Amazon Cruising
The Amazon rainforest houses the world’s largest and most diverse collection of plant and animal life. It is home to more than one-third of all recorded animal species in the world, including 20% of all known bird species. Guests can choose from a range of 3-night, 4-night and 7-night river cruises aboard either the Aria Amazon or the Aqua Nera – both luxurious vessels custom built to explore the Peruvian Amazon with minimal impact to the delicate Amazon river and rainforest environment.
The guides on board are all experienced naturalists with a keen eye and decades of experience, capable of navigate challenging terrain, interpreting the environment and helping guests to spot wildlife in an environment which has evolved to conceal them. As well as benefitting from your guide’s immense knowledge as you spot all manner of flora and fauna, you can choose to go piranha fishing, trek into the dense jungle in search of monkeys and sloths, watch pink dolphins at play in the water, visit remote communities and hone your photography skills.
Aqua Expeditions are a superior and responsible operator who showcase the very best of the secretive Amazon Rainforest.
You will love
- Unusually low guest to guide ration
- Specialist Naturalist guides
- Small group numbers for closer wildlife encounters
- The remote and secretive Amazon
- Luxurious, custom-built vessels
5 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
PLEASE NOTE
This is an example 4-night/5-day itinerary only. Aqua Expeditions offer a range of 3-night, 4-night and 7-night river cruise – please enquire.
DAY 1 | IQUITOS / NAUTA / EMBARKATION
On arrival receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by the Aqua Expeditions crew. Board a private transfer to downtown Iquitos for a city tour and welcome lunch. Next, we head to Nauta port to board Aqua Nera.
Settle into your generously sized suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following an introduction from our naturalist guides and a routine safety drill, gather at the restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aqua Nera’s renowned consulting chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
DAY 2 | MARAÑON RIVER / YANAYACU PUCATE RIVER
Rise with the sun for an early morning birdwatching 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 interact with native riberenos and 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 | SAMIRIA RIVER
The rewards for an 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, we venture out by skiff keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.
DAY 4 | NAUTA CAÑO RIVER / JUNGLE WALK
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. Before dinner, meet the incredible crew who’ve been working behind the scenes to ensure your exceptional experience aboard Aqua Nera.
DAY 5 | ARRIVAL IN IQUITOS / MANATEE RESCUE CENTER / TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
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.
Return to the Aqua Nera for breakfast before disembarkation. En route to the airport, visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where orphaned Amazonian manatees rehabilitate before they are released back into the wild.
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