January 2008
Pricing 1530 USD per person
based on double occupancy
Moderate Challenge. 07-days.
International and domestic airfare not included.

SPECIAL
Extension to the Pacaya Samiria Lodge:
3-days/2-nights
Pricing 550 USD per person.

Join our fixed-date trip or request a customized Amazon River itinerary for you and your friends based on your travel dates (custom itinerary minimum 5-persons).

Tarapoto:
Tarapoto is the largest city in the Department of San Martin in Peru with a population of about 60,000 people, located at 350 meters above sea level on the edge of the Amazon basin in N.E. Peru. The city lies between the valleys of the Cumbaza and Shilcayo rivers.
The city was founded on the August 20, 1782 by the Bishop of Trujillo, Monseñor Baltazar Martínez de Compagñón.Tarapoto is known as the City of Palms. The name Tarapoto is said to be derived from a type of palm tree that grows in the jungles of San Martin; the Taraputus.

Attractions around Tarapoto include adventures to the nearby mountains and rivers for trekking, wildlife, horseback riding, and river rafting. Tarapoto is located in an ideal place to allow a traveler to visit the jungle areas of the Pacaya - Samiria Reserve and Amazon River.

Of particular interest is the town of Lamas, the center of the Quechua-Lamista culture. According to legends, the Quechua-Lamistas are descended from the Chancas Indians who at one time rivaled the Incas in controlling the Andes highlands.

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve:
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is located in Peru's Amazon region, 100 miles west from Iquitos. The Reserve is a triangular shaped area between the Maranon and Ucayali rivers. These rivers intersect at the northeastern tip of the Reserve, marking the beginning of what is considered the Amazon River proper.
The area was declared a National Reserve in 1972 and enlarged to its present size of 5,137,000 acres in 1982, the largest protected reserve in Peru.

The approximately 50,000 people who live in the Reserve most are located in villages along the edge of the Reserve.
There are over 132 species of mammals, 13 of which are primates. The reserve's waters are home to gray and pink dolphins, Amazonian manatees, Giant river Otters, Black Caimans and giant South American River Turtles. Land species include Jaguars, Capuchin Monkeys and Spider Monkeys. The Black Spider Monkey, the Orange-chested Spider Monkey, the Woolly Monkey, and the Howler Monkey are all considered endangered.
More than 300 species of birds live in Pacaya-Samiria, including five of the eight species of Macaw found in Peru. The prehistoric-looking hoatzin bird is seen here as well.

ITINERARY

DAY01: LIMA – TARAPOTO
Morning flight from Lima to Tarapoto.
Visit to the city of Lamas, folkloric capital of the department of San Martin, located 30 km. from the resort. You will visit the Museo de Arte Costumbrista, Craftmanship store and Barrio Nativo de Wayko (native town of Wayko).
Overnight Puerto Palmeras Resort

DAY02: TARAPOTO
Eco tour to Cataratas de Huacamaillo (Huacamaillo Falls). We will take a 2 hour walk to San Pedro town by the bed of Cumbaza river. Then we will climb up the fascinating Quebrada de Huacamaillo (Huacamaillo Gully) where you will enjoy a refreshing bath. On the way, you will have the chance to enjoy a good number of natural jacuzzis on the riverbed. Return to San Antonio de Cumbaza and visit the vineyards. We will have a wine tasting and a lunch box will be provided.
Or, you can spend the day on a wild white-water rafting trek on the Mayo River, Class III, IV and V.
Overnight Puerto Palmeras Resort

DAY03: TARAPOTO - YURIMAGUAS
By road to Yurimaguas to meet up with our Expedition Riverboat. On route we will visit the Cataratas de Aguashiyaku (Aguashiyaku Falls) and Baños del Cacique.
Afternoon we haed off aboard our vessel onto the Huallaga River, one of the main tributaries of the Marañon River and Amazon Rivers.
Sailing down the Huallaga River we parallel the boundaries of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, the largest and mostly remote reserve in Peru. This protected area contains 85 lakes which are home of 250 species of fish as well as both pink and gray fresh-water dolphins.
Throughout this trip we will make stops at local Indian villages and explore into the beautiful black-water Lake San Martin. In small boats continue further into the reserve where multitude of birds and Amazon wildlife live in this quiet, protected area.
Overnight on Expedition Vessel.

DAY04: Huallga River to the Marañon River
Cruise down the Huallga River to the Marañon River with excursions to interior lakes to observe the many varieties of birds and look for monkeys and sloths.
Visit to local Indian villages.
Overnight on Expedition Vessel.

DAY05: Huallga River to the Marañon River
Sail into the beautiful black-water Lake San Martin and visit a local community of natives and trade for handicrafts. In small boats continue further into the reserve. Now see a multitude of birds and Amazon wildlife in this quiet, protected area.
Overnight on Expedition Vessel.

DAY06: AMAZON RIVER
From the confluence of the Marañon River and Amazon River we continue our exploration of the Pacaya Reserve.
Shore excursion to visit a small river town on the Amazon River. Arrival to the boat docks of Iquitos.
Overnight local hotel.

DAY07: IQUITOS - LIMA (CUSCO)
Morning flight to Lima. Connect to Cusco for those interested in visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu.

SPECIAL eXtension adVenture:

For thise who wish a deeper exploration of the Pcaya-Samiria Reserve, on DAY06 you disembark from our river boat at the town of Nauta:

DAY06: From Nauta our speedboat takes you on a 20-minute ride to the Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge (PSAL). Reception at the lodge. In the afternoon, walk along primary rainforest trails that surround the lodge to appreciate flora and fauna of the region. Dinner and a briefing about the activities of the next day (questions and answers, talk about the culture, flora and fauna of the Amazon). Night at PSAL in private bungalow with private bath.

DAY07: Pacaya - Samiria National Reserve:
Early morning breakfast. Boat trip down the Yanayacu River in the Pacaya - Samiria National Reserve. Chance to observe gray and pink dolphins, acquatic birds, river turtles, sloths, monkeys, parrots and macaws. Box lunch. Arrival at camping site. Afternoon and night excursions. Caiman sightseing. Sound of the jungle. Dinner. Night at camping sites in tents.

DAY08: Breakfast. In the morning, riverside village visit to learn about local people's way of life. Afternoon we return to Nauta for an overland ride to Iquitos.
Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

DAY09: IQUITOS - LIMA (CUSCO)
Morning flight to Lima. Connect to Cusco for those interested in visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu.