Amatista Amazon cruises
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The La Amatista has been a favorite of travelers for years. Hundreds of travelers have enjoyed its comfort and explorations. The luxurious 15 cabins have two twin beds or one queen bed with private bath with shower. All cabins have exterior view windows, air conditioning, smoke detectors and hot water 24 hours a day.
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It cruises into the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, the largest protected natural area in Peru (2,080,000 ha), located 190 miles from Iquitos and is accessible only by waterways. The wealth of the low lying virgin rainforest gives this area an enormous bio-diversity. It has 130 species of mammals such as the Jaguar, Ocelots, Giant River Otters and Capybara (the world's biggest rodent), and several species of monkeys in danger of extinction, like the black Maquisapa or Spider Monkey, the Yellow breast, and the Common Woolly Monkey.
There are 350 bird species like Toucans and Blue, Yellow and Red Macaws. All this, plus the 150 reptiles of 20 families, makes the forest one best tourist trips in the world for the diversity in wildlife sightings. Of great importance to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve's ecosytem is the aquatic fauna, with 250 species of fish, such as the Paiche, the world's largest fresh water fish, weighing up to 250 lbs., and measuring up to 9 feet long, plus species of Turtles, Pink and Grey River Dolphins, and the Manatee.
This part of the upper Amazon Basin has two main seasons; high water and low water. The seasons are based on what is occurring on the slopes of the Andes hundreds of miles away, not rain in the local region. Therefore cruises' daily itineraries will change depending on traveling in high water season (December to May) or low water season (June to November). The proposed routes and excursions will vary some, depending on the type of weather, the level of water of the rivers, as well as the wildlife cycles.
DAY 1 ARRIVE LIMA
Upon arrival from your international flight, you will be transferred to the San Agustin Exclusive Hotel (or similar) and overnight in Lima.
Upon arrival from your international flight, you will be transferred to the San Agustin Exclusive Hotel (or similar) and overnight in Lima.
DAY 2 IQUITOS/AMAZON RIVERBOAT (1B,1L,1D)
The day begins very early to catch our flight to Iquitos and transfer to the Amazon Riverboat. Once on board the ship, relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rain forest. Step out on deck to watch the riverbanks go by, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey and pink dolphins.
Downsize from the Riverboat and step onto a motorized skiff. Listen to an expert naturalist guide describe the surrounding area while spotting wildlife as it passes by. In the evening, take advantage of a nighttime boat ride in the wild, and watch the Amazon become a different domain. Be on the lookout for bats, capybaras, black caimans, poison frogs, and a vast number of other species. See if your flashlights will reflect the ‘red eye shine’ of the black caiman or show the glowing yellow eyes of a jaguar!
The day begins very early to catch our flight to Iquitos and transfer to the Amazon Riverboat. Once on board the ship, relax and soak in the natural beauty of the wild rain forest. Step out on deck to watch the riverbanks go by, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as grey and pink dolphins.
Downsize from the Riverboat and step onto a motorized skiff. Listen to an expert naturalist guide describe the surrounding area while spotting wildlife as it passes by. In the evening, take advantage of a nighttime boat ride in the wild, and watch the Amazon become a different domain. Be on the lookout for bats, capybaras, black caimans, poison frogs, and a vast number of other species. See if your flashlights will reflect the ‘red eye shine’ of the black caiman or show the glowing yellow eyes of a jaguar!
DAY 3 Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (1B,1L,1D)
Rise early to head out in this birdwatching haven on the search for over 200 bird species that call the Amazon home. Try to spot parrots, macaws, herons, kingfishers, swallows, martins, falcons, black collared hawks and many more.
Later in the morning, the guides will point out the interesting wildlife species that inhabit the riverbanks, and unusual fish and vegetation that can be found in the river. Stay on the lookout for squirrel and woolly monkeys, caimans and sloths.
In the afternoon, take a walk through the jungle and visit a local community to learn about their traditions. After dinner, opt to go on a night excursion to Piranha Creek.
