Amazon River
 

We are considering a tour that includes this cruise of the Amazon River in Peru. Any imput ? Is this a good overview of the Amazon? I am really in the dark here. This is what it says:

DAY 7, Sunday - Fly to Amazon, Embark Cruise, and Cano Nauto Open Boat Excursion
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Iquitos, in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Transfer by bus to the port at Nauta and board your cruise ship, your home for the next five nights, while exploring the Amazon River and its tributaries. Enjoy lunch on board before departing on an open boat excursion of the surrounding Nauta Caño jungle area. This evening, take part in a local cooking class
Overnight: Cruise
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Sail to Yanayaquillo, Ceiba Hike, and Suspended Bridges
This morning, enjoy a bird watching excursion before breakfast, be on the lookout for toucans or macaws. Later, visit a local butterfly farm and take a hike in the surrounding jungle, before visiting the treetops on suspended bridges. After lunch, there will be a fishing excursion and a Shaman ceremony with local Indians. Tonight, take part in a nighttime open boat tour to experience the jungle's nightlife
Overnight:Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Sail to Pucate and Visit to Las Palmas Village
This morning, depart on two open boat excursions of the surrounding Yanayaquillo and Pucate areas. Watch for the pink river dolphins that are indigenous to the Amazon River. In the afternoon, visit the local village of Las Palmas before a musical performance on board this evening
Overnight:Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Wednesday - Sail to San Francisco and Excursion to Giant Water Lillies
Today, arrive an the point where the Ucayali and Maranon rivers meet the Amazon river. The Ucayali River originates near Lake Titicaca and is home to the Amazon River Dolphin, the giant otter, and the Amazonian Manatee. The Maranon River originates northeast of Lima and is known for its turbulent rapids and whirlpools as it makes its way to the Amazon. Here, take an open boat tour of the Yucuruchi area to view giant Amazon water lilies, Victoria Regias, whose pads can span up to 6 feet or more
Overnight:Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Thursday - Sail to Gasparito Creek and Jungle Excursion
Today, depart for an excursion to Gasparito Creek and hike through the jungle land in Casual and San Isidro. Enjoy a picnic lunch. Later, pay a second visit to the village of Las Palmas
Overnight:Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Friday - Disembark, Fly to Lima
After breakfast, you will disembark from your cruise ship at Nauta and transfer to Iquitos for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, the balance of the day is at leisure

Thanks in advance for any comments!

dEpends on how much you want to be on the Amazon vs on land. An alternative is to stay at a jungle lodge such as Explorama or Tahuayo where you take canoe or launch excursions. Although as I understand the jungle cruise boats have a/c!

Debbiekep2,

this trip certainly keeps you busy with an emphasis on village visits and interaction with locals. The Amazon around Iquitos is home to many people and the river is busy with all manner of craft. I stayed at Ceiba Tops (an air conditioned lodge in the Explorama grouop) last August and was engaged in various activities. Looking back, I enjoyed the time and the 'taste' of culture that we saw on the half day excursions, however I enjoyed the trip into the Southern Amazon much more.

We travelled from Cusco to Atalya which involved traversing the Andes by mini-bus and dropping down through elfin and cloud forest to Cock of the Rock Lodge in order to see these wonderful birds. Next day we drove down to the Madre de Dios River and spent some time walking along the road and were lucky to see an emerald tree boa right at the roadside.

This part of the Amazon is more remote, much better for wildlife and very scenic. I remember it for the remoteness, rugged beauty and being able to get so close to the rainforest. Have you looked at this 5 day trip - http://www.inkanatura.com/manu_bio_trip_tour.asp

Happy planning,

Pol

There are major safety issues cruising in that AMAZON area

http://www.travelagentcentral.com/am...rcement-assure

also review your consular advisories area dodgy best lodges

www.explorama.com www.otorongoexpeditions.com more budget

If you must cruise consider Iberostar Grand Amazon

out of Manaus far safer. www.cruisecritic.com

Happy Journey,

Link did not go through but this happened a while back

illustrating how risky things are...no new robberies though.

Aqua Expeditions' m/v Aqua is resilient and remains fearless after experiencing two incidents, within two weeks, of bandits jumping the ship and robbing the passengers onboard. The luxury Amazon River cruise ship is returning to its regular schedule, says Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO of Aqua Expeditions, in the wake of two unprecedented robbery incidents that shocked Peru.

"I am enormously relieved that nobody was hurt in these episodes, that arrests have been made and some stolen possessions returned," said Galli Zugaro. "I am confident that the steps taken by the national and regional government will return the region to the haven of tranquility for which it is renowned."

In an effort to reassure potential travelers on safety, Miguel Hidalgo Medina, the director general of Peru's National Police, has announced the coordination of a joint strategy with the Peruvian Navy to protect the rivers of Loreto Province, where the robbery-assaults occurred. Medina indicated that the scope of operation would concentrate on Nauta, in the Maranon River; Yucuruchi, Bagazan and Genero Herrera in the Ucayali River, and Sinchicuy.

"The plans are being coordinated by the government of Loreto Province and the National Police," added Peru's Interior Minister, Octavio Salazar, "so that together we can institute a plan of action for national defense."

Go elsewhere or www.insuremytrip.com carefully if you go...