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Amazon Rainforest Cruise - Zafiro
Explore the rainforest from the comfort of this stylish riverboat with expert guiding on a consistently wonderful program.
SPECIAL OFFER
9.1*
ECO SCORE
38
PASSENGERS
10
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The Amazon: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
Zafiro
Voyage into the world's largest river basin, an unparalleled biological reservoir on this thrilling adventure along the mighty Amazon River in Peru. Come face to face with pink dolphins, playful monkeys, sleepy sloths, giant butterflies and a myriad of other rare creatures in the remote Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Disembark for guided moonlight safaris, canoe excursions, nature walks and piranha fishing. Receive a blessing from a Shaman and learn ancient customs with the locals in Ribereño villages. Complete with certified naturalist guides, outdoor jacuzzi, cooking class, pre and post cruise hotel in Lima, internal flights and more, this is as once-in-a-lifetime as it gets.
- • Expert guides help you locate hidden wildlife on hikes, excursion boat rides, and kayaks in the Amazon.
•Join a village Shaman for a blessing ceremony and learn about medicinal plants.
•Travel with an extremely reliable, Canada-based operator known for having extra warm and enthusiastic naturalists and guides.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
SPECIAL OFFER:
Rates:
From $10,399 per person
Policies and protocols provided before you book.
Year-round Dates
Ask us for specific dates.
Year-round Dates
Ask us for specific dates
Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Conservation
Corporate sponsor of the East African Wildlife Society
Water
Creates water treatment plants and systems for remote Amazon villages
Education
Founded the Adopt-A-School program to provide 120+ Amazonian schools with supplies and environmental education
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive anytime today in Lima, Peru, the nation’s capital and largest city, and transfer to our overnight hotel.
Accommodation: Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima (or similar)
Wyndham Costa del Sol: Located at the Jorge Chávez International Airport and offeringexpert service for the most demanding travelers, our non-smoking hotel offers the ultimate in convenience and comfort, whether you are exploring the capital of Peru or just passing through.
Day 2: Fly Lima to Iquitos and Embark
Fly over the Andes to Iquitos. Board the elegant riverboat, Zafiro, home for the next seven nights. Enjoy stargazing and storytelling with our local guides while cruising slowly on the Amazon River toward the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers.
Accommodation: Zafiro (Details below)
Days 3-8: Amazon River & Tributaries
Spend the next six nights aboard the Zafiro riverboat navigating deep into the tributaries of the Amazon—a web of forests and lakes that pulsates with a chorus of birdlife, the calls of primates, and flashes of colorful butterflies. More than 1,300 species of birds, 40,000 plant species and grey and pink river dolphins can be found in this lush, ever-changing rainforest known collectively as “The Amazon.”
Enjoy unprecedented access to three habitats, varzea, igapó, and palm-flooded forest, including the deep reaches of the protected Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, for the greatest diversity of wildlife sightings, including spectacular blue-and-gold and scarlet macaws, hoatzins and horned screamers. Traverse the waterways aboard sturdy excursion boats to areas where you may find marsh birds such as oriole blackbirds, green ibis, yellow-headed caracaras, black-capped donacobis and white-headed marsh-tyrant. Nighttime excursions may reveal caimans, capybaras, common pootoos, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife. Periodically throughout the year, guests may even release turtle hatchlings.
Daily excursions include early morning birding, enriching presentations, visits in local villages and even piranha fishing! Learn about the lives of the Ribereño people as we visit villages perched along the riverbanks. This is a fantastic opportunity to stroll through their gardens and learn about medicinal plants from a local Shaman. Depending on the villages visited during your voyage, you may also see a water treatment tower or home filtration systems provided through our partnership with a local conservation organization.
Pointing out details no guidebook could provide are the onboard team of world-class naturalists, while Zafiro’s attentive crew ensures exceptional service in the wild.
Accommodation: Zafiro
Day 9: Fly from Iquitos to Lima
On an early morning excursion to Pilpintuwasi Rescue Center, see two- and three-toed sloth, red uakari and even a jaguar which have been rescued. We disembark Zafiro and transfer back to Iquitos for our flight to Lima. Upon arrival back in Lima this afternoon, hotel rooms are provided. You can stay overnight and depart on day 10, or alternatively use them as dayrooms and connect with independent overnight flights home today (late evening onwards). This day includes breakfast and lunch.
Accommodation: Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport (or similar)
Day 10: End Lima
Depart Lima at any time today.
Zafiro
Travel aboard the Zafiro, a luxurious vessel chartered for your adventure, which blends stylish design and modern comforts. Classic touches include magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows and — for those on the Upper Deck — private balconies. A ship staff and crew of 25, including a cruise director and local naturalist guides, are joined by this operator's Expedition Leader to ensure an unprecedented level of service. All 19 spacious suites are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms, a desk and ample closet space. Savor regional specialties and contemporary cuisine infused with flavors from the surrounding rainforest. The atmosphere is casual yet elegant as you sample Amazon fusion cuisine while enjoying spectacular views from the panoramic windows.
Connect with fellow travelers, chat with your local guides or enjoy snacks and a drink in the large indoor lounge. The comfortable furnishings make a perfect spot for relaxing with a book or enjoying the passing scenery. Glide past the Amazon rainforest and clusters of wooden houses on stilts with children playing soccer as you sip morning coffee and take in the fresh air from the river’s most luxurious Observation Deck. Siesta on a cushioned lounger beneath a soaring canopy — ideal for avoiding the sun’s glare. Plus, ease into the Zafiro’s outdoor Jacuzzi to relax after a shore excursion. Indulge in aromatherapy or a massage in the spa, which is staffed by a wellness specialist.
Capacity: 36 Guests
Cabins: 19
Specialists: Expedition Leader, Cruise Director, Highly-Experienced Guides, Wellness Specialist, Expert Crew
ACHIEVEMENTS
2019 Silver Travvy Best Escorted Tour Operator - Adventure/Expedition
2019 USA Today/10 Best List of Best Adventure Cruise Lines
"Best Amazon Cruises for Animal Lovers" Amazon Cruise Travel + Leisure
"The Zafiro is a lovely, fully air-conditioned ship with spacious cabins and floor to ceiling panoramic views. The guides on Zafiro are welcoming and enthusiastic and the Expedition Leader keeps the program running beautifully without a hitch. Zafiro offers one of the most comfortable and engaging experiences on the Amazon River today. The reliability of this operator, the comfort level of the ship, and their dedicated care of guests offers extra peace of mind to travelers. Highly recommended!"
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
Click to enlarge
Questions?
Rates
Questions?
I've sent many clients on this excellent program. If you're looking for a comfortable way to see the Amazon where everything is taken care of for you when you step off the plane in Peru, the Zafiro via this operator is an outstanding option.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Guided tours & lectures by native naturalists; Services of experienced expedition leader; 8 nights' accommodation; All meals on cruise; Wildlife excursions on land & by skiff in three habitats: varzea, igapó & terra firma; Piranha fishing; Dawn birding; Local village & school visits; Nighttime skiff rides & rainforest walks; Full educational program with lectures & field interpretation; Cooking demonstrations; All Peruvian cocktails onboard, soft drinks, local wine and local beer.; Blessing ceremony with a local Shaman Arrival and departure transfers between the group hotel and airport regardless of day or time; Potable water; Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance.
