Crucero de Aventura La Perla

The guides meet you on arrival at Iquitos airport for the transfer to the town of Nauta, where you board La Perla. We recommend booking flights arriving in Iquitos before 12:00. As you settle into your cabin, La Perla begins sailing along the Marañón river toward its confluence with the Ucayali, the union from which the majestic Amazon river is born; from the deck you enjoy a panoramic view as the guides tell the story of the Amazon's origin. Lunch featuring regional cuisine and an overview of the trip's programme. In the afternoon, a visit to the Samiria reserve to observe the charapa turtles and, at night, a nocturnal excursion in search of Amazonian wildlife. Back on board, a meeting with the naturalist guides, live local music and dinner. Overnight on board. Meals: lunch and dinner.

On waking, an exploration of the Yanayacu Pucate basin, within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, for a picnic breakfast surrounded by pink dolphins, blue-and-yellow macaws, toucans and saki monkeys; the chance to swim in the river alongside the pink dolphins and an excursion to the hanging bridges in search of wildlife. Lunch on board and a visit to the San Regis community, with a shaman ceremony and a tree-planting ceremony. Back on board, live music and dinner. After dinner, a night boat excursion on Nauta Caño, known as the 'jungle of mirrors', with its shimmering black-water lagoons, where the naturalist guides spot caimans, tarantulas and boas. Overnight on board. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A relaxed morning on board. Afterwards, out to fish for piranhas in the black-water stream of San José de Zarapanga, known as shiriyacu, using local gear and techniques. In the afternoon, a visit to the Kukama Prado indigenous village to learn about ancient traditions and traditional medicine and to attend a cooking demonstration. Later, a boat excursion to admire the colours of the Amazonian sunset and listen to the sounds of the wildlife as night falls. On the return, a farewell dinner on board and a crew presentation, with the award of a diploma as the boat descends toward Nauta. Overnight on board. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After the last breakfast on board, check-out and bus transfer from Nauta to Iquitos. A stop at the Amazon Manatee Rescue Centre (ACOBIA), where you can see and feed these animals. A short city tour to take in the highlights of the rubber-boom era, such as the Iron House and the Belén market, before reaching the airport. We recommend avoiding flights departing before 12:00. Meals: breakfast.