Aqua Nera: Cruise the Peruvian Amazon in Style

Day 1     Tuesday     Arrive to Iquitos / Begin the Cruise

Upon arrival to Iquitos you will be met at the airport and then be taken to lunch at a local restaurant or will have 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 6:00 p.m. you will board the Aria. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, you will 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.

Day 2     Wednesday    Marañon River / Yanayacu Pucate River 

Rise early for a morning bird watching session along the Marañon River and enjoy breakfast in the middle of the jungle. Next, visit an Amazonian village where you’ll be able to 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. Finally, board the skiffs again to cruise along Yanaquillo River for a dusk excursion in search of nocturnal animals.

Day 3     Thursday     Samiria River

The rewards for the early start today are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch orchestrated to the tune of the jungle symphony, fishing along the black waters of the Samiria River, and an option to go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or on a jungle walk inside the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. On the way back to the Marañon River after lunch, venture out by skiff to search for pink river dolphins.

Day 4     Friday    Nauta Caño River / Jungle Walk

As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary blackwater Nauta Caño River. If you wish, embark on a bike ride from Puerto Prado Village to Santa Cruz Village along the riverbank.

Day 5     Saturday     Manatee Rescue Center / Return to Lima

At the Bellavista Nanay you will visit a morning market along the Nanay River. Here you can sample exotic snacks from the Peruvian Amazon, like suri (Amazon caterpillars). After returning to the Aria for breakfast, you will have time to pack up. Before saying goodbye, you will make one last stop at the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees. You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or box lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

Day 1     Saturday     Arrive to Iquitos / Begin the Cruise

Upon arrival to Iquitos you will be met at the airport and then be taken to lunch at a local restaurant or will have a box lunch on 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 6:00 p.m. you will board the Aria. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, you will 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.

Day 2     Sunday   Yanayacu Yacapana / Yarapa River / Ucayali River

Aboard comfortable skiffs, set sail from the Amazon River to the Yanayacu Yacapana River. Ready your binoculars as you look for tropical songbirds, black collared hawks, and sloths. Line-fish for Amazon’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while the naturalist guides share their knowledge of the Amazonia. In the afternoon, set sail to Yarapa River, a black water tributary of the Ucayali River. Here you’ll embark on a stargazing session and an excursion in search of nocturnal wildlife

Day 3     Monday     Clavero Lake / Marañon Creek

Get an early start to the day to explore Clavero Lake aboard comfortable skiffs. Here, villagers rely on traditional dugout canoes to get around. You’ll have the opportunity to swim in the lake’s calm waters or visit an Amazonian village.

In the afternoon, explore the majestic Marañon River in search of different kinds of wildlife.

Day 4     Tuesday     Nauta / Manatee Rescue Center / Airport

This morning, you will visit the local market with your guides, who will help you identify the daily Amazonian catch and the variety of fruits and vegetables. Later, return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, you will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, an orphanage and rehabilitation center for Amazonian manatees. You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or a boxed lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

Day 1     Tuesday     Arrive to Iquitos / Begin the Cruise

Upon arrival to Iquitos you will be met at the airport and then be taken to lunch at a local restaurant or will have 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 6:00 p.m. you will board the Aria. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, you will 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.

Day 2     Wednesday     Marañon River / Yanayacu Pucate River

Rise for an early morning birdwatching session along the Marañon River. After breakfast, head out for a morning wildlife excursion with a possibility to see sloths, great egrets, parrots, and Taricaya turtles. Later, explore the Yanayacu Pucate River and go fishing for Amazonia’s notorious piranhas. End the day with a dusk excursion in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Day 3     Thursday     Samiria River / Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

The rewards for today’s early start are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch orchestrated to the tune of the jungle symphony, fishing along the black waters of the Samiria River, and an option to go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or on a jungle walk inside the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. After lunch, venture out by skiff to look for pink river dolphins.

Day 4     Friday     Puerto Prado / Amazon River

As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the Pahuachiro River. After breakfast, visit Puerto Prado Village where there’ll be an opportunity to ride a bike all the way to Santa Cruz Village along the riverbank. You could also visit an experienced beekeeper in the community of San Francisco.

In the afternoon, head out for a boat ride to the Amazon River.

Day 5     Saturday     Manatee Rescue Center / Return to Lima

This morning, you will visit the local market with your guides, who will help you identify the daily Amazonian catch and the variety of fruits and vegetables. Later, return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, you will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, an orphanage and rehabilitation center for Amazonian manatees. You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or a boxed lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

Day 1     Saturday     Arrive to Iquitos / Begin the Cruise

Upon arrival to Iquitos you will be met at the airport and then be taken to lunch at a local restaurant or will have 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 6:00 p.m. you will board the Aria. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, you will 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.

Day 2     Sunday     Yanayacu Pucate River / Marañon River

Today’s adventure begins near the main entrance of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, cruising along the Yanayacu Pucate River in the comfort of a state-of-the-art skiff. Here you can kayak, canoe or swim in these unspoiled black waters, keeping eyes peeled for the Amazon’s legendary pink dolphins. In the afternoon, you will visit a remote village along the Marañon River to learn about traditional customs. In the night you can focus the hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

Day 3     Monday     Samira River / Nauta Caño or Amazonian Natural Park

You will set off on the skiffs for an excursion along the Samiria River with optional fishing. Listen carefully to the after-lunch flora and fauna lecture, then venture out for a thrilling jungle walk across suspended bridges deep in the high Amazon rainforest. On your return in the evening, enjoy the jungle symphony and extraordinary stargazing on local boats along the “Enchanted Lake”. This evening before dinner, you will be introduced to some of the crewmembers whom you may not have met, working “behind the scenes” to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the Aria.

