Peru • Cruise
Amazon Cruise - La Perla
Cruise the Peruvian Amazon from Iquitos aboard the 14-cabin La Perla riverboat (42 m).
This adventure through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve includes an amazing array of flora and fauna, encounters with Peru’s indigenous peoples, and awesome outdoor activities.
From NZ$3,745 per person, twin share
4 Days / 3 Nights • Sundays and Wednesdays, year-round • Peru
Price quoted is a lead-in rate. As pricing may vary seasonally and according to standard/category selected, please contact us for a quote on your specific requirements.
Current offer • Book by 18 December 2026
Save up to 20% in 2027
Book by 18 Dec 2026 to save up to 20% on 2027 sailings aboard La Perla, excluding those at Christmas and New Year’s. This offer applies to the cruise rate only, is subject to availability, and may not be combined with any other promotion. The offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Expedition-style small-ship cruise. Cruise in comfort and style, enjoying excursions to explore the Amazon with expert guides. Let us tailor-make travel arrangements before and/or after your cruise.
About
About this journey
Explore by day with experienced guides who will share the innermost secrets of the Amazon. Among the cruise highlights are excursions by speedboat and guided jungle walks, encounters with local culture via cooking demonstrations, piranha fishing, and village visits, and cuisine featuring regional and contemporary Peruvian specialties.
Travelling in the high-water season (November to May) is ideal for those who prefer exploring the Amazon and its tributaries by boat rather than walking. The low-water season (June to October) will suit those who would enjoy discovering the Amazon’s flora and fauna by walking through the rainforest.
Your ship: La Perla
La Perla’s 14 air-conditioned cabins blend modern amenities with traditional Amazonian style and a level of comfort and convenience normally not found in such a remote place. Relax in the interior lounge and bar, the exterior lounge, the dining room or the hammock area. All cabins offer private ensuite bathrooms, a desk and large windows.
Standard Cabins (up to 17 sqm) are on the second and third decks, with a Double bed, one with access to a shared balcony.
Amazon View Cabins (14 sqm) are on the second deck, with two twin beds (convertible into a King bed).
Superior Cabins (20 sqm) are on the first and third decks and feature two twin beds (convertible into a King bed). Some Superior Cabins can accommodate an extra bed, ideal for families.
Who this suits
Travellers who want the Peruvian Amazon in a few days: three nights aboard the fourteen-cabin La Perla, with shared excursions led by naturalist guides — a night boat trip, canoeing in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the hanging-bridge canopy walk, piranha fishing and a visit to the San Regis community. Meals on board, local beer and house wine are included, and every cabin is air-conditioned with a private bathroom.
Good to know
Flights to and from Iquitos aren’t included; shared transfers on the recommended flights are. Departures are Sundays and Wednesdays, and the itinerary shown is the Sunday one — ask us for the Wednesday details. The minimum age is seven, with children’s pricing on enquiry, and single pricing doesn’t apply over Christmas and New Year. The high-water season, November to May, suits exploring by boat; the low-water months suit walking in the forest.
The journey
Day by day
Day 1 — Iquitos › Nauta › Marañón River › Nauta Cano
You will be met at the airport on arrival and enjoy a city tour of Iquitos before transferring to the historic port town of Nauta. Here, board La Perla and settle in as you sail down the Marañón River. Your naturalist guides will present the trip plan and the scheduled activities, followed by a welcome lunch and your first experience with the delights of regional cuisine. Late afternoon enjoy a night boat excursion to the Nauta Caño area, in search of animals that can only be seen when the sun goes down: alligators, bats, frogs, tarantulas and other species that inhabit the Amazon basin. Return to the ship for dinner.
Day 2 — Pacaya Samiria National Reserve › Yanayacu de Pucate › San Regis › Amazonian Natural Park
This morning enjoy a fun picnic breakfast on the Yanayacu River in Pucate, one of the best protected and preserved areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This area is often visited by pink dolphins. After, take a ride in local canoes, paddling through one of the most beautiful aquatic ecosystems in the world. Also, if you want, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the river.
Back on the ship for lunch, there is time to rest before a talk with your guides about traditional Amazon philosophy. Later, meet the shaman of the San Regis community, a wise woman from the native community who will share her knowledge about the rituals of the ancestors and medicinal plants. Continue with the ceremony of planting a tree, as a contribution to caring for the environment. Back on board, relax with live music before dinner.
Day 3 — Pacaya Samiria National Reserve › Amazonian Natural Park › Shiriyacu
Early dawn in the Amazon has a special charm and is the perfect time to spot many animal and insect species. For this reason, you have a boat excursion before breakfast this morning to Iquitos Brook, home to numerous endemic species. After breakfast back on board, enjoy a walk through the jungle to the hanging bridges, a set of structures stretched out on top of the trees that will allow you to experience a canopy walk and admire the richness of the jungle from higher grounds.
Return to the ship for lunch on board and time to relax. Then embark on a boat expedition to the Shiriyacu stream for a spot of piranha fishing, using local equipment and techniques. This area is also very popular for spotting pink dolphins. Upon returning to the ship, relax with live music before a delicious dinner on board.
Day 4 — Nauta › Amazon River › Yacapana Gorge › Iquitos
Early this morning the boat departs towards Gasparito Brook, a great area for bird and primate watching. After breakfast, the bartender will give a Peruvian cocktail demonstration, making Pisco Sours, the emblematic drink of Peru.
After disembarking head to Iquitos, en route visiting the Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as Manatees Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species. Learn how manatees are treated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat. Likewise, other animals are also rescued, treated and returned to the wild. Arrangements end on arrival at Iquitos Airport.
Pricing • New Zealand dollars, per person
By season and category
Price quoted is a lead-in rate. As pricing may vary seasonally and according to standard/category selected, please contact us for a quote on your specific requirements.
What’s included
- 3 nights’ accommodation onboard in your category of choice
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners
- Sodas, natural juices, coffee, tea, water, local beer, and house wines
- Shared arrival and departure transfers when travelling on recommended flights
- Shared excursions as per the itinerary
- All equipment including boots and rain ponchos
- Pacaya Samiria National Reserve fee
- Limited Wi-Fi
Not included
- Premium beverages and bottled water
- Flights to/from Iquitos
- Gratuities
Booking conditions
Booking conditions as supplied by World Journeys.
- Pricing varies due to fluctuations in exchange rates; please contact us for current pricing
- The single pricing above does not apply on sailings during the Christmas and New Year’s period
- Please enquire about pricing for children (7 to 11 years)
- A minimum age requirement of 7 years applies
- The itinerary shown applies to Sunday departures – please enquire for details of the Wednesday departures
- A 7-day cruise is also available, please enquire for more details
Gratuities
- Recommended US$30 per person per night for the crew
- Recommended US$20 per person per night for the guides
Journey operated by World Journeys and booked through Fine Travel.
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