Amazon River Cruise | Smithsonian Journeys
The Amazon river Smithsonian Journey is a superb way to enter into the most biodiverse environment on earth, to meet some of its people, and to gain an appreciation of life there. It is excellent in every way.
The staff on the trip are the best I have ever encountered, and I have been to Antarctica, Galapagos, Alaska, in the Mediterranean.
Our trip to the Amazon River was far greater than we expected! Not only did we get to learn a lot about wildlife and Peruvian culture, but also enjoyed delicious fresh food and an exceptional service!
We loved the naturalists, the crew, the local food, and are convinced the boat was the best on the Amazon. Truly an unforgettable experience!
This trip was exactly what we were looking for – a good introduction to the nature, history and culture of the Amazon Basin in Peru. It served to whet our appetite for more explorations into the vibrant, colorful watery jungles of the Amazon.
Exploring the mysterious Amazon River Basin—one of Earth’s most exotic natural realms and our planet’s largest rain forest ecosystem—is an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience. Witness the spectacular variety of lush flora and extraordinary fauna during daily expeditions by excursion boat and nature walks. As you discover this enthralling world of verdant tropical waterways and rain forests, learn about the relationship the local villagers have with their environment as well as the critical global issues of biodiversity and sustainability.
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Depart the U.S. / Lima, Peru
Depart for the cosmopolitan coastal capital of Peru, Lima, located at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Arrive late this evening in the heart of the upscale, cultural Miraflores district and check into your hotel.
JW Marriott Hotel Lima
Day 2 — Lima
Following a morning at leisure, enjoy a tour of the historic center of Lima, a World Heritage site. See pre‑Columbian temples and proud colonial mansions amid modern architecture, and the colorful buildings lining the Plaza de Armas—the city’s main square. Tour the opulent Casa de Aliaga, built in 1535 as the residence of Don Jerónimo de Aliaga, the co‑founder of Lima. Filled with original 16th-century Spanish art and furniture, it is the oldest private house in continuous use in the western hemisphere and has been inhabited by the Aliaga family for 17 generations.
Then, visit the 17th‑century colonial Convent and Church of San Francisco, a brilliant combination of Moorish and Baroque architectural styles and one of the finest churches in South America. Gather for the welcome reception in the hotel this evening. (B,R)
JW Marriott Hotel Lima
Day 3 — Lima / Iquitos / Nauta / Río Amazonas
This morning, fly to vibrant Iquitos, an important rubber boom city during the late 19th century that attracted thousands of immigrants from around the globe to the Amazon River Basin hoping to build their fortunes in the rubber industry. Dine at the Doubletree by Hilton Iquitos restaurant for lunch.
Then, transfer to Nauta and embark the Zafiro. Leave the modern world behind as you begin your voyage of discovery into one of the world’s most remote regions. Gather on the ship’s observation deck and watch as civilization fades away and the vast Amazon River unfolds before you. A team of expert naturalists will share their insight into this rich and complex ecosystem and help you identify fascinating species like the radiant large‑billed toucan, pink river dolphin, and South American oriole. Across the basin’s planes, jabiru storks methodically search for food in the shallows, three‑toed sloths move between trees in a slow‑motion ballet and hawks, kites and turkey vultures glide overhead. (B,L,D)
Zafiro
Day 4 — Río Amazonas / Río Ucayali
Awaken in the heart of the Amazon Basin, where the dense jungle teems with the greatest diversity of plant and animal life on Earth and the perfect serenity of the river is broken only by the occasional fisherman paddling by in a traditional dugout canoe.
This afternoon on the shores of the Amazon, meet with ribereños, or river people, in their village, which has been inhabited for generations. Here, the villagers maintain conservation efforts to raise several of the thousands of butterfly species that live in the Amazon’s unique ecosystem, including the rare electric-blue morpho. (B,L,D)
*Please note: Itinerary may vary based on wildlife sightings, water levels, and navigability.
Zafiro
Day 5 – Río Amazonas / Río Ucayali / Río Marañón
This morning, embark one of the vessel’s small excursion boats to explore the Pacaya‑Samiria National Reserve, the largest wetlands reserve in the world. This area is home to the endearing capybara—a large, semi‑aquatic rodent endemic to South America—and a profusion of rare palms, orchids and other tropical plants that flourish at ground level. Watch for pink and gray river dolphins swimming alongside your boat.
After lunch, board a small river skiff in search of exotic wildlife, including toucans and saddleback tamarin monkeys, and marvel at the giant Victoria amazonica water lilies. (B,L,D)
Zafiro
Day 6 — Río Marañón/Río Pucate / Río Ucayali
Under the shade of a magnificent rainforest canopy, enjoy a picnic breakfast while you watch for white‑necked heron and wattled jacana dipping into nearby shallow waters. Walk through this mysterious realm of soaring ceiba trees that reach as high as 200 feet, listen for endangered scarlet macaws chattering in the canopy and watch for egrets, oriole blackbirds, and purple gallinules.
This afternoon, by special arrangement, meet a local shaman, or medicine man, who will perform a traditional ritual and explain how the ribereños have used indigenous medicinal plants and herbs to cure ailments for centuries. Participate in a traditional Amazonian tree‑planting ceremony dedicated to ensuring the longevity and well-being of the rainforest.
This evening, search for elusive nocturnal creatures such as caimans and bats on a nighttime excursion into the Pacaya‑Samiria National Reserve—a vast blanket of stars glow above you, impossibly bright this close to the Equator. (B,L,D)
Zafiro
Day 7 — Río Marañón / Nauta
Enter a virtually uninhabited portion of the Amazon where the river narrows. Board excursion boats and cruise along labyrinthine blackwater tributaries while the vessel’s naturalists point out animal and plant life rarely detected by the untrained eye. Then, try your hand at catching a red‑bellied piranha during a fishing expedition.
This afternoon, stop in a local village for a demonstration on how to prepare Amazonian specialties, including Juanes, a regional favorite made of chicken and rice wrapped in banana leaves. Later, visit another Amazonian village where you will learn more about the ribereños’ timeless way of life and special relationship with this remarkable environment.
Enjoy a final evening of cruising the Amazon. Gather on the vessel’s upper deck for a festive farewell as the sun sets over the lush flora of the passing rainforest. (B,L,D)
Zafiro
Day 8 — Nauta / Iquitos / Lima
Following breakfast, disembark and continue to the Iquitos Handicraft Market.
Fly from Iquitos to Lima, where day-room accommodations have been reserved. Stay overnight near the airport before the Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Post‑Tour Option. Or, late tonight, board your return flight to the U.S. (B)
Wyndham Costa Del Sol Lima Airport (Day Room)
Day 9 — Return to the U.S.
Your flight arrives in the U.S.
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B),
Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)
