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Lima, Peru
Saturday, May 9, 2015
 Today, you'll arrive in Lima and spend the night at the Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel. Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillon, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. As the major point of entry to the country, Lima has developed a tourism industry, characterized by its historic center, archeological sites, nightlife, museums, art galleries, festivals, and traditions. Lima is home to restaurants and bars where local and international cuisine is served
Lima/Iquitos/Nauta/Embark
Sunday, May 10, 2015
 Fly to Iquitos today and drive via bus (1 ½ hours) to the riverside town of Nauta, where we embark beautiful Delfin II. Once on board, you are welcomed by hardwood floors, rattan sofas, wooden-slat hammocks and a graceful, modern design. The enthusiastic naturalists and expedition leader will set the informal tone for your expedition, and will introduce you to the flora and fauna of the Peruvian Amazon.. And our chef will introduce you to Peru's haute cuisine and local delicacies, all prepared with an Amazonian flair.
Pucate River
Monday, May 11, 2015
 The Pucate River is one of the three main rivers in the reserve. Aboard the skiffs and kayaks, you'll explore this black water stream, looking for parrots, macaws and perhaps monkeys, such as the monk saki with its gray and black body, naked face and long shaggy tail. You might also see the saddle-back tamarin whose high chirping notes can easily be confused with those of a flock of birds.
Amazon River and Sapuena Village
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
 Today, you'll see terra firma, a distinct ecosystem within the Amazon. Hike, or travel by skiff, to see the vegetation and wildlife noticeably different from the seasonally flooded forests. Reaching an important junction of the Amazon headwaters, you'll see where the Ucayali & Maranon rivers merge to form the mighty Amazon River. You'll also visit the Sapuena Village to learn about the life of the ribereños—those who live on the riverbanks.
El Dorado River
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
 Explore the river to find the giant Amazonian water lily Victoria regia. This beautiful aquatic plant grows in small lagoons known as cochas. Hike a trail with excellent bird watching, and learn about caciques and oropendolas. At the junction of the El Dorado River, look for dolphins, see abundant birdlife or look for iguanas lazing in the sun and sloths hanging in the upper canopy. Also, keep watch for squirrel monkeys. Tonight, return to the boat after sunset and explore nocturnal wildlife with a spotlight!
Atun Poza
Thursday, May 14, 2015
 Today, explore Atun Poza by skiff, looking for lagoon birds such as egrets, herons, jacamars, ringed kingfishers and various raptors. Continue up the Pacaya River to Yanayacu lagoon, where the waters of this lake originate in the very heart of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. This rainforest is home to red howler and capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths and numerous species of parrots. Today, with luck, you may swim in the vicinity of Amazonian pink river dolphins!
Yabauacu Lagoon
Friday, May 15, 2015
 You'll continue exploring by kayak and skiff today, seeing the flowering and fruiting of plants and trees that coincides with the floods of standing water. This is a great time to see the many fish, including piranhas, swim around the trees to feed on the fallen fruit!
Puerto Miguel Village
Saturday, May 16, 2015
 Today, you'll stop—by skiff—in Puerto Miguel Village to learn about its culture, traditions and folklore. Back on board, you'll be delighted with some live music.
Disembark/Nauta/ Iquitos/Lima
Sunday, May 17, 2015
 After lunch today, you'll disembark and return to Iquitos by bus. If we have time, we will visit the manatee rehabilitation center before flying to Lima, where you will stay at the Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel for the night.
Depart Lima, Peru
Monday, May 18, 2015
After breakfast this morning, you'll head to the airport in Lima for flights home or onto other adventures!
Traveler Info
Currency
The monetary unit of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. As of June, 2014, $1.00 US = 2.80 PEN.
Languages
Spanish is the national language of Peru, but English is spoken widely.
Climate
The climate in Peru varies depending on where we will be. May is cooler in Lima, as it is fall, so be sure to bring warmer clothing as it is cooler and damp (17°C/62°F by day and 11°C/52°F by night). However, closer to the equator in the Amazon, temperatures are much hotter with relative humidity (32°C/89°F by day and 21°C/71°F by night). It is recommended to bring a rain jacket as there will most likely be rain in the rainforests.
Travel documentation and identification
You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with both your country's consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.
