Amazon Voyage
Overview
Highlights
- View wildlife on hikes, excursion boat rides & even while kayaking in three different habitats
- Enjoy Sample local culture with cooking demonstrations, village & school visits, stops at riverside markets & Shaman blessing ceremony.
- Learn during guided tours, lectures & field interpretation by experienced native naturalists
- Dance to traditional music during nightly Happy Hour receptions.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Guided tours & lectures by native naturalists
- Services of experienced expedition leader
- 8 nights’ accommodation
- All meals on cruise
- Wildlife excursions on land & by skiff in three habitats: varzea, igapó & terra firma
- Piranha fishing
- Dawn birding
- Local village & school visits
- Nighttime skiff rides & rainforest walks
- Full educational program with lectures & field interpretation
- Visit to Ranger Station used for scientific study
- Cooking demonstrations
- Guides’ reception with a complimentary Peruvian cocktail, soft drink, wine or beer onboard daily.
- Blessing ceremony with a local Shaman
- Tips to porters & waiters for included meals
- Arrival & departure transfers
Itinerary
Fly independently to Lima, Peru, the nation’s capital and largest city, and transfer to the Swissôtel for the night. (D Aloft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Fly over the Andes to Iquitos. Visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for endangered Amazon manatees that conservation authorities have rescued. Learn about efforts to help these endearing mammal...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We awake this morning on the Amazon River, seeing some of the ever-changing panorama of jungle life as the Amazon River cruise ship continues upriver. Small villages dot the shoreline, and channels weaving through island mazes...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After a peaceful breakfast along the black-water Sapote Creek, we explore a small tributary of the Ucayali aboard excursion boats. Look for animals including primates, sloths and an enormous variety of birds. Our Amazon Voyage...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Spend the day exploring this flooded realm, seeing wading birds such as herons, wattled jacanas and horned screamers. Venturing deep into the rainforest, tour an igapo (seasonally flooded forest), where plant life is very diff...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast, we board excursion boats for access even further into the heart of these vast wetlands. As our Amazon Voyage adventure cruises the narrow waterways, we’ll find birds such as canary-winged parakeets an...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Head back downriver, with a morning wildlife or other activity. Visit a village along the river, with the chance to learn about the lives of the “Ribereño” people who live there. Accompanied by guides who grew up along the riv...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wake up early for a morning birdwatching excursion along the Yarapa River. After breakfast, try your hand at piranha fishing in Ubos Lake. Piranha are very common in the slower-moving water. With luck, we may catch red-breaste...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Disembark in Iquitos and fly back to Lima for lunch. Dayrooms are provided until you connect with flights home, which depart after midnight.
Arrive Sunday and connect with flights home. (Meals Aloft)
A visit to Machu Picchu, the grandest of all the Inca sites, must stand out as a highlight of anyone’s travels. It has the most dramatic of settings, atop an Andean mountain surrounded by other peaks. For all its extent — Machu Picchu has some 200 structures, along wi...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Late this afternoon, we fly from Iquitos to Lima, and overnight at the Costa del Sol.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Fly to Cusco — the heart of the Inca Empire. Drive into the historic Urubamba Valley, stopping in Chinchero to browse and shop for Andean handicrafts and alpaca sweaters. Visit the Urubamba Market and spend tonight at the Aranwa Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Board the train to Machu Picchu, where we spend the afternoon exploring the ruins with our guide. Our home for the next two nights is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is yours to explore Machu Picchu or simply relax! Wake up early and hike to the Sun Gate or enjoy some early morning birding in the abundant gardens surrounding our hotel, home to 16 species of hummingbirds.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Catch the morning train back to the Sacred Valley. Explore the mighty archaeological wonder of Ollantaytambo, where ancient temples and fortresses were built to protect the Sacred Valley. After a Paso Fino horse show at Wayra ...
Stroll the streets of Cusco, exploring the Koricancha — also known as Santo Domingo, Santa Catalina Convent and the Cathedral. After lunch, the afternoon is free to explore on your own before a farewell dinner featuring Andean fare. Return to the Aranwa Hotel for the night.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Fly back across the Andes to Lima, and transfer to the airport this evening for flights home.
Connect with your flight home. (Meals Aloft)
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with International Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
International Expeditions Reviews & Ratings
IE puts on a show on the Amazon
My wife and I just returned from a wet season trip with International Expeditions (IE) to Lima and the Amazon. It was tremendous: 1. The diversity of wildlife is ext...
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IE puts on a show on the Amazon
My wife and I just returned from a wet season trip with International Expeditions (IE) to Lima and the Amazon. It was tremendous: 1. The diversity of wildlife is ext...
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This was our second time coming to Peru but first time with International Expeditions and it was amazing. Staff and guides are very friendly and accommodating. If ...
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Tour Operator
When you travel with International Expeditions, you travel with pioneers in ecotourism. International Expeditions shows you some of the most remarkable places in the world — but does so in a way that’s as enriching as we can make it. Our escorted tours, planned and continuously refined over 35 years, include many elements that would be next to impossible to do otherwise. On our Amazon cruise, for example, we’ll take you further into the river's tributaries than anyone else, so that you have the chance for some exceptional sightings. And as you learn, you’ll also have a lot of fun and laughter — the joy that comes from making new discoveries in the company of friends who share in the excitement.
A History of Ecotravel
In 1990, International Expeditions helped to form The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) by providing the major source of funding, and our founder and former president, Richard Ryel, also served as a member of the original board. TIES works to bring communities, conservation and sustainable travel together to promote ecotravel to natural areas, while conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people.
Great Guides
International Expeditions is the “world leader in nature travel” for one reason above all others — the superb, English-speaking naturalists and historians who guide you through Earth’s great wildlife and cultural destinations. These are not typical “tour leaders.” Rather, our guides are consummate local experts with the uncanny ability to tell you about all the animals, plants, history and culture you’ll encounter, and who care that you enjoy yourself and get the most out of your experience. You can be sure that because of them, your IE journey will be interesting, enriching, fun and exciting.
Small Groups and Independent Travel
International Expeditions specializes in small group natural history tours. Our strong contacts around the globe and thorough knowledge of each destination enable us to serve "independent" guests like no other travel outfitter. That’s why so many people turn to us to customize their ideal journeys to Earth’s great nature and cultural history destinations.
Travel in Style
With International Expeditions, you’ll travel in small groups (seldom over 16 guests), with expert nature travel guides, on meticulously planned itineraries. And you’ll stay in top-rate accommodations. You’ll be well looked after wherever you go. From our stylish Amazon riverboats (which we helped design!) to romantic tented camps in Africa and everywhere in between, you can expect the very highest order of service. We’re detail-oriented, and it shows in our unrivaled pre-departure materials. From our picturesque brochures to the comprehensive Destination Handbook provided free of charge in your pre-departure package, no one prepares you for your journey like we do.
IE Difference
For 35 years, International Expeditions has specialized in intriguing nature travel to the world’s greatest natural and cultural destinations as an adventure travel company. Our award-winning expedition cruises and small-group travel journeys combine many extraordinary elements.
The Best Values in Nature Travel: It takes more than a low price to be an outstanding value. Every activity, a full-educational program, exclusive access, knowledgeable expedition team, employee-staffed 24-hour emergency line and so much more are included in every journey — all with a price that makes it easier for you to explore!
Expert Local Guides: There’s no substitute for experience when it comes to offering small-group travel that’s authentic, educational and fun. That’s why our hand-selected naturalist guides are highly trained and educated natives, each passionate about their country. Why would you want to travel with an American “tour leader” when you can bond with these fun locals while gaining insight into their homelands?
