SIGNATURE MOMENT

Meandering between Giant Water-lilies on smaller crafts to explore secluded channels

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Hearing the flourish of wildlife sounds along the river at dawn

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Watching macaws emerging from their night roosts

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Scanning for the eyeshine of nocturnal wildlife

SIGNATURE MOMENT

Observing freshwater dolphins breaking the water’s surface

Amazon Rainforest Expedition Cruise

Feb 26 - Mar 07, 2027

10 days | Peru | Alumni Expeditions

This expedition will be open for booking soon. Please register your interest here.

The fabled Amazon rainforest is a place where lines are blurred. Mighty rivers and their tributaries not only interweave the megadiverse forests but also invade large tracts during “high water”, creating a unique mosaic of habitats. We invite you aboard our exclusively chartered 26-passenger expedition vessel to discover the great diversity and beauty of these habitats and their resident wildlife on a journey we’ve tailored especially for Quest Expeditioners.

From our meeting point at Lima, we’ll fly over the Andes to Iquitos, a surprisingly sophisticated city that has no roads to the outside world. Here we’ll board the La Perla and sail upstream on the Amazon and along the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, wedged between two important Amazon tributaries.

We’ll skirt past the buttressed trunks of trees that tower like rocket ships and Philodendron leaves the size of raincoats, home in on many fantastic and colourful birds, watch for monkeys and sloths, and see orchids and bromeliads clinging to the limbs of overhanging trees. We’ll watch for the spectacular Giant Water-lily and the lovely pink Amazon River Dolphins in the waters below, and anticipate the possibility of spotting the Harpy Eagle, one of the world’s fiercest predators.

Several times daily and on some nights too, we’ll have jaunts into the forest using specially designed excursion boats to investigate tributaries and lagoons that radiate off the main river. Our excursions are accompanied by local expert naturalists whose knowledge of the rainforest and its inhabitants is enormous. They will complement our experience by providing evening presentations on the region’s history, geography, and wildlife in air-conditioned comfort.

Two optional extensions are available; a birding tour to Northern Peru; and a classic exploration of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’re also happy to design customized itineraries for your special interest. Please be in touch.

This tour is presented by the alumni associations of the University of Alberta, York University, and University of British Columbia. All are welcome!

Tour Cost (per person):

US$6995-10,950 (depending on cabin, incl. T&G)

Group Size:

20 - 23 participants

What’s included: Accommodation in double occupancy, in hotel or aboard La Perla; gratuities for services provided by Quest; ground transportation; return domestic flights Lima-Iquitos; park entrance fees; airport transfers, if travelling as per the group flight itinerary; meals as described in the itinerary; services of tour guides in Lima and vessel crew and expedition staff aboard La Perla; services of leaders Dan Riskin and Josh Vandermeulen and local guides

FEATURED ON THE BLOG

The Giant of the Amazon Backwaters

"Overall a very good tour. Food was excellent and the local guides were exceptional." - Dale N.

"I thought going into the villages and meeting the people who lived there was fabulous. It was unexpected (for a natural history tour) and extremely interesting. Thanks for that!" - Past traveller

"The excursions were well organized and full of great surprises." - Frances B.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Activity
1	Arrive in Lima
2	Lima city tour
3	Fly to Iquitos, board the La Perla
4	Visit the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
5	Excursion to Iquitos Brook and Rainforest Walk
6	Explore Gasparito Brook and Yacapana Creek
7	Birdlife on the Ucayali and Yarapa Rivers, visit Alegre Community
8	Presentation on Pacaya Samiria Reserve, jungle walk to the trails of Casual
9	Disembarkation and Return to Lima
10	Depart

Ship Information

La Perla – meaning “the pearl” in English – is an elegant Amazon River vessel offering indulgent cruises through the Peruvian Amazon. Originally built in 2003 and beautifully refurbished in 2016, she has been thoughtfully transformed into a refined and comfortable river-cruise experience in the heart of the rainforest.

With just 14 exquisitely appointed cabins, all with exterior views, air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms, La Perla serves as an intimate retreat where guests are looked after by an onboard team celebrated for warm hospitality and meticulous attention to detail.

On board, you can unwind in elegantly designed social spaces: an air-conditioned interior lounge with large windows framing the jungle, an inviting exterior lounge and hammock deck where the river breeze and sunsets become part of the experience, and an observation deck that allows uninterrupted views of the Amazon’s theatre of nature.

From gourmet dining that blends Amazonian ingredients with international cuisine, to excursions into remote lagoons, flooded forest channels and indigenous communities, La Perla brings together immersive exploration and elevated comfort — a rare combination on the mighty Amazon.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet style and include a variety of salads, fruit and a selection of bread baked daily by our pastry chef aboard the ship. We also offer vegetarian dishes and a children’s menu when requested in advance. Fresh juice, coffee, tea and water are offered on La Perla during the meals.

Your Tour Leaders

Dan Riskin, PhD, is a television personality, scientist, and author. He is best known in Canada as the co-host of Discovery's flagship science program, Daily Planet, and elsewhere as the host of Animal Planet's hugely successful show about parasites, Monsters Inside Me. He is passionate about wildlife, especially the underappreciated creatures that he thinks deserve a closer look.

Josh Vandermeulen is a professional Field Biologist and is an active and well-known member of Ontario’s naturalist community. He regularly travels the province in pursuit of his two core interests, field herpetology and ornithology.