Rock the Cradle of the Amazon

Welcome to the gateway of the Amazon. Upon landing in Iquitos, you will be warmly welcomed by your &Beyond guide and transferred to the port town of Nauta. Here, you’ll catch your first look at the &Beyond Amazon Explorer, your luxury floating sanctuary for the week. After settling into your suite, embark on your first guided skiff ride. This is your introduction to the sights and sounds of the Peruvian Amazon, where the calls of exotic birds and the ripple of the river provide a natural soundtrack to your arrival.

Your day begins at the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers, the official origin of the mighty Amazon River. This iconic location is a biodiversity hotspot; keep your camera ready for sightings of pink and grey river dolphins and common squirrel monkeys. After gaining insight into daily river life at a nearby community, you’ll visit a local butterfly farm. As the sun sets, the adventure continues on land with a guided nature walk to discover the hidden micro-world of the rainforest, from pink-toed tarantulas to poison dart frogs.

Kick-start your morning with a skiff exploration of Clavero Lake, a stunning blackwater oxbow lake teeming with aquatic life. Enjoy a picnic breakfast on the water followed by the thrill of kayaking or piranha fishing in the still waters. After a leisurely afternoon participating in onboard activities, the day winds down with a late-afternoon skiff ride along the Ucayali River. Scout the riverbanks for wildlife and interact with local fishermen to learn about traditional fishing practices that have sustained these communities for generations.

Rise early for a skiff adventure along the Yarapa River. This is a prime time for birdlife, including white-throated toucans and yellow-crowned parrots, as well as sloths and pygmy marmosets. After breakfast, visit a nearby community to meet with local shamanic people, gaining a unique glimpse into their spiritual connection to the river and medicinal plants. In the evening, prepare for an exhilarating night exploration in a Primary Forest—a pristine, ancient ecosystem that has remained untouched by human activity and holds incredible nocturnal biodiversity.

Take a short skiff ride to the bustling Nauta Food Market for an authentic taste of daily life. Here you’ll find an array of exotic fruits, wild-caught fish, and traditional Amazonian dishes. Afterward, explore Sapi Sapi Lake. Though man-made, this lake is a local conservation success, known for its abundance of turtles, caimans, and the massive paiche fish. Return to the yacht for a leisurely afternoon as we navigate deeper into the reserve, enjoying the refined comforts of the &Beyond Amazon Explorer’s lounge and deck spaces.

Enter the pristine forest of the San Isidro area within the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Trek through the canopy to discover the majestic giant kapok tree and learn about the world of medicinal plants while observing squirrel monkeys in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, conclusion your day with a skiff exploration and piranha fishing. Savour a breathtaking Amazonian sunset with sundowners along the riverbank before heading out under the cover of darkness to search for caimans, frogs, and hawks by spotlight.

Your final full day begins on the Marañón River with a picnic breakfast and piranha fishing in the still black waters. Later, visit a nearby community to learn about the water river turtle conservation project, a vital initiative to protect these species from extinction. As the day winds down, enjoy a final sunset experience on an exclusive sandbar along the river. Sip drinks and savor snacks while soaking in the serene colors of your final Amazonian sunset reflecting on a week of deep immersion in the world’s most vital rainforest.

After a final breakfast on board, return to Iquitos for a guided city tour. You’ll visit the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and stroll through the downtown area to admire the iconic buildings from the 19th-century Rubber Boom era, as well as the vibrant Plaza de Armas. Conclude your morning with a delightful brunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. You leave the Amazon not just well-traveled, but deeply connected to the rhythm of the river.