AMAZON RIVER – DESTILERY – AMAZON BIRTH PLACE – MARANON RIVER – NAUTA CREEK (PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE)

Sunrise over the River. Catch your first glimpse of the Amazon, as you watch the sun come up over this vibrant world of wonderful wildlife. Early birdwatching in the middle of the Amazon River.

This morning we will observe parrots, macaws and learn from nature. Early rising is always rewarding since wildlife is most abundant and active with the rising of the sun.

Breakfast. Our lavish daily buffet breakfast offers a wide selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, homemade baked goods and freshsqueezed 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.

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.

YANAYACU OF PUCATE – SAN JACINTO SHORT WALK – TIGER RIVER (NAHUAPA) – PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE

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.

Short walk expedition to San Jacinto Lake, searching for wildlife and learning about medicinal plants. San Jacinto is a lagoon in the Pacaya and Samiria national park surrounded by an amazing diversity of plants, insects etc. This morning we will learn about the green pharmacy to understand the importance of preserving what we have left, only in one bromeliad (air plant) we find over 400 different types of living organisms, and during this walk we will check those fallen ones and learn about them. Return to the Zafiro and 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 herons-great 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,  apybaras 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 guideacts 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 sumptuous dinner.

MARANON RIVER – CHIRIYACU LAGOON – CHECK OUT – DISEMBARK AT NAUTA – CITY TOUR – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

Maranon River Exploration. Before breakfast, early birdwatching in our skiff boats among the Maranon River searching for bank species. The Maranon River it has a great outflow and many tributaries which give to its basin bountiful species. Return to the Zafiro  ollowed 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

Itinerary

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.