Voyage to the headwaters of the mighty Amazon in the heart of Peru's rain forest 

aboard the elegant riverboat Delfin II. Slip through an intricate network of jungle 

waterways in a skiff, spotting hundreds of bird species as well as caimans, tamarins 

and sloths. Skim past massive lily pads, peer up at towering ceiba trees, go fishing 

for piranhas, and witness glorious sunsets on the still waters of the Amazon River 

basin.

Trip Highlights

• Explore the waterways of the flooded “Mirrored Forest” of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve with a team of expert naturalists.

• Glide down jungle streams by skiff or kayak, spotting pink and gray dolphins, enormous water lilies, monk saki monkeys, three-toed sloths, piranhas and scarlet macaws.

• Learn about the everyday traditions of the native ribereños on visits to villages at the river’s edge.

• Go on rain forest hikes, birding walks and nocturnal river safaris, and get immersed in the wild atmosphere of the Amazon from the comfort of the intimate Delfin II.

Itinerary - 10 Days

Day 1 — U.S./Lima, Peru

Arrive in Lima in the late evening and transfer to our hotel. Wyndham Costa del Sol 

Lima Airport Hotel

Day 2 — Lima/Iquitos/Nauta

After a morning visit to the celebrated Larco Herrera Museum, fly to Iquitos and 

continue overland to Nauta, where our ship awaits. Get settled in your elegant, 

hardwood-paneled cabin and gather for a welcome dinner of fine Peruvian cuisine 

prepared by our onboard chef. Tonight, step out on deck to gaze at the magnificent 

night sky over the Amazon. Delfin II (B,L,D)

Days 3 & 4 — Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Glide into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, one of the largest swathes of 

pristine jungle in South America, stretching more than five million square acres. The 

reserve floods annually with nutrient-rich waters and is known locally as the Mirrored 

Forest for the reflections created by its glass-like waterways. In kayaks or skiffs, 

skim along the Pucate River looking for parrots, macaws, and perhaps shaggy-tailed 

monk saki monkeys or saddle-back tamarins. Encounter a very different ecosystem 

on hikes on terra firma, or explore upriver in a skiff. Reach the junction of the 

Maranón and the Ucayali, two powerful rivers that border the reserve and converge 

to create the Amazon and later, pay a visit to a village on the river’s edge to learn 

about the traditions of the ribereños. Learn about the inspiring work of Minga Peru, a 

non-profit that has helped improve health and livelihoods for the people of the 

Amazon with the support of the Lindblad-National Geographic Fund.  Delfin II (B,L,D 

daily)

Days 5 & 6 — Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Venture deeper into the rain forest on narrow tributaries, seeking out pink dolphins, 

iguanas and giant water lilies. On a birding hike, look for an astounding variety of 

species, from tanagers and hummingbirds to oropendolas. As the sun sets, slip 

through the forest in a skiff, using a spotlight to find caimans, frogs, fishing bats and 

other creatures of the night. From December through May we explore Atun Poza by 

skiff, looking for lagoon birdlife, and take a short walk to a local community. From 

June through November, hike through the rain forest in search of the soaring ceiba, 

or kapok tree. In skiffs, we reach Yanayacu lagoon, the furthest point in our journey 

and, with luck, enjoy a chance to swim with pink dolphins. (B,L,D daily)

Days 7 & 8 — Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

During the wet season, look for massive paiche, the Amazon's largest fish, and 

infamous piranhas, an important food source for the local people. As the water 

recedes later in the year, explore the spontaneous ecosystems of temporary islands 

that appear. Travel by skiff to Puerto Miguel and get acquainted with the culture, 

folklore and daily life of the villagers. (B,L,D daily)

Days 9 & 10 — Nauta/Iquitos/Lima/U.S.

Enjoy one last morning excursion by skiff to view wildlife. After lunch, disembark in 

Nauta and pay a visit to the town’s manatee rehabilitation center. Return to Iquitos in 

time for a late afternoon flight to Lima. After breakfast the next day, transfer to the 

airport for your flight home. 

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport Hotel (B, L; B)

Price

Pricing starts at $6,700 per person, double occupancy. Due to limited availability, 

single cabins are offered on a request basis only. International airfare to/from Lima 

and airfare within Peru are not included in the expedition cost. The group flight 

between Lima and Iquitos is approximately $430 (subject to change).

Solo Travelers

Accommodations (hotels, tents and cruise cabins) are based on double occupancy. 

If you prefer single accommodations, and if such are available, you can pay a single 

supplement fee. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we 

can assign a roommate of the same gender. If there is no one with whom you can 

share, a single supplement fee will apply.

Upper Amazon