7-nights itinerary: Amazon Expedition Cruise
The ultimate Amazon odyssey aboard a best-in-class river cruise ship
Our acclaimed 7-night Amazon Expedition Cruise lets guests experience the most luxurious and complete of Amazon journeys among the two tributaries, Marañon and Ucayali, that give the Amazon river its life. This all-encompassing itinerary lets explorers discover the best that Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve has to offer, including its hidden lakes and lagoons, as well as amazing jungle trails.
Kayak, canoe and swim in the most pristine Amazon upriver waters, with several opportunities to spot the Amazon’s famous pink river dolphins. Learn about life in an Amazon village, and then fish for piranhas like a local. Become a bona fide naturalist by the end of your 7-night trip, absorbing the in-depth knowledge our experienced guides impart on every excursion and jungle walk.
No two days of adventure is ever the same, except for the luxurious yet understated presence of the Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera. Return to your five-star home on the Amazon every day to the inspiring Peruvian Amazon cuisine of chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and the luxurious comforts of your suite and many amenities. You won’t want this trip to be over.
Aria Amazon:
Aqua Nera:
Note: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.
Day 1
Peru
Iquitos – Amazon River
We will meet at Iquitos International Airport then enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant or we will serve a box lunch en route, depending on the flight arrival time. The afternoon continues with an introduction to this historic city and the opportunity to meet an indigenous Amazon community. At 6:00pm we will board the ARIA AMAZON.1 Settle into your generously proportioned suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to our naturalist guides, we gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by our Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top-ranked dining experiences.
Day 2
Peru
Amazon River – Yarapa River – Nauta Caño
Aboard our comfortable skiffs, we set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Keep your binoculars ready to spot tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloths. We’ll go fishing for Amazonia’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while our naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo. As the sun sets, we head off on an evening’s wildlife excursion with extraordinary stargazing on the black waters of Nauta Caño.
Day 3
Peru
Marañon River – Casual Jungle Walk – Yanayacu-Pucate River
Rise with the sun for early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River. After breakfast, we will take a jungle walk on the firm soil forest “Casual,” while looking for flora and fauna which include medicinal trees, insects, and poison dart frogs, and learning more about the different rainforest stratas. Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River as we look for legendary pink river dolphins. Focus our hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.
Day 4
Peru
Nauta Town – Village Visit – Birthplace Of The Amazon
This morning, we will visit the local fresh market with your guides who can identify the day’s catch by the fishermen of Amazonia and the region’s exotic fruits. In the afternoon, we witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. Tonight you will meet the new passengers who have signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.
Day 5
Peru
Yanallpa River – Dorado River
By skiff, we explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River, disembarking to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest. Later, we board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife.
Day 6
Peru
Pacaya River – Ucayali River – Tapiche River
The rewards of our early start today are plentiful, including a breakfast picnic accompanied by jungle symphony and fishing along the black waters of the Pacaya River. After lunch, we venture out by skiffs on the Ucayali River alongside the banana boats transporting their jungle products to the port of Requena, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.
Day 7
Peru
Clavero Or Yarapa River – Amazon River
Choose to go jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming on the black water Yarapa or Clavero River in the morning. Visit a remote Amazonia village in the afternoon. This evening before dinner, we will gather to introduce you to some of the crewmembers whom you may not have met, working “behind the scenes” to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the ARIA AMAZON.
Day 8
Peru
Arrival In Iquitos – Manatee Rescue Center – Transfer To The Airport
At the Bellavista Nanay morning market along the Nanay River, sample exotic snacks from the Peruvian Amazon like ‘Suri’, Amazon caterpillars that are considered especially appetizing. Return to the ARIA for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we will make one last truly memorable stop at the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees. We will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or box lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the recommended flight schedule.
Note: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.