Amatista Amazon Riverboat Cruise

Amatista Amazon Riverboat Cruise BY ADVENTURESMITH EXPLORATIONS www.adventuresmithexplorations.com

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UPDATED 5 months ago DURATION 9 Days SEASON Year Round RATES USD 2,549.00 per person EXPIRES Dec 31, 2019
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Hop aboard the purpose-built, 30-guest Amatista riverboat and experience the Peruvian Amazon in style. Led by an Amazon Reserve naturalist guide, the 9-day Amatista Amazon Cruises begins and ends in Lima, Peru, and includes daily excursions by motorized skiff designed to reveal the exotic rainforest wildlife. Explore by day on exciting hikes and skiff rides, searching for a plethora of bird species, hidden sloths, toucans and the famous pink Amazon river dolphins; by night the challenge is to spot bats, capybaras, black caimans, poison frogs and even jaguars.

This exploration of the Amazon's famous Pacaya Samiria National Reserve provides an up close understanding of the Amazon jungle with experienced naturalist guides who are dedicated to minimizing the impact of your expedition on wildlife and sensitive natural habitats. Immerse fully into the Peruvian Amazon lifestyle onboard with regional cuisines that provide a unique and delicious window into local culture. Gain a rare glimpse of how life "on the river" is lived by local people and experience the magic of the Amazon on this once-in-a-lifetime riverboat adventure.

In addition to the main 9-day itinerary, there is a shorter 7-day itinerary that spends two fewer days cruising the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Both itineraries are operated by the 30-guest Amatista, a perfect home base from which to survey the pristine rainforest and dazzling array of colorful birdlife that inhabits the Amazon rainforest.

Itineraries in the Peruvian Amazon vary based on high water (rainy) season and low water (dry) season. High water season is November to May and allows for more extensive exploration and access via water. High water season is ideal for travelers who prefer to duck into otherwise isolated corners of the reserve aboard speedy boats. Low water season is June through October and allows for more trail walks. Low water season is ideal for travelers who prefer to walk through the rainforest and discover its flora and fauna. All listed activities depend on water levels, weather and season. Travelers equipped with a sense of adventure and openness tend to enjoy their experience in the Amazon jungle more.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Lima, Peru

Arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, any time and be transferred by private vehicle from the airport to the hotel. Explore the city of Lima on your own, perhaps choosing one of the following optional activity suggestions (to be arranged on your own at additional cost). Normal check-in times apply at hotels, but guests can usually store luggage at the hotel for the day if arriving early. Return to the hotel in time for the important welcome meeting, meet the group and review the details of the trip with the guide.

ACCOMMODATIONS: San Agustin Exclusive or similar

MEALS: n/a

Day 2: Fly To Iquitos & Embark Nauta

Catch an early flight to Iquitos and transfer to the Amazon riverboat. Once on board the ship, relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rainforest. Step on deck to watch the riverbanks go by and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey and pink dolphins. Expert guides lead jungle walks, give lectures and point out unique species of bird and marine life while exploring the smaller tributaries of the river. Take advantage of the nighttime boat ride in the wild and watch the Amazon become a different domain. Be on the lookout for bats, capybaras, black caimans, poison frogs and a vast number of other species. See if flashlights reflect the red eye shine of the black caiman or show the glowing yellow eyes of a jaguar.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Head out into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve on a boat excursion and search for monkeys, sloths and macaws. Awake early for the opportunity to enjoy this birdwatching haven, as over 200 bird species call the Amazon home: parrots, macaws, herons, kingfishers, swallows, martins, falcons, black collared hawks and many more. While cruising, guides point out the interesting wildlife species that inhabit the riverbanks and unusual fish and vegetation that can be found in the river. Stay on the lookout for squirrel and woolly monkeys, caimans and sloths. In the afternoon, take a walk through the jungle and visit a local community to learn about their traditions. After dinner, opt to go on a night excursion to Piranha Creek.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Nauta & Sapisapi River

Explore the town of Nauta before continuing to cruise down the Amazon River. Ride local motorcars and browse the local market during this included tour. Try your hand at bargaining and pick up some souvenirs. In the afternoon, continue along the Amazon River, enjoy a jungle walk, learn about medicinal plants, search for monkeys and keep an eye out for reptiles. Search for turtles along the Sapisapi River.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5-7: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

In the constantly changing Amazon, flexible itineraries are key to exploring the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Onboard naturalists tailor each departure to the surroundings and seasonal water levels to ensure the most memorable Amazon small ship cruise. Over the next few days, enjoy a range of included, optional shore excursions, night excursions, educational lectures, a visit to a local shaman, an indigenous village and the incredible wildlife of this lush area.

Amazon Jungle Excursion: Go on an early morning excursion to watch the rainforest world awaken. Spot iguanas, river turtles, cormorants and wattled jacana; gain insight into another side of the jungle.

Pacaya-Samiria Reserve Excursion: Rise early to visit the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, Peru's largest national park and home to more than 200 bird species and 10 primate species. Have the chance to view cocoi and striated herons, macaws, squirrel and woolly monkeys, caimans and sloths. Follow a route that crosses the tributary waters of the Marañon. Along the way, the guides point out the interesting wildlife species that inhabit the riverbanks and unusual fish and vegetation that can be found in the river.

Ucayali River Walking Excursion: Walk along the banks of the Ucayali River to explore the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon and have the opportunity to see the Victoria Regia water lily—a gigantic aquatic plant with leaves that measure up to 10 feet in diameter. Keep a watch out for the Amazon River dolphin, giant otter and the Amazonian manatee, all of whom make their home in Ucayali's waters.

Local Family Visit: Be welcomed into the home of a local indigenous family. Share conversation over a midday meal and be introduced to their culture and way of life. Participate in an unforgettable opportunity to gain insight into a new and different world.

Local Shaman Visit: Gain rare, firsthand insight into Shamanism while meeting a practicing shaman in a river village. Be introduced to spiritual healing craft and learn about rainforest plants that are known to possess curative properties.

Night Time Boat Excursion: Take advantage of this nighttime boat ride in the wild and watch the Amazon become a different domain. Be on the lookout for bats, capybaras, black caimans, poison frogs and a vast number of other species. See if your flashlights reflect the red eye shine of the black caiman or show the glowing yellow eyes of a jaguar!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Choroyacu Creek & Disembark Iquitos To Lima

Rise early and set out to explore the impressive biodiversity of the area's unusual ecosystem. Look for a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic breakfast, followed by a trip to explore Choroyacu. Ride up the Nahuapa River for piranha fishing. Visit Choroyacu Creek for the opportunity to climb in a dugout canoe and explore this scenic area with locals. Explore the shoreline by motorized skiff, keeping your eyes out for birds, monkeys and sloths.

Leave the peacefulness of the river behind and en route to Iquitos stop in Nauta at the Manatee Rescue Center. Learn about the efforts of the Amazonian Manatee Rescue Center, an organization focused on rescuing orphaned manatees that were the victims of poaching. The center helps to rehabilitate and reintroduce these very rare and endangered mammals back into the Amazon Basin. Take this opportunity to observe these amazing and lovable animals and be sure to bring your camera. Fly back to Lima and enjoy the evening in the city.

ACCOMMODATIONS: San Agustin Exclusive Hotel or similar

MEALS: breakfast

Day 9: Depart Lima, Peru

Depart at any time or enjoy the city with extended optional activities (as listed on day 1, to be arranged on your own at additional cost).

ACCOMMODATIONS: n/a

MEALS: breakfast

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Visits to local indigenous family, local shaman and the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
• Arrival transfer
• Cruise aboard the Amatista Amazon Riverboat
• Launches and land excursions with expert naturalist team
• Internal flights
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
• Accommodations aboard the Amatista Amazon Riverboat and hotels as indicated in itinerary
• Meals as indicated in itinerary
• Transportation by riverboat, plane, private vehicle
• Excursions lead by certified Amazon Reserve naturalist guide and support staff aboard Amatista
• Local representatives in Lima

NOTES

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the above 9-day itinerary, there is also a 7-day itinerary that spends two fewer days cruising the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, catching up with the main 9-day itinerary in Nauta. Please inquire for pricing and details.

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. Exact routes and activities vary by season.

Activities include ecological walks at a moderate pace within the Natural Reserves, boat rides, piranha fishing, as well as night tours. Daily excursions to the Amazon rainforest may include walking on uneven ground and occasionally getting in or out of the boats may require some physical effort. The walks can last up to an hour. Some of the activities/excursions may require physical demands and long walks.