Ultimate Peruvian Amazon Expedition 8 Days | Amazon Explorer

Upon arrival at Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport in Iquitos, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your &Beyond Amazon Explorer guide. Located in the Great Plains of the Amazon Basin, fed by the Amazon, Nanay, and Itaya Rivers, Iquitos is known as the capital of the Peruvian Amazon. And so, your Amazon journey begins.

It is here you’ll catch your first look of the &Beyond Amazon Explorer—your luxurious home-away-from-home for the next few nights. After a brief onboard safety and service orientation, the yacht is yours to explore. Settle into your suite and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime.

AFTERNOON: Later, enjoy your first skiff ride (with your fellow travellers and guide), taking in the sights and sounds of the Peruvian Amazon as we leave the city behind. As the sun sets, immerse yourself in the beauty of the world’s largest river system.

MORNING: This morning begins with a serene sunrise over the Amazon River, best enjoyed from the deck of the yacht’s Pisco bar. Early risers can take part in birding from this vantage point, spotting a variety of avian species, including tanagers, parrots, and parakeets as the rainforest awakens. After breakfast, set out on a guided skiff exploration in search of sloths, squirrel monkeys and saddleback tamarins, and other vibrant birdlife such as toucans and aracaris. You may also spot white-necked herons, black-collared hawks, and caracaras soaring overhead. Don’t forget to also keep an eye out for the iconic water lilies that flourish in this remarkable ecosystem.

AFTERNOON: Back on the yacht, spend your afternoon at leisure. Tuck into a delicious onboard lunch, participate in an array of educational talks with your knowledgeable guides diving deeper into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve including its medicinal plant life and the local culture, or join your skilled yacht chefs in an interactive cooking class. Alternatively, take advantage of the onboard wellness centre* or consider booking an optional overflight in a floatplane* to experience the grandeur of the Amazon from above.

As the afternoon cools, venture out with your guide for a late-afternoon skiff ride along the serene blackwaters of the Yarapa River. Keep an eye out for woolly and squirrel monkeys, sloths, pygmy marmosets, and a remarkable variety of birdlife, such as the white throated toucan, yellow crowned parrot and yellow billed tern, as you explore this rich ecosystem. Savour a breathtaking Amazonian sunset with sundowners along the riverbanks before continuing your evening excursion. Under the cover of darkness, search for caimans, frogs, and other fascinating nocturnal creatures. End your evening adventure by stargazing under the pristine Amazon sky, offering a serene and unforgettable close to your first full day in the Peruvian Amazon.

*Available at an additional cost

MORNING: Begin your day with an early morning skiff exploration before breakfast, venturing into the heart of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Search for incredible wildlife, including monk saki monkeys and saddleback tamarins, as well as a variety of birdlife such as macaws, parrots, and toucans, as the rainforest comes alive in the soft morning light. After breakfast back on the yacht, enjoy a gentle kayak along the river, allowing you to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Amazon’s waterways. While paddling, keep an eye out for pink and grey river dolphins and an abundance of birdlife along the river banks, such as egrets and herons.

AFTERNOON: Later, head out on a guided skiff exploration. Keep an eye out for hoatzin birds, various monkey species in the forest canopies such as squirrel monkeys and playful pink and grey dolphins as you navigate the waterways.

As the sun begins to set and the forest transitions to night, your exploration continues. The night reveals an entirely different side of the forest. The nocturnal rainforest comes alive with an array of fascinating creatures, each adapted to thrive in the dark. Experience the orchestra of nocturnal sounds—chirping frogs, singing insects, and rustling leaves—as your senses heighten. Watch out for glowing caiman eyes near the riverbanks, tree-dwelling creatures like night monkeys, and perhaps even tarantulas or elusive snakes like the emerald tree boa.

MORNING: Kick-start your day with an early-morning skiff exploration to El Dorado Lake. Enjoy a picnic breakfast alongside kayaking and piranha fishing excursions. Search for howler monkeys in the treetops and pink and grey river dolphins in the cool water. For the more adventurous, take a refreshing dip in the serene waters—an unforgettable and daring experience that few can claim to have embraced. Also keep an eye out for woolly monkeys, sloths, pygmy marmosets, and a remarkable variety of birdlife, such as the white throated toucan, yellow crowned parrots and yellow billed tern.

AFTERNOON: Back on the yacht, spend your afternoon at leisure. After lunch, join your fellow travellers for a variety of engaging onboard activities. Learn to expertly use binoculars and telescopes to enhance your wildlife-spotting experience or for those seeking relaxation, simply unwind on the deck while admiring the breathtaking river views.

