Ara 03
Leticia / Tabatinga to Iquitos
7 days / 6 nights cruise
Departures: Saturday
Rates expressed in US$

Day 01 (Saturday) ARRIVE IQUITOS / CRUISE (Departure at 11:00hrs)

Upon arrival in the jungle frontier city of Iquitos in the morning, a representative meets and brings us to Iquitos' main dock area where we board the M/V ARAPAIMA, the most modern tourist vessel on the Amazon River and our ultra-comfortable home for the next week. As soon as everyone is aboard and settled, we begin our cruise down the Mighty Amazon. Following cabin assignments, an English/Speaking naturalist/guide gives a general ship orientation, crew member introduction and ship's safety information while sailing along the city's river front, passing lumber factories and small villages. Later we enjoy a delicious lunch featuring authentic Peruvian dishes aboard ship followed by a visit to a local sugarcane liquor, or 'cachaza', factory at Yanamono creek. At sunset, we take the motorized canoes further downstream to the mouth of the Napo River -- feel like explorers in the wake of Francisco de Orellana, the Spaniard who in 1541 named the river "Amazonas" for the Amazons of Greek mythology as his expedition encountered fierce female warriors in the area -- and see graceful herons with their slimmer postures reflected on the river, curious pink and gray river dolphins checking us out, and countless birds. Return to the M/V Arapaima for dinner and overnight on board. (L, D)

Note: We highly suggest our customers to arrive one day prior or in the morning hours of departure day. We can help you to book an overnight or day-use room at local hotels if needed.

Day 02 (Sunday) CRUISE / Palometa/Pebas

When we arise this morning, the M/V ARAPAIMA is tied up at the mouth of Palometa creek, near the village of Pebas. Our tour guide takes us on a motorized canoe excursion to a nearby black water lake, or 'cocha', for an exciting early-morning bird-watching adventure. Here we have lots of opportunities to look for exotic birds as well as other wildlife. For example, we are likely to encounter the Hoatzin, one of the jungle's most unusual birds, which can mimic the sounds of a number of animals. After breakfast, we visit a small Bora or Wuitoto Indian community where we receive a warm welcome from the chief and villagers alike. This visit carry us back in time, as these natives live much like their ancestors hundreds of years ago. We are invited into their traditional building, or 'Maloka', made from sticks and palm leaf thatched roof held together with different types of jungle vines, where they perform some traditional dances. We also have time to buy, or bargain, for their multi-colored handicrafts they make using jungle seeds and vines. Boras and Wuitotos maintain their traditions, values and customs as in the old days, such as using hand-made tools in their everyday lives as yuca or manioc grinders and shakers. After lunch aboard the M/V ARAPAIMA, an extensive primary and second-growth forest hike on the Limon creek gives our guide the chance to point out one wonder after another. We see oriole blackbirds, yellow-headed caracaras, Squirrel and Capuchin monkeys, colored butterflies, leaf-cutter ants, trees like the giant Kapok merging overhead to form a verdant archway, leaves the size of umbrellas, vines with incredible sizes and shapes, and medicinal plants. Along the trail, we learn which plants are edible and which are poisonous. After dinner the day ends with a night boat excursion to look for nocturnal wildlife and watch a crowded sky full of stars, above our heads, while we sail the silent waters of the Amazon River. (B, L, D)

Day 03 (Monday) CRUISE / CABALLO COCHA

Early this morning, we explore the rainforest along the banks of the Amazon River in our motorized canoes. We should hear and perhaps see monkeys and birds like toucans, parrots, kingfishers, and Black-necked Red Cotingas at Alfaro Island. After breakfast, our ship drifts silently downstream while we observe on both sides of the river lush green forest and occasionally a dugout canoe loaded with bags or people with merely an inch of freeboard showing.
At mid-morning we visit a typical Amazon jungle village at Paranaquiro to observe how these people live daily in this part of the world. We continue sailing down the Amazon River, passing a few jungle homes, which are light thatched-roof dwellings with countless natives, especially children, walking along the shoreline. After a lavish lunch served aboard, arrive at the channel of Caballo Cocha Lake. The next hour up the channel is amazing as it is only a hundred feet wide with countless varieties of animal sounds on both sides. Near the mouth of the channel it is easy to spot groups of grey and pink Amazon River dolphins arching silently out of the black water. At mid afternoon, ship ties up at the village of Caballo Cocha for a short walk. Then using the motorized-canoes our guide lead us to a piranha fishing trip, using just a wooden stick, line, hook and a cube of beef. After dinner, there will be time for alligator spotting with a flashlight and with the best of his skills our guide will catch an alligator with his bare hands! We enjoy additional opportunities for viewing nocturnal wildlife and Southern constellations while returning to the ship for overnight and continue our journey down the Amazon River. (B, L, D)

