River Trips

River cruises along the Amazon and its tributaries are one of the best ways to experience the Peruvian jungle. Cruises give travelers the option of floating luxury and good meals, as well as the ability to stop in and see several different environments and river and jungle communities. The huge and remote Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is one of the best and most up-and-coming zones for cruises into pristine jungle and wetlands. Iquitos-based Jungle Expeditions (tel. 065/261-583 or 01/241-3232 for reservations, 800/633-4734 in the U.S. and Canada; www.junglex.com) and Amazon Tours and Cruises (tel. 065/231-611, or 800/423-2791 in the U.S. and Canada; www.amazontours.net) offer a variety of river cruises in the northern Amazon. International Expeditions (tel. 800/633-4734 or 205/428-1700; www.internationalexpeditions.com) is one of the most experienced tour operators organizing luxurious river cruises from the United States.