Small-Group Travel to Earth's Greatest Destinations: From signature journeys to the Amazon and Galapagos, to our tours to Bali to Komodo, Nicaragua and Cuba, our nature-focused, small-group expeditions remain THE standard for exploring Earth’s greatest natural wonders. Plus, our intimate group sizes ensure you get the personal attention you deserve while exploring the exotic.
Activities & Excursions for All: Some people travel for adventure, and some just want to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. That’s why IE’s adventurous itineraries include as many activity options as possible. Swimming, snorkeling, elephant-back safaris and peaceful excursion boat rides are just a few of our many activities.
Comfortable Accommodations: You don’t have to sacrifice comfort and five-star service to discover Earth’s remote regions. IE’s comfortable, intimate expedition ships and well-located accommodations let you explore in style.
Local Cuisine: You’ll work up quite an appetite during daily excursions. And whether it’s sampling local fare in Peru or India, or settling down for a delicious meal in the heart of Laos, you’ll enjoy food to satisfy every palate. Plus, whenever possible, we use locally grown food to stimulate the economy and give you a fresh taste of the local culture and cuisine.
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Accommodation
The Zafiro
Travel aboard the Zafiro, a luxurious vessel we have chartered for your adventure, which blends stylish design and modern comforts. Classic touches include magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows and — for those on the Upper Deck — private balconies. A ship staff and crew of 25, including a cruise director and local naturalist guides, are joined by an IE Expedition Leader to ensure an unprecedented level of service. All 19 spacious suites are air-conditioned and feature en suite bathrooms, a desk and ample closet space.
Cabins
Lower Deck Suite: Cabins with convertible twin or California King-sized bed and panoramic floor-to-ceiling window. Approx. 226 sq. ft.
Upper Deck Suite: Cabins with convertible twin or California King-sized bed, panoramic floor-to-ceiling window and balcony. Approx. 226 sq. ft.
Master Suite: Cabins with convertible twin or California King-sized bed, panoramic floor-to-ceiling window with 90° view. Approx. 248 sq. ft
Zafiro Suite: Cabins with convertible twin or California King-sized bed, panoramic floor-to-ceiling window with 180° view, balcony and Jacuzzi-style bathtub and convertible sofa bed. Approx. 480 sq. ft.
Public Spaces
Savor regional specialties and contemporary cuisine infused with flavors from the surrounding rainforest. The atmosphere is casual yet elegant as you sample Amazon fusion cuisine while enjoying spectacular views from the panoramic windows.
Connect with fellow travelers, chat with your local guides or enjoy snacks and a drink in the large indoor lounge. The comfortable furnishings make a perfect spot for relaxing with a book or enjoying the passing scenery.
Glide past the Amazon rainforest and clusters of wooden houses on stilts with children playing soccer as you sip morning coffee and take in the fresh air from the river’s most luxurious Observation Deck. Siesta on a cushioned lounger beneath a soaring canopy — ideal for avoiding the sun’s glare. Plus, ease into the Zafiro’s outdoor Jacuzzi to relax after a shore excursion.
Indulge in aromatherapy or a massage in the spa, which is staffed by a wellness specialist.
See The Zafiro
8 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 7 Dinners
What kind of visas are required for travel to Peru?
Bring a valid passport. We recommend that your passport remain valid for at least six months after your departure date. Visas are not required for US or Canadian citizens.
What kind of weather can you expect during your Amazon tour?
The Iquitos area, near where IE explores on the Amazon Voyage travel package, is located a few degrees south of the Equator and is characterized by strong tropical sun and rainforest. Average temperatures range from the upper 70° to upper 80°F year-round during the day, to the lower 70s at night. It can be cool on the river at night or on overcast days. There is very little seasonal variation between winter and summer temperatures. The average humidity ranges from 60-80%, and rainfall occurs approximately 250 days out of the year. Most showers occur in the late afternoon or evening and are of short duration.
Lima temperatures vary from 70-84°F January through March; 63-81°F April through June; 59-66°F July through September; and 61-75°F October through December.
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