MARVELOUSEXCLUSIVE
Zafiro Luxury Amazon Cruise: 8-Day High Water Escape (Dec-May)
Zafiro Luxury Amazon Cruise: 8-Day High Water Escape (Dec-May)
Embark on an extraordinary 8-day, 7-night Zafiro Luxury Amazon Cruise from December to May, designed for an immersive journey into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon during its vibrant high-water season. Your adventure begins with a seamless pick-up from Iquitos airport, a delightful lunch at the DoubleTree by Hilton, and a panoramic city tour before boarding the magnificent Zafiro. Settle into your opulent suite, complete with premium amenities, and enjoy a welcome pisco cocktail as you set sail. Throughout your voyage, expert naturalist guides will unveil the Amazon’s secrets, leading you through thrilling day and night expeditions, cultural encounters, and unparalleled wildlife sightings, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder and luxury.
Highlights
- Seamless Arrival & Luxurious Boarding: Enjoy a comfortable airport pick-up, lunch at DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos, and a panoramic city tour before settling into your elegant suite on the Zafiro, complete with premium amenities and a welcome pisco cocktail.
- Deep Rainforest Exploration & Nocturnal Safaris: Delve deep into the Amazon with daily skiff expeditions to explore diverse flora and fauna. Experience thrilling night excursions in search of caimans, tarantulas, frogs, and other nocturnal species in areas like Yacapana, Nauta Caño, and Dorado River.
- Birthplace of the Amazon & Pink Dolphins: Witness the majestic confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, where the mighty Amazon is born, and delight in frequent sightings of pink and gray river dolphins.
- Cultural Immersion & Ancestral Wisdom: Visit the San Regis community to learn about their traditions from a local shaman, participate in a tree-planting ceremony, and discover handmade crafts by local women. Explore the bustling Nauta market via motocar for a glimpse into local life.
- Unique Flora & Fauna Encounters: Discover the impressive Victoria Amazonica (giant water lily) in Puerto Prado and Casual, spot diverse wildlife in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (Yanayacu de Pucate, Yanallpa), and look for unique species like mahogany trees and poisonous frogs.
- Adventure Activities: Try your hand at piranha fishing using local techniques, experience the thrill of kayaking, and even take a refreshing dip in the Amazon’s black waters.
- Onboard Gastronomy & Entertainment: Indulge in gourmet Peruvian and Amazonian cuisine, enjoy live music performances, attend engaging talks on Amazonian philosophy and wildlife, and savor special moments like a Peruvian cocktail demonstration and a gala dinner with the captain.
- Conservation & Community Support: Visit the Amazon Forever Bio Park (Manatee Rescue Center) to learn about manatee rehabilitation and other rescue efforts, with an invitation to contribute to this vital conservation cause.
Itinerary
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 > Marañon 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 de Pucate > Japanese Lagoon > Yanayaquillo > San Regis> Amazonian Natural Park
Outing on skiff to different lakes and lagoons, until we reach the Japanese Lagoon. There, we’ll enjoy a picnic on one of the best conserved and protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. It’s also a popular spot to watch pink river dolphins.
Before heading back to Zafiro cruise, we’ll take a trip to the Yanaquillo gorge.
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 Zafiro. Before starting the afternoon activity, our guides will give a talk about the Amazon philosophy.
Afterwards, 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 cruise, our bartender will give a demonstration of how to prepare Peruvian cocktails, and we’ll then enjoy live music while we await the gala dinner with the captain.
DAY 4 | TUESDAY
Marañon 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
Marañon River > Nauta > Reserve of Comunal Florida > Pahuashiro
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. Then we will be ready to start a new outing, this one consists on a walk on “Comunal Florida” Reserve, in search of wildlife including frogs, birds and other exotic animal species. In this area we will find the popular selected trees known as Caoba or Mahogany.
We’ll have lunch at midday and then rest up for the afternoon activity: another outing on the skiff to explore the area of Pahuachiro and its wildlife.
We’ll then head back to the boat for some free time until dinner.
DAY 6 | THURSDAY
Ucayali River > Yanallpa del Ucayali > Tapiche River > Dorado River
Before breakfast, we’ll head out on a skiff to the Yanallpa area of the Ucayali River in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where we’ll see many native animal species.
After breakfast, we’ll head out on a skiff to the Tapiche River in search of wildlife.
Before midday, we’ll head back to the boat for a cooking demonstration by the executive chef.
After lunch, whoever is interested may attend a talk about the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and in the afternoon we’ll take a skiff to the Dorado river, where we’ll fish using local techniques. Before heading back on board, we’ll enjoy a nighttime outing in search of caimans, tarantulas and other species that make an appearance after the sun goes down.
Dinner will then be served aboard the Zafiro.
DAY 7 | FRIDAY
Ucayali River > Yarapa of Ucayali (Black Waters) > Amazon River > Tahuayo River
After breakfast, we’ll set out to explore the Yarapa River, where the famous pink and gray river dolphins swim in its black waters.
Back on the Zafiro, we’ll see the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which give birth to the Amazon River.
After enjoying lunch and resting, we will set out on skiffs on a nice sail on the Amazon river. We will explore and observe the daily activities that local communities do on the river banks. Before heading back to the boat, enjoy a colorful Amazon sunset.
Back on board Zafiro, you’ll have some time to relax and enjoy live music before the presentation by the crew and farewell dinner.
DAY 8 | SATURDAY.
Disembark in Iquitos city
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, 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 from their captors with the intention of turning them into pets or because they have been in threatening conditions. We will invite you to make a donation to this dedicated organization and study center.
Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
Start Planning Your Dream Trip
Inclusions & Rates
Every journey we create is uniquely crafted around your preferences, interests, and travel style. Because of this personalized approach, pricing can vary depending on factors like the number of travelers, the type of accommodations you prefer, the experiences you choose to include, and more.
Our expert travel designers will build a custom itinerary just for you. If you have a specific budget in mind, feel free to share it with us — we’ll tailor the experience to make the most of it without compromising on quality or authenticity.
Included
- 1-night accommodation Hotel – Iquitos City.
- 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 on board the Zafiro.
- All excursions and equipment (including hiking boots and rain ponchos).
- Transfers from / to the ship when arriving on recommended flights to Iquitos. * In case of staying in hotels in the city of Iquitos – inform the sales and reservations department to coordinate the pick-up before or after the tour: marvelousexclusive@gmail.com
- Entry fee to The Pacaya-Samaria National Reserve.
- Sodas, natural juices, coffee, tea, water, local beer, house wines and pisco cocktails are included. Premium bar with additional cost.
- Welcome drink: Pisco Sour.
Not included
- Domestic flights.
- Cost of medical emergencies (including emergency evacuation).
- Tipping etiquette. On board Zafiro cruise, we recommend a tip amount of USD 25 to USD 30 per passenger per night for the crew (which will be divided among all crew members) and a tip amount of USD 7 to 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 on board the vessels.
- Any additional transportation services.
Prices
PRICES 2026
Program: 8D / 7N
- First Deck Suite — USD 8,134
- Second Deck Suite — USD 8,455
- Master Suite — USD 9,205
- Zafiro Suite — USD 10,597
Prices are expressed in US Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.
