La Perla Cruise

La Perla Experience: 7-Day Annual Program Itinerary

Embark on a 7-day Amazon River cruise from Iquitos, Peru, exploring the stunning Pacaya Samiria Reserve and its vibrant ecosystems. Highlights include twilight wildlife tours, pink dolphin sightings, cultural encounters with local communities, jungle hikes, and hands-on experiences like piranha fishing and traditional ceremonies.

Your Amazon journey kicks off with a guided tour through Iquitos, where colonial elegance blends with the vibrant jungle atmosphere. From there, travel to the riverside town of Nauta and board your river cruise vessel. As you get settled into your cabin and begin navigating the Marañón River, meet your expert naturalist guides and receive a briefing on the days ahead. Enjoy a welcome lunch inspired by local Amazonian cuisine before heading out on a twilight boat excursion to Nauta Caño. As dusk sets in, spot fascinating nocturnal creatures like caimans, bats, frogs, and tarantulas. Return to the boat for your first starlit dinner onboard.

Start your day with a scenic riverside picnic breakfast along the tranquil Yanayacu River, nestled in the untouched Pacaya Samiria National Reserve—a favorite haunt of pink river dolphins. Paddle a traditional canoe across calm waters and take a swim if you’re feeling adventurous. Back on board, enjoy lunch followed by an insightful talk on Amazonian philosophy. Later, visit the San Regis village and meet a shaman who shares ancient healing practices and spiritual traditions. The visit ends with a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. Wind down with live music and a delightful dinner.

Begin with a sunrise boat trip to Iquitos Brook, a hotspot for local wildlife. After breakfast, head into the forest for a walk along hanging bridges, offering panoramic treetop views of the Amazon. After a relaxed lunch and siesta, venture to the Shiriyacu stream for a hands-on piranha fishing experience using traditional equipment. Keep your eyes peeled for playful pink dolphins. Enjoy live music and a cozy dinner onboard to end the day.

Start the morning with wildlife spotting at Gasparito Brook, known for its birds and primates. After breakfast, enjoy a fun cocktail-making demo featuring the classic Pisco Sour. At midday, embark on a boat ride to Marayali Lagoon, where you’ll marvel at the Amazon’s rich biodiversity and the iconic giant water lilies, Victoria Regias. Then cruise to Yacapana Creek, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and wildlife. End your day with a vibrant sunset and dinner under the stars.

Get an early start with a skiff excursion along the Ucayali River, where the treetops come alive with colorful birds. After breakfast, explore the Yarapa River, a habitat for monkeys, sloths, parrots, macaws, and more. Following lunch and some downtime, visit the Vista Alegre community to learn firsthand about the traditions and daily life of local villagers. Return to the boat for live music and dinner.

Today begins with an informative talk about the Pacaya Samiria Reserve before cruising to the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers—the official source of the Amazon River. Continue exploring by boat through the biodiverse Cocha Piranha area. After lunch, take a guided hike through the jungle trails of Casual, where you’ll find unique wildlife and towering trees nicknamed the “Avatars.” Visit a local artisan market and browse handmade crafts. Enjoy your final sunset on the river, followed by a farewell dinner celebration.

After breakfast, disembark in Nauta and visit its vibrant local market, brimming with produce, traditional remedies, and handmade goods. On the return journey to Iquitos, stop at the Amazon Forever Bio Park and Manatee Rescue Center. Learn about important conservation efforts for rehabilitating manatees and other native species. With your heart and mind full of new experiences, continue to the airport for your journey home.

Includes

  • All meals on board La Perla.
  • All excursions and equipment (including hiking boots and rain ponchos).
  • Transfers from / to the ship when arriving on recommended flights to Iquitos.
  • Entry fee to The Pacaya-Samaria National Reserve.
  • Sodas, natural juices, coffee, tea, water are included at lunch and dinner.
  • Welcome drink: Pisco Sour.

Not Included

  • Domestic flights
  • Cost of medical emergencies (including emergency evacuation).
  • Tipping etiquette. On board La Perla, we recommend an amount in the range of USD 20 to UDS 25 per passenger per night for the crew (to be divided among all the crew members) and USD 7 to USD 10 per passenger per night for the guides. * Please note that these amounts are suggested and that this is entirely at the discretion of our guests.
  • Any additional transportation services.
  • Any additional bar consumption.

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