Plan Your Trip
This 5-day/4-night expedition on board the Aria Amazon riverboat allows you to explore this megadiverse region during its low-water season, which is when the rivers recede and beautiful sandy river beaches form. All of this opens up fabulous sites and amazing opportunities for viewing exotic plant and animal life, which you’ll discover when you go on guided wildlife safaris through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and visit both a local indigenous Amazonian village and the Manatee Rescue Center. During this season, you will find the wildlife more accessible, as they concentrate around the more limited amounts of water. However, though the waters are lower, you will still be able to go kayaking, canoeing and swimming, as well as sail the Pacaya, Ucayali and Tapiche rivers in search of Pink river dolphins. Discover all this and more on this unforgettable getaway designed for true adventures.
“I enjoyed the scenery and the exotic wildlife on the islands very much. The airport transfers in both directions went smoothly and the service on board was very good.”
10:00 am: Flight from Lima to Iquitos, Peru – In the Peruvian capital city of Lima, Surtrek representatives will assist you with checking in for your two-hour flight to the country’s northeastern city of Iquitos, a rustic outpost that offers explorers the most direct and accessible path to the heart of the Amazon.
12:00 pm: Arrival in Iquitos – At the Iquitos airport, representatives of the Aria Amazon riverboat operation will be waiting to welcome you and assist you with your luggage.
1:00 pm: Transfer to the Nauta Lounge – From the airport, you will be driven in an air-conditioned vehicle through the scenic Peruvian countryside for your first glimpse at Amazonian wildlife, ecosystems, and local villages, as well as riverside and jungle landscapes. Enjoy the 1-1/2-hour drive to the small village of Nauta. You will be traveling along the only road out of town, which only goes as far as Nauta.
1:30 pm: Lunch – You will most likely be served a box lunch en route to the Aria Amazon’s Nauta Lounge; however, if you arrive on an early morning flight, you’ll be able to have your lunch at the lounge itself, which is a designer facility possessing its own refreshment area, relaxing cushioned chairs and bathroom facilities.
3:00 pm: Marañon River Excursion – After reaching the lounge, we will set off on your first skiff excursion along the Marañon River. During this ride, you can listen to the many species of Peruvian birds as they call their mates through the leafy canopy, learn about the habitats essential to the livelihoods of the endangered Amazon river dolphins, taricaya turtles and manatee.
6:00 pm: Boarding the Aria Amazon – We will then board the Aria Amazon, a river cruise ship that was custom-built to explore the Peruvian Amazon and the famed Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in absolute comfort and luxury. You will note, however, that the riverboat makes a minimal impact on the delicate Amazon river and the rainforest environment.
Settle into your generously proportioned suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures.
6:30 pm: Routine safety drill and introduction to the ship’s naturalist guides – Before dinner, we will perform a routine safety drill. Then it’s into the air-conditioned lounge, where you will learn about life on board, and will have the first nightly briefing about your next day’s Amazon adventure. You will meet the Aria’s naturalist guides and your cruise director, who will use video, photos, and maps to introduce the details of your journey deep into the Peruvian Amazon.
7:30 pm: Welcome Dinner – Sit down, relax, sip fine South American wine, toast the beginning of a beautiful journey and enjoy the innovative Amazonian cuisine, created by the Aria’s Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top-ranked dining experiences. Schiaffino’s imaginative use of local products – fruit, fish, spices – makes every meal a delightful adventure. (The menu always offers choices, including a vegetarian option.).
8:30 pm: Free time to enjoy the ships ample number of amenities, which include a Jacuzzi, an indoor lounge and bar, and an outdoor observation deck. Perhaps sip a nightcap on the Upper Deck, under the stars, before retiring. Alternatively, you head to your cabin to relax and dream about the day ahead.
7:00 am: Breakfast – The Aria’s sumptuous daily breakfast buffet features a wide variety of dishes, plus Peruvian specialties and fresh fruit juices.
8:00 am: Ucayali River Exploration – This morning, board the skiffs to explore a fascinating Ucayali River, part of the vast Amazon flooded forest within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. As the local farmers and fishermen go about their business, we will search for Pink river dolphins in these pristine waters. Your guides will tell you about the jungle as we explore what scientists call a “gallery forest” because of its dense vegetation that creates a tunnel of leaves. As we explore this type of riparian vegetation, watch above for parrots, macaws, and fluffy monk saki monkeys. We will also have the opportunity to hike the Yanallpa Gorge, watching the forest and the animals that can be spotted along the way.
11:00 am: Return to Aria Amazon to relax
12:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm: Presentation – Lecture on the Amazon given by the naturalist guides.
