Ayapua Amazon Cruise

A unique Amazon River cruise experience that combines travel on historic boats restored to their Victorian splendour, wildlife watching in pristine forests and rivers, and encounters with indigenous Amazon villages where locals are helping to conserve the rainforests.

As you cruise through the glassy calm of an Amazon tributary watch the black majestic water, gaze at butterflies fluttering in the hot midday sun, and observe monkeys leap from tree tops in the comfort of a historic Amazon Riverboat.

At night, spy caimans splashing in the moonlight; in the morning, awe at flocks of macaws flying in the twilight mist; and at midday, watch fish jumping in oxbow lakes.

Take your tea with cake as the forests slip past, or sip your gin and tonic as the tropical sun slides into a fiery sunset.

Click to learn more about the Ayapua

8-Day Historic Amazon Riverboat Itinerary

Please note that the below itinerary is intended as a guideline only. The boat crew reserves the right to amend the itinerary in accordance with climactic conditions, river water levels and the movement of wildlife.

Day 1: Sat: Iquitos: Casa Morey

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and escorted to your comfortable hotel. This itinerary includes one night’s accommodation in the Casa Morey, a historical monument in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. This refurbished, boutique hotel is situated in a privileged location near the riverfront of Iquitos - walking distance from number of restaurants and bars.

Enjoy the nightlife of Iquitos or catch up on your rest before departing tomorrow for your Amazon Cruise.

Day 2: Sun: Iquitos - Nauta - Nauta Cano
(All meals)

After breakfast, we depart for a roughly two-hour drive to Nauta where the Ayapua awaits.

During our first day, we will receive a safety briefing and general introduction to the area.

After lunch, we will visit Nauta Cano, a tributary of the Marañon River, where we will have our first oportunities to spot wildlife.

In the evening, we can enjoy a sunset cocktail followed by a viewing of Fizcarraldo by Werner Herzog.

Day 3: Mon: Marañon River - Samiria River
(All meals)

This morning, we will enjoy a presentation by our naturalist guide followed by afternoon bird watching and wildlife observations.

In the afternoon, we will arrive at the mouth of the Samiria River, where we will enter Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

This evening, we will have the possibility to enjoy a night excursion in search of noctural wildlife such as caiman, amphibians, or birds of prey

Day 4: Tues: Samiria River - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
(All meals)

Today we will have a flexible schedule in which passengers can either enjoy bird-watching from their skiffs, trekking in the forest, or a fishing excursion aboard an auxiliary boat.

You will be overwhelmed by the sheer size and magnitude of the national reserve as you enjoy the raw beauty of this untouched wildnerness.

Day 5: Weds: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
(All meals)

Observing Pink River Dophins in their natural habitat is one of the highlights of any Amazon cruise. Your days spent in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve will afford you plenty of opportunities to view these majestic creatures.

Each day aboard the Ayapua is flexible, and the schedule can be adjusted to the tastes of passengers.

Day 6: Thurs: Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
(All meals)

Depending on the water levels, we will enjoy a hike in the forest (during dry season), or enjoy navigation down tiny creeks and streams in search of wildlife.

In Pacaya Samiria, water levels can fluctuate drastically between seasons, leaving vast swaths of the forest inundated in high-water periods; or large beaches exposed in low-water season.

Day 7: Fri: Pacaya Samiria - Marañon River - Amazon River Junction
(All meals)

Today is our last day in Pacaya Samiria. Early in the morning we begin our trip back to civilization having fully immersed ourselves in the wilds of the Amazon. En route, we will visit a local Cocama indigenous village. To understand the complex network of threats facing the Amazon, it is utterly critical to see first-hand how its native inhabitants live and interact with their environment. This will also be a good opportunity to support the local economy by purchasing handicrafts produced by the villagers.

During the evening we will learn about common myths and legends of the Amazon.

Day 8: Sat: Nauta - Iquitos
(Breakfast)

Morning arrival in Nauta followed by your transfer to Iquitos airport for your onward flight.

Or you may like to spend more time in Iquitos or at one of the many superb rainforest lodges that are within a boat ride of the city.

Peru Amazon Tour Prices: Ayapua

8 Day Amazon River Cruise:

~ Standard Cabin:                          $2,449 *

Price Policy:
 - All prices listed are PER PERSON in DOUBLE OCCUPANCY Cabins
 - Published Prices for 2013 Amazon Cruises only
 - Single Supplement $420

Included:
 - All meals while aboard your Amazon Cruise
 - One night in Casa Morey Boutique Hotel, Iquitos including breakfast
 - Expert, bilingual guides and excursions
 - Transfer to / from Iquitos airport
 - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Entrance Ticket

Not Included:
 - International or Domestic Airfares
 - Airport Taxes
 - Cost of medical emergencies including evacuation
 - Gratuities
 - Souvenirs or additional services
 - Travel Insurance
 - Cost of relevant visas
 - Anything else not listed as included

* Note:  Departures with 4-8 passengers only, will cruise aboard the Clavero. Departures with 9 or more passengers will be aboard Ayapua.

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The Ayapua is the largest Historic Riverboat operating in Peru's Amazon, measuring 33m / 108ft in length and 6m / 20ft in width.

The Ayapua was built in Hamburg, Germany in 1906 and is an original rubber boom boat meaning that she was used to transport rubber from remote rivers of the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon during the early part of the 20th century.

From 2004 to 2006, the Ayapua was restored to her original splendour in Iquitos, with a new steel hull and many original features incorporated.

The Ayapua has comfortable and spacious accommodation with air conditioning, en suite cabins, library, bar, dining hall, among many other facilities

Deck Plans

Cabin 1 - Twin (2 partitioned single beds)

Cabin 2 - Single

Cabin 3 - Twin (2 single beds)

Cabin 4 - Twin (2 single beds)

Cabin 5 - Twin (2 single beds) 

Cabin 6 - Twin (2 single beds)

Cabin 7 - Twin (2 single beds) 

Cabin 8 - Twin (2 single beds) 

Cabin 9 - Twin (2 single beds) 

Cabin 10 - Twin (2 single beds)

Cabins contain wardrobe, desk, chair and reading lights.

Max passengers, 19

Restoration & Conservation

The Ayapua is part of a holistic restoration project, intended to preserve both Amazonian history and Amazon Rainforest integrity. 

Steam boats were at the heart of the Rubber Boom of the late 19th and early 20th Century, playing a vital role in transporting the valuable collected balls of rubber from remote parts of the Amazon rainforest, along the tributaries of the Amazon River, to thriving cities, such as Iquitos and Manaus in Brazil; and ultimately to feed the demands of emerging manufacturing processes, such as in the automotive industry.

Great fortunes were made from the trade, leading to lavish lifestyles and ambitious projects, such as the construction of an Opera House in Manaus. But there was also a dark side, as the indigenous populations were ruthlessly exploited in the pursuit of this precious raw material. The atmosphere of the era is most notably captured in Werner Herzog's classic film Fitzcarraldo. 

Despite this unsavoury side, it is important that this defining era in Amazonian history is not lost. And so Rainforest Cruises is delighted to support this project to restore these former steam boats in an authentic manner. Two have been restored already: the Ayapua and the Clavero. Another, the Rio Amazonas, is currently being restored in the port of Iquitos. Even the launches used in conjunction with these riverboats, are restored classics. 

Moreover, once restored, the expeditions of these Historic Riverboats involve their members in important conservation work. Populations of Amazon fauna, such as monkeys, manatees, tapirs and large felines, are monitored. And community-based projects in the local indigenous communities are undertaken.

Historic Amazon Cruiseship Ayapua: 8-Day Itinerary Charter Dates: 2013

The Ayapua is very much in demand by academic institutions and documentary makers, but we are delighted to be able to offer a number of opportunities in 2013 when it is available for individual travellers, small groups or charter. The minimum number of people needed for a departure is only eight, so it is ideal for an extended family, or group of friends, who wish to have a spectacular experience together. If you are happy to share the boat with others, then we will seek like-minded Amazon explorers to join the expedition. 

These dates are sure to be snapped up fast, so we recommend you act fast! 

~ Sat 23rd February - Sat, 2nd March

~ Sat 2nd - Sat, 9th March

~ Sat 9th - Sat, 16th March: SOLD OUT

~ Sat 16th - Sat, 23rd March: SOLD OUT

~ Sat 20th - Sat, 27th April

~ Sat 27th April - Sat, 4th May: SOLD OUT

~ Sat 11th - Sat, 18th May

~ Sat 18th - Sat, 25th May: SOLD OUT

~ Sat 25th May - Sat, 1st June

~ Sat 10th - Sat, 17th August: SOLD OUT

~ Sat 17th - Sat, 24th August

~ Sat 14th - Sat, 21st September

~ Sat 12th - Sat, 19th October

~ Sat 19th - Sat, 26th October

~ Sat 26th October - Sat, 2nd November

~ Sat 9th - Sat, 16th November

~ Sat, 30th November - Sat, 7th December

~ Sat, 7th - Sat, 14th December

~ Sat, 14th - Sat, 21st December

Please note that for smaller groups, the Clavero is available.

If you have a larger group, then ask us about chartering the Rio Amazonas.  

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