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Peru

Peru by Riverboat: Amazon Rainforest & Historic Lima

Program No. 25157RJ
From populous city streets to remote rainforests, set sail on a Road Scholar-exclusive voyage to dive into life in Peru on the Amazon River and in historic Lima.
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River BoatsAdventures Afloat Study CruiseSmall GroupNew
Length
10 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
4,999
Special Offer
Flights start at
FREE

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
23 meals ( 9B, 7L, 7D )
7 expert-led lectures
20 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
3 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Getting on/off motor-coach; driving approx. 16 miles total; about 1 hour combined, with stops for field trips. Walking up to two miles total throughout the day; periods of standing up to an hour at a time at museum.some stone steps without railings. Terrain may be rough and uneven.
Morning:
Meet and Greet and transfer to the Hotel for participants who have purchased/used the international air segment to Road Scholar (FREE AIR). They will have the room ready for check in at arrival to the hotel. Get some rest before the official start of the program with the orientation meeting.
Afternoon:
After recovering from the early arrival, we we will gather in our private meeting room for Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. All field trips and lectures will have a local expert but the group leader will be with the group all the time , unless otherwise informed. Transportation will be provided primarily by motor-coach, unless otherwise noted. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
To wrap up our first day in Peru, relish a splendid lunch at Café del Museo. With its charming ambiance, the café offers picturesque views of the museum's enchanting gardens and the majestic viceroyal mansion, which serves as the museum's backdrop. This setting creates the perfect atmosphere for an evening of culinary delight and cultural immersion.
Activity Note
Getting on & off a bus, walking approximately 1/2 mile (one km) for one hour on flat terrain. Driving approx. 10 miles total. Do not forget to refill your water bottle.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, choose what you like from the buffet with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
Our journey this morning leads us through the storied streets of downtown Lima, a city that once stood as the capital of the viceroyalty Spain established in 1532. Our first pause takes us to the venerable Plaza de Armas, the beating heart of the city. Here, you'll traverse the square on foot, soaking in the rich history that surrounds you. As you explore, marvel at the magnificent exteriors of the Government Palace, the City Hall and the surrounding buildings, all resplendent exemplars of the enduring colonial architectural opulence that graces Lima to this day. Continuing this immersive journey, we'll explore the sacred halls of the Cathedral, an emblem of the city, boasting a rich history and intricate craftsmanship that speaks volumes of the era's devotion and artistry. Moving forward, we'll head to La Casa Aliaga. For over 480 years and across 17 generations, no other dwelling in the Americas has been home to a family as consistently as the De Aliaga residence in Lima. Erected adjacent to the Government Palace in 1535 by Jerónimo De Aliaga y Ramírez, trusted captain of Pizarro, this dwelling stands as a gem of colonial and republican architecture. We´ll explore its chambers, corridors, and courtyards, a harmonious fusion of styles spanning Renaissance, Cusco baroque, and Iberian Moorish, among others, owing to renovations over the years. Amidst this ambience, we'll unravel the stories behind the array of paintings, silverware, furniture, and precious artifacts. A visit to the chapel, a space graced by Peruvian luminaries such as Saint Rose of Lima, the Americas' first saint and a family friend, will conclude our journey through history.
Lunch:
Following our exploration of colonial Lima's most iconic buildings and plazas, we'll make our way to Barranco, a vibrant neighborhood known for its artistic spirit. Here, we'll participate in a hands-on Peruvian gastronomy class, where we'll master the art of crafting their iconic dishes.
Afternoon:
We will explore Barranco's charming streets, a haven for artists, photographers, and writers. We'll meander through quaint, tree-lined avenues flanked by historic Republican-era houses, taking in breathtaking views and visiting the iconic Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs). To delve deeper into the artistic heritage of Peru, we'll venture into a couple or more of the neighborhood's art galleries and concept stores, discreetly nestled along Barranco's unassuming streets, gaining insights into the creative minds of our renowned Peruvian artists in the realms of plastic arts and design. we will have some free time before returning to the hotel to explore Barranco.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to take a walk along the ocean boardwalk. Prepare for check-out and our flight to Iquitos in the morning.
Activity Note
The flight from Lima to Iquitos is approximately two hours. Getting on/off a bus. The transfer from Iquitos to Nauta is about 60 miles approximately 1.5/2 hours by paved but rural roads. The study cruise itinerary will operate From Nauta to Nauta, Iquitos-Iquitos or Nauta to Iquitos or vice versa, depending the level of the water. When that is the case, the same or similar destinations and activities will still be covered but in a different order. The following schedule is representative.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Iquitos, situated in the heart of the Peruvian rainforest. Upon arrival, our naturalist expert will be waiting for us to take us for an overview of this interesting place called Iquitos, the largest city in the world inaccessible by road. We’ll then ride to lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with water or local fresh juices; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
We’ll begin our transfer to Nauta where the boat is docked. En route, we’ll learn about the places we are going trough, how the local people organise themselves and how is their life between Iquitos and Nauta, the two most imporatnt cities in the region. We expect to arrive in Nauta mid- to late afternoon and board the M/V La Perla. After getting your cabin, take some time to freshen up and relax, then start getting familiar with the boat. When announced, we will participate with everyone on board in the boat’s safety drill.
Dinner:
Aboard the boat in the dining room, choose what you like from the dinner buffet offering dishes inspired by tropical flavors and prepared with fresh local ingredients. All meals include salads, fruits, and breads with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other beverages included bottled drinks available for purchase.
Evening:
We will gather to have our first lecture "Introduction to the Rain Forest"
Activity Note
Getting on & off motorized skiffs, walking about one mile (1.6 km), approximately one hour. High temperatures, high humidity. Drink plenty of water. to stay hydrated.Closed shoes for the walking.
Breakfast:
Aboard the boat in the dining room, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet offering dishes inspired by tropical flavors and prepared with fresh local ingredients. All meals include salads, fruits, and breads with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
We will board motorized skiffs to explore “Yanayacu de Pucate” , one of the best preserved and protected areas of Pacaya Samiria National Park. This area is famous to spot pink Dolphins and resident birds such as the horned screamer, capped heron, vermillion flycatcher, dusky headed parakeet, great black hawk, and great egrets. The initial morning hours present great viewing opportunities as birds tend to be most active during the early hours of the day and at sundown. We’ll also keep an eye out for sloths and a variety of monkeys. Also we will have the opportunity to see the local handicraft made of “vegetable ivory” that comes from the palm tree. After returning to the ship we will put swimsuit, have the first plunge into the Yanayacu River, and swim in its black waters.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat in the dining room, choose what you like from the lunch buffet offering dishes inspired by tropical flavors and prepared with fresh local ingredients. All meals include salads, fruits, and breads with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water.
Afternoon:
This afternoon river exploration will be in San Regis where we will climb into dugout canoes (local wood made canoes) to explore the area with locals. We’ll return to the boat to freshen up and relax before going to the lounge in the Observation Deck to listen some local music.
Dinner:
Buffet abord the boat.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to sit out on the observation deck or inside in the reading lounge.
Activity Note
Early rise for a field trip via skiff to watch the rain-forest come to life as we look for iguanas, river turtles, cormorants, and other wildlife. Wear closed toe shoes for the visit to meet a local community and have lunch together
Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast aboard the boat.
Morning:
After a quick coffee or tea we will have our first early walk in the jungle to admire how wildlife awakes. We will walk 1 hour by the Marañon shorese to discover the sounds and colours of the rain forest.
Lunch:
We will share the lunch with the locals “Kukama Community” in family style, with a long table and local wood made small chairs.
Afternoon:
After time to rest and relax we will have an interactive lecture where we will learn about the "Amazonian Culture" and will have the opportunity to make questions about todays' experiences/
Dinner:
Aboard the boat
Evening:
We’ll go on another boat ride to observe the profusion of nocturnal species that may be present such as bats, capybaras, black caimans, and many more. A spotlight will help us see and identify wildlife in Rio Tigre - Nahuapa.
Activity Note
We will rise early again to explore more of the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon's unique ecosystem by motorized skiff. Wear closed toe shoes for the jungle walk
Breakfast:
Aboard the boat
Morning:
Early weak up call and after a quick coffee we will have a jungle walk looking for wildlife such as the “poisonous frog” among others jungle inhabitants. We will spot the giant trees and the most famous ones called “avatar” or “tree of life” where the ancient and current inhabitants of the jungle left their offerings as a sign of gratitude to “Yara” or Mother Earth. We also will see how the local women of the community offer some handicraft made locally
Lunch:
Lunch aboard the boat. Let's taste what you brought aboard!
Afternoon:
After a time to relax we will have a lecture about "Challenges of the Amazon region" What is changing? Why? How the changes affect the locals and what is being doing to face those challenges. It will be a nice moment to discuss and learn.
Dinner:
Buffet aboard the boat
Activity Note
We will rise early again to explore by motorized skiff the Amazon River basin.Today most of the field trips are done by skiff boat. Wear closed toe shoes for a potential walk in the Community.
Breakfast:
Aboard the boat
Morning:
Early rise for a field trip via skiff to watch where the origin of the Amazon River, the largest river in South America by discharge volume of water in the world, and the disputed longest river system in the world in comparison to the Nile. We’ll then return to the boat.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat.
Afternoon:
after a deserved rest, we will visit the Kukama Community. The Kukama are an original culture of the Amazon Rainforest. They thrived in the rainforest for hundreds of years before the Spanish explorers arrived. Today, the Kukamas, are based in the flood zone of the Ucayali river basin where their house coexist with the water.
Dinner:
Aboard the boat
Activity Note
Today most of the field trips are done by skiff boat.
Breakfast:
Aboard the boat.
Morning:
We’ll set out again by skiff to sail the Yacapana area to keep looking for the thounsand of species that, some of them, have not being named yet.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat.
Afternoon:
We will gather to recap all what we have seen, learned and felt. We will exchange opinions with our Local Naturalist and our Group Leader will inform about the next steps for the following chapter of our adventure. We will have our last skiff boat ride to say goodbye to the Rain Forest, its magical ambiance with a strong commitment of protect nature from the place we live.
Dinner:
Aboard the boat. Enjoy our last evening aboard the boat .
Evening:
Packing for tomorrow journey to reach the top of the Andes : Cuzco
Activity Note
If the group has to disembark in Nauta instead of Iquitos due to low water levels, we will have an early wake up depending of the flight schedule from Iquitos to Lima.Transfer is about 1.5/2 hours by bus to the Iquitos airport.The flight to Lima takes two hours. After a layover in Lima, you will connect with your international flight to the US.
Breakfast:
Early aboard the boat.
Morning:
We will transfer via bus to the airport in Iquitos for our flight to Lima where we will connect to our flight back home
Afternoon:
Arrival to Lima International Airport.
Activity Note
Arrival in the US
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
Free time. Check out at 11 AM. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Transfers to the Cuzco airport. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!





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