7-nights itinerary: Amazon Expedition Cruise

We will meet at Iquitos International Airport then journey together by air-conditioned vehicle through the Peruvian countryside to arrive at our Nauta Lounge in time for lunch, or we will serve a box lunch en route depending on the flight arrival time. In the afternoon, we will set off on your first skiff excursion along the Marañon River. At 6:00pm, we will board the ARIA AMAZON. 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.

We commence today’s adventures near the main entrance of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, cruising along Yanayacu Pucate in the comfort of our state-of-the-art skiffs. Kayak, canoe and swim in these unspoiled black waters, keeping eyes peeled for the Amazon’s legendary pink dolphins. In the afternoon, we will visit a remote village along the Marañon River to learn about traditional customs. Focus our hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

We set off by skiffs for an excursion along the Samiria River with optional fishing. Listen carefully to our after lunch flora and fauna lecture, then venture out for a singularly thrilling jungle walk across the high Amazon rainforest. On our return in the evening, enjoy the jungle symphony and extraordinary stargazing on local boats along the “Enchanted Lake”.

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, together we will 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.

Boarding our skiffs, we start the day like Amazon River dwellers, cruising along the Ucayali River. As these farmers and fishermen go about their business, we search for pink river dolphins in these pristine waters. Later in the day, we return to the skiffs, to ride along the black waters of the Pacaya River at dusk, searching for the mysterious wildlife that come out after dark.

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 jungle products to the port of Requena, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

Choose to go jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming on the black water Yarapa or Clavero River in the morning. Come afternoon, take a short jungle walk in the San Jose de Sarapanga forest and see the unforgettable giant water lilies. 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.

We will visit the town of Nauta, founded in 1930. Today, villagers from around Amazonia gather here to sell the products they harvest in their rural communities. Together we will walk around Nauta to gain insights into the daily life of these remotes people. Return to the ARIA for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees to rescue, rehabilitate and release them back into the wild. 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: Our itineraries may be subject to changtan e according to local weather and water conditions.

Arriving on a morning flight*, receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by our crew and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon continues with an introduction to the historic city of Iquitos and the opportunity to visit an indigenous Amazon community.

In the early evening, embark the Aqua Nera and settle into your generously-sized suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following an introduction to our naturalist guides and a routine safety drill, gather at the restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aqua Nera consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Amaz, is one of Peru’s most renowned dining establishments.

*Separate arrangements can be made for afternoon arrivals.

Aboard our comfortable skiffs, we set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Ready your binoculars for tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloths. Line-fish for Amazon’s notoriously ferocious piranhas as our naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo.

In the afternoon, we sail on to Lake Clavero where villagers rely on traditional dugout canoes to get around. Swim in the lake’s calm waters or visit native residents of Amazonia who welcome you to their community with open arms.

We explore the black water tributaries of the Yanallpa River by skiff, disembarking to walk deep into the wildlife-rich Amazonian rainforest. Later, we board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal creatures.

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish.

In the afternoon, witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. By nightfall, you will meet the new passengers who signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.

Rise with the sun for early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River and enjoy breakfast in the middle of the jungle. Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River as we seek the legendary pink river dolphins. In the afternoon, visit a local village and interact with the native people and visit local schoolchildren.

The rewards for our early start today are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch accompanied by the jungle symphony and fishing on the black water of the Samiria River. On the way back to the Marañon River after lunch, we venture out by skiffs alongside the banana boats transporting jungle products, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary black water Nauta Caño River.

In the afternoon, we will take a jungle walk on the firm soil forest of Casual while looking for flora and fauna which may include medicinal trees, insects and poison dart frogs. Learn more about the different rainforest strata and ecosystems. At night, focus our hi-tech telescope on the sky to identify the stars, planets and the milky way.

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish.

Return to the Aqua Nera for breakfast before disembarkation. En route to the airport, visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where orphaned Amazonian manatees rehabilitate before they are released back into the wild.

Note: Our itineraries may be subject to changtan e according to local weather and water conditions.

Arriving on a morning flight*, receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by our crew. Board
our private transfer to our exclusive Nauta Lounge for a welcome lunch before embarkation.

Settle into your generously-sized suite aboard the Aqua Nera as you begin one of life’s greatest
adventures. Following an introduction to our naturalist guides and a routine safety drill, gather at the
restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aqua Nera consulting chef Pedro
Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Amaz, is one of Peru’s most renowned dining establishments.

*Separate arrangements can be made for afternoon arrivals.

Rise with the sun for early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River. Later, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River and look out for Amazon’s legendary pink river dolphins. In the afternoon, visit an Amazonian village, where you can interact with native riberenos (people of the river) and visit local schoolchildren.

Awake to a lush jungle sunrise and birdwatching along the Samiria River, enjoying breakfast in the middle of the lush jungle. Swimming and kayaking are some of the recommended activities at this part of the Reserve. In the evening, embark on a wildlife excursion on the black waters of Nauta Caño, and end the night with extraordinary stargazing.

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish.

In the afternoon, witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. By nightfall, you will meet the new passengers who signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.

Boarding our skiffs, we start the day like Amazon River dwellers, cruising along the Ucayali and Yanallpa River. As farmers and fishermen go about their business, we search for pink river dolphins in these pristine waters.

In the afternoon, explore a fascinating black water stream aboard skiffs, part of the vast Amazon flooded forest within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guides will regale you with tales and insights about the jungle as we explore what scientists call a “gallery forest” because of dense vegetation that creates a tunnel of leaves. As we explore this type of riparian vegetation, keep your eyes peeled for parrots, macaws, and fluffy monk saki monkeys.

This morning we will embark on a full-day excursion along the Pacaya tributary within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, observing and exploring the flooded forest of this vast region of the Peruvian Amazon. Sail among a wide variety of wildlife, birds including large parrots, macaws, herons and storks, and many species of primates like the capuchin, howler and squirrel monkeys.

After a picnic lunch, visit some of the most beautiful lakes in Pacaya Samiria and meet local guardians of the Reserve’s natural resources. On our return, behold the famous Ceiba tree, the tallest of its kind in the Amazon.

Choose among jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming excursions on the black waters Yarapa or Clavero River. In the 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 a memorable experience aboard the Aqua Nera.

Visit the quaint riverside town of San Jose de Paranapura en route to Nauta. Before saying goodbye, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a sanctuary for orphaned Amazonian manatees to rehabilitate before their release back into the wild.

Note: Our itineraries may be subject to changes according to local weather and water conditions.