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Private Charter

Cattleya

A petite Peruvian riverboat offering exclusive Amazon expeditions à la mode with exquisite cuisine.

Overview

The brand new 8-passenger M/V Cattleya riverboat, named after a genus of orchid on account of its beauty, offers superior cruising to the famous Pacaya-Samiria Reserve in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon.

A luxurious private charter cruise on the Cattleya boat offers an exclusive experience for you and up to seven loved ones as you embark on a four- to eight-day expedition cruise through the Amazon. The epitome of style, the boutique boat boasts four stylish staterooms with king-size beds, the finest linens, luxury bathrobes and minibars—not to mention top-notch service to ensure your every need is met.

Life On Board

Upon stepping aboard the Cattleya, you’ll be greeted by a team of nine crew members and two naturalist guides, providing a better than 1:1 passenger-to-crew ratio, ensuring unparalleled service throughout your journey. Despite traversing the remote regions of the Amazon, you’ll be surrounded by modern decor, reminding you of the upscale nature of your cruise.

Relax on the observation deck’s outdoor lounge and enjoy the fresh air while a large canopy protects you from the sun. The dining room is equally as impressive, with European cutlery and glassware complementing gourmet meals as you take in the stunning views of the river from your comfortable seat.

Exciting Expeditions

The Cattleya offers various itineraries of different lengths that can be customized to meet your group’s needs, all exploring the wildlife-rich Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. You can enjoy an evening picnic in the jungle before taking a night trek to observe nocturnal animals or visit local villages to learn about farming and fishing traditions. You can even meet a local Shaman and learn about shamanic out-of-body travels to the spirit world, go fishing for piranha, spotlighting for caimans, or swim with pink dolphins.

Birdwatching cruises are also available upon request to allow you to get an in depth insight into the Amazon’s unique bird species, including the Yellow-rumped Cacique, the Scarlet Macaw, and the Ringed Kingfisher.

Great For Groups

The Cattleya Amazon cruise is perfect for groups of all types, from family vacations to corporate incentive trips. Guests can choose from the incredible Main Deck Deluxe suites with their wraparound panoramic windows and separate seating areas, or the Upper Deck’s balconied Master suites. The suites are so spacious that roller beds can be added to accommodate a child in each, and families will love that the Upper Deck suites are interconnectable.

Whether it’s a family reunion or a holiday with adventure-loving friends, a Cattleya Amazon cruise charter provides exclusive privacy while offering personalized service, allowing you to follow in the footsteps of the great Amazonian explorers.

Itineraries & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

1 / 3
4-Day
5-Day
8-Day

4 Day - Marañon River

Sample Itinerary
itinerary map

Embarkation

PM: Transfer by private car (approx. 2 hours) to the town of Nauta and board the M/V Cattleya. A welcome drink will be provided as soon as you board the ship, then the Naturalist guide will show you to your cabin and explain all facilities of the ship and programs for the upcoming days.

We start to navigate upstream on the Marañon River. We will explore the national reserve until the sun sets. Later in the evening we sit down for our first gourmet dinner, expertly prepared by the talented onboard chef.

Cattleya - Marañon River
Location
Iquitos - Nauta - Marañon River
Day
1 / 4

Piranha Fishing & Nighttime Wildlife Excursion

AM: Wake up call. We start early today and set out to explore the impressive biodiversity of the area's unusual ecosystem. Look for a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic breakfast. Head out on a fishing trip like no other! Cast your line to see if you can catch "the most ferocious fish in the world” – the piranha. They are a dietary staple for many of the Amazon rainforest’s indigenous people and are widely considered one of the best fish to eat in South America. Return to the ship.

PM: Lunch. Explore Supay creek riding our Kayaks in this interesting natural scenic area spotting birds, huge trees, monkeys, and river people while you paddle, a unique opportunity to be in touch directly with the rain forest by yourself.

