Adventures Down the Amazon with Rainforest Cruises in Peru

The thing I enjoyed most about my Peruvian Amazon tour with Rainforest Cruises was the balance between adventure travel and luxury travel. Our days were spent out on the Amazon River looking for wildlife, walking through the rainforest, and fishing for piranhas, however, at the end of the day we always had a bright, spacious cabin and gourmet meals to look forward to. I felt I got to experience the Amazon, but I didn’t have to give up any of my comforts along the way, and that made the trip all the more special.

I’ll be writing about our Amazon River cruise in more detail soon, but first up I wanted to share some of the fun excursions and special moments we experienced during the trip.

Sunrises and sunsets over the Amazon

I don’t know how we got so lucky, but for some reason our side of the boat always docked facing east which meant we got to experience some pretty spectacular sunrises over the water. I purposely started keeping the curtains open at night so that we could wake up with natural light and catch the sunrise every morning.

The sunsets on the Amazon were also pretty spectacular; the photo you see here was shot on our first afternoon aboard the boat just as the sun was going down. Doesn’t that look magical? I bet it’s not what you expected Peru to look like!

Kayaking down the tributaries

I’ve really come to love kayaking (I’ve now done it in Vietnam, Finland, Australia, and Canada) so when I heard they had kayaks aboard the Delfin I I just had to try them.

Sam and I ended up taking a double kayak down one of the small tributaries that feeds the Amazon and it was a very relaxing way to soak in the natural beauty of the jungle. We got to explore some of the little lagoons that were almost shielded from view by hanging vines and moss; we also had to keep reminding ourselves to keep the kayaks nice and steady since we had just fished piranhas out of those same waters!

On another note, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)!

Breakfast in a secret lagoon

Our first morning aboard the Delfin I called for an early morning with everyone ready to board the skiff by 6:30 a.m. Our guide had lured us with the promise of wildlife and a delicious breakfast aboard the boat, and thankfully he delivered on both of those.

That morning we sighted countless blue and yellow macaws, a school of pink dolphins playfully breaking through the water, and three sloths slowly going about their day.

As for breakfast, the captain took us to a secluded lagoon covered in a blanket of water lettuce (yup, that’s what it’s called!), where we parked the boat and enjoyed a three course breakfast featuring: fruit-kebabs, chicken and avocado salad, and hot sandwiches. Aside from that, there was also fresh squeezed passionfruit juice, tea and coffee, as well as little pastries to help satisfy the sweetest of cravings.

A canopy walk through the rainforest

Inside Pacaya Samiria National Reserve you can do a canopy walk through a series of hanging bridges that weave through the rainforest. Unlike a regular jungle walk, this gives you a bird’s eye view of the landscape.

To reach the canopy walk, we had take a skiff to the shore, walk down a short trail, row boats through a small lagoon, continue on foot down a different trail paved with round slices of wood, before finally reaching the first platform which marked the start of the canopy walk.

The entire outing took about 2 hours and it was worth ever last bit of sweat. We also learned that in one hectare of the national reserve, you can find as many as 400 species of vegetation!

Fishing for piranhas

We got to go fishing for piranhas twice during our stay in the Amazon: first with our guide from the Treehouse Lodge, and later with our guide from the Delfin I.

I wasn’t successful in either of my two attempts (I guess fishing isn’t really my thing), but Sam managed to catch the biggest piranha of the day on his first outing, and then on our second outing he nearly caught another…but then the piranha did a last minute tail spin, slipped off the hook, and went back in the water. Both outings were really fun even though I didn’t catch anything.

Also, can you believe the size of the teeth on that piranha?! They really are terrifying creatures!

Visiting the local communities

Another thing I enjoyed about our cruise was their involvement working with local communities. We visited the town of San Francisco, which has one main road and an estimated population of 400 people. Here we got to meet with a handful of individuals who highlighted different skills found in the community, but who also showed us what day to day life is like.

We met a shaman who took us to her garden and taught us the various medicinal and spiritual uses of each of her plants, we met a man who showed us how palm leaves are used to weave together new roofs, and we met two women who explained how they use the natural dyes of leafs and roots to create handicrafts. Each of these individuals are paid for their time showing visitors around, and afterwards we had the opportunity to visit their craft market, where all of the proceeds go back to the local families.

