Amazon In-Depth: 7-Night Expedition Cruise - Aqua Nera

The ultimate Peruvian Amazon odyssey aboard a best-in-class river cruise ship.

SPECIAL OFFER

8.8*

ECO SCORE

40 PASSENGERS

8 DAYS

3/5

ACTIVITY LEVEL

The Amazon: Drink It In

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Aqua Nera

Experience the most luxurious and complete of Amazon journeys among the two tributaries that give the Amazon river its life. Discover the best that Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve has to offer, including its hidden lakes and lagoons, as well as amazing jungle trails. Kayak, canoe, and swim in the most pristine Amazon upriver waters, with several opportunities to spot the Amazon’s famous pink river dolphins. Return after your jungle walks to your five-star home on the Amazon featuring the inspiring cuisine of chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. You won’t want this trip to be over!

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SPECIAL OFFER:

Save up to 20%, $1,974 per person on select dates!

Rates:

From $8,960 per person

From Dec. - May, rivers and tributaries are at their fullest, allowing boats to explore flooded forests and reach areas inaccessible in the dry season. It’s ideal for birdwatching, spotting wildlife in trees, and exploring via skiffs or canoes. Rain showers are frequent but brief.

From June to Nov., the receding water levels expose trails for hiking and make it easier to spot land-dwelling wildlife. Caimans, turtles, and pink river dolphins are often seen in the shallower waters.

Inquire with your preferred dates.

Year-round departures;
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Departures:

Trip Sustainability Awards

Waste

Innovative closed-loop distribution system & waste separation implementation

Conservation

Rehabilitation of threatened paiche fish & taricaya turtle populations

Local Community

Local residents make up over 80% of employed staff

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Itinerary

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Day 1- Nauta / Embarkation / Marañon River

Arriving on a morning flight*, receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by our crew. Board our private transfer to our exclusive Nauta Lounge for a welcome lunch before embarkation.

Settle into your generously-sized suite aboard the Aqua Nera as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following an introduction to our naturalist guides and a routine safety drill, gather at the restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aqua Nera consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Amaz, is one of Peru’s most renowned dining establishments.

*Separate arrangements can be made for afternoon arrivals.

Day 2 - Yanayacu-Pucate River / Lisboa Town

Rise with the sun for an early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River. Later, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River and look out for Amazon’s legendary pink river dolphins. In the afternoon, visit an Amazonian village, where you can interact with native riberenos (people of the river) and visit local schoolchildren.

Day 3 - Samiria River / Nauta Caño River

Awake to a lush jungle sunrise and birdwatching along the Samiria River, enjoying breakfast in the middle of the lush jungle. Swimming and kayaking are some of the recommended activities at this part of the Reserve. In the evening, embark on a wildlife excursion on the blackwaters of Nauta Caño, and end the night with extraordinary stargazing.

Day 4 - Nauta Town / Village Visit / Birthplace Of The Amazon

In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish. In the afternoon, witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. By nightfall, you will meet the new passengers who signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.

Day 5 - Ucayali River / Yanallpa River / Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Boarding our skiffs, we start the day like Amazon River dwellers, cruising along the Ucayali and Yanallpa River. As farmers and fishermen go about their business, we search for pink river dolphins in these pristine waters. In the afternoon, explore a fascinating blackwater stream aboard skiffs, part of the vast Amazon flooded forest within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guides will regale you with tales and insights about the jungle as we explore what scientists call a "gallery forest" because of dense vegetation that creates a tunnel of leaves. As we explore this type of riparian vegetation, keep your eyes peeled for parrots, macaws, and fluffy monk saki monkeys.

Day 6 - Puinahua River / Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

This morning we will embark on a full-day excursion along the Pacaya tributary within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, observing and exploring the flooded forest of this vast region of the Peruvian Amazon. 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. After a picnic lunch, visit some of the most beautiful lakes in Pacaya Samiria and meet local guardians of the Reserve’s natural resources. On our return, behold the famous Ceiba tree, the tallest of its kind in the Amazon.

Day 7 - Ucayali River / Village Visit / Clavero Lake

Choose among jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming excursions on the blackwaters Yarapa or Clavero River. In the 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 a memorable experience aboard the Aqua Nera.

Day 8: San Jose Paranapura Town/ Arrive in Natua & Depart
Visit the quaint riverside town of San Jose de Paranapura en route to Nauta. Before saying goodbye, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a sanctuary for orphaned Amazonian manatees to rehabilitate before their release back into the wild.

Water Levels & Itineraries: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather conditions and time of year. River and tributary levels may vary, and thus navigation times and excursions may need to be modified at the captain’s discretion. All times indicated are approximate, and are also subject to change. At times embarkation and disembarkation points for guests may need to be modified. We will make every possible attempt to minimize disruption to travel plans. Aqua Expeditions will make every reasonable attempt to cover the cost of transferring guests to and from the original port of embarkation.

Activity Level: Guests should be in good physical health in order to be able to make the most of their cruise. Exploring the area involves the use of small, motorized skiffs and at times may include some wet landings. Daily excursions may include walking on irregular terrain and getting in and out of the skiffs occasionally requires some physical effort. Walking excursions may last up to one hour. Malaria and yellow fever vaccinations are not required for Peru bound travelers coming into the Amazon region, but are recommended.

Disclaimer: Entry requirements from the local governments in the destinations where we operate are continually changing and are impacting our ability to operate. In confirming your booking, you accept that Aqua Expeditions may be forced to change your departure date if operating is not possible due to restrictions imposed by the governing travel authorities in Peru, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia or as a result of too few bookings per departure to enable us to cover our operational costs. In this instance, refunds will not be provided, and the flexible booking conditions outlined will apply.

Aqua Nera

Setting a new standard for luxury river cruising on the Amazon, Aqua Nera draws design inspiration from the Peruvian Amazon’s mystical black water lagoons and bears the hallmarks of contemporary style and generous interiors that Aqua Expeditions cruise ships are known for. Aboard the Aqua Nera, award-winning architects Noor Design crafts every space to perfection. The vessel’s 20 spacious Design Suites convey a sense of Amazon tranquility, while the social spaces showcase refined elegance with a touch of drama. Tastefully woven into the design are accents and details from the rubber boom era and the colorful cultures of Portugal, Spain and Peru. The cruise features cuisine by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s finest chefs who is celebrated for creating refined cuisine from native Amazonian produce. Every day, expert naturalist guides conduct small-group excursions that reward guests with up-close wildlife encounters in the world’s most biodiverse rainforest.

• Capacity: 40 guests
• Cabins: 20 Design Suites, each 30 square meters / 322 square feet
• Crew & Specialists: 40 members, including a cruise director, paramedic and 4 English-speaking guides.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Travel & Leisure's "World's Best River Cruise Line" 2023 & 2024
3rd Place for Travel & Leisure's "World's Best Cruise Line" 2023
#5 River Ship in the 2020 Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards

"This passionate operator manages to offer a super luxe Amazon experience while being extremely dedicated to sustainable travel practices. If you've always wanted to see the Amazon yet are concerned about heat, insects, dining or any other potential hazards, the stunning, brand new Aqua Nera is an excellent choice for you."

Wild Nectar