Explore the Amazon: 12-Day Private Expedition

In the evening, we meet with Ejder Turizm representatives at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport for a journey across three continents and three countries. After check-in, passport and baggage procedures are completed, we depart directly for São Paulo at 19:40 on Türk Hava Yolları flight TK 215. This flight, one of Türk Hava Yolları's longest direct routes to South America, marks the start of a journey extending to the Amazon Basin. THY flight TK 215 departs from Istanbul (IST) and arrives at São Paulo / Guarulhos (GRU). The scheduled departure time is 19:40, and the scheduled arrival time is 03:30 (+1). The flight is direct. We spend the night on board, where a meal is served.

Arrive at São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport early in the morning. After passport formalities and baggage collection, proceed to the domestic terminal. There is a short break to rest and prepare for the flight. Fly with GOL Airlines to Manaus, Brazil's Amazon capital. The direct flight from São Paulo (GRU) is scheduled to depart at 09:15 and arrive in Manaus (MAO) at 12:20, with a stated duration of 4h 05min. Manaus is the largest city on the Amazon River and a logistical gateway to the rainforest region. Arrive in Manaus around midday. After passport formalities and baggage collection, meet the local guide. Travel by land and river to Juma Amazon Lodge, located on the riverbank within the Amazon rainforest. Check in and settle into the bungalows. The rest of the day is free time to adjust to the Amazon surroundings after the long journey. Guests can rest in hammocks, enjoy the river views and spend time in the quiet of the forest. In the late afternoon, take a short walk with the lodge guides to explore the surroundings and learn about the Amazon ecosystem. Have dinner at the lodge restaurant in the evening, then relax to the sounds of the forest.

The day begins with the natural sounds of the Amazon forest. After breakfast at the lodge, Amazon activities begin in the Juma region. Lodge guides arrange the schedule according to weather conditions, river levels and the group's pace. Five activities are planned throughout the day. During Meeting of the Waters, the black waters of the Rio Negro and the white waters of the Solimões are observed from a boat as they flow without mixing. Canoeing offers a quiet trip by canoe along narrow river channels. During the Observation Tower visit, guests get a bird's-eye view of the Amazon forest and learn about the region's plant and animal life. The Jungle Hike takes guests through the forest with professional guides, who introduce the vegetation, insects and medicinal plants. Piranha Fishing offers a chance to experience fishing for piranhas using traditional methods. Lunch is served at the lodge or at a suitable spot in nature. Throughout the day, guides provide detailed information about the Amazon ecosystem, wildlife and local culture. In the late afternoon, guests return to the lodge for a short rest.

After breakfast, join a half-day nature program to complete the Amazon experience. The program includes a short boat trip along the tributaries of the Amazon. After the activities, return to Manaus city center and complete preparations for departure. In the afternoon, transfer to Manaus Airport. Take a direct domestic flight with AZUL Airlines from Manaus (MAO) to Tabatinga (TBT). Departure is at 15:45 and arrival is at 16:35, with a stated flight duration of 1h 50min. Upon arrival in Tabatinga, a very short journey by land takes you across the Brazil-Colombia border to Leticia, at the center of the Amazon triangle. After passport formalities, transfer to the river pier. From there, travel by boat to the lodge on the Amazon River. Upon arrival at the lodge, check in and settle into your rooms. In the evening, have dinner with views of the Amazon River and relax. Accommodation is at ON Vacation Amazon River Lodge - Leticia. Breakfast and dinner are included.

The day begins with the sounds of nature on the banks of the Amazon River. After breakfast at the lodge, set out on a full-day boat and nature excursion to explore the ecosystem along the Colombia-Brazil-Peru border. Observe river life and the natural surroundings in the three-border region throughout the day. The boat tour explores the main channel and side channels of the Amazon River. Observe pink and grey river dolphins, birds, monkeys and Amazon flora. During a visit to a local community, meet Indigenous people of the Amazon and learn about their daily lives and river culture. A guided forest walk covers Amazon flora, medicinal plants and ecological balance. Take a break by the river to rest, take photographs and spend time in nature. The guides adjust the order of activities throughout the day according to river levels and weather conditions. Lunch is served at the lodge or at a suitable location on the river. Return to the lodge at the end of the day. Enjoy dinner with views of the Amazon River, followed by time to rest. Stay overnight at ON Vacation Amazon River Lodge in Leticia. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Today involves a long and challenging border crossing requiring physical effort and a 9-hour river journey. After breakfast, we leave the lodge at 08:00 and transfer to the river pier. From here, we travel by speedboat to Peru. Along the way, we have the opportunity to observe the border regions of the Amazon basin, local settlements and life on the river firsthand. The journey time may vary depending on the river level, current and operational conditions. Short breaks are taken on the boat and at suitable stops during the day. We complete passport formalities for departure from Colombia and entry into Peru. We arrive in IQUITOS in the afternoon or early evening. After being met at the pier, we transfer to our hotel on the banks of the Amazon River. We check in and settle into our rooms. After the long journey, there is free time to rest. Dinner is served at the hotel. Overnight accommodation is at the DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos - Amazon Riverside hotel. Breakfast and dinner are included.

