Is there anything better than taking an intrepid adventure along Peru’s wildlife-rich Amazon River?
It doesn’t take long before you begin to believe that no one else has ever visited this place before.
Your Amazon journey will start in the city of Iquitos or Nauta, both locales that are fascinating to explore. Then, you go deeper. Into a boat on the Amazon River, into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. The forest is dense around you as the light of sunset gives a beautiful rose glow – and surely no one has ever set foot here before.
Though, of course, they have. Because even here, deep in the Amazon in northeastern Peru, there are comforts almost as impressive as the dense jungle and glittering waters that surround you. Multiple luxury vessels operate here, taking visitors on the wild adventure of a lifetime while offering five-star comfort onboard – everything from plush suites with king-sized beds, to onboard chefs serving delicious Amazonian fusion cuisine.
Luxury operators and land excursions
There are two sides to the experiences you will have during land excursions in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve with luxury operators such as Aqua Expeditions, Delfin Amazon Cruises, and Zafiro.
The first is the human interaction, the chance to visit the communities that exist here and discover an incredible, isolated way of life in the Amazon. The second is the wildlife, which is so amazingly abundant in this part of the world.
On walks both during the daylight hours and at night, expert guides lead visitors through the jungle to spot birdlife, caimans, monkeys, snakes, bats, frogs and so much more. There’s also the chance to visit and contribute to conservation projects for native Taricaya turtles, as well as rescue centres for various native species.
Experiences on the Amazon River
Of course, there are incredible experiences to be had on the river, too – some even more impressive than the pure joy of just spending time on the luxurious vessels that navigate these waters.
As you cruise the waterways there’s a good chance to spot pink river dolphins, a rare freshwater species found only in the rivers around this area. On skiff excursions, meanwhile, you will have the opportunity to explore riverbanks and tributaries, that are off limits to larger boats, to observe wildlife up close.
Many expedition companies here also offer passengers the chance to go kayaking on the river, try stand-up paddleboarding, or even go on fishing excursions trying to catch the Amazon’s most notorious nippers, piranhas.
The food
The cuisine of the Amazon is an attraction of its own, a unique set of dishes and techniques that make use of the incredible range of produce that grows and thrives in this verdant area.
These are often fruits, vegetables, fish and meals you will never have heard of before: camu camu, Aguaje, cocona, tacacho, Patarashca, inchicapi and more. You don’t need to remember the names. But you will certainly remember the flavours.
These ingredients are used to create five-star dining experiences, with the highest levels of service and presentation. You may feel as if you’re in a place that no one else has ever visited before – but the sense of comfort and luxury will soon become familiar.
