Amazon Cruise - Aria - 5 Days Itinerary

OVERVIEW:

High Water Season Itinerary: November to May

Aqua Expedition’s 5 days luxury cruise begins in the remote colonial city of Iquitos, Peru and transport guests in exceptional comfort deep into the Amazon rainforest, along the Ucayali River, the Amazon’s largest tributary, as well as the four other rivers, each one rich in vibrant wildlife with thriving rainforests.

Our 5 dyas Explorer Cruise is our most popular choice which makes the best of your time on the Amazon rainforest. A 5 day trip ensures you more opportunities to experience diverse Amazon wildlife, at the same time, relax and enjoy activities like canoeing, kayaking or swimming on the black water river. Go piranha fishing, dolphin watching, or search for Amazon monkeys, three-toed sloths, crown headed hoatzin birds, toucans, macaws and giant water lilies. Enjoy your journey as you travel deep into the jungles and waterways of northern Peru spotting wildlife and learning about the ecosystems within the Amazon’s rainforest from our experienced, English speaking naturalist guides about the diverse Amazon wildlife and birds of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF:

Day 1: Arrival - Nauta - Embarkation - Amazon River
Day 2: Yanallpa River - Dorado River
Day 3: Pacaya River - Ucayali River - Tapiche River
Day 4: Clavero or Yarapa River - Amazon River
Day 5: Arrive in Iquitos - 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 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 to visit the birthplace of the Amazon. 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.
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.
Pacaya River - Ucayali River - Tapiche River

The rewards of our early start today are plentiful, including a full day excursion by skiff along the Pacaya River, going deeper into pristine landscape shared with great egret, capuchin monkeys and taricaya turtles. After lunch, we will have a paiche fishing demonstration, the second largest river fish in the world. Later, 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.
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 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

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.

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