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out is completed. A guide leads a short city tour of Iquitos, one of the main cities of the Amazon. The tour introduces the city's history, local life and the culture of the Amazon region. After the city tour, transfer by private vehicles to Nauta, a historic port town on the Amazon River. The journey takes approximately 1,5 hours. Nauta is considered a starting point for Amazon river voyages. Boarding procedures for the La Perla Amazon Cruise ship are completed at Nauta Port. After settling into the cabins, guests meet the ship's naturalist guides. Information is provided about the ship's itinerary, safety rules and the Amazon ecosystem. Following a welcome lunch on board, the first excursion on the Amazon River begins. The afternoon river journey allows time to get acquainted with the region as the boat heads towards Yacapana Creek. In the evening, a nighttime boat excursion takes place in the Amazon forest. During the excursion, guests observe crocodiles, bats, frogs, insects active at night and other Amazon wildlife. Return to the ship to the nighttime sounds of the Amazon forest. Dinner is served on board.

The day begins early in the morning at sunrise in the Amazon forest. At first light, you set out in small boats along the Ucayali River for birdwatching. These hours are a good time to observe the Amazon's variety of birds. After the boat trip, you return to the ship for breakfast. You then continue towards the Yarapa River area. Here, you observe Amazon wildlife in its natural habitat, particularly toucans, parrots, monkeys and sloths. Lunch is served on board. In the afternoon, there is a presentation about Amazon culture and life in the region. Afterwards, you visit the settlement of Vista Alegre and meet local residents. The guide shares information about their daily lives and sustainable living in the Amazon. In the late afternoon, you return to the ship and sail along the Amazon River at sunset. After dinner, there is free time to relax on board with live music. Overnight accommodation is in cabins on La Perla Amazon Cruise. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

On day 3 of the LA PERLA AMAZON CRUISE program, after breakfast, we head to UCAMARA (Confluence), where the Ucayali and Marañón rivers meet. At this point, considered the birthplace of the Amazon River, guides explain the area's geographical and ecological importance in detail. We then continue to Cocha Piranha. Amazon wildlife is observed in and around this isolated lake. Birds, reptiles and other native species can be seen in their natural habitats. Lunch is served on board. In the afternoon, we take a guided forest walk (Jungle Walk) in the Casual area. During the walk, we observe giant Amazon trees known as Avatar trees, colorful frog species and Amazon vegetation, while learning about the ecosystem. We also see handicrafts made by local women's cooperatives. Guests may purchase these items if they wish. In the late afternoon, we return to the ship while watching the sunset over the Amazon River. A farewell celebration and live music take place on board in the evening. Overnight accommodation is in La Perla Amazon Cruise cabins. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

After breakfast on board, the La Perla Amazon Cruise program comes to an end. Following the journey along the Amazon River, the ship arrives at Nauta Port. After disembarking in Nauta, you visit the local market to observe daily life in the Amazon region. You then visit Amazon Forever Bio Park, which carries out wildlife conservation and rehabilitation work. At the center, you learn about Amazonian manatees and other species native to the region, and are introduced to sustainable conservation projects. After the visits, you are transferred to Iquitos Airport in private vehicles. You take a direct domestic flight with LATAM Airlines Peru from Iquitos (IQT) to Lima (LIM). Departure is at 16:05 and arrival is at 17:55, with a stated flight duration of 1h 50min. Upon arrival in Lima in the evening, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle. You can rest after your busy days in the Amazon. Overnight accommodation is at a 4-star city hotel or similar in Lima. Breakfast included.

Early in the morning, check out of the hotel and transfer to Lima Airport for the three-flight return journey. After passport control and check-in, board the direct LATAM Airlines flight from Lima (LIM) to Bogotá (BOG), the capital of Colombia. This regional flight departs at 08:55 and arrives at 12:05, with a flight time of 3 hours 10 minutes. After arriving in Bogotá around midday, proceed to the international terminal. Complete check-in, passport control and baggage procedures for the Turkish Airlines flight. THY flight TK 800 departs from Bogotá (BOG) at 16:35 and continues to Istanbul (IST) with a stop in Panama City (PTY). Spend the night on board.

Following the flight with Türk Hava Yolları, arrival at Istanbul Airport is at 17:05. The GRANDE AMAZONAS Tour ends once passport control and baggage collection are complete. Our 12-day journey through three countries, from the forests of Manaus in Brazil to the Leticia triangle in Colombia, and from the Iquitos region in Peru to Ucamara, the birthplace of the Amazon, ends here. Thank you for choosing us for this journey. We look forward to seeing you on another Ejder Turizm trip.