Zafiro: 5 Days / 4 Nights | High Water - Peru Tour

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos for lunch. Afterward, continue to the main dock to board the cruise vessel while enjoying a short panoramic tour of the city. Once aboard, settle into your suite and take in views of the surrounding rainforest from the ship’s observation areas. As the cruise prepares to depart, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink prepared with local fruits and pisco while watching the river landscapes glide by. Later, the naturalist guides introduce the upcoming expedition, explaining the geography of the Amazon basin, the wildlife you may encounter, and the route through the jungle waterways. The evening ends with a welcome dinner featuring Peruvian cuisine and Amazonian flavors as the ship begins sailing deeper into the rainforest.

The day starts early with a skiff excursion, an excellent time to observe wildlife as the rainforest awakens. The gentle morning light also creates ideal conditions for photography. Back on the ship, enjoy a buffet breakfast offering a variety of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked breads and pastries, and natural juices. Later, visit the dramatic meeting point where the Marañón and Ucayali rivers join to form the Amazon River. These swirling waters often attract pink and gray river dolphins, making the area one of the region’s most impressive natural sights. After lunch on board, attend a presentation about the hydrology and geography of the Amazon basin. In the afternoon, explore the rainforest near Puerto Prado on a guided walk. One of the highlights is the enormous Victoria Amazonica, the largest water lily in the world, known for its giant floating leaves. In the evening, return to the ship for dinner and live music. After sunset, join a night excursion to look for caimans, frogs, insects, and other nocturnal wildlife that become active after dark.

Following breakfast, continue deeper into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Travel by skiff through secluded lakes and lagoons, including the serene Japanese Lagoon, where sightings of pink river dolphins are common. The calm waters reflect the surrounding rainforest, creating a peaceful and wildlife-rich setting. The journey then continues to Yanayaquillo. During this excursion, guests may have the chance to kayak or swim in the calm blackwater lagoons typical of this region. These nutrient-rich waters support diverse plant and animal life while offering a unique view of the flooded forest. Later, attend an informative talk about Amazonian environmental philosophy and local conservation perspectives. In the afternoon, explore Amazon Natural Park by combining rainforest walking trails with canoe exploration, providing opportunities to observe tropical plants, birds, and wildlife. Back on the vessel, enjoy a demonstration of classic Peruvian cocktails before ending the evening with live music and a festive captain’s gala dinner.

After breakfast, visit the riverside community of San Regis to learn about daily life along the Amazon. Local residents share aspects of their culture, including traditional crafts and customs shaped by generations of life in the rainforest. During the visit, guests meet a community shaman who explains ancestral beliefs and natural healing traditions. Travelers then participate in a symbolic tree-planting activity that represents a shared commitment to preserving the Amazon environment. A small market organized by local women offers handmade crafts for sale. After returning to the ship for lunch and relaxation, guides share Amazonian legends and folklore that reveal the cultural heritage of the region. Later in the afternoon, explore the waterways of Shiriyacu by skiff and try traditional piranha fishing methods used by local communities. The day ends with views of a colorful Amazon sunset before returning to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.

On the final morning, travel to Nauta before breakfast and explore its vibrant local market by motorcycle taxi, a common form of transport in the area. This experience offers an authentic glimpse of daily Amazonian life as residents shop for produce, fish, and handcrafted goods. After breakfast and disembarkation, begin the journey back to the airport. Along the way, visit the Amazon Manatee Rescue Center, where rescued manatees and other animals are rehabilitated. Biologists explain the importance of protecting these gentle aquatic mammals and the work being done to return them to the wild. After the visit, continue to the airport for departure, marking the end of your Amazon exploration.