“Nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist, than a journey in distant countries”

— Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle

Join HBS for an extraordinary adventure from the coast of Peru to the heart of the headwaters of the Amazon River on the exquisite Delfin III — a Relais & Chateaux luxury riverboat . Our trip begins with two nights in Lima, where Charles Darwin visited in August 1835 aboard HMS Beagle en route to the Galápagos Islands.  Our Lima visit includes a full day tour acquainting us with the historic city center where we will learn about the city’s colonial past as well as the ancient Inca, a people, Darwin marveled, “considerably advanced in civilization.”

From Lima, we’ll fly to Iquitos, the gateway to the Amazon, and embark on our 5-day river cruise exploring the Upper Amazon of Peru. As we navigate majestic rivers and lush tributaries, we’ll be treated to the comforts of well-appointed suites and panoramic views from the ship’s observation deck.  This is the great tropical realm explored by Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry Walter Bates, Richard Spruce, and other explorer-naturalists of the 18th and 19th centuries.  It was here in Amazonia that Wallace formulated his first evolutionary theories, Bates discovered the remarkable form of butterfly color pattern mimicry now known as Batesian Mimicry, and Richard Spruce studied the indigenous cultivation of the Cinchona tree, the bark of which yields the anti-malarial drug quinine — Spruce’s exported seeds and young plants later saved untold millions of lives.

Flowing through over half of the planet’s remaining rainforest from the Andes to the Atlantic, the Amazon River is the lifeblood of an astonishing ecosystem. The 8,042-square-mile Pacaya Samiria National Reserve of Peru is home to the headwaters of the Amazon, with its dense terra firme (dry ground) forest and the amazing várzea, seasonally flooded forest where great fish swim through submerged canopies of lofty trees, replacing birds and mammals as the primary dispersers of fruits and seeds.

This haven is a sanctuary for an incredible array of wildlife, from elusive jaguars and frolicking pink river dolphins to exotic flora and nearly 500 bird species. Meandering through the labyrinthine waterways in the Yanallpa area, we’ll immerse ourselves in a verdant landscape where the jungle hums with life.  We’ll travel deep into the heart of the reserve to visit a vast expanse of lakes, palm swamps, and streams, as well as a pristine Amazon lagoon. Each day will begin early to maximize our time exploring, from naturalist-guided jungle hikes to wildlife viewing, birdwatching expeditions, and visits to local communities along the Yarapa River and its tributaries.

This itinerary promises an unforgettable exploration of one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, blending history of science and exploration with a celebration of cultural and natural history. From cruising the Amazon to walking through Lima’s historic streets, every moment will be an opportunity to create lasting memories. Don’t miss this chance to experience the best of Peru’s natural and cultural treasures. Book your journey today and prepare for an adventure that will captivate your senses and inspire your spirit.

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MARCH 23 | Sunday
USA / LIMA

We’ll arrive in the evening at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Callao, Lima. Upon arrival, we’ll be greeted and transferred to our hotel.

DoubleTree by Hilton Lima Miraflores El Pardo

(Meals aloft)

MARCH 24 | Monday
LIMA, PERU

This morning, we’ll take a panoramic tour of Lima’s residential areas including Miraflores, with its Central Park, scenic cliffs facing the Pacific Ocean, and the Huaca Pucllana – an ancient Peruvian pyramid, as well as upscale San Isidro with its famed Olive Grove Forest. We’ll continue to the historic center to see San Martin Square, Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, and the Government and Archbishop Palaces, before continuing to Pueblo Libre district for lunch at Museo Larco Café Restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Larco Museum, which contains a fascinating collection of pottery vessels, unique gold and silver work, and ceramics from pre-Inca civilizations. This evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner.

DoubleTree by Hilton Lima Miraflores El Pardo

(B, L, D)

MARCH 25 | Tuesday
LIMA / IQUITOS / NAUTA / EMBARKATION / DELFIN III

Following breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Iquitos. Upon arrival, our crew will transfer us to the port of Nauta, where we’ll enjoy a VIP greeting at our private port along the shores of the Marañon River where our luxury vessel awaits us. As the Delfin III begins its initial navigation, we’ll enjoy panoramic views from the observation area on the third deck, while our naturalist guide will provide an overview of the journey’s schedule, activities, route, and highlights, as well as going over important geographical and historical information. This evening, we’ll enjoy a documentary at the indoor lounge: Rivers of the Sun.

NOTE: Schedules of activities on the Delfin III are subject to change due to weather and river conditions, always keeping passengers’ best interests in mind. Arrival and departure times may also vary due to changes made to the recommended flights by the airline.

Delfin Amazon Cruise III

(B, BL, D)

MARCH 26 | Wednesday
DELFIN III

We’ll explore the Yanallpa area in the Amazon Rainforest, where the early morning hours offer the best opportunities to watch for birds and other wildlife. We’ll jump on skiffs and head to the shores of the Ucayali River. This area is green with large palms and broadleaf trees, which favor the presence of several parrot species. We may spot stunning metallic-blue Morphos, one of the largest butterflies in the world, flocks of scarlet macaws (Ara macao), and various raptors, woodpeckers, and swallows. We’re likely to hear the loud and distinctive calls of blue & yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) before we see these spectacular birds, and in the Dorado River we’ll look for the famed hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoazin), large evolutionarily “primitive” birds that bear claws on their wings, and feed on leaves. The Dorado River is also home to troops of brown capuchin and squirrel monkeys, as well as sloths. As the sun sets, we’ll look for black and white caimans, fishing bats, noisy night monkeys, and fireflies.