And that’s just a quick glimpse at some of the things we got to experience aboard the Delfin I with Rainforest Cruises. 

If you enjoyed reading about our travels in the Amazon, you might also enjoy reading about our jungle treehouse stay, what to do in Iquitos and also how to pack for an Amazon trip. 

What activities would you like to try in the Amazon?

Planning Your Own Amazon River Cruise in Peru: Practical Tips, Packing Lists & How to Choose the Right Boat

How to Choose an Amazon River Cruise

There are two big decisions to make first:

1) Where exactly are you cruising?

In Peru, most itineraries operate out of Iquitos and explore the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and the Ucayali/Marañón tributaries that form the Amazon proper. This is the Upper Amazon—wildlife-rich, remote, and accessed only by boat or plane.

Why that matters: Pacaya Samiria grants you the “Amazon documentary” feel—mirror-calm blackwater lagoons, macaws, sloths, and those blink-and-they’re-gone pink dolphins.

2) What style of ship and service fits you?

You can have expedition-forward minimalism or floating-boutique luxury (hello, fluffy duvets). Your choice impacts price, cabin size, guide-to-guest ratio, food, and inclusions like kayaks/SUPs.

Quick Comparison: Cruise Styles in the Peruvian Amazon

When to Go: High-Water vs. Low-Water Season

The Amazon doesn’t really do “winter/summer”—it does water levels. Both seasons deliver wildlife; they just change how you explore.

High-Water (roughly December–May)

• What it’s like: Flooded forest, creeks and igarapés open, skiffs can nose into the canopy.
• Pros: You’ll reach deeper into lagoons; kayaking/SUP is fantastic; slightly cooler with afternoon showers.
• Watch-outs: More mosquitoes; some hikes become boat-only alternatives.

Low-Water (roughly June–November)

• What it’s like: River drops, beaches and muddy banks appear, longer jungle hikes open up.
• Pros: Fewer bugs, great fishing (including piranha), more walking and canopy-walk access.
• Watch-outs: Some creeks become too shallow for skiffs; more heat.

Side-by-Side Snapshot

What a Day on Board Really Looks Like

No two days are identical (wildlife has its own calendar), but here’s a typical rhythm:

Sample Daily Flow (Expedition Style)

• 5:30–6:00 a.m. Coffee/tea and a light bite (dawn is wildlife prime time).
• 6:15–9:00 a.m. Morning skiff outing: birding, pink/gray dolphins, sloths, monk saki or squirrel monkeys. Sometimes a floating breakfast in a lagoon—magical.
• 9:30 a.m. Full breakfast back on board.
• Mid-morning Optional kayak/SUP or short jungle walk near a ranger post.
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch + siesta (the jungle naps too).
• 3:30–5:30 p.m. Afternoon excursion: piranha fishing, community visit, or canopy walk (if water levels allow).
• Sunset Golden-hour wildlife cruise or top-deck watching the sky catch fire.
• Evening Dinner; occasional night safari to spot caimans, nightjars, or the eerie twinkle of spider eyes.

Cabins, Boats & Budgets: What Affects the Price Tag

A few variables swing your costs:

Cabin Type

• Balcony suites & panoramic windows = premium.
• Single travelers: Expect a supplement unless a cabin-mate match is possible.

Guide Ratios & Gear

• Smaller groups, more skiffs/kayaks, and specialty naturalist guides increase the rate—and the quality.

Inclusions

• Airport transfers, park fees, soft drinks/wine, premium coffee, laundry—check what’s covered. “All-inclusive” varies by ship.

Length of Itinerary

• Common: 3D/2N, 4D/3N, 5D/4N. Longer = deeper into Pacaya Samiria, more chances for rare sightings.

What to Pack (A Real-World, Rain-Tested Checklist)

Dress code: “safari-light.” Quick-dry fabrics, neutral colors, and layers. The boat is relaxed; dinner is smart-casual at most.

Clothing

• ☐ 2–3 moisture-wicking tees (long-sleeve sun shirts are gold)
• ☐ 1–2 lightweight long-sleeve button-downs (bug/sun protection)
• ☐ 2 pairs quick-dry pants (zip-offs earn their keep)
• ☐ 1 pair shorts (for onboard/kayak days)
• ☐ Lightweight rain jacket (with hood)
• ☐ Fleece or thin sweater (dawn skiff rides can be breezy)
• ☐ Socks (quick-dry; bring extras—jungle feet love fresh socks)
• ☐ Sleepwear (AC onboard can be cool)
• ☐ Swimsuit (for hot springs-style plunge pools on some ships or lodge extensions)
• ☐ Wide-brim hat + bandana/buff

Footwear

• ☐ Closed-toe trail shoes or light hikers (good tread = fewer slips)
• ☐ Tevas/Chacos or water shoes (kayaking/SUP)
• ☐ Flip flops (cabin/deck)
• ☐ Gaiters (optional, handy in low-water mud)

Day-Outing Kit

• ☐ Small daypack (waterproof liner/dry bag inside)
• ☐ Reusable water bottle (ship refills)
• ☐ Polarized sunglasses
• ☐ Lightweight travel towel (if kayaking/swimming)
• ☐ Headlamp (night safaris + cabin read)
• ☐ Binoculars (8x–10x; worth it)
• ☐ Notebook/pen (track your sightings)

Toiletries & Health

• ☐ High-DEET or picaridin repellent (use per label; clothing treatment with permethrin before the trip is a bonus)
• ☐ Sunscreen (reef-safe/mineral if you’ll swim)
• ☐ Lip balm with SPF
• ☐ Basic meds (pain reliever, anti-histamine, motion tabs, rehydration salts)
• ☐ Hand sanitizer + wet wipes
• ☐ Personal prescriptions (carry-on, original containers)

Documents & Money

• ☐ Passport (+ copies)
• ☐ Travel insurance details
• ☐ Small USD/PEN for tips & community markets
• ☐ Credit card with no foreign fees (let your bank know you’re traveling)

Wildlife Spotting Guide: What You Might See

No guarantees (wild is wild!), but here’s what’s commonly spotted around Pacaya Samiria:

Mammals

• Pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) & gray river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis)
• Three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
• Common squirrel monkey, howler, capuchin, tamarin (various species)
• Capybara (largest rodent on Earth and wildly endearing)

Birds

• Blue-and-yellow macaw, scarlet macaw
• Hoatzin (prehistoric charisma + mohawk)
• Capped heron, tiger heron, egrets
• Black-collared hawk, kingfishers, nightjars (evening glow!)

Reptiles & Amphibians

• Caiman (night eyeshine!)
• Green iguana, river turtles
• Poison dart frogs (bright but tiny—guides spot them like wizards)

Fish

• Piranha (those teeth…), arapaimas in certain oxbows, and endless schooling fish in the blackwaters.

Visiting Amazon Communities Respectfully

Community visits became some of our most memorable moments. A few simple practices keep them meaningful for everyone:

Do

• Ask permission before photographing people.
• Buy crafts after demos if you plan to shop (your soles will thank you for those woven fans).
• Listen more than you talk; it’s their story.
• Use small bills (cash is queen in remote markets).

Don’t

• Hand out sweets or cash directly to kids. If you want to contribute, ask your guide about school/clinic needs or vetted projects.
• Treat cultural demonstrations like a performance. They’re sharing skills and knowledge—engage, ask questions, learn.

Sustainability on the River: Small Choices, Real Impact

• Refill your bottle instead of using single-use plastics (ships provide filtered water).
• Biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen and DEET-aware application (spray away from decks where it can drip into water).
• Keep voices low on skiffs; let the jungle soundtrack lead.
• Stay on trails during walks; the leaf litter is alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get seasick?

River cruising is calm compared to ocean sailing. Most guests are fine; if you’re sensitive, bring motion tablets for peace of mind.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Sometimes onboard, sometimes only in town. Assume limited connectivity and treat anything more as a bonus.

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

Yes—communicate in advance. Boats are great at vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc., when they can plan provisioning.

What about laundry?

Many ships offer laundry on longer itineraries (often complimentary on boutique boats). Check inclusions.

Is it kid-friendly?

Some ships have minimum ages (often 7+). Consider attention spans for dawn outings and heat.