Amazon River Itineraries

Amazon River Cruise in 1 Week

Get a taste of the Amazon by spending a leisurely, but thorough, week aboard a small river boat exploring the vast and beautiful rainforest from the water.

Day 1, Lima: Arrive in Lima and transfer to Iquitos to embark your river cruise vessel.

Day 2-5, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve: Spend a good portion upon the river tributaries through this beautiful reserve. Sail the Yana Yacu Pucate River black waters. Spot pink dolphins and other unique Amazonian wildlife. Go fishing for piranhas. Meet a local tribe, and take a guided night hike to see nocturnal animals. 

Day 6-7, Iquitos: Walking tour through the bustling city with its convergence of cultures, impressive homes, and colonial era history.

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Amazon River Cruises for Nature & Wildlife Lovers

Unpack once, hop aboard, and cruise down one of the longest river in the world, and the birthplace to some of the most complex civilizations in the world. If you are looking for an Amazon cruise focused on nature, consider this itinerary:

Day 1, Arrive at starting city: Many expeditions start in Peru, arriving in a city, and then driving into the Amazon to begin your cruise. 

Day 2, Rainforest: Disembark your cruise for the first time and take a guided walk through the rainforest to see incredibly diverse wildlife up close and personal.

Day 3, Ucayali River: Walk along the Ucayali River and watch out for pink dolphins.

Day 4-5, Pacaya Samiria Reserve (northeastern Peru): Trek through the Amazonian jungle forest. See spider monkeys, colorful macaws, toucans, river hawks, and giant South American turtles. Learn about medicinal plants from native village shamen.

Day 6, Optional lake visits: Go fishing in Lake Charo or Carocurahuayte, or picnic along Lake Tacscha.

Day 7, Iquitos & Disembark: Take a stroll through this Peruvian port city. The district of Belén is known for its massive open-air street markets and stilt houses lining the Itaya River.

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Amazon River Cruise and Machu Picchu

The following itinerary is a great way to combine cruising along the Amazon and experiencing Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of World. Note that the itinerary combines land tours with the river cruise portion, allowing you to experience the best of both kinds of travel. 

Day 1, Arrive in Lima

Day 2-3, Lima, Cusco, and Sacred Valley: Spend the day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, starting with a visit to the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, overlooking Cuzco. See the ceremonial site of Kenko, and enjoy traditional Peruvian food (which is known for being delicious!). 

Day 4-6, Machu Picchu and Cusco: In the small village of Ollantaytambo, visit the Inca fortress. Board a train for a short journey to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu”, known as the “Lost City of the Incas”. Train back to Cusco and visit the Santo Domingo Monastery.

Day 7, Iquitos: You will take a flight to Iquitos, where you will embark on your river cruise.

Day 8 - 10, Cruise on the Amazon River: See the plethora of wildlife (monkeys, pink dolphins, and colorful macaws) and join day trips that include hikes and strolls along the Ucayali and Maranon Rivers.

Day 11, Lima: Disembark at Iquitos and fly back to Lima

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