Pure Amazon 7 nights – High Water Season

A warm welcome in Nauta

Your gateway to Amazonia is the port city of Iquitos – the largest mainland metropolis in the world that can only be reached by air and river, not by road. From there it is a 1 hour 45-minute drive with your guide to Nauta, a remote town on the banks of the Marañón River, where you are welcomed aboard Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary. Once checked in, relax in the Explorer’s Lounge as you are briefed about the next day’s activities and, time and energy levels permitting, dine in the restaurant on innovative dishes prepared by talented onboard chefs. Overnight, the boat cruises to Yuracocha.

Your scenic introduction to the rainforest

If you wish, set out at sunrise (between 5.30am and 6.20am, depending on the time of year) on a birdwatching adventure by skiff in the Yuracocha area, known for its silvery oxbow lakes and peaceful waterways. As the forest comes to life, your guide points out a breathtaking abundance of birdlife.

After breakfast onboard Pure Amazon, set off by skiff around 9am to explore the serene waters of Dorado, a blackwater stream system where the calm, reflective waters mirror the forest canopy – and a great spot for photographing wildlife, from squirrel monkeys to iguanas.

After lunch, wait until 3pm (when the heat begins to subside) before opting for one of two activities: exploring on a double, sit-on kayak, or fishing for piranhas on a catch-and-release basis. As the light fades, board a skiff for a night safari. See the eyes of caimans glowing in the beam of a spotlight, and look out for night monkeys, bats, night herons and insects. Added atmosphere is provided by the “jungle orchestra of the night”, the soundtrack provided by frogs, insects and other animals after twilight. End with a recap of today’s highlights and a look ahead to the following day, plus dinner prepared by our creative onboard chefs.

Spot macaws, toucans and monkeys on the remote Pacaya River

Again, depart Pure Amazon before breakfast for an optional skiff excursion at sunrise in search of macaws, toucans and other wildlife on the idyllic Pacaya River an important area of the protected Pacaya-Samiria Nature Reserve. Expansive at this time of year, the river meanders through vast flooded forests which are home to howler monkeys and the occasional giant river otter.

After breakfast onboard Pure Amazon, explore this water-world further by skiff until lunchtime. After lunch, relax or attend a lecture or cooking demonstration until the heat of the day begins to subside, then choose to go either kayaking or swimming in the area’s safe, tranquil blackwater– an unforgettable Amazon experience – until the light fades. Return to Pure Amazon for the nightly briefing, followed by dinner in its elegant, open-plan restaurant. While you sleep, the riverboat cruises to its next destination: Yanallpa.

Raptors, parakeets, a guided forest walk, and a village visit in Yanallpa

Rise early, skip breakfast (for now) and board your familiar skiff for a birding excursion around Yanallpa, in a “terra firma” part of the forest that isn’t flooded. As you approach, look out for raptors (birds of prey) and parakeets as your flat-bottomed craft navigates the creeks and shallows. After breakfast back on Pure Amazon, set off on a guided walk along dense forest trails and learn about the region’s plant life and its use by local communities. Stop at a village where residents welcome you and tell you about their lives.

In the afternoon, Pure Amazon journeys into Supay Creek, another quiet blackwater stream rich in wildlife. You may hear the roar of red howler monkeys reaching its outlandish crescendo as you explore by skiff with your guide. Alternatively, try your hand at fishing.

Get a flavor of Amazonian life, food and crafts at Nauta market

Birding before breakfast, fishing in the morning, kayaking in the afternoon

If you wish, set out at sunrise (between 5.30am and 6.20am, depending on the time of year) on a birdwatching adventure by skiff in the area around Nauta Caño, a creek known for its wildlife, dense vegetation and mirror-like “blackwater”. This is a hotspot for early-morning bird activity, and you might spot black-collared hawks, flamboyantly colored tanagers and oropendolas – large birds with a long tail which is at least partially bright yellow

After breakfast onboard Pure Amazon, set off by skiff around 9am. This time, you might head to Yanayacu Pucate – one of the most beautiful tributaries in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, an 8,000-square-mile protected area. Camera at the ready, look out for wildlife which might include squirrel monkeys, tamarins (another small primate) and iguanas, a type of lizard, or try your hand at fishing for piranhas on a catch and-release basis.

After lunch, wait until 3pm (when the heat begins to subside) before exploring Yanayaquillo – a quiet stream overhung by trees and home to myriad birds and animals. Paddle along its narrow creeks in a double, sit-on kayak, or board a skiff to observe wildlife pointed out by your guide, starting in daylight and ending in darkness. When the light fades, see the reflective eyes of caimans glowing in the beam of a spotlight, or look out for night monkeys and insects. End your evening with a recap of today’s triumphs and a look ahead to the following day, followed by dinner and, weather permitting, stargazing before bed.

Meet the “river people” of Nueva Arica village

Leave Pure Amazon early to visit Nueva Arica – a welcoming riverside village where water levels vary by 30 feet depending on the season. Meet local people, learn how they adapt to life in the low- and high-water seasons, visit their homes and see how A&K Philanthropy is supporting them in the innovative use of forest resources to derive a sustainable income. There are opportunities, too, for kayaking and swimming in calm blackwater with little or no current.

In the afternoon, set out on a guided walk to the Samiria River, known as “the jungle mirror” because its smooth blackwater reflects the forest and sky all around it. On the way, your wildlife guide spots and shows you not just A-lister sloths, monkeys and birds but fascinating flora and smaller animals such as frogs, ants, spiders and other insects. Afterwards, return to Pure Amazon for your nightly debrief and a celebratory farewell dinner.

Your Amazonian adventure ends

After a final breakfast onboard as Pure Amazon returns to Nauta, disembark and relax in a comfortable vehicle en route to Formabiap, an educational project supported by A&K Philanthropy. There, around 200 young people from indigenous communities study to become teachers – honing their skills in both Spanish and their local language. After a musical welcome, learn about longhouse-building and participate in a spiritual cleansing session with an elder, then listen to a presentation on the use of medicinal plants. Afterwards you are transferred privately to your hotel in Iquitos, or the airport.