2:00 pm: Pacaya River Exploration and Piranha Fishing – This afternoon, you will board a small but comfortable motorboat to explore the blackwater Pacaya river. Life jackets, ponchos, rubber boots, and fresh water are always available in these boats. As we troll along, the occasional fisherman will paddle past in their homemade canoes. Keep your binoculars ready to spot terns, tropical songbirds, black hawks, monkeys and sloths necks that share this enchanted place with us. After our arrival at a particular point, you may use your hooks to try to catch some of the ferocious piranhas of the Amazon. As you fish, trained naturalist guides will tell the story of the lake and its inhabitants.
4:30 pm: Return to Aria Amazon – Cold towels will be awaiting you back on board the Aria Amazon. As the ship continues down the Amazon River, before dinner you will have free time to rest, take a nap or marvel at the landscape passing by.
7:00 pm: Dinner: We will gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by the Aria’s Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top-ranked dining experiences.
8:00 pm: Star-gazing Activity – This evening’s focus is on the Aria’s hi-tech telescope, which you can use to peer into the night sky to identify planets and constellations in the clear Amazonian heavens.
9:00 pm: Free time and socializing until turning in for the night.
7:00 am: Picnic Breakfast – The rewards of our early start today are plentiful, including a breakfast picnic accompanied by a symphony of real-life jungle sounds.
8:30 am: Expedition Along the Pacaya River: This morning we continue our excursion along the Pacaya River, observing and exploring the flooded forest of this vast region of the Peruvian Amazon. You will sail among a wide variety of wildlife, birds including large parrots, macaws, herons and storks and many species of primates like the capuchin, howler and squirrel monkeys, who can be very funny.
We will have the opportunity to visit and fish in some of the most beautiful lakes in the protected reserve and to meet some of the friendly local people who take care of the reserve’s natural resources. Your nature guides will discuss the Aria’s involvement in the natural resource management of Amazonia.
12:00 pm: Picnic Lunch – We will have a picnic lunch en route, and as we return to the Aria, you will be able to see the famous Ceiba tree, the tallest in the Amazon.
1:30 pm: Return to Aria Amazon / Free time
2:30 pm: Exploring the Ucayali & Tapiche Rivers: During this skiff expedition, we’ll be keeping our eyes out for two different kinds of freshwater dolphins but especially the unusual pink dolphins found in the Ucayali & Tapiche rivers. We’ll also spot arboreal lizards, iguanas and look up to catch a glimpse of some of the area’s 200 bird species – not to mention banana boats transporting their jungle products to the port of Requena.
5:30 pm: Return to Aria Amazon / Free time
7:00 pm: Dinner: We will gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by the Aria’s Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top-ranked dining experiences.
8:00 pm: Free time to socialize and enjoy the ship’s facilities before turning in for the night.
7:00 am: Breakfast – Enjoy the Aria’s sumptuous daily breakfast buffet featuring a wide variety of dishes, including Peruvian specialties and fresh fruit juices.
8:00 am: Clavero Lake Exploration – This morning, you can go canoeing or kayaking in Yarapa or Clavero Lake. As we navigate these waters, you’ll see local villagers paddling in their traditional dugout canoes. You may wish to swim in one of these lake’s calm waters and visit the community to interact with Amazonia neighbors who will be pleased to welcome you.
11:00 am: Return to Aria Amazon. From this point, start sailing downstream toward Iquitos.
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: San Jose Flooded Forest Hiking: This afternoon, we will disembark for a short jungle walk in the San Jose flooded forest and observe unforgettable giant water lilies.
4:30 pm: Return to Aria Amazon / Free time
6:30 pm: Meet in the lounge with the Aria’s naturalist guides for the Crew Presentation: This evening, the guides will introduce some of the crew members who you may not have already met. These are the people who work “behind the scenes” to ensure that your memorable trip is filled with countless exceptional experiences.
7:00 pm: Farewell Dinner
8:00 pm: Free time to socialize and enjoy the ship’s facilities before turning in for the night.
6:00 am: Fish Market Excursion – This morning, we will visit the local fresh market with your guides who can identify the day’s catch by the fishermen of Amazon and the region’s exotic fruits.
7:00 am: Breakfast & Packing Up – Return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up.
9:00 am – Manatee Rescue Center Excursion – 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.
10:30 am: Handicraft Market Excursion – We will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport.
12:00 pm: Lunch or box lunch – Lunch or a box lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary.
1:30 pm: Departure – You will be driven to the Iquitos airport, where you will have plenty of time to check in and relax before your departing flight home or onward. Guides will help with check in at the airport and stay with you until you board your flight back to Lima. At this time, Aria and Surtrek representatives will undoubtedly wish you a fond farewell …until the next time you visit South America.
NOTE: Other local activities may be included as well, depending on the Aria’s recommended flight schedule.
| Room | First Deck | Second Deck |
| 5 Days | US$ 5,400 PP | US$ 5,600 PP |
Included in these all-inclusive cruise rates are:
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“My wife and I just completed a 5-day tour around the Cotopaxi volcano and the stunning Quilotoa loop – overall an excellent trip and wonderful experience.”
