Morning train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu.  Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca "Virgins of the Sun" took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Guided tour of the ruins upon arrival.  Free time for lunch and return by train to Cusco.

Wandering through this lovely city, exploring the astonishing narrow streets of this tile roof colonial town will be your unforgettable experience. You will find something astounding at every turn. Great buys are the traditional Peruvian handicrafts, alpaca-wool sweaters and rugs, ponchos, pottery, gold and silver jewelry, leather goods, etc.  Because there are such a variety of products, we strongly suggest that when you like any particular item, you should buy it - you may not find the same item in other store. Many visitors to Cusco return home wishing they had some free time in Cusco to discover this imperial city on their own, a free morning in Cusco is a MUST! 

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Iquitos.  Upon arrival at the airport, we will be waiting for you to take you to Hilton Iquitos DoubleTree hotel, where you will receive the first orientation talk on the adventure you are about to begin. Then, we will head in a private vehicle to the city of Nauta, the historical fluvial port where we will be boarding.

Before our arrival to Nauta, we will stop by in Iquitos, a colorful and dynamic city with a captivating history. Here, you will appreciate the most emblematic local attractions and for those who wish, enjoy a snack.

Once in Nauta (two hours from Iquitos), we will board La Perla cruise ship and our staff will accompany you to your cabin, equipped especially for you, with all the comfort you need for a pleasant trip.

The ship will initiate the trip and head towards the confluence of the rivers Marañon and Ucayali, the rainforest’s majestic location where the Amazon River is born. Next, our naturalist guides will present the travel plan, the pre-established routes (road map), the programmed activities, and best of all: they will begin to introduce you to the extraordinary world of the Amazon’s wildlife. Pay attention to their advice and recommendations, and keep in mind that if you have any doubts or questions, our guides are here to help you.

Following the presentation aboard, we will have a welcome lunch, your first experience with the delights of regional cuisine. The menu offers various options, including a vegetarian alternative. If you have any particular restriction or requirement, please let our crew know in advance so we can take care of it as soon as possible.

In the afternoon, we will start a boat outing in direction to the Communal Reserve of Yanayacu de Yacapana to explore its amazing flora and fauna. Towards the evening, we will go in search of animals that can only be seen when the night falls: caimans, bats, frogs, tarantulas and other species found in our rainforest’s lush mounts.

After this first immersion in the Peruvian Amazon’s universe, we will go back to the ship to enjoy dinner, get some rest and recuperate energies.

*TAKE NOTE ITINERARY CAN CHANGE DUE TO LEVEL WATER OF THE RIVER IN CERTAIN SEASONS

At dawn, we will take a boat to go back, silently, to the Communal Reserve of Yanayacu de Yacapana and observe the beautiful Amazon birds that fill the bushy treetops: parrots, macaws, among many others. We will also see sloths (lazy bears), iguanas, monkeys and, of course, the pink and red dolphins which have made this place so popular. A true natural scenery of color and life in the heart of the rainforest.

After this exciting outing and back in the ship, we will enjoy the delicious buffet breakfast which daily offers a selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked home-made products and a variety of fresh fruit juices prepared with exotic rainforest fruits which you can only taste in this region.

Having finished breakfast, we are ready to initiate a new boat outing, this time in the Yarapa River, in search of new impressive sceneries and more emblematic Amazon species. Next, we will visit the Vista Alegre village and learn about its local native community and their traditions having our guides as interpreters and translators. We will also have the opportunity to visit a butterfly farm.

The early morning hours have a special feeling to connect ourselves with the rainforest and are a unique opportunity to do some birdwatching. In this third morning, we have programmed for you a boat outing before breakfast. This time, our destination will be Marayali river stream, a privileged area for birdwatching numerous endangered species. Back aboard, buffet breakfast will be served and will be followed by an exploration outing in the Pahuachiro area, another gem to appreciate Amazon biodiversity.

At noon, lunch is served, then you will have some time to rest and prepare for our next adventure: a walk by the rainforest’s winding trails. Previous to this activity, our guides will offer a practical talk on geographical orientation techniques and resources for this type of territory. The walk will be in the beautiful area of Casual, inhabited by poisonous frogs and countless exotic species. In this area, we can also observe a variety of gigantic trees, known by the locals as “Avatar”.

Before returning to La Perla, still in the mount, we will enjoy the wonderful light and the unique colors that unfold in the sky of these latitudes during sunset. Back in the ship, we will relax ourselves with live music and a comforting and delicious dinner aboard.

After the buffet breakfast aboard, we will proceed to disembark in Nauta and head to Iquitos. Along the way, we will visit the Amazon Rescue Center (CREA), where biologists and volunteers take care of the animals that have been saved from illegal trafficking including the beloved manatees and the aquatic mammals, dangerously threatened by hunters. Here, you will find the species that have been rescued by the authorities and which are in the process of reintegration into their natural environment. Here you can also learn more about their traits, the risks they face (deterioration of their habitats and wildlife trafficking) and best of all, you can play around with them since they are very friendly.

After this emotional and unforgettable experience, we will continue our way to Iquitos where, once we get to the airport, our journey will have concluded.