Luxury Amazon Cruises: Aria Amazon & Aqua Nera
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
NZD
$6,210
|
Days
4
|
Nights
3
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
NZD
$6,210
|
Days
4
|
Nights
3
|

Introduction
Explore an area of unspoilt wilderness.
Two and a half million hectares of protected, Amazonian jungle offering an abundance of natural wonders, dramatic scenery, indigenous cultural history and extraordinary flora and fauna including the endangered Amazon River dolphin and manatee.
These 3, 4 and 7 night journeys offer guests a rare insight into the very heart of Amazonia.
Aria Amazon: Spacious and indulgent, yet private enough to feel entirely exclusive, the 45 metre Aria Amazon accommodates a maximum of 32 guests in 16 air-conditioned luxury Design Suites, each with generous picture windows offering superb river views from the 23 square metre cabin. Outstanding cuisine, expert naturalist guides and great excursions from the vessel ensure a world class experience. At the end of the day enjoy a sundowner drink on the Observation Deck or perhaps a dip in the jacuzzi as life on the Amazon gently glides by.
Aqua Nera: This brand-new river cruise ship is the epitome of luxury cruising on the Amazon. Aqua Nera draws design inspiration from the Peruvian Amazon’s mystical blackwater lagoons and bears hallmarks of contemporary style and generous interiors. Aboard the Aqua Nera, every space has been crafted to perfection. The vessel’s 20 spacious Design Suites, which accommodate up to 40 guests convey a sense of tranquility, while the social spaces showcase refined elegance with a touch of drama. Tastefully woven into the design are accents and details from the rubber boom era and the colourful cultures of Portugal, Spain and Peru. The cruise features cuisine by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s finest chefs who is celebrated for creating refined cuisine from native Amazonian produce. Every day, expert naturalist guides conduct small group excursions that reward guests with up-close wildlife encounters in the world’s most biodiverse rainforest.
Watch a great video on the experiences from past passengers on board the Aria Amazon
Itinerary
4 Night Itinerary
Day 1 : Iquitos
You will be met and transferred to your luxury river boat in time for dinner.
Day 2 : Maranon River > Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Dawn and dusk are ideal times for nature observation. Enjoy black water stream exploration with particularly good sightings of macaws, monkeys and river dolphins. Fish for piranha, enjoy a lecture and visit one of the Indian villages in the area and learn about their way of life.
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. Then visit Nauta Cano, known as the ‘Forest of Mirrors’ due to wonderful reflections found here and an area that is very rich in toucans, macaws and iguanas. As you make your way back to the ship, you may also see alligators, frogs and fishing bats.
Day 4 : Amazon River > Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
A jungle walk this morning offers a plethora of wildlife, so keep your binoculars ready to observe tanagers and orioles as well as various reptiles and amphibians. After lunch visit the Yanayacu Islands, known locally as ‘Islands of the Iguana’. Here you have a chance to see the Victoria Regia, the world’s largest aquatic plant. As the sun sets, photograph the freshwater Amazon dolphins.
Day 5 : Iquitos
In the dry season visit an animal rescue centre and in the wet season tour the flood zone that borders the city of Iquitos to observe the houses and shops that actually float on the Itaya River for several months of the year and visit a traditional market full of Amazonian produce. Return to the Aria for a light lunch before disembarkation and in throughout the year, visit the Manatee Rescue Centre and an Amazonian Indian Market on the way to the airport.
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 > Yacapana > Yarapa > Clavero Lake
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. Your sumptuous daily breakfast buffet features a wide variety of dishes, including Peruvian specialties and fresh fruit juices. This morning you will board our comfortable skiff to sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Life jackets, ponchos, rubber boots, and fresh water are always available in our private boats. 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. Upon our arrival at Lake Moringo, use your hooks to try to catch some of the ferocious piranhas and other fish species. As you fish, trained naturalist guides will tell the story of the lake and its inhabitants. Enjoy lunch in the comfort of our air-conditioned dining room before a talk by a naturalist guide. Sail on to Lake Clavero where villagers paddle in their traditional dugout canoes. You may wish to swim in the lake’s calm waters and visit the community to interact with our Amazonia neighbors who will be pleased to welcome you.
Day 3 : Ucayali > Yanallpa >Dorado River > Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
After breakfast board the skiffs to explore a fascinating black water stream, part of the vast Amazon flooded forest within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guides will tell you about the jungle as we explore what scientists call a “gallery forest,” because of its dense vegetation that creates a tunnel of leaves. As we explore this type of riparian vegetation, watch above for parrots, macaws, and fluffy monk saki monkeys. Return to your ship for optional Peruvian cooking lessons before lunch. Enjoy talks by naturalist guides before a Dorado River Exploration. This afternoon take a magical journey through the “Jungle of the Mirrors,” where towering trees are reflected in the dark river. You move on to Dorado River where you may observe enchanting parrots, macaws and a variety of primates, unperturbed by your presence. As you make your way back to the ship, you may see alligators, frogs and fishing bats. While you dine, continue the journey upstream, toward the headwaters of the Amazon River, where the Ucayali and Maranon Rivers merge.
Day 4 : Birthplace of the Amazon
This morning, your ship skirts the edge of the vast Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a flooded forest covering five million acres at the headwaters of the Amazon basin. Get up early to see one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere: the sun rising over the origin of the Amazon River. Here, the junction of two major tributaries, the Ucayali and the Maranon, form one of the greatest waterfalls in the world. Your morning excursion will be accompanied by abundant bird song, as you glide in small boats past large-billed terns, laughing falcons, exotic short-tailed parrot, and dozens of other vibrantly hued birds. Then travel by boat to a community located along the Maranon River, where you will meet and interact with local villagers in this remote part of the world and learn about their traditions and folklore. You will also have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts directly from the artisans. Return for a light lunch. This afternoon, visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees to rescue, rehabilitate and release back into the wild. Later, we stop at the Amazonian Indian Market San Juan, where, you may wish to shop for local crafts before leaving. Board your flight back to Lima.
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.
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Pricing
Pricing (per person), NZD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2025 |
|||
7 Jan – 18 Dec |
|||
3 nights Discovery Cruise |
|||
Aria Amazon, First Deck Design Suite |
NZ$6,210 |
NZ$7,760 |
|
Aria Amazon, Second Deck Design Suite |
NZ$6,470 |
NZ$8,085 |
|
Aqua Nera, First Deck Design Suite |
NZ$8,485 |
NZ$10,605 |
|
Aqua Nera, Second Deck Design Suite |
NZ$9,055 |
NZ$11,315 |
|
4 nights Explorer Cruise |
|||
Aria Amazon, First Deck Design Suite |
NZ$8,280 |
NZ$10,345 |
|
Aria Amazon, Second Deck Design Suite |
NZ$8,625 |
NZ$10,780 |
|
Aqua Nera, First Deck Design Suite |
NZ$11,315 |
NZ$14,140 |
|
Aqua Nera, Second Deck Design Suite |
NZ$12,070 |
NZ$15,090 |
|
7 nights Expeditions Cruise |
|||
Aria Amazon, First Deck Design Suite |
NZ$13,760 |
NZ$17,200 |
|
Aria Amazon, Second Deck Design Suite |
NZ$14,365 |
NZ$17,955 |
|
Aqua Nera, First Deck Design Suite |
NZ$18,830 |
NZ$23,535 |
|
Aqua Nera, Second Deck Design Suite |
NZ$20,035 |
NZ$25,045 |
|
2025
7 Jan – 18 Dec
3 nights Discovery Cruise
Aria Amazon, First Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $6210
Single: from $ 7760
Aria Amazon, Second Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $6470
Single: from $ 8085
Aqua Nera, First Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $8485
Single: from $ 10605
Aqua Nera, Second Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $9055
Single: from $ 11315
4 nights Explorer Cruise
Aria Amazon, First Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $8280
Single: from $ 10345
Aria Amazon, Second Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $8625
Single: from $ 10780
Aqua Nera, First Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $11315
Single: from $ 14140
Aqua Nera, Second Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $12070
Single: from $ 15090
7 nights Expeditions Cruise
Aria Amazon, First Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $13760
Single: from $ 17200
Aria Amazon, Second Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $14365
Single: from $ 17955
Aqua Nera, First Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $18830
Single: from $ 23535
Aqua Nera, Second Deck Design Suite
Twin: from $20035
Single: from $ 25045
Special Offer
Solo Traveller Offer!
Enjoy a waiver of the single supplement fee on select departures in February and September 2025. Valid on the following cabins only: Aria Amazon: 107, 108; Aqua Nera: 102, 104. . Offer applies to new bookings only, may not be combined with any other offer, and is subject to availability. Aqua Expeditions reserves the right to withdraw special offers at any time and without notice.
Departs
Aria Amazon |
3-nights, Fridays, year-round |
4-nights, Mondays, year-round |
7-nights, Fridays, year-round |
Aqua Nera |
3-nights, Saturdays, year-round |
4-nights, Tuesdays, year-round |
7-nights, Saturdays, year-round |
Included
- Cruise journey
- 3, 4, or 7 nights’ accommodation onboard your selected ship and in your category of choice
- All meals (B, L, D) onboard
- Non-alcoholic beverages onboard
- Local alcoholic beverages onboard Aqua Nera
- Shared arrival/departure transfers when travelling on recommended flights
- Shared twice daily excursions
- Pacaya Samiria Nationa Reserve fee
- 2 hours of complimentary internet access daily
- Laundry onboard Aqua Nera
Not Included
- All alcoholic beverages onboard Aria Amazon
- Premium alcoholic beverages onboard Aqua Nera
- Flights to/from Iquitos
- Gratuities
Important Notes
- Please enquire about pricing for children (5 to 12 years) and/or triple share
- Please also enquire about pricing for departures from 01 to 06 January and 19 to 31 December 2025 inclusive
- A minimum age requirement of 5 years applies
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions