Amatista Amazon Cruise

Amatista Amazon Cruise BY ADVENTURESMITH EXPLORATIONS www.adventuresmithexplorations.com

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UPDATED 10 months ago DURATION 9 Days SEASON Year Round RATES USD 2,499.00 per person EXPIRES Dec 31, 2018
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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: Sat - Lima

Arrive at any time and have a private transfer to your hotel. Take the time to explore the nation's capital and largest city. In the early evening, meet your group and review the details of your trip. Then head back out and try the local cuisine at one of the trendy fusion restaurants.

ACCOMMODATIONS: San Agustin Exclusive or similar

MEALS: n/a

Day 2: Sun - Lima & Río Marañon

Early flight to Iquitos where you will have a city orientation tour to explore its unique architecture, which is a 19th-century vestige of the era when European commercial barons held sway over life and culture here. Discover quiet places and shaded retreats amid the hustle and bustle of daily life in this jungle port city. Then visit and feed manatees at the Amazonian Manatee Rescue Center, an organization focused on rescuing orphaned manatees that were the victims of poaching.

Transfer to your home for next seven days aboard the Amazon river. Once on board the ship, relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rainforest. Step out on deck to watch the riverbanks go by, and keep eyes peeled for wildlife such as gray and pink dolphins. The ship casts off and makes its way to the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Mon - Río Marañon & Río Ucayali

Take an excursion by motorized skiff down the Amazon River and some of its tributaries to see the wonders of the rainforest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds while exploring.

After lunch, enjoy a presentation on the Amazon River. Over the course of the next few days, the skiff and land excursions will be in the morning and late afternoon, when wildlife is at its liveliest. During the hotter hours of midday, expedition staff will present enthralling lectures on everything from the history and culture of the region to the Amazon’s prolific flora and fauna. There will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy the comfort of Amatista's observation deck.

In the late afternoon, walk along the banks of the Ucayali River to explore the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon, and to have the opportunity to see the Victoria Regia water lily — a gigantic aquatic plant with leaves that measure up to 10 ft (3m) in diameter. Keep a watch out for the Amazon River dolphin, giant otter, and the Amazonian manatee, which all make their home in Ucayali’s waters.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Tue - Río Ucayali & Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Take a morning skiff excursion into the Pacaya-Samiria National 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. Return to the boat for lunch and afternoon lecture on Shamanism.

In the afternoon, you will be treated with a rare meeting of a practicing shaman in a river village and gain firsthand insight into Shamanism. Be introduced to his spiritual healing craft and learn about rainforest plants that indigenous peoples have, for untold centuries, held to possess curative properties.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Wed - Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Go on an early morning excursion to watch for iguanas, river turtles, cormorants, or wattled jacana. Then you will be welcomed into the home of a local Indian family. Share conversation over a midday meal, and be introduced to their culture and way of life.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and rest for a nighttime boat ride in the rainforest. Be on the lookout for bats, capybaras, black caimans, poison frogs, and a vast number of other species. See if your flashlights will 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 6: Thu - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

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. Piranhas are a dietary staple for many of the Amazon rainforest’s indigenous people and regarded as some of the best tasting fish in South America. After, visit Choroyacu Creek to have the opportunity to climb in a dugout canoe and explore this scenic area with the locals. Take a plunge into the river for a swim, perhaps sharing the water with some pink or grey river dolphins – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed.

Return to the riverboat to relax and opt to enjoy a video about the flooded forest. Witness the nocturnal life of the rainforest after dinner this evening, and venture out in small boats onto the Marañon River.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Fri - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve & Iquitos

During the day, the ship returns to its home port of Iquitos. Before docking, there are a few more unique experiences to look forward to.

Pay a visit to the jungle town of Nauta, where the Ucayali and the Marañon — the major headstreams of the Amazon — join together. Ride the local motorcars and browse the local market to pick up some souvenirs. Visit the Sapisapi River and keep a look out for turtles along the way!

During the evening, celebrate with a farewell dinner and party with live music aboard the ship.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Amatista

MEALS: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Sat - Iquitos & Lima

Disembark at Iquitos. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Lima to meet your representative for a transfer to the hotel. Spend the afternoon and evening at your leisure in the City of Kings. Sip on a Pisco Sour or try some Peruvian ceviche in the lively city.

ACCOMMODATIONS: San Agustin Exclusive or similar

MEALS: breakfast

Day 9: Sun - Lima

Depart Lima at anytime.

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
• Orientation tour of Iquitos
• 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 (Allow approximately $115 to $150 for meals not included. Drinks and tips on board not included)
• 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: There is also a 7-day itinerary that sails every other week beginning in April 2017 that spends two fewer days cruising and arrives by transfer coach on Day 3 if you are short on time. 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.