Day 4     Tuesday     Nauta / Manatee Rescue Center / Airport

This morning, you will visit the local market with your guides, who will help you identify the daily Amazonian catch and the variety of fruits and vegetables. Later, return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, you will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, an orphanage and rehabilitation center for Amazonian manatees. You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or a boxed lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

Day 1   Saturday    Iquitos / Amazon River

Upon arrival to Iquitos, you will be met at the airport and then be taken to lunch at a local restaurant or will have a box lunch on 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 6:00 p.m. you will board the Aria. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, you will 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.

Day 2   Sunday    Yanayacu Yacapana / Yarapa River / Ucayali River

Aboard comfortable skiffs, set sail from the Amazon River to the Yanayacu Yacapana River. Ready your binoculars to spot tropical songbirds, black collared hawks, and sloths. Line-fish for Amazon’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while naturalist guides share their knowledge of the Amazonia. In the afternoon, sail to Yarapa River, a black water tributary of the Ucayali River. Here you’ll embark on a stargazing session and an excursion in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Day 3   Monday    Clavero Lake / Marañon River

Get an early start today to explore Clavero Lake. Here, villagers rely on traditional dugout canoes to get around. You’ll have the opportunity to swim in the lake’s calm waters or visit an Amazonian community. In the afternoon, explore the majestic Marañon River in search of different kinds of wildlife.

Day 4   Tuesday    Nauta Town / Village Visit / Birthplace of the Amazon

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, sampling local snacks. For those interested, there’ll also be the opportunity to visit an experienced beekeeper in the community of San Francisco.

Day 5   Wednesday     Marañon River / Yanayuca Pucate River

Rise for an early morning bird watching session along the Marañon River and enjoy breakfast in the middle of the jungle. Next, visit an Amazonian village where you’ll be able to 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. Finally, board the skiffs again to cruise along Yanaquillo River for a dusk excursion in search of nocturnal animals.

Day 6   Thursday    Samiria River

The rewards for today’s early start are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch orchestrated to the tune of the jungle symphony, fishing along the black waters of the Samiria River, and an option to go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or on a jungle walk inside the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. On the way back to the Marañon River after lunch, venture out by skiff keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

Day 7   Friday    Nauta Caño River / Jungle River

As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary black water Nauta Caño River. If you wish, embark on a bike ride from Puerto Prado Village to Santa Cruz Village along the riverbank. In the 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.

Day 8   Saturday    Nauta / Manatee Rescue Center / Airport

This morning, you will visit the local market with your guides, who will help you identify the daily Amazonian catch and the variety of fruits and vegetables. Later, return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, you will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, an orphanage and rehabilitation center for Amazonian manatees. You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or a boxed lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

Day 1   Saturday    Iquitos / Amazon River

Upon arrival to Iquitos you will be met at the airport and then be taken to lunch at a local restaurant or will have 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 6:00 p.m. you will board the Aria. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, you will 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.

Day 2   Sunday    Amazonas River / Tahuayo River

Head out at sunrise for a bird watching session along the Amazonas River. After breakfast, embark on a skiff excursion from the Amazon River to one of its tributaries, Tahuayo. Learn about the region from your expert naturalist guides and go fishing for Amazonia’s notorious piranhas. As the sun sets, head out for an evening excursion in search of wildlife, capped off by a stargazing session.

Day 3   Monday    Clavero Lake / Ucayali River

Discover the magnificent black waters of Clavero Lake and pay a visit to the communities which live on its banks. Go kayaking, canoeing, or swimming before returning onboard for lunch. In the afternoon, head out for a short jungle walk in San Josede Paranapura forest, where you’ll be able to see the famous giant water lilies.

Day 4   Tuesday    Nauta Town / Village Visit / Birthplace of the Amazon

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and 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.

Day 5   Wednesday     Marañon River / Yanayuca Pucate River

Rise for an early morning bird watching session along the Marañon River and enjoy breakfast in the middle of the jungle. Next, visit an Amazonian village where you’ll be able to 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. Finally, board the skiffs again to cruise along Yanaquillo River for a dusk excursion in search of nocturnal animals.

Day 6   Thursday    Samiria River / Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

The rewards for today’s early start are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch orchestrated to the tune of the jungle symphony, fishing along the black waters of the Samiria River, and an option to go canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or on a jungle walk inside the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. On the way back to the Marañon River after lunch, venture out by skiff to search for pink river dolphins.

Day 7   Friday    Puerto Prado / Amazon River

As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the Pahuachiro River. After breakfast, visit Puerto Prado Village where there’ll be an opportunity to ride a bike all the way to Santa Cruz Village along the riverbank. You could also visit an experienced beekeeper in the community of San Francisco. In the afternoon, head out for a boat ride to the majestic Amazon River.

Day 8   Saturday    Nauta / Manatee Rescue Center / Airport

This morning, visit the local market with your guides, who will help you identify the daily Amazonian catch and the variety of fruits and vegetables. Later, return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, you will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, an orphanage and rehabilitation center for Amazonian manatees. You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or a boxed lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.