Luxury Amazon Cruises: Aria Amazon & Aqua Nera

3 Night Itinerary

Day 1 : Iquitos > Amazon River

Make your own way to the MV Aria where you settle into your suite. Over the next three days, you will also sail along the two largest tributaries of the Peruvian Amazon, the Ucayali and the Maranon, as well as on the mighty Amazon itself. Welcome dinner on board.

Day 2 : Amazon River > Yacapana River > Yarapa River

Visit Yacapana Islands, known locally “The Islands of the Iguana” because of the large number of these reptiles. You will also see the famous Amazon River dolphins, pink or gray, along our route. We will pass close to lush islands, giving you the opportunity to take good pictures of the tropical flora and fauna. Return to your ship for breakfast. This morning you will board our comfortable skiff to sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River.  As you float down the Yarapa, past the occasional fishermen paddling in their canoes, keep your binoculars ready to spot wildlife: terns, tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloth share this wonderful world with us.

Day 3 : Lake Clavero / Maranon River

Today is an early start to explore Clavero Lake aboard the comfortable skiffs. Here, villagers rely on traditional dugout canoes to get around. You will have the opportunity to swim in the lake’s calm waters or visit native residents of the Amazon who will welcome you to their community with open arms. During the afternoon, explore the majestic Marañon River in search of different kinds of wildlife. In the evening, return to your ship.

Day 4 : Nauta > Manatee Rescue Centre > Iquitos

This morning, take a guided visit to the local market. Marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon and sample exotic snacks if you wish. For those interested, there’ll also be the opportunity to visit an experienced beekeeper in the community of San Francisco. 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.

4 Night Itinerary

Day 1 : Iquitos > Nauta

You will be met and taken to downtown Iquitos for a city tour before heading to Nauta to board your cruise.

Day 2 : Maranon River > Yanayacu Pucate River

Dawn and dusk are ideal times for nature observation. Enjoy an early birdwatching session along the Maranon River and afterwards visit an Amazonian village where you will be able to interact and witness an Aguaje palm harvesting demonstration. Later, go swimming, kayaking, or canoeing in the Yanayacu-Pucate River and keep an eye out for the legendary pink river dolphins. Board the skiffs again to cruise along Yanaquillo River for a dusk excursion in search of nocturnal animals.

Day 3 : Samiria River > Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Take a walking tour through the jungle learning about the vegetation found in the Amazon and observe some of the jungle wildlife at first hand. Ride traditional Amazonian canoes and swim in the waters of the Samiria River. On the way back to the Maranon River, venture out by skiff keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

Day 4 : Nauta Cano River / Jungle Walk

This morning, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary black water Nauta Caño River. If you wish, enjoy a bike ride from Puerto Prado Village to Santa Cruz Village along the riverbank. This afternoon, take a jungle walk 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. Afterwards, return to your ship.

Day 5 : Iquitos / Manatee Rescue Centre

This morning, take a guided visit to the floating town of Belen for an insight into the lives of locals in the Peruvian Amazon. Return to 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.

7 Night Itinerary

Combination of the two above.

NB

Please note that itineraries vary dependent on whether they are operating in the Low Water vs High Water season.