Amazon Frontiers Cruise
(Iquitos, Peru to Leticia, Colombia & Tabatinga, Brazil)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.)
Day 2:
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.
Later we enjoy a delicious buffet lunch featuring authentic Peruvian dishes. Next is a visit to a local sugarcane liquor, or "cachaza", factory at the Yanamono tributary. Late afternoon, we take the expedition boats further downstream to the mouth of the Napo River. This is where explorer Francisco de Orellana, the Spaniard in 1541 named the river "Amazonas" for the Amazons of Greek mythology as his expedition encountered fierce female warriors in the area. While we will not see warriors, we may see graceful herons with their slimmer postures reflected on the river, curious pink and gray river dolphins, countless birds and usually a colorful sunset. After dinner is time to witness the star-filled skies of the dark Amazonia. (B, L, D)
When we arise this morning, the ship will be docked near the village of Pevas at the mouth of Palometa tributary. Our tour guide takes us on a boating excursion to a nearby black water lake, or "cocha", for an early morning bird-watching adventure. Here we have lots of opportunities to look for exotic birds as well as other wildlife. 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 and whose young have claws on their wings to grasp branches.
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 have for centuries. We are invited into their communal building, or "Maloka", made the traditional way from wood poles with palm leaf thatched roof held together with jungle vines. Here they will discuss their culture, answer questions, and perform tribal dances. We also have time to buy, or trade, for the multicolored handicrafts they make using materials from the rainforest and river. The Boras and Huitotos still maintain some of their ancient traditions, values, and customs, such as using handmade tools in their everyday lives.
After lunch is a nature walk into primary and second-growth forest along the Limon tributary. We are likely to see oriole blackbirds, yellow-headed caracaras, Squirrel and Capuchin monkeys, colorful butterflies, leaf-cutter ants, among giant trees like the Kapok which merge overhead to form a verdant archway. The forest botanical resources include leaves the size of umbrellas, vines with incredible sizes and shapes, and a wealth of medicinal plants. Along the trail, we learn which plants are edible and which are poisonous (from the guide - not by tasting).
After dinner, is a night boating excursion to look for nocturnal wildlife and stargaze. (B, L, D)
Day 4:
Early this morning, we explore the rainforest along the banks of the Amazon River at Alfaro Island in the expedition launches. We should hear and perhaps see monkeys and various birds such as toucans, parrots, kingfishers, and Black-necked Red Cotingas.
After breakfast, we continue downstream while we observe the lush green forest along the river's sides. Occasionally we pass a dugout canoe with barely an inch of freeboard showing from the load of people and cargo.
Mid-morning, we visit a typical Amazon village at Paranaquiro to observe and learn how the people live within their environment. We continue sailing down the Amazon River, passing a few thatched-roof, jungle homes, with natives, especially children, walking along the shoreline.
After the lunch, we arrive at the entrance to Caballo Cocha lake. The next hour up the channel is amazing as it is only a hundred feet wide with countless varieties of animal sights and sounds along the banks. Near the mouth of the channel it is usual to spot groups of grey and pink Amazon River dolphins arching silently out of the black waters. At mid-afternoon, the ship docks at the village of Caballo Cocha for a short walk around the little town. Afterwards, our guide leads us on a fishing trip, where we use cane poles to catch piranha and examine various fish species.
After dinner, a night boating excursion takes us caiman spotting with a flashlight and with practiced skills, our guide will catch an caiman with his bare hands! We enjoy additional opportunities for viewing nocturnal wildlife and star constellations while returning to the ship and continuation of our journey down the Amazon River. (B, L, D)
Day 5:
After cruising all night, we awake on the Amazon River at Santa Rosa Island (Peru), an area called Tres Fronteras, where the borders of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil meet. After breakfast the launches transfer us to the joined cities of Leticia, Colombia, and Tabatinga, Brazil. We then have free time for personal exploration of these frontier towns. You can arrange a visit to the local museum or zoo, shop the markets and souvenir giftshops, or just relax in a street-side cantina, ice cream shop, or restaurant adjoining the main square.
Midday, we return to the M/V Arapaima for lunch and sail up the Amazon River, back towards Iquitos. From the observation deck, we have spectacular views of the forest as ship winds along a narrow section of the Amazon River.
Late afternoon, we make a brief stop at Micos Island on the Colombian side of the river to view a monkey species and huge Victoria Amazonica Lily pads which bloom in an estuary off the river bank.
Later, we stop by the Cayaru River to see a variety of colorful birds, and with luck, three toed Sloths and monkeys. As the ship moves against the river current through the night, we can observe the stars presenting a marvelous and incredible spectacle of both Southern and Northern constellations. (B, L, D)
Day 6:
An early wake up call give us time for a cup of coffee or tea before embarking on a bird watching excursion by boat at one of the many oxbow lakes.
After return and breakfast, is an extensive jungle walk through primary and secondary forest nearby the village of San Juan of Camucheros. The guide will show how to survive in the jungle; finding food, water, showing how to make a fire; and point out termite nests, lizards, big trees, medicinal plants, and other type of wildlife. The outing provides a good foundation for understanding how man has adapted to the Amazon environment.
After lunch, we venture into virgin rainforest by entering "terra firma" for a jungle hike to view a great variety of blossoming bromeliads, delicate orchids, ferns, huge Ceiba trees, strangler figs, lianas, (vines), medicinal plants, reptiles and insects. Then we visit a nearby colpa (clay lick) to watch for blue-and-yellow macaws, white-throated toucans, tanagers, woodpeckers among other birds.
As darkness falls, we have chances to observe the distinctive reflective red eyes of the black caimans along the narrow shorelines of a stream. Tonight the ship continues sailing up the Amazon River while we relax and absorb the sights, sounds and smells of the lush forest from the ship. (B, L, D)
Day 7:
Early in the morning, we set off to a small blackwater lake, home to a myriad of bird species. As we boat the tranquil waters of the Ampiyacu River, we enjoy breathtaking views of the rainforest and look for pink dolphins and exotic birds. Upon return from wildlife watching, a filling breakfast is served.
After breakfast, we visit a Yagua Indian village to get a firsthand look at the daily lives of these 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 is an amazing experience to chat with the village chief and his relatives who teach us their unique blowgun techniques and perform traditional dances. It is also a good chance to try out our bartering skills for handicrafts (or just buying their handicrafts). Returning to the ship and cruising, we may enjoy the cooling breezes and outstanding views from the observation deck.
After lunch, we go out fishing for black and red piranhas at the Apayacu River, which is also habitat for such other fish species as arawana, sardine, and zungaro catfish. The evenings are a special time in the Amazon as they can provide an unbelievable myriad of colors, so this last afternoon, have your camera at hand to take pictures as the sun sets over the jungle. (B, L, D)
Day 8, Friday, or Saturday:
We arrive into Iquitos mid-morning. Following breakfast and disembarkation, as your luggage is stored for later, you have time to browse around this exotic town at our own pace. You can explore the city's tourist sights, shop, relax at Ari's Burger cafe, and even ride on a motorized rickshaw. An array of activities like a city tour, visit to the local zoo, and meals at local restaurants, may also be arranged (at an additional cost).
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)
NOTE: These daily itineraries are scheduled guidelines and it is important to allow room for the unpredictable and unexpected surprises that make each trip unique. We find it is more satisfying to let the jungle, the weather, and our naturalist guides lead the way. We trust the expert guides to modify the itinerary for the particular interests and safety of the group.
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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