OVERVIEW:
Low Water Season Itinerary: June to October.
We highly recommend our 8 Days Amazon River Expedition Cruise Aria voyague where you will experience our most luxurious and comprehensive Amazon journey among the Amazon River’s two powerful tributaries: the Marañon and the Ucayali, as well as several hidden black water lakes.
Allow the mighty Amazon River time to slowly unveil her majesty and wonders in nature. Kayak, canoe or swim in these unspoiled black waters, keeping eyes peeled for the Amazon’s legendary pink dolphins. Be witness to one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birth of the Amazon River and see the unforgettable giant water lilies. Search for three-toed sloths, toucans, and macaws, fish for piranhas, and meet taricaya turtles in their natural habitat. Enjoy a breakfast picnic accompanied by the jungle symphony and fish along the black waters of the Pacaya River. As our vessel journeys towards the union of the Ucayali and the Marañon Rivers, considered the birthplace of the Amazon, learn from our experienced, expert naturalist guides about the diverse Amazon wildlife and birds of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
ITINERARY IN BRIEF:
Day 1: Iquitos - Nauta - Embarkation - Marañon River
Day 2: Yanayacu Pucate River - Marañon River
Day 3: Samiria River - Nauta Caño Or Pna (Amazonian Natural Park)
Day 4: Nauta Town - Village Visit - Birthplace Of The Amazon
Day 5: Ucayali River - Pacaya River
Day 6: Pacaya River - Ucayali River - Tapiche River
Day 7: Clavero Lake - San Jose Flooded Forest
Day 8: Arrival In Nauta - Manatee Rescue Center - Transfer To The Airport
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.
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JUN / OCT: Iquitos - Nauta - Embarkation - Marañon 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 along the Marañon River. At 6:00pm, we will board the M/V Aria Amazon. Settle into your 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.
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Yanayacu Pucate River - Marañon River
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.
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Samiria River - Nauta Caño Or Pna (Amazonian Natural Park)
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 suspended bridges deep into the high Amazon rainforest.
On our return in the evening, enjoy the jungle symphony and extraordinary stargazing on local boats along the “Enchanted Lake”.
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Nauta Town - Village Visit - Birthplace Of The Amazon
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.
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Ucayali River - Pacaya 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.
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Pacaya River - Ucayali River - Tapiche River
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.
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Clavero Lake - San Jose Flooded Forest
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 flooded forest and see the unforgettable giant water lilies.
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.
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Arrival In Nauta - Manatee Rescue Center - Transfer To The Airport
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.
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
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Changes and adjustments for both seasons may also occur due to weather conditions, river conditions, and/or airline issues