliferation of butterflies including the spectacular brilliant-blue morpho. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a ranger station before heading back to the vessel. This afternoon, depart for the Tapiche River.

Thursday: Rio Tapiche - Rio Marañon

This morning the vessel enters Río Tapiche for a short distance. Today’s activities include opportunities to swim in the river, paddle a dugout canoe & visit a river village. The villagers here always present small handcrafts for sale. After a full morning, return to the vessel & continue down the Rio Ucayali toward Río Marañón.

Friday: Rio Marañon - San Regis

Today we enter the Terra Firma, a typical forest one envisions associated with the word "jungle." Large trees festooned with epiphytes, palms, woody vines & a vaulted canopy create the shadowed mystery of tropical rainforest. The trail winds through the forest & a canopy walkway allows access to explore the world above the forest floor. Plants, invertebrates, birds, insects & animals surround as you become immersed in the forest. Returning to the vessel for lunch, an about turn heads us back toward Iquitos. This afternoon an excursion on a black water river provides one last chance to enjoy the beauty of tropical rainforest.

Saturday: Disembark at Iquitos

After breakfast aboard, the vessel will dock in Iquitos. There is the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of Iquitos, then a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Included features:

• On board accomodation in single, double, triple cabins or suites, all with private bathroom facilities. • off vessel nature excursions & expeditions with English speaking guides • port fees • transfers to & from Iquitos airport to dockside • All meals • bottled water, teas & coffee.