We will sail this afternoon with the daylight into the National Reserve exploring this interesting area, explore riding our Kayaks in this interesting natural scenic area spotting birds, huge trees, monkeys, and river people while you paddle, a unique opportunity to be in touch directly with the rainforest by yourself. 

Enjoy a boat ride in the wild, and watch the forest become a different domain at night. Be on the lookout for bats, night birds, frogs, caimans, poison frogs, and a vast number of other species. See if our flashlights will reflect the ‘red eyeshine’ of the caiman which will be caught by our naturalist. Return to the ship for dinner.

Cattleya - Marañon River
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
2 / 4

Shaman Village Visit & Jungle Walk

AM: After breakfast, our Naturalist guide will do an introductory discussion about shamanism to help understand the traditions of the people living in the rainforest. Get in touch with your spirit realm with a visit to a local shaman. Shamanism is practiced around the globe, and is universally distinguished by a trance state called shamanic ecstasy. In these "out of body" travels, the shaman enlists the spirit world to help him with a variety of duties, from healing the sick to assisting a deceased person's soul into the afterworld — all the while, the shaman remains conscious. Gain rare insight into the complexities of this phenomenon when you meet an actual practicing shaman in a river village. He'll introduce the group to his spiritual healing craft and talk about rainforest plants that indigenous peoples have been using for centuries. 

PM: Return to the ship for lunch on board. This afternoon you will pack your personal things as we will keep exploring this interesting area by motorized skiff. In the waters of this important tributary, you will see the wonders of the rainforest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds while exploring. At night, experience a jungle walk in the dark. Look for night animals: poison frogs, insects, bats and many others species of the jungle. We invite you to have this unique experience. Dinner will be served in the jungle as a picnic.

Cattleya - Marañon River
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
3 / 4

Disembarkation

AM: Breakfast on board. Then we will navigate to the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers which is known as the beginning of the main Amazon river, in this area we will observe interesting animals: gray and pink river Dolphin. The naturalist guide will present lectures about the Amazon on everything from the history and culture of the region to the Amazon’s flora and fauna. Explore the Amazon River or return to airport to catch your return flight. Return to the boat.

PM: Lunch and Disembarkation. Transfer back to Iquitos airport.

Cattleya - Marañon River
Location
Nauta - Iquitos
Day
4 / 4
1 / 4

5 Day - Ucayali River

Sample Itinerary
itinerary map

Embarkation

PM: Arrive to Iquitos in the afternoon, then transfer to Nauta (approximately 2 hours by private car). A welcome drink will be provided soon as you board the ship, then our Naturalist guide will provide you your cabin and explain all facilities on the ship and programs for the next few days. We start to navigate upstream. Later in the evening we sit down for our first dinner.

Cattleya - Ucayali River
Location
Iquitos - Nauta - Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
1 / 5

Fishing & Night Boat Ride

AM: Wakeup call and time for a cup of coffee and tea before your tour. Bird watching tour. We start early today and set out to explore the impressive biodiversity of the area's unusual ecosystem. Look for a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic breakfast. Head out on a fishing trip like no other! Cast your line to see if you can catch "the most ferocious fish in the world” – the piranha. They are a dietary staple for many of the Amazon rainforest’s indigenous people, and are widely considered one of the best fish to eat in South America.

PM: Return to the ship for lunch on board. We will explore the national reserve until the sun sets. As night falls, the Amazon comes alive with nocturnal animals. Be on the lookout for bats, night birds, frogs, caimans, poison frogs, and a vast number of another species. See if our flashlights will reflect the "red eye shine" of the caiman which will be caught by our naturalist. Return to the ship for dinner and spending the night on board.

Cattleya - Ucayali River
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
2 / 5

Nauta Caño Creek, Kayaking & Jungle Night Walk

AM: Breakfast. This morning is a full exploration expedition around the Nauta Caño Creek. Explore by skiff ride and by kayaks. Here you will spot birds, trees and monkeys while paddling through the Amazon’s tributary creeks. Visit a local village to learn about the fishing, hunting, and farming traditions of the local people. Return to the ship

PM: Lunch on board. This afternoon you will continue exploring the area by skiff boat. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds while exploring. After sunset we will head out for a nocturnal jungle walk. Look out for night animals: poison frogs, insects, bats and many others species of the jungle.

