5 Day Aria Amazon Cruise

We will meet at Iquitos International Airport then journey together by air-conditioned vehicle through the Peruvian countryside to arrive at our Nauta Lounge in time for lunch, or we will serve a box lunch en route depending on the flight arrival time.  In the afternoon, we will set off on your first skiff excursion to visit the birthplace of the Amazon.  At 6:00pm, we will board the 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 our naturalist guides, we gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by our Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top ranked dining experiences.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (D)

Boarding our skiffs, we start the day like Amazon River dwellers, cruising along the Ucayali River.  As these farmers and fishermen go about their business, we search for pink river dolphins in these pristine waters.  Later in the day, we return to the skiffs, to ride along the black waters of the Pacaya River at dusk, searching for the mysterious wildlife that come out after dark and with extraordinary stargazing.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

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 jungle products to the port of Requena, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

Choose to go jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming on the black water Yarapa or Clavero River in the morning.  Come afternoon, take a short jungle walk in the San Jose flooded forest and see the unforgettable giant water lilies.  This evening before dinner, we will gather to introduce you to some of the crewmembers whom you may not have met, working “behind the scenes” to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the Aria Amazon.  Overnight aboard the ship.  (B,L,D)

This morning, we will 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.  Return to the Aria Amazon for breakfast and to pack up.  Before saying goodbye, we visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees to rescue, rehabilitate and release them back into the wild.  We will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport.  Lunch or box lunch is included, depending on the exact departure flight time, which can vary.  Other activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.  (B,L)