Ara 04
Iquitos to Tapiche Reserve
7 days / 6 nights cruise
Departures: Saturday
Rates expressed in US$

DAY 1: Saturday - ARRIVE IQUITOS

Our early-morning flight takes us from Lima across the majestic snow-capped Andes Mountains to the tropical forest and winding rivers of the Amazon and the exotic city of Iquitos. After collecting our luggage, we are met by our English-speaking naturalist/guide to make our way by 45' minute bus ride through Iquitos' most interesting sites, such as Belen Market, the Eiffel or Iron house, Main Square and cathedral to dock area, where we board the M/V ARAPAIMA. After settling in our cabins, guides provide a general orientation, along with staff introduction, a discussion of safety procedures on board, amenities and excursions to be held for this day. We depart a few miles downstream on the Itaya River to meet the Mighty Amazon and upriver. A Peruvian welcome buffet lunch is served in the dining room while the M/V ARAPAIMA sails during the middle of the day, stopping in the afternoon for a motorized boat excursion at a black water lake. (L, D)

DAY 2: Sunday - SAPUENILLO

This very early morning we reach the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon rivers, the point where the Amazon River takes its name and its waters flow to the Atlantic Ocean. Occassionally, fisherman paddling canoes and children living in villages along the bank greet us with a smile. We have chances to observe a wide variety of birds, such as orioles, jacanas, ibis, egrets and eagles, that can be spotted in the trees and overhead. We continue cruising the left branch of the Ucayali River. After lunch and a lecture about the vast Amazon rainforest and culture we visit a village nearby Sapuenillo Creek for a short jungle walk. Then, we continue sailing along the Ucayali River to the Tapiche River, a new Amazon wildlife refuge. Dinner and overnight on board/ (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Monday - TAPICHE / Aleman / Galacia

We awake to the exotic sounds of the dawn chorus and join our naturalist-guides for a bird-watching excursion at Aleman Creek. We are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of different species we might see here including jacamars, Ibis, parrots, the spectacular red-and-green, blue-and-gold and Scarlet macaws among other wildlife that reside within this virgin paradise. Near the ship, which is anchored, it is easy to spot groups of pink and grey dolphins arching silently out of the black waters. A lavish buffet lunch is served on board followed by an optional lecture. Around mid-afternoon we arrive at Galacia village where our naturalist-guides lead us into the Amazon rainforest for an extensive jungle hike. We marvel at the sudden changes in the vegetation as we observe different species of huge trees, colorful flowers, lianas, and some wildlife. When the day again cools we have time to get back into our motorized aluminum boats to head into the jungle once more for exploration. Invisible birds call sporadically to each other in shrill chirps shattering the silence, like distant gunshots, while our eyes dart in all directions, trying to locate the sources of these occasional sounds. Our tour ends with a night excursion for the South American crocodile known as caiman. Guides using flashlights shine a bright light on the reeds of the distant shore, and the eyes of caimans light up like bike reflectors. They might pick up small caimans for a closer look and subsequently return them to the same spot where our light located them. Dinner is served aboard while the ship continues sailing up and deep into the Tapiche River. (B, L, D)

DAY 04: Tuesday - TAPICHE / Iberia

At daybreak, we continue our fascinating cruise program by exploring the surroundings at Garza Lake or cocha, nearby Iberia, visiting an Amazon flooded forest in search of primitive-looking birds called Hoatzins, and also have the chance to see a huge variety of colorful birds, three-toed sloth and numerous species of monkeys like Squirrel and Capuchin. Guides teach us how to catch piranhas and other species of fish like sardines and catfish with just a wooden stick, fishing line, a hook and a cube of beef or chicken. After lunch, our on-board naturalist-guides, most of whom were born and who grew up in nearby river villages, lead us on a jungle hike, pointing out which plants are for medicinal and healing purposes and how to look for leaves, lianas and pieces of wood people in the Amazon use to build their houses. Naturalists discuss with us the fascinating rainforest creatures we may observe while moving through the dense woodland. Following dinner, the top deck is a great place to keep an eye out for wildlife while the M/V Arapaima makes her way to our next destination. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Wednesday - TAPICHE / San Pedro

Early morning we arrive at the village of San Pedro, where after breakfast we have a chance to visit, talk and enjoy the atmosphere of the local villagers. The children, especially, are intrigued and pleased by our visit, an opportunity that provides excellent photograph possibilities. Naturalist-guides are always on-hand to escort guests, to identify and discuss the thousands of plants and animal species we may find around the villages, and all sort of questions about their lifestyle in the Amazon rainforest. Lunch is served on board, an optional lecture gives us chances to interchange our experiences in the village. In the afternoon, a hike through the forest for about three hours at an easy pace gives us time to study and photograph the wilderness and wildlife all around us. After this adventure-filled day, we return to the M/V Arapaima to relax in one of the hammocks at the sun deck or just take a hot shower preparing ourselves for a fantastic dinner while we start our cruise back to the Ucayali River. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Thursday - TAPICHE / Requena / Yucuruchi

Early morning, as per our naturalist-guides, is the perfect time for exploring the rainforest because it is the most active time for birds and animals - after mid-morning, because of the heat, the wildlife tend to sleep or to rest - so the ship drops anchor in mid-Ucayali River and we travel in the aluminum boats up a tributary as daylight slowly dawns in an amazing experience, allowing us to see parrots flying overhead in pairs, their distinctive squawks piercing the jungle air, along with other species such as tinamous, herons, vultures, kingfishers, ibis, kites, woodpeckers, flycatchers and many, many more. Following a hearty lunch, and when the outside temperature is uncomfortably hot, we have a lecture and slide show, if available, by our naturalist experts. During this talk we are taught about the fishes, plants, birds, the fascinating life of river dolphins and details about weather patterns of the Amazon region. The rest of the afternoon brings time to explore for wildlife, taking an optional short jungle hike or just relax in a hammock overlooking breath-taking panoramic views along the river. Before sunset a brief stop at Libertad village gives us a chance to understand how these people live in the Amazon and buy some of the handicrafts they make. Dinner is served on board. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Friday - Yanaquillo / DEPART IQUITOS

After cruising all night down the Ucayali River, we awake this morning on the Mighty Amazon. After breakfast, the M/V Arapaima moors at the Yanaquillo creek for a boat excursion to see Victoria Amazonica water lilies, which can be several feet across and adorned with basketball-size flowers, and some wildlife along river shores. We arrive in Iquitos around midday and enjoy the afternoon at our leisure. We can walk through the stunning streets of this exotic city or have a cold drink at one of the local restaurants in front of the Main Square or Boulevard area. At late-afternoon, we transfer to the hotel or 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 04 4D/3N Saturday 1,730.00 Download PDF