Expedition Advisory · Amazon · Peru · National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Upper Amazon: A River Expedition
Lima round trip via Iquitos and Nauta · 6 or 9 days
Selected six-day programme, per person sharing. The nine-day programme is quoted separately. Starting fare checked 4 October 2026; subject to availability and change. Flights and additional travel arrangements are extra.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Why we picked this voyage
An expedition worth considering
This programme brings the Amazon into focus through guiding and time in the field. Skiff outings, kayaking and walks offer different ways to observe wildlife, while visits to river communities connect the natural landscape with daily life. Choose nine days when time allows; the shorter programme is easier to combine with a wider Peru journey.
Travellers prioritising natural history, photography and substantial time exploring the rainforest.
Daily exploration with naturalists and a certified photo instructor in the Pacaya-Samiria region.
The six-day programme has fewer river days. Domestic group flights are an additional cost, and the ship must be checked for each departure.
Let’s match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities.
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Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other expedition options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our expedition guiding experience helps you understand sea conditions, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Get practical flight, packing and preparation guidance, plus a pre-departure call with a regional guide. We can book your hotels and transfers with no extra booking fee.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
The voyage
Voyage overview
This programme brings the Amazon into focus through guiding and time in the field. Skiff outings, kayaking and walks offer different ways to observe wildlife, while visits to river communities connect the natural landscape with daily life. Choose nine days when time allows; the shorter programme is easier to combine with a wider Peru journey.
- Pacaya-Samiria’s seasonally flooded forest
- Opportunities to see pink river dolphins, monkeys and birds
- Naturalist-led skiff exploration
- Kayaking and walks where water levels allow
- River community visits and photography guidance
Your expedition
Day-by-day plan
Lima round trip via Iquitos and Nauta. This is a guide to the experience; the order and daily activities adapt to conditions.
Lima
Arrive in Lima and transfer to the published airport hotel. An earlier arrival or extension can add time to explore the capital.
Iquitos, Nauta and embarkation
Take the recommended group flight to Iquitos, then transfer overland to Nauta and board the river ship. Domestic flights are additional.
Pacaya-Samiria exploration
The six-day programme provides three expedition days; the nine-day programme provides six. Explore by skiff and kayak, with walks where water levels allow. Look for river dolphins, monkeys, sloths and birdlife, and visit river communities.
Nauta, Iquitos and Lima
Disembark and stop at the Amazon Rescue Center on the way to Iquitos. Fly to Lima for onward connections. The published programme specifies departures after 21:00; ask us to check the full flight plan.
Wildlife sightings and landings depend on conditions and local access. The confirmed departure programme controls your final travel plan.
Choose your season
Dates and departures
| Departure | Programme |
|---|---|
| 9-17 January 2027 | Delfin II · 9 days |
| 16-24 January 2027 | Delfin II · 9 days |
| 23-31 January 2027 | Delfin II · 9 days |
| Other 2027 / 2028 dates | 6- or 9-day programme |
These are selected published departures and enquiry options. Ask us to check dates, cabins and the complete package for travel through October 2028.
Find the right departure and cabin for you.
Check dates with EAPlan your voyage
Your ship and life aboard
Delfin II or Delfin III
Delfin II carries 28 guests in 14 cabins; Delfin III carries 42 guests in 21 cabins. Both are all-suite river ships with three decks. The nine-day January 2027 departures checked in the adviser portal use Delfin II. Other dates and the six-day programme may use Delfin III.
The ship experience
Life aboard
See the suites, shared interiors and outside spaces that shape your time on board.
Photography: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. Delfin II carries 28 guests; Delfin III carries 42. The ship depends on the programme and departure.
Cabins and suites
Delfin II
An intimate 28-guest setting with 14 suites. Check the suite location, bedding and view on the actual deck plan for your chosen departure.
Delfin III
A larger 42-guest river ship with 21 suites. Do not assume its cabin categories or furnishings match Delfin II; we will compare the ship-specific choices.
Watch the experience
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Explore with your guides
Activities and exploration
- Pacaya-Samiria’s seasonally flooded forest
- Opportunities to see pink river dolphins, monkeys and birds
- Naturalist-led skiff exploration
- Kayaking and walks where water levels allow
- River community visits and photography guidance
Expect guided exploration and time to observe the landscape. Activity choices depend on the ship, water or tide level and local access. We will check mobility needs and optional activities before recommending your departure.
The voyage package
What the voyage includes
Published inclusions
- Accommodation described in the chosen programme
- Published meals during the expedition
- Guided expedition activities and naturalist support
Additional costs and exclusions
- International flights
- Recommended domestic group flights, charged additionally
- Extensions and additional hotel nights outside the programme
- Travel insurance and items outside the confirmed fare inclusions
Inclusions vary by departure and offer. We will confirm the complete package terms before booking.
Expedition Advisory guidance
Make the whole journey work
Treat the six- and nine-day programmes as different experiences. Allow international travel time beyond the stated programme, and consider an extra Lima night for a comfortable connection. High and low water change access rather than creating a single universally best season.
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your preferred dates, party size and what matters most. We’ll compare the departure, cabin and complete travel plan.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees