ITINERARY HIGH WATER

November- May

DAY 1 – FRIDAY: 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 6:00 pm 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 – SATURDAY: AMAZON RIVER – YARAPA RIVER – NAUTA CAÑO

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 – SUNDAY: MARAÑON CREEK – SUSPENDED BRIDGES YANAYACU-PUCATE RIVER

Rise with the sun to explore a ‘lost river’ along the Marañon River. After breakfast, we will take a jungle walk across suspended bridges deep into the high amazon rainforest. 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 – MONDAY: 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 – TUESDAY: 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 – WEDNESDAY: PACAYA RIVER – UCAYALI RIVER – TAPICHE RIVER

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 their jungle products to the port of Requena, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

DAY 7 – THURSDAY: 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 crewmembers whom you may not have met, working «behind the scenes» to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the aria amazon.

DAY 8 – FRIDAY: ARRIVAL IN IQUITOS – MANATEE RESCUE CENTER – 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. Lunch or box lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

ITINERARY LOW WATER

June – October

DAY 1 – FRIDAY: IQUITOS – NAUTA – EMBARKATION – MARAÑON RIVER

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 along the Marañon River.  At 6:00 pm, 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 – SATURDAY: YANAYACU PUCATE RIVER – MARAÑON RIVER

We commence today’s adventures near the main entrance of Pacaya Samiria national reserve, cruising along Yanayacu Pucate in the comfort of our state-of-the-art skiffs. Kayak, canoe and swim in these unspoiled black waters, keeping eyes peeled for the amazon’s legendary pink dolphins. In the afternoon, we will visit a remote village along the Marañon River to learn about traditional customs. Focus our hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

DAY 3 – SUNDAY: SAMIRIA RIVER – NAUTA CAÑO OR PNA (AMAZONIAN NATURAL PARK)

We set off by skiffs for an excursion along the Samiria River with optional fishing. Listen carefully to our after lunch flora and fauna lecture, then venture out for a singularly thrilling jungle walk across suspended bridges deep into the high amazon rainforest. On our return in the evening, enjoy the jungle symphony and extraordinary stargazing on local boats along the “enchanted lake”.

DAY 4 – MONDAY: 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, together we will 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 – TUESDAY: UCAYALI RIVER – PACAYA RIVER

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 comes out after dark.

DAY 6 – WEDNESDAY: PACAYA RIVER – UCAYALI RIVER – TAPICHE RIVER

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.

DAY 7 – THURSDAY: CLAVERO LAKE – SAN JOSE FLOODED FOREST

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.

DAY 8 – FRIDAY: ARRIVAL IN NAUTA – MANATEE RESCUE CENTER – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

We will visit the town of Nauta, founded in 1930. Today, villagers from around Amazonia gather here to sell the products they harvest in their rural communities. Together we will walk around Nauta to gain insights into the daily life of these remotes people. Return to the Aria for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we will 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 will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.  All times indicated are approximate, and are also subject to change.

the weather in Iquitos is warm and humid and the temperature varies between 33 °c (90 °f) and 21 °c (70 °f). The rainy (high water) season is from November to may. The dry (low water) season is from june to october. Each season boasts dramatic difference in plants, animals, and weather.

light and fresh pieces, blouses, long-sleeved shirts, swimwear, shoes with a 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.

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. Note: please note that changes and adjustments in the itinerary may occur due to weather conditions, river conditions, and/or airline issues. We suggest that you coordinate with anticipation with the airline or travel agency through which you have organized your journey with us.