Expedition Cruise - High Water Season

Day 1: Iquitos - Amazon River

We will meet at Iquitos International Airport then enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant or we will serve a box lunch en route, depending on the flight arrival time. The afternoon continues with an introduction to this historic city and the opportunity to meet an indigenous Amazon community. 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.

Day 2: Amazon River - Yarapa River - Nauta Cano

Aboard our comfortable skiffs, we set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Keep your binoculars ready to spot tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloths. We’ll go fishing for Amazonia’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while our naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo. As the sun sets, we head off on an evening’s wildlife excursion with extraordinary stargazing on the black waters of Nauta Caño.

Day 3: Maranon Creek - Casual Jungle Walk - Yanayacu-Pucate River

Rise with the sun for an early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River. After breakfast, we will take a jungle walk on the firm soil forest “Casual,” while looking for flora and fauna which include medicinal trees, insects, and poison dart frogs, and learning more about the different rainforest stratas. Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River as we look for legendary pink river dolphins. Focus our hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

Day 4: Nauta Town - Village Visit - Birthplace of the Amazon

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. In the afternoon, we witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. Tonight you will meet the new passengers who have signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.

Day 5: Yanallpa River - Dorado River

By skiff, we explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River, disembarking to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest. Later, we board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife.

Day 6: Pacaya River - Ucayali River - Tapiche River

The rewards of our early start today are plentiful, including a full day excursion by skiff along the Pacaya River, going deeper into pristine landscape shared with great egret, capuchin monkeys and taricaya turtles. After lunch, we will have a paiche fishing demonstration, the second largest river fish in the world. Later, 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.

Day 7: Clavero or Yarapa River - Amazon River

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.

Day 8: Arrival in Iquitos - Manatee Rescue Centre - Transfer to the Airport

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 the ARIA 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 San Juan craft market on route to the airport.

• On-board accommodation
• All meals during the cruise
• Activities/shore excursions as specified
• Selected alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages 
• Transfers 

• International and internal airfares 
• Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable 
• Travel insurance 
• Gratuities 
• Any items not mentioned as included 

• Changes and adjustments for both seasons may also occur due to weather conditions, river conditions, and/or airline issues
• Recommended clothing - light and fresh pieces, blouses, long-sleeved shirts, swimwear, shoes with soft rubber sole for the boat (rubber boots and rain ponchos are provided by us), cardigan or long-sleeved shirts, wind resistant jackets. The days are hot and humid while the night breeze is fresh.
• Insects & Mosquitoes - we recommend taking Vitamin B or B-15 a few days before arrival to the jungle. These vitamins are the best natural repellent against insect bites. As well, do not forget to bring conventional repellent and cream for bites.
• Other items - we suggest bringing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars (very important for enjoying the fauna and flora. Preferably 1 per person), camera, and extra batteries
• Schedule of activities is subject to change due to weather and river conditions. Please consult with your naturalist guide to discuss any last minute changes or questions.