Cattleya - Ucayali River
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
3 / 5

Marañon & Ucayali Rivers & Yucuruchi Jungle Walk

AM: Breakfast on board. Navigate to the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers which is known as the beginning of the Amazon river. Here we will observe interesting animals: the gray and pink river Dolphin. Your naturalist guide will teach you the history and culture of the region. Walk along the banks of the river and explore the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon where you will have the opportunity to see the giant Victoria water lilies. You will also learn about medicinal plants, orchids, bromeliads and other interesting flora in this area. Return to the ship

PM: Lunch followed by exploring the Ucayali river. Return to the ship afterwards for dinner.

Cattleya - Ucayali River
Location
Day
4 / 5

Disembarkation

AM: Breakfast on board. Then we will navigate to the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali rivers which is known as the beginning of the main Amazon river, in this area we will observe interesting animals: gray and pink river Dolphin. The naturalist guide will present lectures about the Amazon on everything from the history and culture of the region to the Amazon’s flora and fauna. Explore the Amazon River or return to airport to catch your return flight. Return to the boat.

PM: Lunch and Disembarkation. Transfer back to Iquitos airport.

Cattleya - Ucayali River
Location
Nauta - Iquitos
Day
5 / 5
1 / 5

8 Day - Marañon & Ucayali

Sample Itinerary
itinerary map

Embarkation

AM: Transfer by private car (approx. 2 hours) to the town of Nauta and board the M/V Cattleya. A welcome drink will be provided soon as you board the ship, then our Naturalist guide will provide you with your cabin and explain all facilities on the ship and programs for the next few days. We start to navigate upstream.

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Iquitos - Nauta
Day
1 / 8

Bird Watching, Pink River Dolphin Observation & Yarapa River

AM: Wakeup call and time for a cup of coffee or tea before we start the bird watching tour program by skiff. Bird watching program around the Tamishiacu area of the rainforest. Breakfast followed by Pink Dolphin and wildlife observation around Lucero Pata area by skiff. Return to the ship.

PM: Lunch followed by exploring the Yarapa river area looking for wildlife (monkeys, toucan, macaw, sloth etc.) by skiff. Return to the ship for dinner.

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
2 / 8

Ucayali River, Yucuruchi Region, Clavero Lake & Night Jungle Walk

AM: Breakfast. We explore along the banks of the Ucayali River to the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon, and to have the opportunity to see the Victoria Regia water lily a gigantic aquatic plant. The naturalist guide will give lectures, and point out unique species of medicinal plants, orquid, bromeliads, different insects and other natural attractions of this area. Return to the ship.

PM: Lunch on board. Explore Clavero lake riding our Kayaks in this interesting natural scenic area spotting birds, huge trees, monkeys and river people while you paddle, a unique opportunity to be in touch directly with the rain forest by yourself. Later this afternoon you will continue exploring the area by skiff boat. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds while exploring. After sunset we will head out for a nocturnal jungle walk. Look out for night animals: poison frogs, insects, bats and many others species of the jungle. Optional overnight in the Jungle.

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
3 / 8

Sapuena Creek, Village Visit & Yanallpa Area

AM: Transfer from the jungle to the ship. Breakfast on board. Full exploration around the Sapuena creek area by skiff, visit a village where you will see how local people live in the jungle. Return to the ship.

PM: Lunch on board. Take an excursion by motorized skiff around the Yanallpa area to see the wonders of the rainforest. Kayaking time if the weather is good. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and a variety of birds while exploring. Returns to the ship for dinner.

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
4 / 8

Dorado River & Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

AM: Early morning wakeup call. Arrive to the El Dorado river, part of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve early today and set out to explore the impressive biodiversity of this unusual ecosystem. Look for a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic breakfast. Head out on a fishing trip like no other! Cast your line to see if you can catch "the most ferocious fish in the world” – the piranha. Return to the ship.

