ZAFIRO
4 Nights
Rainy / High Water Season
November – May
Five days and four nights exploring the wonderful Amazon, the Marañón and Ucayali rivers and their tributaries. The Pacaya Samiria Reserve will be the perfect scenario for a trip into the most exotic areas nature has to offer. As we enter the world’s largest flooded forest, we will admire the extraordinary wildlife, the immense number of primate species, the hundreds of colorful exotic birds, the close-up view of the gray and pink dolphins, the visit to the villages local, “the jungle of mirrors”, nocturnal wildlife safaris, a visit to the Manatee Rescue Center and many additional activities that will allow you to get to know and fall in love with the incredible Amazon.
Itineraries
High River Season - December to May
Low River Season - Jun - November
ROUTE MAP
Notes
- The proposed itineraries and programs may vary depending on the weather, the river´s water level, the migratory cycles of the animals and time changes in recommended flights.
- Local communities´ visits: the visits will depend on the availability of its inhabitants. We try to avoid the negative
effects of the activity on the identity of cultures and protect the environment. - Excursions: before each outing, we offer waterproof rubber boots for your comfort and convenience; and after each departure, they will be returned to the staff for cleaning. We also offer waterproof
rain ponchos. - Kayaks: ask your naturalist guide about kayak rides, which will depend on the weather conditions on the days of your trip. You are welcome to sign up for kayak tours at your own risk. These rides take place in calm waters where you can paddle in a relaxed way. Our kayaks are ideal for two passengers.
- Fishing: Our fishing policy is based on catch and release
Related Programs
ARIA 4 nights, high water
$4800
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Day 1 Saturday:
Iquitos > Amazon River
You'll be picked up at the airport and brought to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Iquitos where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch. On the road to the main dock to board the cruise ship we will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city of Iquitos.
Our staff will show you to your suite, which will be equipped with comfortable beds, 100% Peruvian Pima cotton sheets, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning and a private bathroom with a shower and amenities.
Before setting sail, our bartender will serve you a cocktail prepared with local fruit and pisco, the most popular liquor in Peru. You can sip it while enjoying 360° views from the observation deck or a panoramic view from the indoor or outdoor lounge.
After setting sail, our naturalist guides will offer an overview of the travel itinerary, including activities, routes, information about wildlife and vegetation, geographical and historical context, as well as other useful info. If you have any doubts or concerns, our guides are always available to answer your questions.
We’ll then enjoy the welcome dinner. Start your journey by dining Peruvian cuisine with an Amazon flare. There are many options on our menu, including vegetarian alternatives. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs.
After dinner, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the starry night sky while we start our journey to the to the depth of the Amazon rainforest.
Day 2 Sunday:
Amazon River > Kukama Reserve (Yanayacu of Yucapana) > Source of the Amazon - Marañón River > Casual > Nauta Creek
Before breakfast, we’ll go out for a boating expedition on the Amazon River to explore the local flora and fauna. When you get back, enjoy our breakfast buffet, which offers a daily selection of traditional dishes, Peruvian specialties, freshly baked goods and a range of freshly squeezed juices. After breakfast, we'll head out to see the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which give rise to the Amazon River. Here we'll observe pink and gray river dolphins.
We'll go back to the boat for lunch by midday and then have time to rest. Make sure you attend the talk about the source of the Amazon and the hydrography of the river so that you'll be up to speed for our walk to Puerto Prado, where we'll see the Victoria Amazonica, the largest water lily in the world.
We'll then head back to the boat for dinner and live music.
After dinner, we'll enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas, frogs and other nocturnal species.
Day 3 Monday:
Yanayacu of Pucate > Japanese Lagoon > Yanayaquillo > San Regis > Amazonian Natural Park
Breakfast and outing on skiff to different lakes and lagoons, until we reach the Japanese Lagoon. There, we'll enjoy a picnic and one of the best conserved and protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. It's also a popular spot to view pink river dolphins from the skiff.
