As the riverboat chugs its way up the chocolate-colored channel, fringed with dense rainforest, the primeval depths of the Upper Amazon beckon. Our focus is the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve at the mighty river's headwaters, a 5-million-acre mosaic of flooded and dry forest, islands and tea-colored creeks laden with tannins. Containing some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth, it shelters the largest wildlife populations in the Amazon Basin. Explore by excursion boat and on foot, looking for pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, macaws and butterflies. Lagoons covered in giant lily pads teem with fish and caiman, while scores of marsh birds hunt from shore. Visit local villages, and learn about conservation challenges as we follow hundreds of miles of Amazon tributaries aboard a deluxe ship built for exploring the river system's farthest reaches.
Trip Highlights
Voyage to the Amazon Headwaters
Journey all the way to the tributary headwaters to explore Peru's Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a vast protected realm of exceptional biodiversity
Cruise Aboard a Private Luxury Riverboat
Travel in air-conditioned comfort aboard our chartered riverboat—generous en suite cabins have panoramic windows for private nature viewing
Explore the Rainforest in Search of Wildlife
With expert naturalist guides, scout for jungle wildlife like scarlet macaws, sloths and monk saki monkeys, and look for rare pink river dolphins
What Makes Our Amazon Expedition a Cut Above the Rest?
Exploring the Amazon rainforest is an entrancing adventure for any nature lover. This vibrant ecosystem is also one of Earth's most threatened. That’s why WWF, our conservation travel partner, is focusing some of its most important work on protecting this globally important environment. Here are some key reasons to choose Nat Hab as your exploration partner in the Amazon:
The Finest Vessel on the River
You won’t find a riverboat of higher quality. The Delfin II is custom-designed for navigating the Amazon and its tributaries. Built in a classic style distinctive to this region and beautifully finished with contemporary comforts, this small ship features generous cabins with panoramic windows for surveying the passing rainforest and wildlife.A Maximum of 28 Guests for a More Intimate Experience
While some Amazon ships carry 100 passengers or more, the Delfin II offers a much more personalized experience. We charter the ship exclusively for our travelers. Its compact size means we can tie up at the bank to easily embark small skiffs for excursions to observe wildlife at close range. We also meet with local ribereño people in riverside villages along our route in an authentic and non-commercialized context.Cruise all the Way to the Amazon Headwaters
Amazon itineraries vary—compare carefully. Our main focus is the largest protected realm in Peru (and second largest in the entire Amazon Basin), the WWF-supported Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This 5-million-acre wetland at the headwaters of the mighty river is replete with wildlife—you won’t find a richer experience of rainforest biodiversity.The Best Guide-to-Guest Ratio You'll Find
While the ship operates with three local naturalist guides on every voyage, we also travel with two Nat Hab Expedition Leaders, whose expertise and depth of knowledge in the Amazon greatly enhance your interpretive experience. Our Amazon guides average at least 10 years’ experience in the region, and that means they'll be able to help you spot elusive wild creatures that are otherwise virtually invisible in the rainforest's shadowy depths. Your Expedition Leaders also provide an added level of service and personalized attention. Read our Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our renowned leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Superior Amazon Cruise
Natural Habitat Adventures offers an exclusive guarantee, which clearly states that we will meet the lofty expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise for yourself!Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund—the world's leading environmental conservation organization—has named Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
