View November 13-27, 2000 Itinerary

August 7 - 22, 1999 Itinerary:

Day 1, August 7, 1999

Fly from San Francisco to Iquitos, Peru. Upon arrival in Iquitos, we'll transfer to the vessel Delfin, our home for the next week. Click on any image to view it.

Day 2, August 8, 1999

Expedition briefing and begin cruise up the Amazon River to the Maranon River. We expect to see our first glimpses of river dolphins and will begin to appreciate the enormous volume of water in the main channel of the Amazon. We also hope to see great and snowy egrets, yellow-billed terns, and yellow-headed caracara.

Day 3, August 9, 1999

Continue cruising Rio Maranon to Rio Samiria, a narrow tributary. As the rivers narrow and we move farther away from Iquitos, we will begin to see more wildlife and less evidence of human settlement. We may even see green iguanas resting along the banks.

Days 4-6, August 10-12, 1999

These days will be spent in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the largest reserve in Peru with enormous stretches of virtually untouched tropical rain forest. The bird life is abundant and diverse, and we will see several species of monkeys.

Day 7, August 13, 1999

Cruise down river back to Iquitos, continuing our observations of the river dolphins. We may also stop to visit an Indian village to learn about their traditions and way of life.

Day 8-9, August 14-15, 1999

Arrive in Iquitos and explore the city. Iquitos, a town once dominated by opulent mansions of the turn-of-century rubber boom, is now a bustling trade center for the Amazon.

Day 10, August 16, 1999

Fly to Cuzco, the "navel" of the ancient Incan empire. The elevation is approximately 11,000 feet.

Day 11-12, August 17-18, 1999

Explore Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, the sites of many Incan settlements. We will also visit the city of Pisac and see a traditional market.

Day 13, August 19, 1999

Get up early and catch the 6 a.m. train. Travel through the Urubamba River Valley to Aguas Calientes, the town at the river below Machu Picchu. Take the minibus up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu and spend the day exploring the ruins.

Day 14, August 20, 1999

Wake up early to hike the tiny stairs that lead up to the top of Huayna Pichu (Young Peak), which gives a bird's eye view of Machu Picchu. Take the afternoon train back to Cuzco.

Day 15, August 21, 1999

Spend the day in Cuzco. Visit Incan sites such as the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, the Incan bath of Tambomachay, and the Temple of the Sun.

Day 16, August 22, 1999

Fly home to San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.