Day 1 Iquitos – Ceiba Tops

Upon arrival to Iquitos, brief city orientation and transfer to Explorama dock for a twenty-file mile journey down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops, a luxury Lodge. During the trip, enjoy the beautiful Amazonian landscape. Afternoon walk in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge which includes many huge trees. After dinner, take a short walk to a small lake where caiman can be spotted. Enjoy the sounds of the jungle discovering an awesome nocturnal animal world that comprises insects and frogs.

Day 2 Ceiba Tops

Morning boat excursion to look for dolphins and visit a small Yagua Indian community to learn about their culture. See some of the local crafts and a demonstration of the blowgun that some of the Yagua elders still use for hunting. In the afternoon, you will visit Indiana, a town that was originally a Franciscan mission and now is a large river community with its own market, high school and small hospital.

Day 3 Ceiba Tops – Canopy Walkway

Early morning departure by boat to ExplorNapo Lodge for breakfast. Hike to the spectacular canopy walkway spanning over 500 meters (one third of a mile) and reaching a high of 35 meters (115 ft). Connected by three platforms, the canopy walkway provides a view of the rainforest from treetops, the best point for observing the wildlife and vegetation. This is a wonderful opportunity to observe a part of the forest rarely seen by man. After lunch, visit an ethnobotanical garden to learn about the medicinal plants cultivated by a local shaman who will explain you the Amazonian natural healing. Return to Ceiba Tops. Enjoy the pool or hammocks before dinner.

Day 4 Ceiba Tops – Iquitos

Today you can choose between a morning walking or a boat excursion to continue enjoying the rainforest. Afternoon transfer to the airport to board your departure flight.

OPTION 2: Explornapo Lodge (5 day/4 night)

Day 1 Iquitos – Explorama Lodge

Upon arrival to Iquitos, transfer to the Explorama dock for a fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to Explorama Lodge where your adventure begins. Afternoon hike along the “Lake Trail” through lowland rainforest. Seasonally flooded, during the high water season the excursion is done by open boat. At night, there is a chance to visit the Lodge’s bar where local musicians often play guitar and flute music. The guides will also relate some of the many legends of the Amazon forest.

Day 2 Explorama Lodge – ExplorNapo Lodge

Morning boat ride down the Amazon and up the Napo River to the ExplorNapo Reserve and ExplorNapo Lodge. Afternoon visit to the ReNuPeRu Ethnobotanical Garden located next to the lodge and tended by a local shaman. See how the rainforest plants are used in modern medicine and examples of native plant remedies which science may utilize in the future. Night excursion by open boat along the Sucusari Stream to enjoy the sounds of the jungle discovering an awesome nocturnal animal world. Splendid views of the stars of the Southern sky.

Day 3 Explornapo Lodge – Canopy Walkway

Morning hike to the Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge spanning 500 meters (one-third of a mile) connected by tree platforms and reaching a height of over 35 meters (115 feet) above the ground. The canopy walkway provides a view of the rainforest from treetops, the best point for observing the wildlife and vegetation; a part of the forest rarely seen by man. Afternoon excursion by boat spotting for sloth and birding, and opportunity to try to fish a piranha or a chance to swim.

Day 4 ExplorNapo Lodge – Explorama Lodge

Morning excursion to a black water oxbow lake. Often covered with giant Victoria Regia water lilies, these lakes sometimes offer a glimpse of the elusive Hoatzin bird. Afternoon boat trip back to Explorama Lodge passing the town of Francisco de Orellana, where a statue is erected to the intrepid explorer who became the first European to see the Amazon River in 1542. At night, continue discovering this remote natural world.

Day 5 Explorama Lodge – Iquitos

Enjoy a morning walk along a local river trail to visit to some of the local river people called “ribereños” and get to know their simple way of life dominated by the mighty river conditions surrounding them. Visit a river school, see the local sugar cane rum or visit a resident American medical doctor in her clinic. After an early lunch (depending on flight departure time), return to Iquitos and proceed to the airport to board your flight.