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Moderate Amazon Cruises From Iquitos

Rio Amazonas

The M/V RIO AMAZONAS was built in the late 1800's in Scotland. After following a long career as a cargo/passenger ship on the Amazon river it was completely rebuilt in 1981 to enable the international traveler to experience the Amazon in basic comfort.. It was again refurbished in 1994. She carries 44 passengers in 21 air conditioned cabins on an itinerary which explores life on the Amazon river and its people. The ship has been designed as an informal cruise ship. The major public rooms on the M/V RIO AMAZONAS - the dining room and library - are air conditioned. There is ample deck area, both covered and uncovered, with Jacuzzi and comfortable deck chairs and hammocks for a leisurely look at life on the river. Upper deck cabins all have private bath / showers and picture windows for a perfect view of the river. Two lower beds with reading lamps and a small writing desk and chair complete the cabins' furnishings Sun deck cabins are slightly larger, have two twin beds, a third bed, a small closet and a chair. Down river cruises operate from Iquitos (Peru) to the twin cities of Tabatinga (Brazil) and Leticia (Colombia), departing Sundays and arriving Wednesdays. Up river cruises reverse the pattern, departing Leticia/Tabatinga on Wednesday and arriving Iquitos on Saturday. Passengers can combine cruises in both directions for an in-depth seven day / six night round trip cruise.

Iquitos to Tabatinga / Leticia cruise

Four days - three nights - departs Iquitos Sunday 12:00 NOON

Day 01. Sunday: Transfer * from the airport/hotel to dock. Board the MN RIO AMAZONAS. After a short briefing by the ship's cruise director check into your cabin. Lunch will be served on board. Sail down river from Iquitos passing the cities' industrial areas. Enjoy the changing view and the atmosphere on board. Brief shore visit to see a sugar-cane still.

Day 02. Monday: Early wake up call for morning bird watching. Visit the "Bora" and "Huitoto" Indian villages for a blow gun demonstration. Later, stop at the town of Pevas, oldest Peruvian town on the Amazon, and visit "La casa del Artista". In the afternoon a jungle hike through the dense rain forest of the Shishita river area. Night expedition by launch up a small tributary.

Day 03. Tuesday: Morning jungle walk to see the Victoria Regia water lilies, followed by a piranha fishing expedition on a small back-water lake. Afternoon visit to the missionary village at Lake Caballococha. After sunset, cross the lake to look for the Amazon caiman's eyes glow in the flashlights in the reedy shallows.

Day 04. Wednesday: Early arrival opposite Leticia and Tabatinga. Transfer to a hotel in the city of Leticia * or fly back to Iquitos.

* Transfers are extra and available upon request.

Tabatinga / Leticia to Iquitos cruise
Four days - three nights - departs Let/Tab. Wednesday 2:00 PM

Day 01. Wednesday: Late morning transfer * from Leticia hotel to Santa Rosa, opposite Leticia and Tabatinga. Board the M/V RIO AMAZONAS. After a short briefing by the ship's cruise director check into your cabin for an early afternoon sailing. Lunch will be served on board. Time permitting there will be a late afternoon, or early evening, shore excursion.

Day 02. Thursday: A morning trip to visit a small riverside village. Afternoon stop at the remote leper hospital of San Pablo, with time to browse in the primitive 'gift shop' which sells patients' handicrafts. Night exploration by launch up the Mayoruna river to listen to the night sounds of the jungle and look for the Amazon caiman.

Day 03. Friday: After a short stop at Pijuayal for a document check, continue up the Ampiyacu river for a visit to Pevas and a group of Yagua natives for trading your manufactured goods for native handicrafts.

Day 04. Saturday: Early morning arrival in Iquitos, in time for connecting flights to Lima. *

* Transfers are extra and available upon request.

Iquitos to Iquitos (Round Trip) cruise
Six nights - departs Iquitos Sunday 12:00 NOON

Combines the down river and up river cruises for a closer and more leisurely look at life on the Amazon. Wednesday morning visit to Leticia/Tabatinga. Note that different shore excursions are made on the up river and down river segments.

2005 Departures: From Iquitos every SUNDAY (1230 pm) for 3 night and 6 night except: Feb. 29, May 23 and 30, Dec. 5

From Leticia/Tabatinga every WEDNESDAY (1 pm) for 3 night except: March 3, May 26 and June 2, Dec. 8

Rates per person in US$:

flight from Tabatinga to Iquitos (for 3 night cruises) = US$80
transfers from airport to dock are extra