Day 04 (Tuesday) LETICIA/TABATINGA

After cruising all night, we awake this morning on the Amazon River at Santa Rosa Island (Peru). Breakfast is served aboard and then the motorized-canoes transfer us to the remote cities of Leticia, Colombia, and Tabatinga, Brazil for walking and visiting these two interesting cities at our own pace. We also have time to shop for souvenirs, or just relax with a refreshing soda in one of the local bar-restaurants adjoining the main square. Return to the M/V Arapaima right on time for our lunch aboard and sail up the Mighty Amazon River to Iquitos. From the observation deck, we have spectacular views of the forest as ship winds along a narrow section of the Amazon River on our way to Iquitos. Late afternoon, and If time permits, we make a brief stop at Micos Island on the Colombian side to spot a great number of monkey species and huge Victoria Amazonica Lily pads which are blooming in an estuary of the river bank. Later, stop by the Cayaru River where we have chances to see a huge variety of colorful birds, and with luck, three toed Sloths and some monkeys. Dinner aboard and as our ship moves against the river current through the night, we can observe, from the observation deck, the stars presenting a marvelous and incredible spectacle of both Southern and Northern constellations. (L, D)

Day 05 ( Wednesday) CRUISE / Camucheros

An early wake up call give us time for a cup of coffee or tea before leaving on motorized canoes for a bird watching excursion at one of the many oxbow lakes in the area. Right after breakfast, get ready for an extensive jungle walk through primary and secondary forest nearby the village of San Juan of Camucheros - Guides show how to survive in the jungle; finding food, water, learn how to make a fire; and point out termite nests, lizards, big trees, medicinal plants, and other type of wildlife. Here, we get a good start on understanding Amazon ecology. After lunch aboard the M/V ARAPAIMA, we experience a new venture into the virgin rainforest by entering TERRA FIRMA for a jungle hike and chances to spot a great variety of blossoming bromeliads, delicate orchids, ferns, huge Ceiba trees, strangler figs, lianas, vines, medicinal plants, frogs, caterpillars and ants. Then visit a nearby colpa to watch for blue-and-yellow macaws, white-throated toucans, tanagers, woodpeckers among other birds. Also we have chances to observe the distinctive red shining eyes of the black caimans along the narrow shorelines of a stream. Tonight ship continues sailing up the Mighty Amazon River while we are relaxing and absorbing the sights, sounds and smells of the lush forest from the top deck of the ship. (B, L, D)

Day 06 (Thursday) CRUISE / PEBAS

Very early in the morning, we grab our binoculars and set off to a small black-water lake, home to a myriad of birdlife. As we move on the tranquil waters of the Ampiyacu River, enjoy breathtaking views of the rainforest and spot pink river dolphins and a large collection of exotic birds. On returning from our bird watch, a filling breakfast will be served, then get ready to visit a Yagua Indian village to get a first-hand look at the daily lives of their people. The tour through the village lets us see the virtues of rainforest life, and highlights the problems facing a people caught between their own culture and traditions, and the imposing Western way of life. It is an amazing experience to chat with the village chief and his relatives who teach us their unique blowgun hunting techniques and perform some typical dances. Try out our bartering skills, or just buying their handicrafts, with westernized articles. The breeze on the river is quite comforting once we reach cruising speed, and the views are excellent from the observation deck of the ship. After lunch, we go out fishing for black and red piranhas at the Apayacu River, also habitat of other fish species such as arawana, sardine, and zungaro catfish. Sunsets are a special time in the Amazon as they can provide an unbelievable myriad of colors so this last afternoon have our camera at hand to take pictures when the sun begins to set behind the trees. (B, L, D)

Day 07 (Friday) ARRIVE IQUITOS

At mid-morning we arrive in Iquitos, and following breakfast and disembarkation, we have time to browse on our own pace by visiting some of the city's tourist sights, relaxing, shopping or just taking a motorized rickshaw, with a very inexpensive price, to ride around this exotic town. Transfer to the airport for flight to Lima. (B)

Note: Transfers from / to hotel or airport are not included and are charged as additional services. Also at additional cost, an array of activities like city tour, visit to local zoo, meals at local restaurants, jungle lodges before or after cruise program, suited to every interest, may also be scheduled.

Ship: M/F Arapaima Tourist Amazon Cruise Rates per person in US$ in double accomodation Program Days Duration Departure day Price   Ara 03 7D/6N Saturday 1,840.00 Download PDF