There are just a few boutique luxury boats cruising Peru’s Amazon year around we would recommend, including Aqua Expeditions and Delfin Cruises. Itineraries are 3-, 4- and 7-nights from the port city of Iquitos, an easy 1½ hour flight from Lima, Peru's capital. Iquitos was an important city in the days of the rubber barons, and signs of the wealth from those days are still evident in the Portuguese tiles on some of the houses. Three-fifths of Peru is jungle, and you’ll be exploring the more remote and pristine areas of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. This protected wilderness of over five million acres, about twice the size of Yellowstone, teems with rare flora and fauna.

Each day there's a morning and afternoon excursion by motorized skiffs, exploring the jungle from the water's edge. You'll encounter some of the 500 species of birds: macaw, kingfisher and riotously colored parrots flying in and out of vine covered trees - plus black alligators, three-toed sloths, red howler monkeys, tamarin and capuchin monkeys, brilliant butterflies, and the unique freshwater pink dolphin. Here Indians live rather isolated, and are visited on some itineraries.

Temperatures here average between a low of 70 degrees F. and a high of 88 degrees F. The low water season (June - November) and high water season (December - May) feature differences in the plant and animal life as well as in the climate and excursions offered.

This experience can be arranged as part of a custom trip in Peru designed by TravelStore. Experiences are valid when posted and are subject to change and availability. There are several companies operating these adventures, so let us guide your best choice and handle the arrangements.