Afterward, enjoy an engaging visit to a nearby river community. During your visit you may have the unique chance to visit the community’s local school as well as interact with community members gaining insight into the daily lives of those who live along one of Earth’s largest and most vital rivers. Before leaving, take the opportunity to shop for some beautiful locally crafted items. Not only do they make meaningful mementos of your journey, but your purchase will also support the local community and its people.

MORNING: After breakfast on the yacht, disembark for a short skiff ride to Nauta, where you will visit the bustling Nauta Food Market. Offering an authentic taste of daily life and culinary traditions of the Peruvian Amazon, where the local people gather to sell and trade fresh, regional ingredients, here you’ll find an array of exotic fruits, wild-caught fish, and traditional Amazonian dishes, each telling a story of the region’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. The market’s lively atmosphere, filled with vibrant colours, enticing aromas, and friendly vendors, creates an unforgettable sensory experience that immerses travellers in the heart of Amazonian cuisine.

Afterward, take some time to explore the Sapi Sapi artificial lake. Built by the local government for the community, this man-made lake is known for its abundance of turtles, paiche (one of the world’s largest freshwater fish), caimans, and other Amazonian aquatic species, making it a great place for nature lovers and photographers.

For those seeking an extra adventure, an optional rickshaw (tuk-tuk) ride through the town is also available.

AFTERNOON: Return to the yacht for lunch, followed by a leisurely afternoon. Enjoy an Amazon-themed documentary screened onboard, offering deeper insights into the region’s culture, history, and biodiversity. For those seeking a more indulgent experience, unwind with a treatment at the onboard wellness centre* or opt for an unforgettable floatplane overflight*, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Amazon.

*Available at an additional cost

MORNING: Start your day with a guided skiff exploration featuring a picnic breakfast amidst the serene beauty of the Amazon. Search for incredible wildlife, including the iconic pink and grey river dolphins, as they playfully navigate the waterways. For those craving more adventure, optional swimming and kayaking opportunities await. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!

AFTERNOON: Conclude your day with an afternoon guided skiff exploration that includes fishing for piranhas. Savour a breathtaking Amazonian sunset with sundowners along the riverbanks before continuing your evening excursion. Under the cover of darkness, search for hawks, nocturnal birds, caimans, frogs, and other fascinating creatures. End your evening adventure by stargazing under the pristine Amazon sky, offering a serene and unforgettable close to your day.

MORNING: Begin your day with a visit to a nearby community to spend some time with the local shamanic people. This intimate encounter offers a unique glimpse into their lives along the river and their deep knowledge of the Amazon’s medicinal flora. Learn about the extraordinary uses of these plants, which continue to play a vital role in their daily lives.

After breakfast back on the yacht, embark on a guided nature walk and enjoy an engaging visit to a nearby river community. Along the way explore the fascinating Amazon ecosystem with your guide, searching for its smaller inhabitants, including the pink-toed tarantula, poison dart frog, and scorpions like the Amazonian giant scorpion, and the stunning water lilies. This immersive walk provides a deeper appreciation for the intricate ecosystem and the extraordinary biodiversity of this remarkable region. During your community visit you’ll have another opportunity to interact with community members gaining further insight into their daily lives. Before leaving, take the opportunity to shop for some beautiful locally crafted items. Not only do they make meaningful mementos of your journey, but your purchase will also support the local community and its people.

AFTERNOON: Return to the yacht for lunch, followed by a leisurely afternoon onboard. Chat with the crew about joining a local food tasting experience or a cocktail-making class with the barmen. If there are any other onboard activities you haven’t had the chance to enjoy yet, now is the perfect time to do so.

As the day comes to a close, savour your final sundowner in the Amazon, immersed in the tranquillity of the breathtaking jungle sunset. Tonight is your last night onboard the &Beyond Amazon Explorer. Enjoy a memorable Captain’s farewell dinner alongside the crew you’ve bonded with and cherished throughout this unforgettable journey. As the evening winds down, head to the Pisco bar for a nightcap—the perfect way to end your Amazon adventure.

MORNING: Begin your final day onboard with an early breakfast before disembarking. You’ll then transfer to Iquitos for a guided city tour, featuring a visit to the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and a stroll through downtown to admire iconic buildings from the Rubber Boom era and the vibrant Plaza de Armas. Conclude your morning with a delightful brunch at a local restaurant, before heading to the airport to catch your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Amazon adventure.

Your rich and beautiful journey through the Peruvian Amazon aboard the &Beyond Amazon Explorer has come to a close, leaving you with cherished memories of this remarkable region.