Amazon River Expedition
March 12 to 21, 2010

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Cruise along the fabled Amazon River and explore the vast rainforests and untamed waters of one of the worlds most exotic natural realms. Embark one of the Jewels of the Amazon, intimate ships designed specifically to cruise the Amazon. Spend a night in a tented camp (optional) in the heart of the Peruvian jungle and venture beyond the Amazon’s headwaters to a region of remote jungles and black-water rivers, where our expert naturalist guides lead excursions to observe unique wildlife, including pink river dolphins, capuchin monkeys and three-toed sloths. Also, enjoy Peru’s historic capital, Lima, and continue your journey with the special Post-Program Option to legendary Machu Picchu.

Trip length: 9 days
If these dates offered conflict with your schedule, call for other date options.

Pricing: Land/cruise only prices range from $4,695 to $4,995 per person, based on double occupancy and dependent on the type of cabin chosen aboard the The Jewels of the Amazon. Call for pricing for single occupancy. Call for airfare pricing from your hometown.

Discount: Book before Sept. 24, 2009, to save $1,000 per person on the prices above.

Provider: Thomas P. Gohagan & Company

Activity level: Moderately active

Learn more by downloading our brochure.

To receive a brochure in the mail, click here.

To make a reservation on the phone with a credit card, call Wolf Treks Travel Coordinator Kathy Hart at 800.627.2586 or 919.515.3375.

Itinerary

Day 1 -Depart from the U.S.
Day 2 – Lima/Fly to Iquitos
Day 3 – Iquitos/Embark ship
Day 4 – Cruising the Amazon/Ucayali River
Day 5 – Amazon Natural Park/Kapok Tented Camp
Day 6 – Kapok Tented Camp/Maran River
Day 7 – Maran River/Pucate River (Pacaya Samiria National Reserve)
Day 8 – Amazon River
Day 9 – Iquitos/Disembark ship/Fly to Lima/Depart for the U.S.
Day 10 – Arrive in the U.S.

Highlights

Cruise the far reaches of the Amazon River aboard one of the impeccably crafted Jewels of the Amazon, vessels designed specifically to navigate the Amazon’s remote tributaries in an elegant atmosphere that recalls the 19th century’s Age of Exploration.

Journey to the vast Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the largest wetlands preserve in the world, in search of exotic wildlife, including howler monkeys, gray and pink river dolphins and colorful macaws. Learn more about the Amazon’s unique ecosystem, natural history and the challenges facing its environment during a specially arranged series of lectures and presentations by our ship’s team of expert naturalists. Experience life in the jungle during an optional one-night stay in a tented camp in the heart of the Peruvian rain forest featuring traditional storytelling and a meal of regional specialties.

Attend an exclusive gathering with a traditional shaman, who will perform ancient spiritual and medicinal rituals. Visit villages along the Amazon to meet with the ribereos, the indigenous river people, and learn how the river and its environs have shaped their way of life for generations. Discover some of the finest colonial architecture in South America during your stay in Lima, a cosmopolitan city known for its dynamic culture and colorful street life.

Jewels of the Amazon

The impeccably crafted first-class fleet, Jewels of the Amazon, was specifically designed to cruise the upper Amazon River. Combining classic 19th-century riverboat elegance with 21st-century comfort, each stateroom features private bathroom facilities and individual climate control. Onboard dining includes delicious Peruvian and international cuisine prepared daily from the freshest ingredients. Each vessel features specially designed observation decks and a full bar, and is equipped with excursion boats. Throughout the program, English-speaking naturalists provide expert insight into the Amazon’s amazing array of flora and fauna, as well as the cultures of the indigenous peoples.

Program Features

In Lima

• One night and a day room (Day 9) in a first-class hotel, including breakfast.
  
• Private guided tour of Limas historic colonial district.
  
• Air transportation round trip between Lima and Iquitos.

In Iquitos

• One night in a centrally located hotel, including breakfast.
  
• Visit to the Indian Market.

On board ship

• Six-night cruise round trip from Iquitos up the Amazon, Maran and Pucate Rivers and their tributaries and into the Amazon Natural Park.
  
• Comfortable first-class accommodations with private bathroom facilities and air conditioning.
  
• All meals aboard ship served at a single seating.
  
• Choice of an overnight stay in a traditional maloka (tented) camp in the Amazon Natural Park or remaining on board the ship.
  
• Expert-led small boat excursions through flooded forests and black-water rivers in search of exotic Amazonian wildlife, including toucans, Saddleback Tamarind monkeys, sloths and pink and gray river dolphins.
  
• Nature walks through virgin rainforests led by expert naturalists emphasizing the habitat’s unique flora and fauna.
  
• Trek among the giant Lupana and Ceiba Kapok trees, featuring an opportunity to swim in a black-water creek.
  
• Specially arranged visits to Amazon villages and unique opportunities to learn more about traditional culture, history and customs of the indigenous ribereos.
  
• Floating picnic among the fascinating giant water lilies known as Victoria Amazonica.
  
• Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to plant a tree and make a permanent contribution to the preservation of the Amazon basins endangered rainforests.
  
• Exclusive presentation by a Jbaro shaman.
  
• Night excursion to search for nocturnal animals, such as caiman and capybara.
  
• Opportunity to fish for the exotic red-bellied piranhas.

Enhanced Travel Services

• All transfers and luggage handling abroad for all participants who have purchased their air tickets through Gohagan & Company and whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
  
• All excursions and visits, as outlined in the itinerary, with experienced local guides.
  
• Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions.
  
• Services of an experienced Gohagan & Company Travel Director to accompany you throughout the program.
  
• Hospitality desk in the hotel.
  
• Travel document wallet, name badge and pre-departure information for each participant.
  
• Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy for each participant ticketed on flights by Gohagan & Company.

Machu Picchu Post-Program Option

Join this fascinating extension to the mysterious and enchanting Inca complex of Machu Picchu, located in the Peruvian Andes and obscured from humankind for 400 years by lush jungle growth and the isolation of the mountains. Additionally, visit the historic Inca capital of Cuzco, the beautiful Urubamba Valley and the ancient Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamn.