Peruvian Amazon Cruise Holiday Extension

Transfer from our Lima hotel to the airport and fly to Iquitos. On arrival, travel by road to Nauta, a riverside town on the banks of the Marañón River. We board the MV Delfin III and settle into the welcoming suites, equipped with orthopaedic beds, pure cotton sheets and air-conditioning. After a welcome cocktail and orientation, we head out on our first wildlife excursion along the Marañón River – a great chance to spot birds and monkeys while admiring all the colours of an Amazonian sunset.

Cruise along the Samiria River, scanning the trees and skies for hoatzins, capuchins, sloths, toucans, macaws, and perhaps even some river otters. After dark, enjoy a nighttime safari in search of caimans, fishing bats and noisy night monkeys that we’ll likely hear before we see! Along the riverbanks, we might be able to spot some of the rainforest’s inhabitants, including capybaras, monkeys and macaws. Later, walk through the Amazon Natural Park to learn about this region’s remarkable medicinal plants – over 1,000 species are used locally to treat everything from fevers to snakebites.

This morning, explore the calm waters of the Yanayacu and Pucate Rivers – some of the Amazon’s most pristine tributaries. If you’re feeling adventurous, board a kayak and venture out onto the water. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the famous pink river dolphins nearby! Later, visit a riverside (ribereño) community to get a feel for rainforest living. The friendly locals show us how they cook, harvest, and live – a really unique experience and a chance to gain insight into daily life in the jungle. A guided afternoon walk along the Fundo Casual trail is packed with sights, so keep your eyes peeled for creatures such as Rainbow boas, porcupines, Poison dart frogs, and possibly the elusive Two-toed sloth.

Skim quietly along the Yarapa River to spot monkeys and exotic birdlife, soundtracked by the rich sounds of the jungle. Keep an eye out for the Pygmy marmoset – the world’s smallest monkey – and the thick-furred Monk saki. This area is incredibly rich in wildlife, and we hope to spot hawks, monkeys, herons and more. This afternoon, cruise to the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers (known as the Unión de los Ríos) upstream of Iquitos. Toast to your unforgettable journey as the sun sets over this vast, life-filled landscape. Remember to keep your camera handy this evening, as this scenic landscape presents lots of great photo opportunities!

As our adventure begins to draw to a close, disembark in Nauta and visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre of River Mammals on the way to Iquitos. Here, we meet rescued baby manatees and learn about local conservation efforts. We continue to the airport for our flight to Lima, where we are met and transferred to Sol de Oro Hotel & Suites for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to begin our journey home.