Amazon Cruise - Aria - 4 Days Itinerary

OVERVIEW:

High Water Season Itinerary: November to May

Aqua Expedition’s 4 days Amazon River luxury cruise begins in the remote colonial city of Iquitos, Peru and transports guests in exceptional comfort deep into the Amazon rainforest, along the Marañon River, the Amazon’s largest tributary, as well as other neighboring rivers (the Yarapa and Yanayacu-Pucate), each one rich in vibrant wildlife and thriving rainforests.

Go fishing for the many species of Amazon fish, searching for three-toed sloths, toucans, macaws then come back to the comfort of our skiffs to meet taricaya turtles in their natural habitat and look for endangered pink dolphins, unique to the Amazon, at play. Enjoy a glimpse of what your journey will be like as you travel deep into the jungles and waterways of northern Peru.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF:

Day 1: Iquitos - Amazon River
Day 2: Amazon River - Yarapa River - Nauto Cano
Day 3: Maranon Creek - Suspended Bridges - Yanacacu Pucate
Day 4: Nauta Town - Manatee Rescue Center - Airport Transfer

NOTE: Schedule of activities is subject to change due to weather and river conditions. Please consult with your naturalist guide to discuss any last minute changes or questions.

NOV / MAY: 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.

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.
Amazon River - Yarapa River - Nauta Cano

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.
Maranon Creek - Casual Jungle Walk - Yanayacu-Pucate River

Rise with the sun for an 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.

This evening before dinner, we will gather to introduce you to some of the crew members whom you may not have met, working "behind the scenes" to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the Aria Amazon.
Arrival in Iquitos - Manatee Rescue Centre - Transfer to the Airport

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. Return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we visit the Manatee Rescue Centre, 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.

SPECIFICATION:

Year Built: 2007
Cruise port of embarkation: Iquitos, Peru
Vessel’s Registry: Peru
Type of Vessel: River Expedition Vessel
Length: 130 feet / 39.8 meters
Beam: 24 feet / 7.3 meters
Draft: 5 feet / 1.5 meters
Gross Tonnage: 400 tons
Cruising Speed: 10 knots
Electricity: 220 volts
Engines: 2 Cummins 380 HP Marine Engines
Generators: 1 x 95 KVA Cummins and 1 x 65 KVA Cummins (encapsulated for noise reduction)
Water: 7,000-liter water treatment plant

Safety onboard the Aqua Amazon: Radio communication with separate battery pack; satellite phone; life jackets, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in each cabin; flares and signals; automatic defibrillator on board.

Launch Boats used for shore excursions from the Aqua Amazon: Three auxiliary aluminum launch boats equipped with four-stroke low emission engines; constant radio communication with the main vessel. Each boat has a capacity of 8 passengers.

Aqua Amazon Crew: 24, including a cruise director, paramedic and 3 English speaking naturalist guides.

Aqua Amazon Capacity: Up to 24 passengers with private facilities (Additional accommodation for one child in each cabin)

CABINS DETAILS:

The M/V Aria Amazon’s 16 oversized suites are 250 square feet with polished timber flooring and generous outward-facing picture-windows. All suites have twin beds that convert to a California king-size bed, en suite sitting area, private bath with hot/cold showers, hairdryer, luxury toiletries, fine Peruvian linen, internal communication system and safety deposit box. Four suites can be interconnected to cater to families.

First Deck Suite

Design Suites 101-108 are located on the First Deck. Four can be interconnected for families: 103 can connect to 105; 104 can connect to 106.

Second Deck Suite

Design Suites 201-208 are located on the Second Deck, with no option for interconnectivity.

DECKPLAN

WHAT’S INCLUDED

All meals while on board
Premium selected wines and beer, non-alcoholic drink
Twice-daily excursions with knowlegable local guides
Group transfers to and from the airport when arriving/departing on recommended flights
Pacaya Samiria entrance fee

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED