Aria Amazon: 7-Night High Water Season

Arriving on a noon flight, guests receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by the crew. A private transfer then takes them to downtown Iquitos for a panoramic city tour and a welcome lunch. Following this, transfer to Nauta port for embarkation onto the Aria Amazon. Guests settle into their generously sized suites, beginning a grand adventure. The day concludes with an introduction to naturalist guides and a safety drill, before gathering for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences crafted by renowned consulting chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

The day commences with early morning birdwatching along the majestic Amazon River, offering an excellent opportunity to observe various species in their natural habitat. After breakfast, a skiff excursion along the Yanayacu Yacapana River, an Amazon tributary, will be undertaken in search of diverse wildlife including parrots, hawks, monkeys, and sloths. In the evening, another wildlife excursion is planned on the black waters of the Nauta Caño River. The night concludes with an extraordinary stargazing experience.

Today’s adventures begin near the main entrance of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, cruising along Yanayacu Pucate in comfortable private skiffs. Here, guests can fish for Amazonia’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while keeping an eye out for other exotic wildlife. A visit to an Amazon village provides an opportunity to interact with native “riberenos” (people of the river) and witness an Aguaje palm harvesting demonstration. Guests can also canoe and swim in the area’s enchanting black waters, while looking out for the legendary pink dolphins. After lunch, a jungle walk in Casual’s Forest will be undertaken to search for flora and fauna, including medicinal trees, insects, and poison dart frogs.

This morning, guests will visit the local fresh market with their guides, who can identify the day’s catch by Amazonian fishermen as well as the region’s exotic fruits. After breakfast, a short boat ride along the Marañón River will lead to an opportunity to visit a group of Amazonian artisans and learn the traditional art of weaving palm fibers. In the afternoon, a visit to a beekeeper in the community on San Francisco is planned before heading out on skiffs to witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere: the birthplace of the Amazon River. In the evening, new passengers joining for the four-night trip will be introduced as the journey along the Marañón River continues.

For those who wish, an early start allows for a wildlife search along the Ucayali River. Later, skiffs will head out in search of pink river dolphins, and guests will observe local farmers and fishermen going about their business. At dusk, a ride along the black waters of El Dorado River will be undertaken, searching for mysterious nocturnal wildlife. After dinner, guests will board the skiffs again to cruise along Dorado Lake for a search of nocturnal animals amidst a clear, star-filled sky.

The day begins with a hearty breakfast before heading out to explore the Zapote River on skiffs. This will be a full-day river safari, including a picnic lunch enjoyed under the Amazonian shade. Guests will walk in the floodplain forest and learn about the medicinal trees, insects, and frogs that inhabit the region. Later, the cruise will continue along the Ucayali River, offering stunning sunset views.

The day starts with a wildlife search along the Ucayali River. After breakfast, guests can choose to go fishing for piranhas, canoe, kayak, or swim in the black waters of Clavero Lake, or visit an Amazonian village. In the afternoon, the Yarapa River will be explored by skiff, in search of different kinds of wildlife. This evening, before dinner, guests will have the opportunity to meet the crewmembers working behind the scenes to ensure their exceptional experiences aboard the Aria Amazon.

In the morning, guests will take a guided visit to the local market in Nauta and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon. Return to Aria Amazon for breakfast before disembarkation. En route to the airport, a visit to the Manatee Rescue Center is included, where orphaned Amazonian manatees are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.