Roots Rails & Rambles

THIS TRIP IS NOW SOLD OUT, BUT PLEASE SIGN UP FOR OUR WAITING LIST AS WE  MAY HAVE CANCELLATIONS AS THE TRIP DRAWS CLOSER.
https://store655392.ecwid.com/Exploring-the-Amazon-2027-WAITING-LIST-p834094685

April 3-11, 2027

Join us for perhaps our wildest and wooliest adventure yet! A journey through the Peruvian Amazon rainforest on our own chartered expedition vessel with the finest musical accompaniment imaginable. This small group (22 guests) trip takes us deep into the beating heart of the Pacaya Samiria Natural Reserve -- the largest protected area in Peru which contains a flooded tropical forest called the “Jungle of Mirrors”. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the second largest ecological reserve in the entire Amazon, behind Grão-Pará Ecological Station of Brazil, and covers a vast wilderness of unexplored forests, lagoons, inlets and rivers totaling over 5 million acres, that is twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. The flora and fauna of the region are absolutely spectacular – featuring numerous rare and endangered species, parrots, sloths, pink dolphins, monkeys, toucans, and others, and we’ll be seeing them all from the water level on our daily excursions in small skiffs, allowing us access deep into the local animal habitats and local villages.

The trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru – easily accessible from most major international airports – with an overnight hotel stay before we board a short flight into the jungle city of Iquitos (only accessible by boat or air), where we’ll enjoy a short overland journey to our home for the next week, the Amatista -- a beautiful expedition-style riverboat that combines authentic Amazonian craftsmanship with modern comfort – air-conditioning, well-appointed cabins with private bathrooms/showers – all with windows through which to enjoy the passing scenery. Delicious meals featuring local ingredients, the expertise of local guides and naturalists, comfortable indoor and outdoor social spaces all combine to create the perfect environment in which to experience this remarkable ecosystem.

Headlining the musical portion of the adventure will be none other than two of our favorite artists and traveling companions – Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Legends of the Texas music scene, songwriters of extraordinary range, and depth, they’ll bring their considerable catalog of songs and stories to share each night in intimate, unplugged concerts under the stars.

ACTIVITY LEVEL/MOBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

At Roots, Rails, and Rambles we aim to encourage and empower people to travel as far, wide, and long as they are safely able. We recognize that none of us are getting any younger, and physical capacities can change over time, so we want to be honest and upfront about what you might expect on our trips. We also expect participants and potential guests to engage in forthright and pro-active dialogue with us about whether you have specific health concerns or mobility restrictions that may impact your enjoyment of the trip or the group’s ability to move efficiently through the itinerary. Wherever possible we are happy to provide reasonable additional support or accommodation, but we must be well-informed ahead of time about your needs.

This trip is best described as having a MODERATE level of physical activity. Participants should be able to:

- handle your own luggage. If you brung it, you're totin' it.

- walk up to ½ a mile while keeping pace with the group

- safely climb in and out of a water-level skiff or canoe

- safely climb a few flights of stairs with or without handrails

Please note that the ship does not feature mobility aids such as elevators and accessible toilets.

April 3: Arrive Lima, Peru. Hotel overnight
We’ll take a moment to catch our breath, meet our fellow travelers and get ready for the adventure ahead. We’ll be happy to arrange add-on hotel nights for anyone wanting to arrive early in Lima and do some independent exploring.

April 4: Fly to Iquitos and Amatista embarkation
We’ll have an early morning today with a quick flight to Iquitos, where we’ll have a chance for a brief tour of this colorful, dynamic city with a captivating past. Then, we will take off into the jungle for a 2 hour drive to the historic river port of Nauta where we will board our home for the next week, the Amatista—a beautiful expedition-style riverboat that combines authentic Amazonian craftsmanship with modern comfort – air-conditioning, well-appointed cabins with private bathrooms/showers – all with windows through which to enjoy the passing scenery. The ship will start sailing down the Marañón River, as the naturalist guides present the trip plan, the routes to follow and the scheduled activities. We’ll enjoy a welcome lunch, then have a chance to settle into our cabins and explore the ship.

Before dinner, we will start a night boat excursion to the Nauta Caño area, in search of animals that can only be seen when the sun goes down: alligators, bats, frogs, tarantulas and other species that inhabit the Amazon basin. After this first immersion in the jungle world, we will return to the ship and enjoy dinner, followed by our first evening music program with Butch and Jimmie.

