Amazon Tapiche Cruise
(Iquitos upriver to the Tapiche River system)Day 1, Friday, or Saturday:
Upon arrival in Lima, Peru, you are met at the airport and the local staff personnel will assist with your luggage and then transfer you into town to the colonial-style Hotel Antigua Miraflores for the overnight.
(Note: We suggest you consider arriving to Lima a day early and add an overnight in Iquitos. This will avoid a next day early morning flight from Lima to Iquitos and will allow to time explore Lima and Iquitos for a more leisurely start of the tour.)
An early morning flight across the snow-capped Andes Mountains and over the winding rivers of the Amazon, takes you from the urban jungle to the rainforest jungle. Upon arrival in the morning to the rubber-boom era, city of Iquitos, a representative meets and takes you to the dock to board the ship. En route is a short sight-seeing tour to view the Belen Market, Main Plaza, the Eiffel House, and boardwalk area. After settled onboard, your English-speaking, naturalist guide gives a general ship orientation, crew member introduction and ship's safety information while sailing along the city's riverfront commercial area. Departing a few miles downstream on the Itaya River, we soon meet up with the Amazon River viewing the islands, small villages, and farms.
A welcome buffet Peruvian lunch is served in the dining room while the M/V Arapaima sails upstream during the middle of the day. In the afternoon, the ship stops for a boating excursion at a black water lake for a closer look at the rainforest. (L, D)
Day 3:
By early morning we reach the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon Rivers, the point where the Amazon River takes its name and its waters flow over 2,300 miles downstream to the Atlantic Ocean. We continue cruising up the Ucayali River. Occasional fisherman paddling canoes and children living in villages along the shore greet us with smiles. While motoring, we have chances to observe a wide variety of birds, such as orioles, jacanas, ibis, egrets and eagles, that can be spotted in the trees and overhead.
After lunch and a lecture about the Amazon rainforest and local cultures, we will visit a nearby village on the Sapuenillo tributary for a short jungle walk. Afterwards, we continue sailing on the Ucayali River to the Tapiche River, a rich habitat for Amazon wildlife. (B, L, D)
Day 4:
We awake to dawn chorus of exotic sounds and join our naturalist guide for a bird-watching excursion on the Aleman tributary. We are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of different bird species; such as jacamars, Ibis, parrots, the spectacular red-and-green, blue-and-gold and Scarlet macaws, and other wildlife that reside within this green paradise. Near the ship, it is common to spot groups of pink and grey dolphins arching silently out of the black waters. After lunch is an optional lecture to give us more insights about the local ecology.
Around mid-afternoon we arrive at the small village of Galacia, where our guide leads us into the Amazon rainforest for an extensive jungle hike. We can marvel at the sudden changes in the vegetation as we observe different species of huge trees, colorful flowers, lianas (vines), and wildlife. We then get back into excursion boats to head into the jungle for more exploration. Birds call sporadically to each other in shrill chirps shattering the silence, while our eyes try to locate the sources of the noisy creatures.
After sunset is a night excursion for the South American crocodile, known as caiman. Guides using flashlights shine a bright light on the reeds of the distant shore, and the eyes of caimans light up like bicycle reflectors. They might pick up smaller caimans for a closer look and then subsequently return to the water. While dinner is served and through much of the night, the ship continues sailing further up the Tapiche River. (B, L, D)
Day 5:
At daybreak, we continue our fascinating cruise program by exploring the surroundings at Garza Lake, near the village of Iberia. Here we explore an Amazon flooded forest in search of primitive-looking birds called Hoatzins, and the huge variety of colorful birds, three-toed sloth, and numerous species of monkeys like Squirrel and Capuchin. While on the lake, (or cocha), the guides teach us how to catch piranhas and other species of fish like sardines and catfish with just cane poles.
After lunch, our naturalist guide, of whom many were born and grew up in nearby river villages, lead us on a nature walk. They will point out which plants are used for medicinal and healing purposes and how to find the leaves, vines and woods used to build homes. Naturalists will discuss the fascinating rainforest creatures we observe while moving through the dense forest. Following dinner, the top deck is a great place to keep an eye out for wildlife while the M/V Arapaima makes her way to our next destination. (B, L, D)
Day 6:
Early morning we arrive at the village of San Pedro, where after breakfast we have a chance to visit and enjoy the company of the local villagers. Children are especially intrigued and pleased by our visit, an opportunity that provides excellent photo possibilities. The guides are always on hand to escort, identify, and discuss the variety of plants and animal species we may find around the villages, and to answer questions about village life. After lunch, an optional lecture gives us chances to exchange our experiences in the village.
In the afternoon, an easy-paced hike through the forest (about three hours) gives us time to study and photograph the wilderness and wildlife. After this adventure-filled day, we return to the M/V Arapaima to relax in one of the hammocks on the sun deck and take a shower before a fantastic dinner while we start our cruise back to the Ucayali River. (B, L, D)
Day 7:
Early morning is the perfect time for exploring the rainforest because it is the most active time for birds and animals. After mid-morning, the ship will drop anchor in Ucayali River while we travel in the excursion boats up a tributary as daylight slowly dawns. Sunrise in the jungle usually provides an amazing nature experience, allowing us to see pairs of parrots flying overhead. Their distinctive squawks pierce the jungle air, along with other bird species such as; tinamous, herons, vultures, kingfishers, ibis, kites, woodpeckers, flycatchers and many more.
Following a hearty lunch, the naturalist conducts a lecture and discussion. During this talk we are taught about the fishes, plants, birds, the fascinating life of river dolphins, and details about weather patterns of the Amazon region. The afternoon allows time to explore for wildlife with an optional short jungle hike, or just relax in a hammock overlooking the breathtaking, panoramic views along the river.
Before sunset, a brief stop at the village of Libertad gives us a chance to better understand how people live in the Amazonia and an opportunity to buy some of the local handicrafts. (B, L, D)
Day 8, Friday, or Saturday:
After cruising all night down the Ucayali River, we awake this morning on the Amazon River. After breakfast, the M/V Arapaima moors at the Yanaquillo tributary for a boating excursion to see Victoria Amazonica water lilies, which can be several feet across and adorned with basketball-size flowers, in addition to other wildlife along the shore. We arrive in Iquitos midday and enjoy the afternoon at our leisure. You can walk or taxi through the streets of this exotic city, or have a cold drink and meal at one of the local restaurants around the main plaza and boulevard area.
Unless staying extra nights in Iquitos, the local staff personnel will assist with the late afternoon transfer to the airport and check-in for the flight to Lima. Connections to late night, USA return flights, arrive back into the USA early the next morning. (B)
You are welcome to call us anytime at 1-239-992-9660, or toll free at 800-446-9660 or email us at travel@GoExploring.com for a detailed Trip Brochure.
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