Vaccinations
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends malaria prophylaxis and yellow fever vaccination for travel to the Peruvian Amazon. The CDC also recommends that the routine vaccines should be up to date: influenza, chickenpox (or varicella), polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR Vaccine), diphtheria/tetanus/pertissis (DTP Vaccine).
We also recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing her or him the itinerary indicating the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.
Although the water and food are generally safe in Peru, occasional stomach upsets may occur, and we suggest that you ask your doctor to recommend anti-diarrhea medication. We recommend that you drink bottled water throughout your trip. Bottled water is available at the hotels and on board the ship.
Where to fly into/out of
You will need to fly into Lima, Peru (LIM). Most flights arrive in the evening.
Suggested arrival/departure times
Flights can arrive at any time to Lima (LIM) on May 9, 2015, even up until midnight. Hotel check-in begins at 3:00pm. Flights for departure on *May 18, 2012 can depart at any time from Lima (LIM).
There are flights that depart Lima in the late evening on May 17 (For example, American, Delta and LAN Airlines has red-eye flights departing Lima very late at night on May 17 or between midnight and 2am on May 18). You CAN book these late night flights, and we will have a dayroom for you instead of an overnight room on May 17. We do not suggest you book these late night flights on May 18/19, as you will have a long wait for this flight with check-out of the hotel at 12 noon! There are early morning flights on May 18 on American, Delta and LAN as well.
Luggage allowances
Airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.
Please note that there are luggage weight restrictions on the flights between Lima and Iquitos. Each passenger may have one checked bag weighing no more than 23 kilos (approximately 50 pounds) and one carry on weighing no more than 8 kilos (approximately 17 pounds). If you are traveling prior to or after the trip, and will have additional baggage, you may leave behind excess luggage at the Ramada Costa del Sol Lima Hotel. You can collect this luggage when you return to Lima at the end of the trip.
Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia
The Ramada Costa del Sol Lima Hotel is directly across the street from the International Terminal. Transfers from the airport to the hotel are not included, however, you will be able to walk across the street to the hotel. Transfers (and/or luggage assistance) from the Lima hotel to the Lima Airport/Iquitos airport to ship and ship to Iquitos Airport/Lima airport to hotel are all included as needed.
Check-In
Hotel check-in begins at 3:00PM
Hotels
Our host hotel in Lima is the Casa del Sol Ramada. Should you wish to arrive a day early or extend your stay, we recommend booking directly online with the hotel and request a Standard Room so you will not have to change rooms.
The Casa del Sol Ramada is at the airport, and a cab is necessary to get to the beach and historic district. If you are planning to spend a little more time in Lima, we suggest a Lima hotel that is closer to the Miraflores District.
Getting to your ship
On May 10, you will have breakfast at the hotel and then be taken on a panoramic tour of downtown Lima, which may include a visit to Casa Amiaga, the Larco Herrera Museum, and lunch at the Museo Larco Café and restaurant. After lunch you will be taken to the Lima airport for your flight to Iquitos, which will depart in the late afternoon. Once we arrive in Iquitos, a bus will transfer you to the riverside town of Nauta (approx. 1 ½ hours) to embark the elegant Delphin II in time for dinner.
Ship Location
Our port of embarkation is in Nauta, Peru. When we arrive into Iquitos by plane, we will transfer by bus (approx. 1 ½ hours) to this riverside town and embarkation will begin immediately.
Ship Check-In
Check-in will be upon arrival to the ship.
Flight Guidelines
Most flights arrive into Lima in the late evening. If you arrive earlier, be aware that hotel check-in begins at 3:00pm. Departures on May 17 should be for after 9:00pm, or anytime on May 18. Please be aware that if you choose to depart late night on May 18, hotel check-out is 12 noon.
Activity Level
This trip requires walking on cobblestone streets for a tour in Lima, hiking on uneven, sometimes slippery uphill and downhill terrain, and stairs. Participants are required to be in good physical health. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be accommodated on this trip.
Electricity
Ecuador and the Galapagos operate on US electrical current, 110 volts, 60 cycles.
Air Conditioning
The ship is air-conditioned throughout. Each cabin has its own thermostat, allowing you to control the temperature level in your cabin. Because of the high humidity in the Amazon rainforest, keeping the temperature extremely low inside the cabin can cause electronic equipment to fog up on contact with the warm, humid air outside.
Internet / Phone
There is no email access in the Amazon. Phone access is very sporadic and not reliable.
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