Expedition Details
Introduce your family to the Amazon rain forest on a voyage on board the elegant M.V. Aqua that includes activities specifically geared for kids. Explore pristine forest by foot, track dolphins and monkeys, and examine massive lily pads and towering ceiba trees. Venture along jungle waterways in a skiff, spotting hundreds of birds as well as caimans, frogs, and otters; and experience the nocturnal life of the Amazon River basin on nighttime excursions.
Trip Highlights
- Eat breakfast with dolphins during a picnic at a popular dolphin feeding spot.
- Play soccer with children from a forest village and learn about their fascinating culture firsthand.
- Go fishing for piranhas and other tropical fish.
- Explore the black-water lakes of the flooded forest of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve with experienced naturalists.
Itinerary - 7 Days
Day 1 — U.S./Lima, Peru
Depart on a flight to Lima and transfer to our hotel upon arrival. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a festive welcome dinner in the lovely gardens of Casa Garcia Alvarado, a private mansion in the heart of the Miraflores district.
Casa Andina Private Collection (D)
Day 2 — Lima/Iquitos/Amazon Rain Forest
This morning, take a guided tour of colonial Lima, Peru's capital since it was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Visit the Plaza Mayor and La Cathedral, and see the Government Palace. Browse the renowned pre-Columbian ceramic collection at the Larco Herrera Museum. After lunch, fly to Iquitos. Drive through the Peruvian countryside to the village of Nauta, and board the elegant M.V. Aqua. Gather for an orientation before casting off, and then enjoy dinner on board. Tonight, step out on deck to gaze at the Amazon night sky.
M.V. Aqua (B, L, D)
Day 3 — Amazon Rain Forest/Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Set out along the Ucayali River, gliding past fishermen in dugout canoes and watching for parrots, macaws, and monk saki monkeys. In the afternoon, take a magical journey into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Stretching more than five million square acres, this pristine swath of jungle is flooded annually by the waters of the Amazon. Explore the area by skiff, on the lookout for parrots and blue-yellow macaws, butterflies, and pink dolphins. On our return to the vessel, watch for caimans, frogs, and fishing bats as they venture out in the twilight.
M.V. Aqua (B, L, D)
Day 4 — Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Cruise by skiff this morning, spotting tropical birds and a variety of primates and sloths as you delve into the lake's intricate network of waterways. Skim across smaller black-water lakes past giant lily pads. Meet subsistence farmers and learn how they cultivate wild plants and trees to earn income. Discover edible fruits and indigenous plants with medicinal properties hidden deep in the jungle. Gaze up the thick, folded trunks of soaring ceiba trees — the tallest in the Amazon. In the late afternoon, go on an excursion along the Pacaya River to observe the evening activities of the jungle. As night falls, listen to a cacophonous symphony of nocturnal animals calling out across the tree tops. Use special spotlights to see caimans and other night creatures on our return to the Aqua.
M.V. Aqua (B, L, D)
Day 5 — Amazon Rain Forest
Rise early for a wildlife viewing excursion to see toucans, parrots, and monkeys. Stop for a picnic breakfast at a popular dolphin feeding spot. Later, take a fishing trip to catch (and release) some of the 3,000 species of tropical fish that live in the Amazon basin. This is an especially popular area for piranha, an important food source for local people. Tonight, celebrate your Amazon adventure during a farewell dinner.
M.V. Aqua (B, L, D)
Days 6 & 7 — Iquitos/Lima/U.S.
Arrive in Iquitos in the morning, and visit the floating village of Belen. Take a walking tour of Iquitos, an important center in the days of the rubber boom, or visit the Manatee Rescue Center. Late this afternoon, fly to Lima and connect to your evening flight home, arriving the following day.
M.V. Aqua (B, L)
Optional Extension
- Cusco and Machu Picchu - Pre-Trip Extension, 6 Days
Related Trip
View LargerNational Geographic Expert
Randy Babb
Biologist Randy Babb has served as a consultant for National Geographic television programs on ecology. A specialist in herpetology, Randy has taught rain forest ecology courses in Latin America and enjoys introducing people of all ages to the creatures of the jungle—from large mammals to the tiniest insects and frogs. He is a veteran of numerous research trips to to Asia, Africa, and the American tropics to study, photograph, and observe wildlife; and has led numerous National Geographic expeditions.
Randy will join the following departure:
Jul 26 - Aug 01, 2010
Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
The round-trip flight between Lima and Iquitos is included in the expedition cost. International airfare is not included. Round-trip economy airfare between Miami and Lima is $500 (subject to change).