Delfin Amazon Cruise III

(B, L, D)

MARCH 27 | Thursday
DELFIN III

Today we’ll journey to the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru’s largest protected area, known for its high annual rainfall and vast expanse of lakes, palm swamps, and streams. This biodiversity hotspot is a classic várzea flooded forest in the rainy season, and arguably one of the most beautiful places we’ll visit. We’ll spend time at one of the pristine Amazon lagoons in this wonderful region, where we can admire in its native habitat the giant water lily (Victoria amazonica) — the Atun Sisac (“great flower”) of the Inca — and seek out Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis), harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja), and cobalt-winged parakeets (Brotogeris cyanoptera).

Delfin Amazon Cruise III

(B, L, D)

MARCH 28 | Friday
DELFIN III

Today we’ll explore the Yarapa River and its tributaries. As we travel downriver to this wide creek that leads to an attractive hidden lagoon, we’ll have the chance to reflect on the beauty of the landscape and the diverse wildlife, including hawks, terns, herons, and monkeys. In this area, we’ll notice many more inhabitants of the Amazon, the rivereños. People being an important part of this complex ecosystem reinforces the fact that our presence here could make a difference to the future of this remarkable land of the Incas. We’ll look out for such monkeys as pygmy marmosets (Cebuella spp.), squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.), and the remarkable monk saki (Pithecia monachus), a species studied by renowned naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace as he formulated his famed Riverine Barrier Hypothesis. On board our skiffs, we’ll visit a community to meet local villagers who have called Amazonia their home for generations. We may step into a typical schoolhouse where the children will be excited to greet visitors, and then stop by an area to see the women of this community who have a most amazing arts & craft market. Later, a walk at Fundo Casual jungle trail will take us deep into the rainforest on terra firme (non-flooded) forest, where our guides will help us identify Amazonian flora and fauna. We’ll keep an eye out for surprises like anacondas, rainbow boas, tarantulas, poison frogs, and porcupines. This is one of the few places in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve where we may spot elusive Choloepus two-toed sloths.

Delfin Amazon Cruise III

(B, L, D)

MARCH 29 | Saturday
DELFIN III / NAUTA / IQUITOS / LIMA / USA

We’ll disembark in Nauta and transfer to Iquitos. On our way, we’ll visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (Amazon Forever). Later, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima, where we’ll receive airport assistance for connecting overnight flights to the USA or to our optional trip extension to Machu Picchu.

MARCH 30 | Sunday
USA

Arrive in the USA in the morning.

(Meals aloft)

MARCH 29 | Saturday
   DELFIN III / NAUTA / IQUITOS / LIMA

We’ll arrive in Lima and transfer to Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport Hotel.

Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport Hotel

(Meals aloft)

MARCH 30 | Sunday
LIMA / CUSCO / PISAC / OLLANTAYTAMBO / YUCAY (SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS)

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for a flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, we’ll head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with a stop at Awanacancha, a weaving center dedicated to preserving traditional textile arts. Here, we’ll see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, and learn about wool harvesting and natural dyeing techniques. Next, we’ll visit Pisac town and its Indian market. Lunch will be at Hacienda Huayoccari, which features a fine collection of Peruvian art and homegrown produce. After lunch, we’ll tour the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay

(B, L, D)

MARCH 31 | Monday
YUCAY / OLLANTAYTAMBO / MACHU PICCHU

Transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the VISTADOME train for a scenic journey through the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this ancient citadel with its mysterious architecture, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of a lost civilization. Lunch will be at Tinkuy Restaurant next to the Sanctuary Lodge. We’ll then have dinner and stay overnight in the town of Machu Picchu (formerly Aguas Calientes).

El Mapi by Inkaterra Hotel

(B, L, D)

APRIL 1 | Tuesday
MACHU PICCHU / OLLANTAYTAMBO / CUSCO

We’ll have the morning at leisure to explore on our own. In the afternoon, we’ll return by VISTADOME train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Costa del Sol Wyndham Cusco Hotel.

Costa del Sol Wyndham Cusco Hotel

(B)

APRIL 2 | Wednesday
CUSCO

Following breakfast, we’ll tour the city including the “Plaza de Armas,” the Cathedral, and Santo Domingo Church (Koricancha). We’ll continue to the surrounding ruins of Puka Pukara, Kenko, Tampu Machay, and the renowned fortress and religious site of Sacsayhuaman. In the afternoon, we’ll have time at leisure followed by a farewell dinner at Limo Restaurant.

Costa del Sol Wyndham Cusco Hotel

(B, D)

APRIL 3 | Thursday
CUSCO / LIMA / USA

We’ll have the morning at leisure for independent exploration of Cusco. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. Upon arrival, we’ll have assistance for our connecting overnight flights to the USA.

(B)

APRIL 4 | Friday
USA

Arrive in the USA this morning.