Luxury Amazon Cruises: La Perla

Day 1 : Iquitos > Nauta > Marañón River > Nauta Cano

You will be met at the airport on arrival and enjoy a city tour of Iquitos before transferring to the historic port town of Nauta. Here, board La Perla and settle in as you sail down the Marañón River. Your naturalist guides will present the trip plan and the scheduled activities, followed by a welcome lunch and your first experience with the delights of regional cuisine. Late afternoon enjoy a night boat excursion to the Nauta Caño area, in search of animals that can only be seen when the sun goes down: alligators, bats, frogs, tarantulas and other species that inhabit the Amazon basin. Return to the ship for dinner.

Day 2 : Pacaya Samiria National Reserve > Yanayacu de Pucate > San Regis > Amazonian Natural Park

This morning enjoy a fun picnic breakfast on the Yanayacu River in Pucate, one of the best protected and preserved areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This area is often visited by pink dolphins. After, take a ride in local canoes, paddling through one of the most beautiful aquatic ecosystems in the world. Also, if you want, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the river.

Back on the ship for lunch, there is time to rest before a talk with your guides about traditional Amazon philosophy. Later, meet the shaman of the San Regis community, a wise woman from the native community who will share her knowledge about the rituals of the ancestors and medicinal plants. Continue with the ceremony of planting a tree, as a contribution to caring for the environment. Back on board, relax with live music before dinner.

Day 3 : Pacaya Samiria National Reserve > Amazonian Natural Park > Shiriyacu

Early dawn in the Amazon has a special charm and is the perfect time to spot many animal and insect species. For this reason, you have a boat excursion before breakfast this morning to Iquitos Brook, home to numerous endemic species. After breakfast back on board, enjoy a walk through the jungle to the hanging bridges, a set of structures stretched out on top of the trees that will allow you to experience a canopy walk and admire the richness of the jungle from higher grounds.

Return to the ship for lunch on board and time to relax. Then embark on a boat expedition to the Shiriyacu stream for a spot of piranha fishing, using local equipment and techniques. This area is also very popular for spotting pink dolphins. Upon returning to the ship, relax with live music before a delicious dinner on board.

Day 4 : Nauta > Amazon River > Yacapana Gorge > Iquitos

Early this morning the boat departs towards Gasparito Brook, a great area for bird and primate watching. After breakfast, the bartender will give a Peruvian cocktail demonstration, making Pisco Sours, the emblematic drink of Peru.

After disembarking head to Iquitos, en route visiting the Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as Manatees Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species. Learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, other animals are also rescued, treated and returned to the wild. Arrangements end on arrival at Iquitos Airport.