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Aria Amazon

The Aria Amazon is a custom-built river cruise ship made to explore the wonders of the Peruvian Amazon whilst experiencing absolute comfort and luxury. With minimal environmental impact as part of the design, the Aria Amazon is an eco-friendly way to explore this special part of the world. The ship features 16 spacious suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing you to have a full view of the Amazon’s majestic rivers and rainforests. With common areas that include a jacuzzi, indoor lounge and bar and an outdoor conservation deck, this floating boutique accommodation option is a must. Peruvian cuisine is well represented on board with one of Peru’s most accomplished chefs- Pedro Miguel Schiaffino creating the comprehensive dining menu.

Day 1 Iquitos / Amazon River

Overview:

Be met at Iquitos International Airport before enjoying lunch together at a local restaurant or you will be served a box lunch en 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 6:00pm you will board the magnificent 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 your naturalist guides, gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by the Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top ranked dining experiences.

Day 2 Amazon River, Yarapa River, Nauta Caño

Aboard Aria Amazon’s comfortable skiffs, set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Keep your binoculars ready to spot tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloths. Go fishing for Amazonia’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while the naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo. As the sun sets, head off on an evening’s wildlife excursion with extraordinary stargazing on the black waters of Nauta Caño.

Day 3 Amazon River – Marañon River, Jungle Walk, Yanayacu-Pucate River

Rise with the sun for an early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River. After breakfast, take a jungle walk on the firm soil forest while looking for flora and fauna which include medicinal trees, insects, and poison dart frogs, and learning more about the different rainforest stratas. Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River as you look for legendary pink river dolphins. Focus the ships hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

Day 4 Amazon River – Nauta Town, Village Visit, Birthplace of the Amazon

This morning, 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, 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 you start your journey together along the Marañon River.

Day 5 Amazon River – Yanallpa River, Dorado River

By skiff, explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River, disembarking to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest. Later, board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife.

Day 6 Amazon River – Pacaya River, Ucayali River, Tapiche River

The rewards of your 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, have a paiche fishing demonstration, the second largest river fish in the world. Later, 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.

Day 7 Amazon River – Clavero or Yarapa 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, 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.

Day 8 Arrival in Iquitos, Manatee Rescue Centre

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, make one last truly memorable stop at the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees. You will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport.