At a Glance
Experience the ultimate Amazon odyssey with eight days on board the 5-star Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera) cruise ship. This all-encompassing itinerary explores the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in depth including hidden lakes, lagoons and jungle trails, brimming with exotic wildlife.
Departing during high water season (November to May) from Iquitos, Peru, set sail on the luxurious Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera) cruise ship to explore the magnificent Amazon River and rainforest. Known as Mother Nature’s Cradle of Life, the Amazon River and rainforest is largest and most biodiverse in the world, covering 40% of South America and hosting at least 40,000 plant species, 427 mammals and a whooping 1,300 birds, 20% of all bird species. Cruise the two tributaries, Marañon and Ucayali, that give the Amazon River its life. Canoe, kayak ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All meals while on board
- Premium selected wines and beer, non-alcoholic drink
- Twice-daily excursions with knowledgeable local guides
- 7 nights’ on board the luxury Aria Amazon cruise ship in a luxurious 250 square feet design suite on a twin share basis (upgrade to a 500 square feet interconnecting suite at an extra cost)
- Group transfers to and from the airport when arriving/departing on recommended flights
- Pacaya Samiria entrance fee
Itinerary
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With pick up included from Iquitos International Airport, enjoy a delicious box lunch or lunch at a local restaurant if time allows. Head into Iquitos where you will receive an introduction to this historic city and have the opportunity to meet an indigenous Amazon community. At 5:00pm, the crew warmly welcome you aboard the Aria Amazon to discover the magic of the Amazon, the largest and most biodiverse rainforest and river system on Earth. Settle into your luxurious suite and take time to explore your home away from home. Rest and relax in the indoor and outdoor lounges. Mingle with other guests in the Alfresco dining area. Splash around in the jacuzzi or laze on the lounge chairs. Pamper yourself with a soothing massage in the onboard massage room. Or, simply look out over the rainforest and admire the way the trees reflect in the black water of the river. Once you are settled, gather in the dining room for an innovative Amazonian feast courtesy of the onboard chef. |
Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera)
Lunch, Dinner |
Aboard the Aria Amazon’s comfortable skiffs, set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Keep your binoculars ready to spot tropical birds, black collared hawks and sloths. Go fishing for Amazonia’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while your local guides share stories of the picturesque Lake Moringo. As the sun sets, venture out on an evening wildlife excursion and listen as the trees come alive with nocturnal animals. Even if don’t spot anything, the stars are guaranteed to be out in force, shining all the brighter above the ink black waters of Nauta Caño. In the evening, enjoy relaxed communal style dining courtesy of the onboard chef. |
Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Rise with the sun for an early morning cruise along the Marañon River. Running through deep, rugged canyon nestled between jaw dropping Andean peaks, the Marañon River has a growing reputation as the “Grand Canyon of South America”. Float past pristine beaches and keep an eye out for enigmatic birds such as the Marvellous Spatuletail, the Peruvian Plantcutter and, if you’re lucky, the mythical Long Whiskered Owlet. After breakfast, step onto dry land into Casual Forest, which is protected by members of the Casual community, a group of people whom live along the Marañon River. This Forest is full of surprises and it is not uncommon to see dart frogs, tarantulas, red-bellied boa and even anaconda! Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River, home to legendary pink river dolphins. In the evening, enjoy relaxed communal style dining courtesy of the onboard chef and make use of the Aria Amazon’s high-tech telescope to identity planets and constellations in one of the world’s darkest skies. |
Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Start your day with a visit to the local fresh market with your guides, whom will help you to sample daily specials and exotic fruits including camu camu, maracuya and acai. In the afternoon, witness one of the Southern Hemisphere’s great spectacles: the Birthplace of the Amazon. Head out on skiffs to explore the area where you will find giant water lily pads that can grow up to 46 centimetres in diameter and support up to 136 kilograms of weight. These plants have white flowers that only bloom at night and give off an aromatic butterscotch and pineapple scent. In the evening, head back to the ship and meet new guests that have signed on for the four-night trip. Together, enjoy relaxed communal style dining courtesy of the onboard chef. |
Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
By skiff, explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River and keep an eye out for macaws of all colours nesting in the fallen palms. After breakfast, venture into a varzea, a jungle that floods for a few months every year, and marvel at the plants and animals that call this unique ecosystem home. At dusk, board skiffs again to cruise along the Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife. Monkeys are not uncommon in this area, but the real attraction is the mighty caiman, a species of crocodile that can grow up to four metres (13 feet) long and weigh up to 400 kilograms (880 pounds)! In the evening, head back to the ship and enjoy relaxed communal style dining courtesy of the onboard chef. |
Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Mix up your routine with a breakfast picnic on the banks of the Pacaya River before a full day of excursion by skiff along the river. Listen to the jungle symphony as you eat before trying your hand at fishing in the inky waters. In the afternoon, venture out on skiffs on the Ucayali River, the headwater of the Amazon. Cruise alongside banana boats transporting their jungle products to the small river ports of Requena, Contamana and Pucallpa. As usual, keep an eye out for local wildlife including more pink river dolphins, giant otter and Amazonian manatee. In the evening, head back to the ship and enjoy relaxed communal style dining courtesy of the onboard chef. |
Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Choose to go jungle trekking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming on the black water Yarapa or Clavero River this morning. In the afternoon, visit a remote Amazonia village and get a glimpse into life and culture that has remained unchanged for decades. This evening, before dinner, gather in the dining room to meet crew members whom you may not have met, working “behind the scenes” to ensure your exceptional experience on board the Aria Amazon. |
Aria Amazon (or Aqua Nera)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
At first light, visit the Bellavista Nanay market along the Nanay River to sample exotic snacks such as “suri”, Amazonian caterpillars that are considered a local delicacy. Return to the Aria Amazon for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, make one last memorable stop at the Manatee Rescue Centre, where you will have the opportunity to feed more than 40 orphaned baby manatees who have been affected by hunting and habitat destruction. En route to the airport, visit the San Juan craft market and enjoy lunch or box lunch depending on your flight time. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
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Dates & Prices
The price is based on suites located on the First Deck. Upgrade to the suites located on the Second Deck is available at an additional cost. Please contact us for available suites and prices.
To book one of the four sets of interconnecting suites, please contact us.
Please contact us for group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request and additional charges apply. Promo prices are only applicable to certain selected cabins and subject to availability at time of booking. Normal price shall apply if the promo cabins are sold out. The price is based on cabins located on the First Deck.
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Iquitos, Peru.
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Iquitos. The closest major airport to Iquitos, Peru is Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport and is 10 km from the center of Iquitos. Fly direct from Cusco to Iquitos where direct flights sync up with all Aqua Nera itineraries.
A perfectly balanced rainforest ecosystem has both sunshine and rainfall, and the Amazon is no exception. The Peruvian Amazon receives a healthy 12 feet (3.6 meters) a year on average and experiences 250 rainy days.
The good news: It rarely rains for more than an hour or two. Rain most often falls in passing cloudbursts, in line with the microclimate weather behaviour of the Amazon ecosystem.
Aqua Expeditions taps on the collective experience of our crew and guides in the Amazon to create an itinerary that ‘works with the weather’, for instance conducting excursions at times when rain is less probable.
Our local naturalist guides are also adept at sensing the weather before it changes. Guests receive sturdy ponchos in the event of inclement weather, so they can stay extremely comfortable and focus on the astonishing Amazon jungle scenery and wildlife.
This itinerary runs in during the high-water season from November to May. At this time the average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), 12 degrees F (6-7 deg C) cooler than in the dry season. Although the water levels swell significantly, the increase in rainfall is relatively less drastic: 20-25% higher than that of the low water season. For example, an hour’s rain may last about 15 minutes longer.
- 16 luxurious 250 sq. ft (23.2 sq. m) Design Suites, two pairs of interconnecting suites at 500 sq. ft (46.4 sq. m), inclusive of ensuite bathrooms
- Deluxe ensuite bathrooms with spacious walk-in shower
- Equipped with pampering organic natural hair and bath amenities
- Premium California-King-sized beds, twin bed configuration available
- Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows for all suites
- Lounge area with daybed
- Large closets with chest of drawers and electronic safe
- Intercom system
- Professional hairdryer
- All suites are air-conditioned
- Eight out of our 16 individual Design Suites can be combined into two pairs of interconnecting suites via a sliding door
- Each interconnecting suite can accommodate up to six guests, subject to cruise ship capacity.
- For the ultimate romantic cruise, interconnecting suites offer the luxury of having one suite configured as a living room, while the other as the master bedroom with our sumptuous California King bed. Enjoy his-and-hers baths and the magnificent grandeur of a 500 square foot (46.4 sq m) residence on the Aria Amazon.
- Dining Room: enjoy the most exquisite Peruvian rainforest-to-table cuisine from the Aria Amazon galley by consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, with a view to match
- Observation Deck: for leisurely wildlife watching under the vast open Amazon sky. Ideal place to snap winning photograph!
- Outdoor Lounge: perfect place to drift away on an afternoon siesta amid the sounds of the rainforest complete lounge beds and chairs.
- Indoor Lounge: Air-conditioned with plenty of natural light, plush deep sofas, soothing hardwood decor and a well-stocked bar as a centerpiece, this is arguably one of the best spots in Peru to sip on a pisco sour.
- Outdoor jacuzzi: Cool off and relax in the river-facing jacuzzi.
- Massage Room: The best way to pamper yourself after a day’s adventure is a soothing massage by an experience on board therapist.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
