Explore the majesty and mystery of the Amazon on this small-ship, luxury cruise through one of the most biologically fascinating regions on the planet. Join our expert guides as they introduce you to the colorful wildlife, intriguing cultural practices, and exquisite jungles found along the Amazon River. This all-inclusive South American vacation package offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation as days are filled with hiking amidst monkeys and boating beside crocodiles, while evenings are ornamented with exquisite dining, refreshing cocktails, and an unforgettable display of stars. Discover remarkable medicinal plants and learn how the Amazonian people make use of over 2000-types of fruit before returning to your floating five-star hotel to relax and reminisce these unforgettable adventures to the background sounds of an ecosystem teeming with life. Discover the wildlife-rich rainforests, hidden waterways, and small, riverside villages of the Peruvian Amazon in the most intimate, impressive way possible: by upscale private riverboat. This custom voyage exploring one of the world’s greatest river systems is guaranteed to delight, inspire and rejuvenate, sending you home with a splendid collection of photos, knowledge, and memories to last a lifetime.
Take in a chorus of exotic birdsong and monkey calls from the observation deck of the M/V Aria Amazon, your home for your five-day Amazon adventure
Float the Ucayali River on the lookout for three-toed sloths, orioles, iguanas, and horned screamers
Explore the Pacaya River by skiff, watching and listening for capuchin, saki, and howler monkeys leaping between the trees
Fish for black, white, and red-bellied piranha, considered a good food source by the locals
Savor a five-star Peruvian dinner and soak up the star-studded beauty of an Amazonian night before retiring to the comfort of your oversized suite
*Note that this trip highlights our high water (November-May) itinerary. Please inquire for details regarding our low water (June-October) itinerary.
A few more reasons why you've gotta go:
01
The wilderness: The Amazon is home to many different exotic animals, such as pink and gray dolphins, iguanas, monkeys, and much more. This cruise offers prime opportunities to see most, if not all, of these amazing creatures!
02
Cultural wonders: Learn how locals make life work in this challenging environment as you explore villages, markets and subsistence farming practices along the Amazon.
03
Amazonian nights: At night, the Amazon changes into a whole new world. Once the sun goes down, a nighttime safari experience awaits as you use your flashlight to spot owls, fish, bats and caimans.
After arriving at Iquitos International Airport, you will be met and shuttled through the Peruvian countryside to the small village of Nauta (1.5 hours). In the afternoon, we will set off on our first skiff excursion to visit the birthplace of the Amazon. Board the Aria Amazon, your upscale river cruise boat, and home for the next four nights. Take a tour of your vessel as your experienced crew helps you settle into your cabin. Set sail as dusk falls, enjoying a local Pisco Sour, made from a Peruvian grape brandy. Before dinner, everyone onboard will perform a routine safety drill, and then enjoy a brief orientation, learning about the wildlife you will see in the days to come, as well as the history and geography of the Amazon basin. Dinner is a feast of traditional Amazonian/ Peruvian cuisine, created by Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Before bed, kick back on the observation deck under a star-lit Amazonian sky.
About the M/V Aria Amazon
The 147-foot-long, Aria Amazon is the first true luxury cruise ship on the northern Amazon River in Peru and was custom built for Aqua Expeditions by Peruvian architect Jordi Puig in 2011 to offer an extraordinary level of comfort for their guests.
The Aria Amazon can accommodate a maximum of 32 cruise ship guests plus crew. This luxury cruise ship is the perfect size to sail along the Amazon River, providing an extremely comfortable lounge, dining, and sleeping accommodations, and modern navigation technologies and standards for cruise ship travel and safety on the water.
The Aria Amazon’s sixteen oversized cruise ship suites feature en suite sitting areas and generous outward-facing picture windows with panoramic Amazon River views. Each of the handsomely decorated, air-conditioned cruise ship suites measure 250 square feet. Four of these suites can be interconnected, to cater to families.
This morning we will board the skiffs to cruise the Yanallpa River, an amazing black water stream part of the vast Amazon flooded forest. As we explore what scientists call a “gallery forest” because of its narrow vegetation creating a tunnel of leaves, keep your eyes open for parrots, macaws, and fluffy monk saki monkeys. Disembark to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest on the lookout for dozens of enchanting parrots, blue-yellow macaws, and a great variety of primates and sloths. Later, we board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife and extraordinary stargazing.
The rewards of our early start today are plentiful, including a breakfast picnic accompanied by jungle symphony and fishing along the black waters of the Pacaya River. After lunch, we 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. Focus our hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.
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, we will 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.
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 your vessel for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we will make one last truly memorable stop at the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees. We will also visit the San Juan craft market en route to the airport.
* This trip is run in partnership with Aqua Expeditions and is based on travel from December through May. Please call Austin Adventures for an itinerary that runs June through November.
** Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather, and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures and Aqua Expeditions.
Meals Included
B, L
Overnight
No overnight
Departure Dates
Please fill out our Custom Adventure Inquiry form and an adventure travel consultant will be in touch.
An Austin Adventures representative will meet you upon arrival at the Iquitos International Airport in the baggage claim area and transportation to Nauta will be provided (1.5-hour transfer by private vehicle). Nauta is where you board the M/V Aqua. On Day 5 you will be transferred from Nauta to the Iquitos International Airport arriving at 4:30 pm for your 5:50 pm departure to Lima. Your guides will help you check-in and will stay with you until you board your flight back to Lima. Departure tax at the airport can be paid in either US dollars or local currency. Payment is made after check-in and before entering the gate area. Departure taxes cost US$ 6.05 (Lima) and US$ 4.50 (Iquitos) or the equivalent in Soles (domestic flights) or US$ 30.25 or the equivalent in Soles (international flights). Amounts are approximate and subject to change.
Activities
Hiking – 1 to 3-mile jungle hikes (easy).
Boating – Guided skiff cruises through the jungle, look for wildlife.
Fishing – Equipment, and instruction provided.
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments, and receptions as indicated by itinerary are included. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire, and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
What's Included
Included in Trip Price
Double occupancy, air-conditioned suite with panoramic windows and private bath.
All meals while onboard the M/V Aqua.
Fully trained, bilingual, professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Any necessary equipment all safe and well maintained.
All excursions.
Transfer to/from vessel when arriving on recommended flights.
Beverages (non-alcoholic, wine, and beer).
Austin Adventures T-shirt and luggage tags.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Pacaya Samiria entrance fee.
Not Included in Trip Price
Guide & crew gratuities.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air tickets to and from Iquitos, Peru.
All types of personal insurance.
Boutique purchases and personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
Amazon Cruise Expert
Carol Austin
Want to know how to fully experience the depth of beauty and culture in a place? Ask Carol Austin. A Montana native who treasures the land and people in her own backyard—be it Yellowstone, the Beartooths, or the family around her dinner table—Carol knows how to embrace any destination she explores, a feat at 40+ countries and counting. And with more than 20 years in the travel industry, she’s really good at helping guests plan—and fully enjoy—their adventure vacation, too. She co-founded Austin Adventures with her husband, Dan Austin.
