Aria

5 Day Peruvian Amazon Cruise (Low Water Season)

The Aria is a brand new, custom designed, 3 deck, luxury yacht, launched in April 2010. She offers the highest standards in modern, small ship cruising, ensuring that you travel in absolute style along the dazzling Amazon river. The vessel is air conditioned throughout, with just 16 stunning suites guaranteeing intimacy and exclusivity. Enjoy gourmet Peruvian cuisine on board and a stunning observation deck from where you can admire the incredible scenery.

Info

Embark

Details to be provided upon confirmation. Please check with our agents for details of the best flights to catch in and out of Iquitos.

Day 1: Nauta - Marañón River

Arrive in Iquitos and enjoy a scenic transfer to the river, where the Aria will be waiting for you. Settle into your cabin and explore the impressive amenities as the ship sets sail and your adventure begins! This evening there will be a safety briefing on board, followed by a welcome dinner. Later, enjoy a nightcap on the observation deck, under the stars, before retiring to bed.

Day 2: Marañón River - Choroyacu - Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Board the skiffs this morning, after an early breakfast on board, and explore the vast Amazon flooded forest. Learn about the the rainforest and the gallery forest, so called on account of its narrow vegetation, which creates the illusion of a tunnel of leaves. Float through the tunnel and look out for macaws, parrots and fluffy monk saki monkeys. Return to the Aria in time for lunch and a siesta. This afternoon there is a jungle walk and a visit to a typical village, where you will meet the native people and learn about how they cultivate wild plants and trees in order to earn a living. Your adventure takes you deep into the forest, where you will see fruit trees and medicinal plants hidden in the jungle. Return to the vessel and get ready for your evening dinner.

Day 3: Tacsha River - Pacaya Samiria - San Martin de Tipishca

Start your day with an early breakfast. You will have two choices on how you wish to spend your day today. You may opt for a full day excursion to Primary forest with a picnic lunch. This begins with a skiff journey into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, along Samiria River. You will have the opportunity to see various species of monkey and birds. Arrive at the PV2 Tacsha watchpost and follow a path that leads deep into the rainforest. There will be a delicious picnic lunch before beginning your journey back to the Aria. Your second option today is a guided jungle walk, followed by a siesta and then a monkey and dolphin expedition. In the morning your naturalist guide will tell you about sustainable resource management projects in Amazonia, during which you will actually visit a local project, where the villagers plant palms to obtain oil. You may also be able to see the artificial nests created on the sand to protect turtle eggs. You will journey deep into the jungle to encounter wildlife and learn about the important medicinal value of the jungle plants. You will see the famous Kapok trees, which are the tallest trees in the Amazon Basin. Return to the Aria for lunch and a siesta before heading out again late this afternoon. Your afternoon involves a Caiman expedition, where you will journey by skiff, whilst observing the jungle canopy, where you may spot primates, including up to 13 species of monkeys. You may even catch a glimpse of tamarins and dusky titi monkeys, as well as pigmy marmoset monkeys. Watch out for the alligators and have your binoculars ready to spot up to 200 species of birds! As the sun sets the search lights will come on and this will be the ideal time to spot caimans, tree boas, tarantulas and frogs! Return to the Aria in time for dinner.

Day 4: Yanayacu Pucate - Tahuayo - Charo Lake

As the sun rises you will join the Yanayacu Pucate Exploration tour, where you will see the abundant wildlife, including parrots, macaws, toucans and a variety of monkeys. A "takeaway" breakfast will be served to you on the skiffs, including light sandwiches and juice. There will be a stop near a dolphin feeding spot, where you will be treated to quite a show! Return to the Aria late morning and enjoy a gentle sail down the river towards Iquitos, as you have lunch on board. This afternoon there is an excursion along the Tahuayo River, with fishing on Lake Charro. This evening you will board a launch boat and navigate from the Amazon River through the Huaysi Canal where you can explore the dark and mysterious waters of the Tahuayo River. Observe fishermen paddling in their canoes and have your binoculars ready to spot the wildlife, including sloths, sparrows, hawks and monkeys. Upon arrival at Lake Charro you will be able to use the fishing gear to fish for piranhas and other species. Your dedicated nature guides will tell you about the history of the lake and its interesting residents. Return to the Aria and continue downstream towards Iquitos. There will be a briefing in the lounge, including a recap of your cruise itinerary and a chance to reminisce about all that you have experienced over the past four days! Leave the peace and natural beauty of the jungle behind you as you enjoy your final dinner on board, exchanging stories about your wonderful experiences on the river. After dinner there will be a crew presentation and your guides will introduce some of the crew members that you have not yet met. Retire to your cabin for your final night on board.

Day 5: Iquitos

Enjoy your final breakfast on board before a short excursion, river levels, weather conditions and time permitting. This will be your last opportunity to see how people live along the Amazon, as you float along in the skiffs through the lively riverside community of Belen. The shops and houses here actually float on the river during some months of the year and you will see the bustling food market which serves the entire Peruvian Amazon. All local people will buy and sell here. Return to the Aria mid morning, finish packing and have a light lunch. Disembark the ship after lunch and spend the afternoon in the remote city of Iquitos. There will also be a visit to the Manatee Rescue Centre, where biologists and volunteers care for endangered Amazon manatees. Biologists will give a presentation about this project and how it is helping the endangered mammals, preparing the manatees for reintroduction into their natural habitat. There will be a final stop at the San Juan Amazonian Indian Market for a last chance to buy some souvenirs, such as local crafts. Transfer to Iquitos airport for your flight back to Lima, depending upon your travel arrangements.

Disembark

Details to be provided upon confirmation. Please check with our agents for details of the best flights to catch in and out of Iquitos.

Includes

4 nights' accommodation on board the Aria
All meals on board
All excursions as highlighted in itinerary
Beverages, including soft drinks, wine and beer
Transfers from the airport to the ship, when arriving on recommended flights (please speak to our agents for more details)
Pacaya Samiria entrance fee