Rise early to head out in this birdwatching haven on the search for over 200 bird species that call the Amazon home. Try to spot parrots, macaws, herons, kingfishers, swallows, martins, falcons, black collared hawks and many more.
Later in the morning, the guides will point out the interesting wildlife species that inhabit the riverbanks, and unusual fish and vegetation that can be found in the river. Stay on the lookout for squirrel and woolly monkeys, caimans and sloths.
In the afternoon, take a walk through the jungle and visit a local community to learn about their traditions. After dinner, opt to go on a night excursion to Piranha Creek.
DAY 4 PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE / (1B,1L,1D)
Pay a visit to the jungle town of Nauta. Ride the local motorcars and browse the local market during this included tour. Try your hand at bargaining and pick up some souvenirs! In the afternoon enjoy a jungle walk and learn about medicinal plants, search for monkeys and keep an eye out for reptiles.
Pay a visit to the jungle town of Nauta. Ride the local motorcars and browse the local market during this included tour. Try your hand at bargaining and pick up some souvenirs! In the afternoon enjoy a jungle walk and learn about medicinal plants, search for monkeys and keep an eye out for reptiles.
DAY 5 PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE (1B,1L,1D)
Take a morning excursion by motorized skiff down the Amazon and some of its tributaries to see the wonders of the rainforest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds while exploring.
In the afternoon, walk along the banks of the Ucayali River to explore the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon, and to have the opportunity to see the Victoria Regia water lily — a gigantic aquatic plant with leaves that measure up to 3m (10 ft) in diameter. Keep a watch out for the Amazon River dolphin, giant otter, and the Amazonian manatee, which all make their home in Ucayali’s waters.
Take a morning excursion by motorized skiff down the Amazon and some of its tributaries to see the wonders of the rainforest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds while exploring.
In the afternoon, walk along the banks of the Ucayali River to explore the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon, and to have the opportunity to see the Victoria Regia water lily — a gigantic aquatic plant with leaves that measure up to 3m (10 ft) in diameter. Keep a watch out for the Amazon River dolphin, giant otter, and the Amazonian manatee, which all make their home in Ucayali’s waters.
DAY 6 PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE - SHAMAN VISIT(1B,1L,1D)
Rise early to visit the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Once back on board, gather for breakfast followed by a presentation on the life, history, and culture of the Amazon's main tribes.After lunch, listen to an introductory discussion about shamanism to help understand the traditions of the people living in the rainforest. Touch upon the spirit realm, paying a visit to a local shaman. Shamanism is practiced around the globe, and is universally distinguished by a trance state called shamanic ecstasy. In these "out of body" travels, the shaman enlists denizens of the spirit world to help him with a variety of duties, from healing the sick to assisting a deceased person's soul into the afterworld — all the while, the shaman remains conscious. Gain rare insight into the complexities of this phenomenon when you meet an actual practicing shaman in a river village. He'll introduce the group to his spiritual healing craft and talk about rainforest plants that indigenous peoples have, for untold centuries, held to possess curative properties.
Rise early to visit the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Once back on board, gather for breakfast followed by a presentation on the life, history, and culture of the Amazon's main tribes.After lunch, listen to an introductory discussion about shamanism to help understand the traditions of the people living in the rainforest. Touch upon the spirit realm, paying a visit to a local shaman. Shamanism is practiced around the globe, and is universally distinguished by a trance state called shamanic ecstasy. In these "out of body" travels, the shaman enlists denizens of the spirit world to help him with a variety of duties, from healing the sick to assisting a deceased person's soul into the afterworld — all the while, the shaman remains conscious. Gain rare insight into the complexities of this phenomenon when you meet an actual practicing shaman in a river village. He'll introduce the group to his spiritual healing craft and talk about rainforest plants that indigenous peoples have, for untold centuries, held to possess curative properties.