Before heading back to the Zafiro, we'll take a trip to the Yanaquillo.
Once we're back on the cruise ship, we'll get ready to go kayaking and take a dip in the black waters.
Head back for lunch aboard the Zafiro. Before starting the afternoon activity, our guides will give a talk about the Amazon philosophy.
Afterward, we'll take a walk through the rainforest over hanging bridges, where you can admire the riches of the rainforest from the treetops.
Once we're back on the Zafiro, our bartender will give a demonstration of how to make Peruvian cocktails, and we'll then enjoy live music while we await the gala dinner with the captain.
Day 4 Tuesday:
Marañón River - San Regis – Shiriyacu Lake
Breakfast and visit to the community of San Regis, where we'll learn about the local people's way of life and traditions.
We'll also learn about their ancestral traditions from the community's shaman. With our guides as interpreters, we'll be able to ask questions about spiritual connections and curing the soul. We'll then continue the ceremony by planting a tree as a positive contribution to the environment. There, we'll also see a market set up by women from the community to sell their handmade crafts. Head back for lunch aboard the Zafiro. After resting, the guides will tell us about the myths and legends of the Amazon.
In the afternoon, we'll head out on a skiff to the Shiriyacu stream. There, we'll find a good spot to do some piranha fishing using local techniques and equipment. Back on the boat, we'll enjoy the stunning colors of the sunset.
Return to the Zafiro, live music and dinner.
Day 5 Wednesday:
Marañón River – Nauta – Disembark In Nauta – Iquitos Airport
Before breakfast, we'll visit Nauta, the second most important city in the region. Upon arriving, we'll take a motorcycle taxi to the local market where we'll see what business in the city is like firsthand. After, we'll head back to Zafiro cruise for breakfast.
After breakfast we will proceed to disembark. On the way to the airport, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center (Amazon Forever Organization) where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, Activities on board an endangered species that authorities have rescued. We will learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, we will be able to see other animals that have also been rescued. We will invite you to make a donation to this dedicated organization and study center.
Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
| Price per person in USD | 2025 | 2026 |
| First Deck Suite | USD 4,056 | US$ 4,178 |
| Second Deck Suite | USD 4,264 | US$ 4,392 |
| Master Suite | USD 4,680 | US$ 4,820 |
| Zafiro Suite | USD 5,408 | US$ 5,570 |
- Rates are expressed in US Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.
- Charter: Pricing for custom-designed charters are quoted according to your specific request and needs. Single Supplement is 20% in addition to the adult rate.
- Child policy: the recommended age is 7 years old + on all departures. Children aged 7 to 11 years old are eligible for a 50% discount from the adult rate. Children must be accompanied by one or two adults per suite. The capacity is of one child per suite.
- 1 night accommodation Hotel - City of Iquitos. (Only 8D/7N and 5D/4Nprograms).
- Lunch is included before boarding at our DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos hotel. (This service depends on the arrival time of the recommended flight, which might change).
- All meals while on board MV Zafiro.
- All excursions & equipment (including rubber boots & rain ponchos).
- Transfers from / to the airport on the recommended flights. In case the passengers stay in Iquitos city hotels – please inform the reservations department to coordinate the pick up or drop off service at reservas@amazonrex.com.
- Entrance fee to Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
- Sodas, natural juices, coffee, tea, water, local alcoholic beverages (house wines, beer and pisco cocktails) are included with lunch and dinner.
- Welcome drink: Pisco Sour.
- Domestic flights.
- Cost of medical emergencies (including evacuation).
- GRATUITIES. On board Zafiro we recommend an amount in the range of USD 20 - USD 30 per passenger per night for the crew (to be divided among all the crew members) and between USD 7 - USD 10 per passenger per night for the guides. Please note that these amounts are suggested and that this is entirely at the discretion of our guests.
- Any additional transportation services.
- Any additional bar consumptions.