The Zafiro Experience: 5-Day High River Season

After arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to the DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos for lunch. Following the meal, you will head to the main dock to board the cruise vessel, enjoying a brief sightseeing tour of Iquitos along the way.
Once on board, settle into your suite and take in the surrounding rainforest views from the ship’s observation areas. As the cruise prepares to depart, enjoy a welcome cocktail made with local fruits and pisco while watching the scenery drift past. Later, the naturalist guides introduce the expedition, providing an overview of the Amazon basin, the wildlife you may encounter, and the route through the rainforest waterways. The day concludes with a welcome dinner featuring Peruvian and Amazonian flavors as the vessel begins its journey into the jungle.

The day begins early with a skiff excursion, one of the best times to observe Amazon wildlife. The soft morning light also creates ideal conditions for photography while the jungle awakens with sound.
Back on board, enjoy a buffet breakfast that includes traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, fresh breads and pastries, and a selection of natural juices.
Later, visit the confluence where the Marañón and Ucayali rivers meet to form the Amazon River. The swirling waters often attract pink and gray river dolphins, making it one of the region’s most fascinating sights. After returning to the vessel for lunch, attend an informative talk about the geography and hydrology of the Amazon basin.
In the afternoon, take a guided rainforest walk near Puerto Prado. A highlight is the impressive Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily, famous for its enormous floating leaves. In the evening, return to the ship for dinner and live music. After dark, head out on a nighttime wildlife excursion in search of caimans, frogs, insects, and other creatures that emerge after sunset.

After breakfast, continue deeper into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Travel by skiff through remote lakes and lagoons, including the peaceful Japanese Lagoon, where the clear waters offer a high chance of spotting pink river dolphins. The calm surface reflects the surrounding forest, creating a tranquil setting rich with wildlife.
The journey continues to Yanayaquillo, where guests may kayak or swim in the region’s calm blackwater lagoons. These nutrient-rich waters support diverse plant and animal life and provide a unique way to experience the flooded forest.
Later, attend a presentation discussing Amazonian environmental philosophy and cultural perspectives on conservation. In the afternoon, explore Amazon Natural Park through a mix of rainforest trails and canoe rides, an excellent opportunity to observe tropical plants, birds, and wildlife. Back on the ship, enjoy a Peruvian cocktail demonstration before ending the evening with live music and a festive gala dinner with the captain.

After breakfast, visit the riverside community of San Regis to learn about everyday life along the Amazon. Residents share elements of their culture, including traditional crafts and customs shaped by generations living in the rainforest.
During the visit, travelers meet a local shaman who explains ancestral beliefs and traditional healing practices connected to nature. Guests then take part in a symbolic tree-planting activity representing a shared commitment to protecting the Amazon environment. A small market organized by local women also offers handmade crafts for sale.
Following lunch and relaxation on board, guides share Amazonian myths and legends that reveal the cultural traditions of the region. Later in the afternoon, explore the waterways of Shiriyacu by skiff and try traditional piranha fishing techniques used by local communities. End the day watching 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 the lively local market by motorcycle taxi, a common form of transportation in the area. This visit provides a glimpse into daily Amazon life as residents purchase fresh produce, fish, and handmade goods.
After returning to the ship for breakfast and disembarkation, begin the transfer to the airport. Along the way, stop at the Amazon Manatee Rescue Center, where rescued manatees and other wildlife are rehabilitated. Biologists explain the importance of protecting these gentle mammals and the efforts to release them back into the wild.
After the visit, continue to the airport for departure, bringing the Amazon adventure to an end.