Style : River cruise
Amazon River Cruises tour

Amazon River Cruises

International Expeditions
5.0 . Excellent
100%
Travel Style: Array Relaxed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
10 days
From: $ 4,798 $ 480 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • International Expeditions’ exclusive Amazon River tour covers more than 600 miles on the Amazon and its tributaries.
  • Travel deep into the protected Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
  • Explore three different habitats so you have the best chance of spotting rare wildlife
  • Look for monkeys, birds, sloths and other mammals
  • Spot pink and gray dolphins 

Short Description

Over the 36 years that International Expeditions has been leading Amazon River cruises, our guests have enjoyed unrivaled access to the Peruvian rainforest’s most pristine areas and the company of the river’s most knowledgeable guides. IE’s exciting daily excursions include pre-dawn birding, school visits in local villages and even piranha fishing! In true expedition fashion, our Amazon River tour is aboard a classically designed Amazon River cruise ship. Join IE and be transported to the Amazon of your imagination to discover a rainforest that pulsates with an unrivaled diversity of wildlife.

Style River cruise
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Lima
End City Lima

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Lima

Fly independently to Lima, Peru, the nation’s capital and largest city, and transfer to the Swissôtel for the night. (D Aloft)

Day 2: Lima / Iquitos / Embark Amazon Riverboat / Amazon River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tour historic Lima, visiting Casa Aliaga, a private home dating back to the Conquistadors. See the Cathedral, where Francisco Pizarro is entombed, and Plaza de Armas. Before lunch, tour the monastery and vast catacombs of the Iglesia de San Francisco. Fly over the Andes Mountains to Iquitos. Board our riverboat, home for the next seven days of our Amazon cruise. During a nightly briefing, we’ll review the following day’s Amazon Voyage expedition itinerary and meet the crew. Tonight, we journey slowly toward the confluence marking the beginning of the Amazon River, stargazing and storytelling with our local guides.

Day 3: Confluence of the Amazon River / Río Ucayali

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We awake this morning on the Amazon River, seeing some of the ever-changing panorama of jungle life as our Amazon River cruise ship continues upriver. Small villages dot the shoreline, and channels weaving through island mazes provide close-up views of a variety of birds. The confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers is famous as the beginning of the Amazon River in Peru. Amazingly, we are about 2,400 miles from where the river flows into the Atlantic. The river drops only about 350 feet the entire way! On our Amazon Voyage adventure, travel waterways aboard sturdy excursion boats to areas where we may find marsh birds such as oriole blackbirds, green ibis, yellow-headed caracaras, black-capped donacobis and white-headed marsh-tyrant. We turn into the Río Ucayali, where we’re apt to find gray river dolphins and Amazon pink dolphins cavorting near the boat and along the shoreline. Later we take an excursion into the surrounding rainforest in search of giant water lilies and elusive wildlife such as monkeys and sloths. As dusk approaches, fishing bats begin their night’s foraging.

Day 4: Río Ucayali / Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a peaceful breakfast along the black-water Sapote Creek, we explore a small tributary of the Ucayali aboard our excursion boats. Look for animals including primates, sloths and an enormous variety of birds. Our Amazon Voyage adventure continues upriver to the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Although scientific studies are far from exhausted, the Pacaya-Samiria is the known home to 450 bird species, 102 species of mammals, over 130 species of reptiles and amphibians, and countless plants. This afternoon, an excursion into this largest wetland reserve in the world provides the opportunity to see 13 species of primates, including monk sakis, red howler, saddle-backed tamarin and squirrel monkeys. Explore Caro Lake, connected to the river by way of a very small stream, where we may find flocks of greater ani, often seen following monkeys in search of insects disturbed by the monkeys’ foraging. We enjoy a nighttime boat excursion for a chance to find caimans, capybaras, common potoos, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.

Day 5: Rio Pacaya / Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, 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 different from what we see along the main course of our Amazon cruise, and walk through the forest. Lucky guests may release turtle hatchlings. A delicious lunch energizes us for afternoon excursions with our expert naturalists, where we may find scarlet macaws, hoatzins, black-collared hawks and red howler monkeys.

Day 6: Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, we board our 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 and spectacular blue-and-gold and scarlet macaws. Primates also are fairly common, including noisy squirrel monkeys. Once we arrive at a remote ranger station, enjoy a refreshing swim. Gradually make our way back to our riverboat through the maze of waterways. Enjoy an al fresco lunch and time to relax before our afternoon excursion.

Day 7: Río Ucayali / Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we 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 river, this is a fantastic opportunity to stroll through gardens learning about medicinal plants and folklore, visit a school, or join in a game of soccer. The children are especially excited to see their faces on digital cameras and to show off their school and sing Peruvian songs. Depending on the villages visited during your Amazon River tour, you may also have the opportunity to see an IE-funded water treatment plant. The clean drinking water provided by these plants is having an enormous positive health impact in remote river villages. Learn about medicinal plants and enjoy a blessing ceremony by a respected village shaman. Aboard the ship, take advantage of the open-air top deck, learning to make traditional Peruvian dishes or enjoying an enriching lecture. After dark we’ll go out in our excursion boats to listen to the sounds of the rainforest and look for nocturnal wildlife.

Day 8: Amazon River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, 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-breasted, white or black piranha, and feast on our catch this evening at dinner. Once back aboard our Amazon River cruise ship, we enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 9: Iquitos / Lima / Depart

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning we disembark in Iquitos.

Dayrooms are provided until you connect with flights home, which depart after midnight.

Day 10: Arrive Home

We arrive Sunday and connect with flights home. (Meals Aloft)

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 4,798
Price Per Day: $ 480 per day

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with International Expeditions.

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.

6 International Expeditions Travel Reviews & Ratings

100%
5.0 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 6
Great 0
Average 0
Disappointing 0
Terrible 0
Value
4.7
Guide
5.0
Activities
5.0
Lodging
4.7
Transportation
4.8
Meals
4.8

Amazon River Cruises

Amazon River Cruise

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
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 you have food allergies and any sort of problem they take the time to ensure you have a great trip and will help you any way that they can. The river cruise itself was very comfortable clean sheets, beds are nice and rooms are pretty spacious overall for a river cruise.

We always had daily activities to participate in or could choose to stay behind. But I wouldn't recommend that as you get to see so much just within the first couple of days that you're in Pacaya-Samiria Reserve!

The wildlife was incredible and included sightings of monkeys, birds, snakes, a sloth, spiders and beautiful frogs that you get to see during the night boat tour. I loved going into a local village and learning about cultural traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation. We even participated in a spiritual ritual that's supposed to cleanse your body; a very interesting experience! I'd recommend bringing and using insect repellent daily especially during summer peak season, it is the Amazon after all. If you love wildlife and are looking for a great authentic but comfortable experience in nature, I highly recommend this trip.
Read more

This company is good for trips on the Amazon river

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
This company is good for trips on the Amazon river

Company Reviews

IE puts on a show on the Amazon

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
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 extreme and up close and personal.
2. The vastness of it all approaches infinity.
3. The staff and guides were top drawer professionals.
The IE mother ship (Zafiro) is in great condition and very comfortable, clean and welcoming. The staff is friendly, helpful, supportive, knowledgeable. The naturalists/guides are the best. Experts in the wildlife and flora and good-natured and personable.
Yes, it is hot and humid, but very bearable. Yes, there are mosquitoes at night, but again very manageable. (We've all experienced much much worse in the US.)
In the wet season (50 feet higher water than in dry season) you don't get to walk as much as you do in dry season because terra firma is so much further into the rain forest than you can reach in a boat. But we did get to visit villages and walk in the rain forest.
We swam. We went out every morning and afternoon in the skiffs to explore smaller rivers and lakes. Sloths, monkeys, iguana, boa, anaconda, caiman, tarantula, piranha, frogs, toads, and more bird types than you can count.
Wow - What a Show!
Read more

Outstanding!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Have done three trips with IE (Belize, Machu Picchu and Galapagos, and just returned from Cuba), and ALL were outstanding!

Have done three trips with IE

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Have done three trips with IE (Belize, Machu Picchu and Galapagos, and just returned from Cuba), and ALL were outstanding!

Details

Ship Name

La Estrella Amazonica

Ship Stats

La Estrella Amazonica

Passengers: 31

Ship’s Registry: Peru

Length: 139 ft.

Width: 30 ft.

Solo Cabin: 175 sq. ft.

Double Cabin: 217 sq. ft.

Suite/Triple Cabin: 261 sq. ft.

Dining Room: 1,000 sq. ft.

Lecture Room: 765 sq. ft.

Fitness Room: 162 sq. ft.

Ship Description

 

International Expeditions is thrilled to introduce our new custom-designed Amazon riverboat, La Estrella Amazonica. Every facet of IE’s new riverboat – from concept to construction – reflects our 35 years of expertise in Amazon travel. Aboard this custom-designed riverboat you enjoy access to the deepest reaches of the Peruvian Amazon without sacrificing comfort

Features

  • Enjoy the passing scenery from our open-air Bar and Sun Deck.
  • Enjoy daily discussions by our naturalists in the air-conditioned Lecture Room — equipped with a 55-inch LCD TV, home theater system, movies and small library — while relaxing on comfy sofas.
  • Stay in shape on vacation by taking advantage of the ship’s on-board Fitness Room with stair climbers, stationary bikes and weights.
  • Our Dining Room will be finished in classic riverboat style with gracious wooden floors and large windows. Tables seating 6-8 guests each allow you to get to know fellow travelers and guides while sampling local delicacies and international favorites.
  • Fully equipped, modern commercial kitchen prepares dishes using fresh, local ingredients.
  • Generous air-conditioned cabins are approx. 220 sq. ft. and furnished with either one king-size bed or two beds, two nightstands and a desk. Plus, cabins offer private bath, a closet with ample storage, hair dryer and three 220 volt outlets, as well as two convertors and a surge protector power strip with USB connections.
  • Guest cabins feature a private balcony with two chairs to enjoy relaxing views.
  • All indoor public areas are air-conditioned.

Additional Features

  • Four cabins on each deck can easily be converted to create two adjoining suites — ideal for families.
  • Guides’ reception with complimentary wine, soda, Peruvian cocktail and beer onboard daily.
  • Covered, open-air bar stocks cold bottled water, sodas and local beer.
  • For excursions, board two 18-passenger excursion boats accompanied by knowledgeable local naturalists.
  • Ship built following SOLAS and MARPOL international guidelines, and will exceed Peruvian safety standards.
  • International environmental standards are guiding all ship system designs and operations, making this the most environmentally responsible boat on the Amazon.
Trip Photos (affiliate link)

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Intimate Group - 12 max

Maximum Number of People in Group: 31

Cancellation policy

6-Day Machu Picchu & Cusco Extension

Trip ID#:

AmaRivInt

What's excluded

-- International expenses

-- Personal expenses

-- Passport and visa fees

Meals Included

8 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 8 Dinners 

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