AMAZON RIVER – YANAYACU OF YACAPANA- AMAZON BIRTH  PLACE- PIRANA CREEK- NAUTA CREEK – MARANON RIVER.

Yanayacu of Yacapana Exploration. Board our comfortable excursion skiffs for your first adventure. Life jackets, ponchos, rubber boots, and plenty of cold drinking water are always available for you on board the skiffs. Early birdwatching into the native kukama reserve (yanayacu of yucapana). This reserve has about 17 black waters lakes, bountiful in wildlife and home of Ayacucho and San Juan native   communities. This morning we will observe monkeys, parrots, macaws and learn more about nature. Breakfast. Our lavish daily buffet breakfast offers a wide selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, homemade baked goods and fresh-squeezed juices. Amazon birth place expedition. After breakfast, the Zafiro skirts the edges of Pacaya- Samiria Reserve, a flooded forest covering five million acres at the headwaters of the Amazon basin.

Board our comfortable excursion skiffs for your expedition on the confluence where the Maranon and Ucayali Rivers join together forming the mighty Amazon River. Nature here appears especially dramatic: birdsong  accompanies your morning excursion as you glide past river banks inhabited by large-billed terns, laughing falcons, gray tanagers, and sandpipers, five kinds of parakeets, the exotic short-tailed parrot, and countless other colorful birds. We will explore the first river into the Pacaya and Samiria National Reserve named: piranha creek, in searching of wildlife; this area is known as the parrot-parakeet paradise.

Return to the Zafiro at 11:30 followed by lunch, Peruvian inspired midday flares in our air-conditioning dining room, while we start to sail up the Maranon River. Amazonian Philosophy Lecture. One of our naturalist guides will introduce you about the idiosyncrasy, beliefs and deep thoughts of the Amazonian people, such as the spirituality that is everywhere and not only on human beings.

Late Afternoon excursions to Nauta Creek within Pacaya-Samiria Reserve which is known as the mirrored forest, which makes perfect sense as you gaze upon its glistening black water lagoons. Our naturalist guides use their eagle eyes to help you spot toucans, parrots and macaws overhead and iguanas, sloths and monkeys among the soaring trees. On the way back to the Zafiro, the glorious sunset is reflected in these glistening waters.

Return to the Zafiro.

Perhaps sip a pisco sour on the observation deck with a live music concert from our local band followed by another Peruvianinspired dinner.

Optional Nocturnal boat ride to enjoy the symphony from the night and constellations, as well as search for caimans, tarantulas, boa constrictors and more.

YANAYACU OF PUCATE – YANAYAQUILLO – CREEK PERDIDA – TIGER RIVER – NAHUAPA 

Yanayacu of pucate and Yanayaquillo exploration, followed by  delicious breakfast aboard the skiffs. Early in the morning you will start cruising through the Yanayacu and Pucate Rivers, peeking into different creeks and lagoons. This is one of the best preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will use his expert ey¬¬e to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. This is also a popular dolphin feeding spot so we won´t be the only one enjoying our happy meal here.

Return to the Zafiro at 11:00 to enjoy a delicious lunch followed by heartwarming siesta. If you want to interact directly with the waters of the Amazon, go out on one of our paddle boards. You will even have the opportunity to swim in the river along with the famous pink dolphins!

In the afternoon, enjoy a lecture about Geographical orientation in our air-conditioned Indoor Lounge. Learn about hydrography of rivers to explore sustainable species according to the natural resources of the area.

Perdida Creek Expedition. On this late afternoon excursion, you are going to have a skiff boat expedition into this beautiful creek, full of colorful birds, such us: Paradise tanager, masked crimson tanager, Wood peckers, awls, scarlet crowned barbet and enjoy the great symphony they create.

Return to the Zafiro for Dinner.

Night excursion into Tiger River to a place called Nahuapa.

Tiger River is one of most important tributaries that flow into the Maranon River owning hundreds of other small rivers flowing into the main Tiger River. We will explore one of those small rivers called Nahuapa to look for caimans, snakes, tarantulas, night monkeys, nocturnal birds such as boat billed heronsgreat potoos and more. Wildlife is always active early in the morning, late afternoon and night, turning out into an amazing experience.

MARANON RIVER – SAMIRIA RIVER – SAN MARTIN DE TIPISHCA

Samiria River expedition. After breakfast our skiffs skim the Samiria River and its tributaries, where an abundance of wildlife hides in the deep rainforest, such as blue and yellow macaws, scarlet macaws, toucans, umbrella birds, monkeys, and river others, capybaras and more. Return to the Zafiro at 11:00 followed by lunch.

Amazon lecture. Learn about where the amazon name comes from, and flora and fauna that inhabit there.

Village Visit. Meet the genuinely welcoming people of San Martin de Tipishca kukama community Amazonia at this riverside community. Your naturalist guide acts as interpreter so that you may talk with them about their life along the Amazon. Of course, no one has to interpret these kids’ bright smiles and wide eyed curiosity about you. This visit also offers an excellent opportunity to buy easy to pack artisanal handicrafts, from painted coconut bowls to surprisingly chic seed bead jewelry.

Tipishca Lake formed over 100 years ago by the Las Piedras River Cutting through the neck of a sharp meander. Lake Tipishca harbors good fish stocks, including piranha and catfish. Bird life on the lake is plentiful, the lake attracts many species which include, blue and yellow macaw, grey-necked wood-rails, putrescent

tiger-herons, wattle jacanas, amazon and pygmy kingfishers, green ibis, black –collared hawk, black capped mocking thrush and yellow-rumped caciques. You might also spot hoatzins; red capped cardinals, and ringed kingfishers.

Enjoy live music from our local band aboard the Zafiro followed by a splendid

dinner.

MARANON RIVER – PAMPA CREEK – SHIRIYACU- CHECK OUT – DISEMBARK AT NAUTA – CITY TOUR – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT 

Pampa creek expedition. Before breakfast early birdwatching. We follow its shoreline, sure to surprise the many species of monkeys and birds, including terns, neo-tropic cormorants, egrets, herons, hawks, and our favorite horned screamers. Return to the Zafiro followed by breakfast. At 09:00 am, begins your expedition for fishing the famous piranhas into Shiriyacu stream, and walk into the jungle to meet a local healer to learn about complementary medicine from the amazon and ancestral traditions that we have been losing. This experience will give us the opportunity to formulate questions to the healer and know a bit more about our former traditions. Return to the Zafiro at 11:30 am followed by an early lunch. Share a last lunch with your fellow passengers, before beginning your homeward journey.

Itinerary Addendum

The itineraries are subject to change due to weather conditions at certain times of the year. The water levels of the rivers also vary from time to time, as well as the hours of sailing. Excursions may be modified at the discretion of the Zafiro crew.

Weather

The weather in Iquitos is warm and humid and the temperature varies between 33 °C (90 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F).

The rainy (high water) season is from November to May. The dry (low water) season is from June to October. Each season boasts dramatic difference in plants, animals, and weather.

Clothing

Light and fresh pieces, blouses, long-sleeved shirts, swimwear, shoes with soft rubber sole for the boat (rubber boots and rain ponchos are provided by us), cardigan or long-sleeved shirts, wind resistant jackets.

The days are hot and humid while the night breeze is fresh.

Insects & Mosquitoes

We recommend taking Vitamin B or B-15 a few days before arrival to the jungle. These vitamins are the best natural repellent against insect bites.

As well, do not forget to bring conventional repellent and cream for bites.

Note: Please note that changes and adjustments in the itinerary may occur due to weather conditions, river conditions, and/or airline issues.

We suggest that you coordinate with anticipation with the airline or travel agency through which you have organized your journey with us. Jungle Experiences is not responsible for such contingencies.

Included:

• All meals while onboard, ( arrival day: dinner; cruise days: all meals; departure day: breakfast & lunch).Natural juices, soda, coffee, tea, water and beer.
• All excursions & equipment (including rubber boots & rain ponchos).
• Transfer to/from vessel when arriving on recommended flights to Iquitos.
• Entrance fee to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

Not Included:

• Air tickets to and from Iquitos – Cost of medical emergencies (including evacuation)
• Tipping guidelines: We recommend and amount in the range of US$ 20 -US$ 30 per passenger per night for the crew and between US$ 7 -US$ 10 per passenger per night for the guides – Any additional transportation services – Any additional bar consumptions

Fit Reservations & Payments:

• For reservations made 101 days or more prior to departure: a deposit of US$450.00 per person is required to confirm the booking. The final balance is required 100 days prior to the departure day . If the payment is not received on time, the reservation(s) will be automatically released.
• For reservations made 100 days or less prior to departure: a full non-refundable payment is required to confirm the booking.

Fit Cancelations Policy:

• Cancellations made 131 days or more prior to departure: the deposit will be refunded, less US$ 150.00 administrative fee per person.
• Cancellations made 130 to 101 days prior to departure: all deposits are non refundable.
• Cancellations made 100 days or less prior to departure: full payment will be applied as the cancellation penalty.