The Adventurous Amazon River Cruise

Begin your Amazon adventure in Iquitos, a unique city reachable only by air or river. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred by vehicle to the remote riverside town of Nauta. Here, board the luxurious Pure Amazon riverboat, your comfortable home for the days ahead.

Settle into your private suite, thoughtfully designed to immerse you in the rainforest’s beauty without sacrificing comfort. Enjoy panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views, a tablet for onboard communications and daily newspapers, individual climate control to create your perfect atmosphere, binoculars for wildlife spotting right from your room, and complimentary Wi-Fi to stay connected as you wish.

Then, relax into the Explorer’s Lounge, where you’ll receive a detailed introduction to your upcoming journey and have the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers and your Big Journey Host.

This evening, join us for a special welcome dinner featuring innovative dishes prepared by the onboard chefs, as the boat gently cruises overnight toward Yuracocha.

This morning, wake up to the enchanting sounds of the Amazon. If you’re feeling adventurous, set out before breakfast on a sunrise birdwatching excursion, exploring Yuracocha’s tranquil oxbow lakes, teeming with vibrant birdlife.

For those who prefer a more leisurely start, enjoy a hearty breakfast onboard before continuing your exploration of the enchanting blackwater streams of Dorado—a fantastic spot to observe monkeys, iguanas, and capture unforgettable wildlife photographs.

After lunch, once the heat subsides, the choice is yours: paddle silently through the forest waters on a kayak or try your hand at piranha fishing on a catch-and-release basis.

As night falls, embark on a magical night safari by skiff, which offers the chance to spot glowing caimans and other fascinating nocturnal creatures.

We end the day with a relaxed evening at your own pace and a delicious dinner prepared by the onboard chefs.

This morning, there’s another opportunity to rise early for an optional sunrise skiff excursion along the remote Pacaya River—an area rich in wildlife, including howler monkeys and the elusive giant river otter.

After returning onboard, enjoy a well-earned breakfast before heading back out by skiff to explore the vast, flooded forests that surround the river.

This afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace—relax on deck, attend a fascinating lecture given by one of our naturalist guides or cooking demonstration, or choose from optional activities such as kayaking or swimming in the calm blackwater.

As evening falls, sit down to a refined dinner prepared by the onboard chefs while Pure Amazon cruises onwards to Yanallpa.

Rise early and board our familiar skiff for a peaceful birding adventure around Yanallpa, a stretch of rare “terra firma” forest that remains dry throughout the year. As the morning mist lifts, we scan the treetops and riverbanks for soaring raptors and vibrant parakeets flitting through the canopy. The forest comes alive at dawn, offering a magical start to our day.

After breakfast back onboard, we lace up our walking shoes for a guided trek along forest trails. Our expert guide introduces us to the region’s fascinating plant life, revealing how generations of local communities have used it for food, healing, and rituals. It’s an immersive and enlightening experience into the heart of Amazonian ecology.

We then visit a nearby riverside village, where we’re warmly welcomed by the local residents. This is a chance to connect on a deeper level—learning about their day-to-day lives, cultural traditions, and how they’ve adapted to live in harmony with the forest and the ever-changing river.

In the afternoon, we return to our skiff for a gentle exploration of Supay Creek, a narrow blackwater stream alive with wildlife. We might hear the distant roar of red howler monkeys or catch glimpses of birds, insects, and animals hidden in the foliage. For those feeling adventurous, there’s also the option to try catch-and-release fishing.

As evening falls, we gather back onboard for our nightly gathering and enjoy a beautifully prepared dinner, sharing stories and reflecting on a day rich with both natural wonders and cultural connection.

This morning, you’ll be glad to hear there’s no early excursion—so enjoy a well-deserved lie-in. Wake slowly to the sounds of the river and take your time over a leisurely breakfast onboard as the boat cruises gently back towards Nauta.

Late morning, we head ashore with your Big Journey host to explore Nauta’s colourful local market. This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the flavours and crafts of Amazonian life—wander past stalls filled with exotic rainforest fruits, freshly caught river fish, and beautifully handcrafted items made by local artisans. It’s a lively, sensory experience offering a real insight into the region’s day-to-day life.

In the afternoon, we take to the water again for a peaceful skiff excursion along the quiet creeks and waterways that surround Nauta. Glide past riverbanks shaded by trees, watching for birds, sloths, and other local wildlife that call this ecosystem home.

Today is all about taking it slow and soaking up the Amazon at your own pace. Back onboard, you can relax in the lounge, enjoy the sunset from the deck, and unwind over another delicious dinner prepared by the onboard chefs.

We begin our day with the option to rise early for a peaceful skiff excursion to Nauta Caño—a favourite for birdwatchers and nature lovers. This tranquil blackwater creek is a hotspot for early morning bird activity. With luck, we may spot black-collared hawks, vibrant tanagers, oropendolas with their yellow tails, and other rare and colourful species that make this region so remarkable.

After breakfast onboard, we journey deeper into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve by skiff, exploring the pristine tributaries of Yanayacu Pucate. This lush area is teeming with wildlife—keep your eyes peeled for playful squirrel monkeys swinging through the trees, tiny tamarins leaping from branch to branch, and iguanas sunbathing along the riverbanks.

If you’re feeling adventurous, test your reflexes with some catch-and-release piranha fishing, a fun and safe way to engage with the river’s more toothy inhabitants. Or, if you’d prefer to sit back and enjoy the scenery, simply relax and take it all in from the comfort of the skiff.

After lunch back onboard, the afternoon is yours to tailor. You may choose to paddle a double, sit-on kayak through the serene waters of Yanayaquillo, a narrow stream shaded by dense forest canopy. It’s a wonderful way to connect with nature in near silence, spotting birds, insects, and maybe even monkeys in the overhanging trees.

Alternatively, opt for a skiff ride that begins in the golden light of late afternoon and transitions into a nocturnal safari.As dusk turns to darkness, we’ll scan the riverbanks for glowing caiman eyes and listen for the calls of night monkeys and frogs. With a little luck, we may spot bats, owls, and other elusive creatures of the Amazon night.

Back onboard, we gather for another delicious dinner. If the skies are clear, join us on deck for a spot of stargazing—the Amazon night sky, free of light pollution, offers a breathtaking display of stars.

This morning offers one of the most enriching experiences of your journey as we visit the riverside village of Nueva Arica. Life here follows the rhythm of the river, with water levels rising and falling by up to 30 feet throughout the year. You’ll meet welcoming local families and gain firsthand insight into how they adapt to such dramatic seasonal changes—whether it’s building raised homes or navigating by canoe during high water.

After exploring the village, enjoy some free time to connect with the natural surroundings in your own way. Whether you choose a gentle kayaking excursion through the still blackwater lagoons or prefer to cool off with a refreshing swim in the calm, current-free channels, this is your chance to soak in the Amazon’s peace and beauty one last time.

Later in the afternoon, we set off on a final guided walk through the jungle, this time towards the Samiria River, nicknamed “The Jungle Mirror” for its glassy, reflective surface. This pristine blackwater river is a haven for wildlife, and your expert guide will help you spot everything from the elusive three-toed sloth high in the trees, to the chorus of frogs, insects, and colourful birdlife that animate the forest floor and canopy. You’ll also gain a deeper appreciation for the smaller wonders—camouflaged spiders, intricate leafcutter ant trails, and medicinal plants used for centuries by indigenous communities.

As the sun sets on your final full day, return to Pure Amazon for a special farewell dinner hosted by your onboard team. Share stories and highlights with your fellow travellers and reflect on the incredible memories you’ve made in this truly extraordinary part of the world.

Today marks the end of our Amazon adventure. After breakfast onboard, we disembark in Nauta for the final time and travel by road to Formabiap, a remarkable educational initiative. This program empowers indigenous youth from across the region to become teachers in their own communities—preserving culture, language, and traditional knowledge.

You’ll be welcomed with music and smiles, then invited to learn about longhouse-building techniques, experience a spiritual cleansing ceremony led by an elder, and attend a fascinating presentation on the medicinal plants that have sustained Amazonian communities for generations.

Following this meaningful cultural encounter, you’ll be transferred to Iquitos Airport for your onward journey.

But if you’re not ready to end your adventure just yet, why not continue the journey with us on an unforgettable Peru extension? Travel into the heart of the Andes and stand in awe at one of the world’s most iconic landmarks — Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.