Sail down the Mighty Amazon River to the frontier cities of Leticia (Colombia) and Tabatinga (Brazil). Spend your days hiking through lush forests, visiting remote Indian villages and learn their way of life in the jungle. Discover quiet small tributaries on our small excursion boats and be surprised by pink and grey dolphins suddenly surfacing, carving a gracefularc in the air and disappear in the water.

 

IQT-30 M/V RIO AMAZONAS
Iquitos to Leticia/Tabatinga cruise
4 day / 3 night - Depart Iquitos

Day 01: Arrive Iquitos / Cruise
Arrive in the jungle frontier city of Iquitos in the morning hours. A representative will meet us at the airport and bring us to Iquitos’ main dock area where we board the M/F 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 the 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/Y Arapaima for dinner and overnight on board. (L, D)
We suggest our customers to arrive one day prior or in the early morning hours of the ship's departure day.

A day on the M/F Arapaima begins with a hearty breakfast which will normally be served between 7:00 and 8:30 AM followed, or preceded, by daily excursions. During a "normal" day in the Amazon we will take three excursions which may focus on bird watching, fishing for piranhas, short and long day and night jungle walks into primary and secondary forests and visits to local Indian communities and small Amazon villages. Lunch is ready between 12:30 and 2:00 PM and dinner is served between 7:30 and 9:00 PM. The bar opens from 9:00 AM till 11:00 PM.

Day 02 : Palometa / Pebas
When we arise this morning, the M/Y 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 Huitoto Indian community where we receive a warm welcome from the chief and villagers alike. This visit carries 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 Huitotos 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/F 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: Cruise / Caballococha
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 : Arrive 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. Early afternoon, transfer to Leticia / Tabatinga airport or local hotel if needed. (B)

Package Include:

- Welcome drink
- Accommodations in air conditioned cabins
- All shore excursions and sightseeing  as described *
- Naturalist English speaking guide
- Snacks (certain days)
- Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Package not Include

- International and domestic airfare (can be quoted separately)
- Airport transfers
- Hotels
- Tours not offered in the program
- Any type of insurance
- Tips to porters, drivers, crew and Tour Guides
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
- Domestic airport taxes of US$6.00 at each airport in Peru and International departure taxes of US$31.00 upon leaving Peru
- Any other services not mentioned in itinerary

IQT-31 M/Y Arapaima RIO AMAZONAS
Leticia/Tabatinga to Iquitos cruise
4 day / 3 night - Depart LET/TBT

Day 01-Arrive Tabatinga (Brazil) or Leticia (Colombia) / Cruise

Upon arrival in Leticia / Tabatinga airport, or hotel, we are met by a representative and transferred by car, through these frontier cities, then by boat, across the Amazon River, to Santa Rosa Island ( Peru ) for embarkation and boarding the M /Y/ Arapaima Our naturalist English-speaking guide gives us general ship orientation and provide ship’s safety information. 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 02 : A day on the M/F Arapaima begins with a hearty breakfast which will normally be served between 7:00 and 8:30 AM followed, or preceded, by daily excursions. During a "normal" day in the Amazon we will take three excursions which may focus on bird watching, fishing for piranhas, short and long day and night jungle walks into primary and secondary forests and visits to local Indian communities and small Amazon villages. Lunch is ready between 12:30 and 2:00 PM and dinner is served between 7:30 and 9:00 PM. The bar opens from 9:00 AM till 11:00 PM.

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/Y 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 03: Cruise / Pebas
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's 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 04 Arrive / Depart 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)

IQT-32 M/V
RIO AMAZONAS
7 day / 6 night

Depart Iquitos Sunday 12:00 Noon
Arrive Iquitos Saturday 07:00am
Combines the down river and up river cruises for a closer and more leisurely look at life on the Amazon. Wednesday morning, while the ship will remain in Santa Rosa Island , Peru , you will be transferred across the Amazon River to the twin cities of Leticia , Colombia and Tabatinga , Brazil . Plenty of time to shop and walk along both cities on your own pace. You might want to visit the local zoo and museum (NOT included in our cruise rate). Noon return across the river and board the M/V Rio Amazonas for the up river sailing.
Note that different shore excursions are made on the down and up river segments. The Amazon area has so many things to offer to our clients who are willing to taste a little bit of this fantastic paradise full of flora and fauna as well as its incredible people.
Note: Airport and hotel transfers are NOT included in our cruise rates. These services will be provided upon request only and charged additionally.

M/V RIO AMAZONAS - 2005 RATES
Cruise	Twin	Single	Triple	Quad
IQT-30, -31 (3 night cruise)
FIT 1-9 persons (Stand. Cabin)
Group 10+ persons (Stand. Cabin)
Junior Suite
Senior Suite
IQT-32 (6 night cruise)
FIT 1-9 persons (Stand. Cabin)
Group 10+ persons (Stand. Cabin)
Junior Suite
Senior Suite