PM: Lunch on board. The naturalist guide will present enthralling lecture about the Amazon on everything from the history and culture of the region to the Amazon’s prolific flora and fauna. We will ride this afternoon with the daylight into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve exploring this interesting area until night falls, when we watch the Amazon become a different domain. Be on the lookout for bats, night birds, frogs, caimans, poison frogs, and a vast number of another species. See if our flashlights will reflect the "red eye shine" of the caiman which will be caught by our naturalist. Return to the ship for dinner.

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
5 / 8

Yarapa River & Shaman Village Visit

AM: Wakeup call. Breakfast. Full exploration on the Yarapa black river water. Return to the ship, Lunch will be served on board.

PM: After lunch, our Naturalist guide will do an introductory discussion about shamanism to help understand the traditions of the people living in the rainforest. Get in touch with your spirit realm with a visit to a local shaman. Shamanism is practiced around the globe, and is universally distinguished by a trance state called shamanic ecstasy. In these "out of body" travels, the shaman enlists the spirit world to help him with a variety of duties, from healing the sick to assisting a deceased person's soul into the afterworld — all the while, the shaman remains conscious. Gain rare insight into the complexities of this phenomenon when you meet an actual practicing shaman in a river village. He'll introduce the group to his spiritual healing craft and talk about rainforest plants that indigenous peoples have been using for centuries. Return to the ship for dinner.

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
6 / 8

Pahuachiro Creek

AM: Breakfast. Walking exploration into the rainforest along a tributary of the Amazon. Return to the ship.

PM: Lunch on board. After lunch, we embark on a small skiff excursion to the Pahuachiro Creek looking for a variety of different plants and wildlife. During the excursion we will have one last chance to witness a spectacular Amazonian and enjoy for the last time the sounds of the rainforest as night falls to reveal the star-lit sky. Return to the ship for dinner

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Day
7 / 8

Disembarkation

AMBreakfast on board and one last walk through the rainforest at Casual before disembarking the ship. Transfer to Iquitos airport.

Cattleya - Marañon & Ucayali
Location
Nauta - Iquitos
Day
8 / 8
1 / 8

Accommodations

Social Areas

Sun Deck
Bar and Dining Areas
Outdoor Lounge
Exterior
Terrace
Bar
Dining

Suites & Cabins

Cattleya - Deluxe Suite Cattleya - Deluxe Suite
2 Cabins

Deluxe Suite

Guests
2
Size
30 m² / 322 ft²
Beds
King / Twin

The main deck Deluxe Suites are air-conditioned and very spacious, coming equipped with their own lounge areas with sofa and table. They have wrap-around panoramic windows for a great side and front-facing view of the river and rainforest.

Cattleya - Master Suite Cattleya - Master Suite
2 Cabins

Master Suite

Guests
2
Size
24 m² / 258 ft²
Beds
King / Twin

The majestic Master Suites are large enough to accommodate double occupancy with no inconveniences, and feature their own private balconies. These cabins are located on the upper deck near the dining room, and can be interconnected, making them ideal for families.

Technical Information

Deck Plan

Features

  • Connecting cabins
  • Cabins with balconies
  • Air conditioning
  • Deck shower
  • Massage room
  • Camera room
  • WIFI available
  • Kosher Meals
  • Medical staff
  • Onsite tour desk
  • Souvenir shop
  • Mosquito netting
  • Hot showers
  • All inclusive
  • Charging areas for electronic equipment

Equipment

  • Satellite phone
  • Kayaks / Canoes
  • Fishing equipment
  • Yoga mats
  • Flash lights
  • Rubber boots
  • Water canteen/bottle
  • Binoculars
  • Insect repellent
  • Poncho
  • Dry Bags/Plastic bags to protect cameras
** Use of certain equipment at additional cost, ask for details
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