ITINERARY AMAZON ADVENTURE

Day 1 –USA-Lima, Peru

Day 2 – Arrival in Lima
Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and check-in.

Day 3 – Lima
Today's highlights include a City Tour of Lima and Larco Museum - This half day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of
this "City of Kings." Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza de Armas with its cathedral and palace, and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. Continue to the Larco Museum, founded in 1926, it showcases remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview on 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Late flight to Iquitos and overnight at Victoria Regia hotel in Iquitos. (B)

Day 4 : Iquitos - Explorama Lodge
Reception at your hotel and transfer to the Explorama dock. Fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to Yanamono Stream where Explorama Lodge is located. Afternoon hike along the "Lake Trail" through lowland rainforest which is seasonally flooded. This trail is traversed by open boat during high water months!. Overnight Explorama Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5 –Explorama Lodge
Morning hike along the "Bushmaster Trail" where scientific studies by the Missouri Botanical Gardens have found one of the world's highest biodiversity of trees per square hectare. Your guide will point out many examples of native plants used as remedies by local people. Afternoon canoe trip along the Amazon in search of either of the two species of freshwater dolphin found in the river. Overnight Explorama Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 6- Explorama Lodge
After breakfast, a boat ride down the Amazon and up the Napo River to the ExplorNapo Reserve and ExplorNapo Lodge. Afternoon hike through primary, terra firme rainforest. Evening excursion by open boat along the Sucusari Stream in search of caiman and to enjoy the night sounds and stars of the Southern sky. Overnight ExplorNapo Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 7- ExplorNapo Lodge
Morning hike to the Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge spanning 500 meters (one-third of a mile), connected by tree platforms and reaching a height of over 35 meters (115 feet) above the forest floor. Here there is time to observe a part of the rainforest rarely seen by man but accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. Afternoon excursion to a black water oxbow lake formed when water from the Napo River became separated from the main flow of the river. These lakes are often covered with giant Victoria Regia water lilies and can offer a view of the elusive Hoatzin bird. Overnight ExplorNapo Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 8- ExplorNapo Lodge- Ceiba Tops
Morning boating excursion along one of the Napo tributaries spotting for sloth, birding and fishing for piranha. Also a chance to visit some of the local river people called "ribereños" whose houses are seen along the river. Afternoon boat trip back to Ceiba Tops where private rooms with electricity and air conditioning begin your return to "civilization". On the return trip you will pass the town of Francisco de Orellana, where a statue is erected to the intrepid explorer who in 1542 at the mouth of the Napo River became the first European to see the Amazon River. Overnight Ceiba Tops. (B,L,D)

Day 9- Ceiba Tops
Morning visit to the neighboring Yagua Indian Community, an explanation of their native culture, blow gun demonstration and a chance to purchase or trade for their crafts. Afternoon hike in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding Ceiba Tops where many huge trees are festooned in epiphytes. Overnight Ceiba Tops. (B,L,D)

Day 10- Ceiba Tops – Iquitos-Lima
Your choice of open boat ride or hike for the morning or a chance to relax in a hammock and enjoy the sounds of the surrounding rainforest. Transfer to Iquitos by boat and bus to the airport for your departure to Lima. Breakfast, Lunch (if departure flight permits). Overnight in Lima. (B,L)

Day 11-Lima-USA
Breakfast at hotel and early morning transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

HOTELS USED

*    Lima: Sonesta Posada del Inca hotel
*    Iquitos: Victoria Regia hotel
*    Amazon: Explorama Lodge, Explornapo Lodge, and Ceiba Tops Lodge