Floating through the murky brown water, my mind raced with worry as I imagined something brushing against my leg. Was it a plant? Or something with teeth? Swimming in the Amazon River, the world's largest waterway, my mind immediately ran wild thinking about what could be lurking beneath my kicking feet (namely, piranhas).
But our guide set the record straight: The toothy fish don't swarm people the second they hit the water. That reputation comes from Hollywood.
I was in the Peruvian Amazon with Jungle Experiences, a luxury river cruise operator. Aboard the Zafiro, we cruised the waterway for four days, departing from Iquitos and traveling deep into the rainforest.
Wildlife is the draw for any Amazon cruise, and my mind wondered what moments could unfold on my jungle adventure: Was I going to see a sloth? Were monkeys going to climb onboard our skiff? Would I come face to face with an infamous piranha?
As it turns out, guests will have an up close and personal experience with the fish during a fishing expedition, one of the itinerary highlights. There's no real skill needed here, and it's surprisingly simple, involving just a stick, line, hook and bait. I quickly learned to yank the second I felt a nibble, because piranhas don't give a second chance to react.
Just as memorable as catching the fish was the unexpected visitor who joined us: a woolly monkey that climbed onto our skiff and helped itself to some of our bait.
Like many adventure and nature enthusiasts, the Amazon has been on my bucket list, and Jungle Experiences provides an ideal option for clients who want a thrilling experience in the heart of some of the world's most untouched jungle.
Looking out at the horizon on the Peruvian Amazon. Photo Credit: James Barrett
Expeditions and comfort
What differentiates Jungle Experiences from other operators is its ability to pair expedition-style Amazon exploration with elevated comfort. Days are centered around getting off the ship with local naturalist guides in search of wildlife in the rainforest, but with a comfortable home base to return to afterward.
Jungle Experiences offers six itineraries on the luxury ship, spanning 4 to 8 days. Additional days offer more activities and time on the river spent exploring. But even with the shortest itinerary, excursions didn't feel rushed, and I still experienced the wildness and unpredictability of the Amazon.
Before starting my expedition, I arrived early on my own for a night in Lima, Peru, before taking a short direct flight to Iquitos, Peru. A domestic flight is the only option to get to Iquitos, as there aren't any roads connecting this small city to the rest of the country. From the airport, Jungle Experiences picked me in a van with a boxed lunch, and I had a bumpy-yet-scenic two-hour car ride before meeting our guides at the ship, who welcomed us with a cold drink. Guides are local to the area and have years of experience showcasing the best parts of the Amazon.
Skiff ride back to the ship at sunset. Photo Credit: James Barrett
Low-water excursions
The Peruvian Amazon has two main seasons: high-water season (December to May), when flooded forests allow deeper exploration by boat, and low-water season (June to November), when more trails and dry land become accessible for hiking. And depending on when clients travel, they may experience two different versions of this storied river.
I traveled in July, and even though it was low-water season, much of my experience unfolded on the water, with skiff excursions that took us into different areas along riverbanks in search of wildlife. While the weather was hot and humid, I did not depend on shorts and a shirt for excursions (unless I wanted to be covered with mosquito bites). Instead, I wore light pants, and a sun hoodie. Any type of UPF 50+ UV shirts (avoid cotton) became my most worn piece of clothing, and bug spray and sunscreen were a must. Jungle Experiences also had a medical professional onboard.
The ship sailed toward the Sapote River inside the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, and most of the exploring happened from a small skiff that peeled off directly from the main ship -- for excursions. Expect two excursions per day that vary based on weather conditions. While this trip is certainly for clients who are seeking adventure, I didn't find the daily activities to be particularly strenuous. And travelers who would rather stay on the air-conditioned ship -- with a cocktail in hand -- always have that option.
Exterior view of the Zafiro ship at sunset. Photo Credit: James Barrett
Expect the unexpected
For those who choose to venture off the ship, however, they'll quickly learn that life on the Amazon is unexpected. In fact, each skiff ride was full of surprises, and the excursions often felt like a scavenger hunt as we hoped to check Peruvian animals off our sightings list. Our guide, a naturalist and expert at spotting animals, cruised along the riverbanks, scanning the trees and water for the slightest movement the rest of us would have never noticed. Through binoculars, we spotted sloths camouflaged high in the trees, barely moving among the branches. And from the skiff, we spotted several species of birds, including ringed kingfisher and red-bellied macaws.
But the pink dolphins were the true stars of the trip. Their pale pink bodies surfaced beside our boat before disappearing beneath the dark water just seconds later to our awe and delight. They seemed just as interested in us as we were in them, playing around our small boat. The species isn't exclusive to Peru, but they're famous for being sighted throughout much of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Though pink as adults, the dolphins are actually born gray and become pinker as they mature, with adult males typically displaying more pink coloration. They're also built for life in the Amazon -- unlike most dolphins, their neck vertebrae aren't fused, allowing them to maneuver their heads around submerged trees and branches in the flooded forest.
On each voyage, expect at least one nighttime skiff ride, where guests will get to watch the sunset. Shining a flashlight, my guide pointed out a baby caiman, a reptile belonging to the alligator family. We also discovered an iguana, bright green and completely still, blending in with the surrounding leaves.
Visiting a local village on the Peruvian Amazon with Jungle Experiences. Photo Credit: James Barrett
Though wildlife encounters abound on this journey, cultural enrichment was another draw of Jungle Experiences' itineraries One afternoon, visited a local community, San Jose de Paranapura, which is a traditional riverside village in the Loreto region of the Peruvian Amazon that can only be reached by boat. There, local women sold unique handcrafted souvenirs, from small animals made of wire and twine to bowls and jewelry.
The visit also included a presentation by the community's shaman, who performed a brief traditional ceremony, providing a unique and personal look at the role shamans have traditionally played in Amazonian communities, including their knowledge of local plants and spiritual practices. The ceremony allowed us to observe a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
The sundeck with a hot tub onboard the Zafiro. Photo Credit: James Barrett
Onboard the Zafiro
The 40-passenger Zafiro is a three-story ship, and the operator has two other ships in its fleet: La Perla and Amatista.
When I wasn't searching for wildlife, calling the Zafiro home was a luxury. There was a small gym with an elliptical, a yoga mat and barbells, with a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the water. There's also a hot tub on the top deck and lounge chairs.
If guests need access to Wi-Fi, it's important to note that the lounge on the top floor has the strongest signal. It was also the spot in which we had briefings and educational lectures, in addition to previews for the day ahead.
Meals onboard incorporated Peruvian dishes, alongside rotating international menus, including Italian- and Mexican-themed dinners. Peruvian and Amazonian ingredients included local river fish, tropical fruits, yuca and plantains. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is a more formal five-course experience. Travelers might encounter Amazonian specialties such as paiche, a large freshwater fish native to the Amazon basin, along with ingredients like camu camu and aji charapita.
Travelers with dietary restrictions were happily accommodated and vegetarian options were available. For special restrictions, it's best to notify the team in advance.
For travel advisors interested in booking clients on the Zafiro, Jungle Experiences has a dedicated agent portal where advisors can check cruise availability, request reservations and access sales materials, itineraries and other advisor resources.
Pricing varies by itinerary, season and suite category. Current published rates for the Zafiro start just under $4,000 per person for shorter itineraries, based on double occupancy, while weeklong sailings can run $8,000 to more than $10,000 per person. Advisors should check current rates and promotions when booking, as pricing varies by departure.