DAY 7 PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE (1B,1L,1D)
Go on an early morning excursion to watch the rainforest world wake up. Spot iguanas, river turtles, cormorants, or wattled jacana, and gain insight into another side of the jungle. Then, be welcomed into the home of a local Indigenous family. Share conversation over a midday meal, and be introduced to their culture and way of life. Participate in an unforgettable opportunity to gain insight into a new and different world. Once it gets dark, head out on an excursion to search for tree frogs, kinkajou and nocturnal birds and monkeys.
Go on an early morning excursion to watch the rainforest world wake up. Spot iguanas, river turtles, cormorants, or wattled jacana, and gain insight into another side of the jungle. Then, be welcomed into the home of a local Indigenous family. Share conversation over a midday meal, and be introduced to their culture and way of life. Participate in an unforgettable opportunity to gain insight into a new and different world. Once it gets dark, head out on an excursion to search for tree frogs, kinkajou and nocturnal birds and monkeys.
DAY 8 IQUITOS / LIMA (1B)
Rise early and set out to explore the impressive biodiversity of the area's unusual ecosystem. Look for a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic breakfast, followed by a trip to explore Choroyacu. Ride up the Nahuapa River for piranha fishing. Visit Choroyacu Creek to have the opportunity to climb in a dugout canoe and explore this scenic area with the locals. Then earn about the efforts of the Amazonian Manatee Rescue Center, an organization focused on rescuing orphaned manatees that were the victims of poaching. The center helps to rehabilitate and reintroduce these very rare and endangered mammals back into the Amazon Basin. Then transfer to the airport, fly back to Lima and transfer to the San Agustin Exclusive Hotel (or similar)
DAY 9 LIMA (1B)
Depart at any time on your own.
Rise early and set out to explore the impressive biodiversity of the area's unusual ecosystem. Look for a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic breakfast, followed by a trip to explore Choroyacu. Ride up the Nahuapa River for piranha fishing. Visit Choroyacu Creek to have the opportunity to climb in a dugout canoe and explore this scenic area with the locals. Then earn about the efforts of the Amazonian Manatee Rescue Center, an organization focused on rescuing orphaned manatees that were the victims of poaching. The center helps to rehabilitate and reintroduce these very rare and endangered mammals back into the Amazon Basin. Then transfer to the airport, fly back to Lima and transfer to the San Agustin Exclusive Hotel (or similar)
DAY 9 LIMA (1B)
Depart at any time on your own.
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2017 Rates: US$2499 lower deck, US$2699 upper deck, per person double room. US$3998 single, lower deck. Contact us for rate for specific dates because sometimes there are sales. Note: singles can request to share a room. If no roommate is found, they don't have to pay single rate. Superior rooms are on upper deck and beds can be pushed together to form a double bed. Deposit = US$250 per person. Final payment due 65 days before start date 2017 Dates: Oct. 14,22, 21-29, Nov. 11-19, Dec. 23-31, 30-Jan. 7
What's Included:
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"It went very well.The service was outstanding. The relatively small crew seemed to be on top of everything and there were no problems. We would give them 5 stars.The accommodations although not luxurious were more than adequate and the food was pretty good. Not gourmet, but certainly equal to any cruise ship that we have been on (Holland America, Carnival, Princess). The jungle experience was well organized and in a rather short time span we covered a lot of territory. The tour did not penetrate into the far depths of the jungle but we did not expect that. We know that there are other tours that do that but it would be a totally different type of venture which would require a great deal more time and expense. For one who is not a professional naturalist what we observed would be more than adequate for a casual tourist to get a relatively brief ( 1 week) but intensive view of the many aspects of the Amazon which included visits with the local population as well as observing the natural surroundings. Every day we participated on one or more hikes through the rain forest of one to three hour duration. The "Amatista" is the original river excursion boat and is over 30 years old but it has been recently refurbished and appears to be in relatively good condition. There are now a dozen or so newer ships which are slightly larger but also charge much higher fees. Other than providing slightly more space I don't see how it would be worth it as they pretty much travel the same routes and the service we received would be hard to improve upon." Jim |