April 5: Yanayacu De Pucate & San Regis
AM: Very early the morning, we’ll head out for a fun picnic breakfast on the river, in a well-protected and preserved area of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This area is often visited by pink dolphins. Later in the day, we’ll take a ride in local canoes through one of the most beautiful aquatic ecosystems in the world, and those who wish can enjoy a refreshing dip in the river (don’t worry, the piranhas come later in the itinerary….).

PM: Back on the ship, lunch will be served, followed by some time to rest, then a lecture about Amazonian philosophy. We’ll meet the shaman of the San Regis community, a wise woman from the native community who will share with us her knowledge about the rituals of his ancestors, medicinal plants, and the Amazon worldview. Our guides will be the interpreters in case you want to ask questions or make comments to the shaman. After this experience, we’ll have an opportunity to plant a tree in a ceremonial expression of care for the local environment. Back on board, dinner and another music program cap of the evening.

April 6: Amazon Natural Park & Shiriyacu
AM: Dawn in the Amazon provides us with the perfect moment to spot many animal and insect species, so all early risers have the option of a boat excursion before breakfast. The destination is Iquitos Brook, a habitat for sighting numerous endemic species. Back on board, buffet breakfast will be served. After breakfast, we’ll take a walk through the jungle to the area of the hanging bridges, a set of structures stretched out on top of the trees. We can experience a canopy walk and admire the richness of the jungle from higher grounds. Before noon, we will return to the ship for lunch on board.

PM: Free time to rest before the next adventure -- a boat expedition to the Shiriyacu tributary. The naturalist guides will find the perfect location for piranha fishing, using local equipment and artisanal techniques. This area is very popular for spotting pink dolphins. Upon returning to the ship, we’ll have time to relax, enjoy a refreshing Pisco Sour or three, before indulging in another delicious dinner and evening of music.

April 7: Amazon River & Yacapana Creek
AM: This morning, we’ll navigate towards Gasparito Brook, a very popular area for bird and primate watching. After breakfast, our bartender will lead us in a demonstration of Pisco Sour making. Then, we will continue with a boat excursion to Marayali lagoon, another jewel to appreciate the Amazonian biodiversity, observe the gigantic flowering water lilies, “Victoria Amazónica” or “Victoria Regias”. Before noon we’ll return to the ship for lunch on board.

PM: In the afternoon, we’ll have time to rest before our next excursion to the Yacapana Creek, in search of new imposing landscapes and more emblematic species of the Amazon – three-toed sloths, red howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, caiman, green anacondas, and a rainbow of other critters and plants. We’ll enjoy a spectacular sunset on our way back to the ship where we’ll settle in for another delicious dinner and musical evening.

April 8: Vista Alegre & Yarapa River
AM: At dawn, we’ll board the skiffs to visit the banks of the Ucayali River, for some early morning bird-watching, followed by breakfast back onboard, then off an another excursion by boat on the Yarapa River, an area ideal for spotting toucans, parrots, macaws, iguanas, sloths and monkeys high up in the trees.

PM: Back onboard, lunch will be served on board; followed by some lounging time, the guides will do a lecture on local Amazonian culture before we head out to visit the town of Vista Alegre, to meet the native community and learn about their customs. Upon return, you can enjoy live music (this time from the ship’s crew!) while we wait for dinner on board.

April 9: Amazon Birthplace & Piranha Cocha
AM: After breakfast, we’ll have a lecture about the Pacaya Samiria Reserve to set the stage for our next expedition on board the skiffs; to the point of confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers, the majestic location of the jungle where the Amazon River is born. Before returning to Amatista, we’ll explore the Piraña Cocha area, looking for more wildlife.

PM: Back on the boat, lunch will be served on board. We’ll have free time to rest and prepare for the afternoon adventure: a walk through the winding jungle trails located at the beautiful area of Casual, inhabited by poisonous frogs and countless exotic animal species. In this area there is a variety of giant trees known by the locals as “Avatar”. We’ll have an opportunity to purchase handicrafts made by the local artisans. We’ll return to Amatista for our last majestic Amazon sunset, our farewell dinner and a final night of music and merriment.

April 10: Disembarkation and return to Lima
AM: This morning begins with breakfast on board, followed by a visit to the city of Nauta, the second largest in the region. We’ll visit the city market for a true immersion in the life of the Amazonian people. We’ll return to the ship to check out, disembark, say a fond farewell to our crew and guides, then head to the Iquitos airport – with a stop at the Amazon Forever Bio Park, also known as Manatees Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for manatees, an endangered species. Learn how manatees and other local wildlife are rehabilitated and prepared for their return to their natural habitat.

PM: In Iquitos, we’ll board our flight back to Lima, where our hotel awaits us.

April 11: Lima Departure
We bid you all a fond farewell as you head for home or onward to your next adventure.

PRICING
$6489 per person (shared occupancy of 2-person cabin)
$8989 per person (solo occupancy of cabin) – only 2 of these spots are available

Includes:

Does not include:
TO PURCHASE
Pay in full for maximum savings! 3% discount! It makes our life much easier if trips are paid in full, and we pass the savings in time and bookkeeping on to you.

Per person (double occupancy)
Per person (solo occupancy) SOLD OUT
If you'd rather pay a deposit to hold your space(s): $500 per person deposit (double occupancy) , then your balance payment will be split into a series of automatic monthly credit card payments on the card used for deposit, beginning the month following initial deposit.

Credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover) and checks accepted. Payment plans at no additional charge are happily accommodated. Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Liability release signature required.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Since the advent of Covid-19, and its impact upon travel, we feel purchasing travel insurance has gone from wise precaution to fiscal necessity. Going forward, we are strongly suggesting that all patrons carry trip insurance that provides, at a minimum, coverage for the following: You may purchase travel insurance through any company you choose, and we advise checking the coverage on the credit card you used to secure your booking with us -- often there are travel protections built in to your user agreement.

If you're unclear on where to begin your travel insurance search and because travel insurance is such a highly personalized product, we can suggest comparing plans through our affiliate, Squaremouth. When you click on the link and are directed to the Squaremouth landing page use the "Compare and Buy Travel Insurance" calculator. You’ll have to enter your own demographic information – age, state of residence etc. -- after which you'll be presented with a number of options to consider. If you purchase the policy through that link to Squaremouth it does not cost you anything more than purchasing the product directly from the vendor, but we do receive a small commission.

THE FINE PRINT
Our customers are extremely important to us, and when travel disruptions occur, we are committed to working with you to minimize the financial impact. In the event that you need to cancel a trip for whatever reason, we will work with you to try and find a buyer for the space you are needing to give up. Often this works out well for all: the person needing to cancel recovers most, if not all, of their investment, and a person who might have been on a waiting list gets to go on the trip - however, there are no guarantees.

We understand that the new realities of travel are such that we need to be more flexible than ever before. We are also an extremely small business with many fixed costs that can't always be recovered if a trip needs to be postponed or cancelled due to health and safety concerns. We will be completely transparent if a scheduled trip looks like it needs to be adjusted in any way that might impact your enjoyment of the experience.

Please read through our cancellation policy carefully and feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Outside of deposit and credit card fees, full refund will be given up until 90 days prior to start of trip. 50% refund 60-89 days. No refund less than 60 days prior to start of trip.

Reservations are fully transferable to another person. The payment of a deposit or any part or full payment for a reservation shall constitute consent to all the provisions contained herein.

EXPECTATIONS
Roots, Rails, and Rambles LLC is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming travel community free from violence, harassment and discrimination. All participants are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity, and to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone.We will not tolerate verbal or physical conduct toward others that is non-consensual, intimidating, hostile, or offensive including offenses based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or other protected characteristic. Such behavior may result in immediate removal from the trip.
If you experience or witness harassment or discrimination, please report it immediately to your Trip Leader. Your report will be kept confidential to the extent possible.

Roots, Rails, and Rambles LLC shall not be held responsible for property loss or damage and/or any damages resulting from illness, personal injuries or death which may be sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any trip or tour whether due to the ownership, maintenance, use, operation or control of any vehicle, hotel, common carrier or any other conveyance used in carrying out these tours. We can assume no liability due to any cause whatsoever whether caused by failure or delay or other irregularity, acts or omissions occurring during a tour under which the means of transportation or other service thereby is offered or supplied by owners, operators or public carriers for whom Roots, Rails, and Rambles LLC acts only as agent.

Roots, Rails, and Rambles LLC reserves the right (at its discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary, or change any reservation, feature and/or means of conveyance without notice or for any reason whatsoever and without allowance or refund and with extra costs, if any, resulting therefrom paid by the passengers. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part.

Roots, Rails, and Rambles LLC shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely. The transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their carriers or conveyances. The passenger contract in use by the carriers concerned (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or passage. By accepting the ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms and conditions. By forwarding of deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. Roots, Rails, and Rambles LLC reserves the right to cancel or withdraw any person as a member of the tour at any time.

Roots, Rails, and Rambles LLC reserves the right to refuse service to anyone whom it considers incompatible with the best interests of its services or its guests.