History of the M/F CLAVERO

The magnificent steam boats of the late 19th and early 20th century that navigated the majestic Amazon River were crucial to the culture and economy, and changed the scenery from scattered missionary outposts to steamship routes.


The M/F Clavero is a historic naval boat of the Peruvian Amazon and is the oldest boat still traveling on the Amazon River. The Clavero was built in Paris, France, in 1878 and its original name was the Cahuapanas. The Peruvian Navy bought her in 1892 to be used on the Amazon.


The Cahuapanas was one of the most important ships on the Amazon for her service to protect the Peruvian Amazon from invaders, to explore unknown tributaries and to provide communication and mail in the Amazon. The Cahuapanas was used to fight the Ecuadorian Navy on the Rio Napo in 1903 and also was part of an expedition to the Rio Purus in 1905. In 1911 the ship was used to deliver mail on the Marañón and Ucayali rivers which come together to form the Amazon River.
In 1933 the ship was sold to the Morey Shipping Company and was used to carry cargo. It was re-named the Clavero for Manuel Clavero Mugua who was the Captain of the M/V America and a hero of the Peruvian Navy.



The Clavero is a 28 meter long and 5 meter wide boat of steel construction. She was completely rebuilt in 2007-2009. The Clavero is a restoration project in a holistic approach that conserves Amazonian history and the Amazon rainforest. She has been used by Earthwatch, Wildlife Conservation Society and GreenTracks. Expedition cruises travel to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve of Peru or the Lago Preto Conservation Concession on the Yavari River.

GreenTracks Amazon Cruises