Aria Amazon Cruise – Luxury Cruises on Peruvian Amazon

Transfer from Iquitos airport (located 1.25 hour apart from Lima) to the city's main port, to embark on Aqua Amazon Cruise, after taking a bus to Nauta village, located less than 1.45 hrs from Iquitos.

After checking-in and settling in their suites, guests can ascend to the Observation Deck to get a full view while the vessel leaves Iquitos.

Safety drill and briefing at the Indoor Lounge located on Observation Deck. Meeting with the cruise director and the naturalist guides.

Welcome dinner by Chef Miguel Schiaffino, owner of Malabar, one of Lima's best restaurants. Menus offer many choices, including a vegetarian option, and are open to any other dietary requirement specified in advance of the voyage.

Nighttime is ideal for a starry view on the Observation Deck.

Sunrise over the river. It is advisable to wake up early to catch the first glimpse of the Amazonian wildlife at its best, since there is plenty of activity during the morning.

Skiff exploration around Yacapana Islands or Iguana Islands, named after these reptiles. Locals believe that touching one of these dinosaur-like creatures will cause you to take some of their features. Hence, they keep their distance from them, so iguanas are well protected.

Fishing activities around Yacapana Islands, including the famous 'piranhas,' name given to these fish by the Guarani Indians.

Skiff exploration across Yarapa River. The friendly pink and grey dolphins can be seen swimming and playing around the boats. According to local legends, these creatures tend to take human forms during the villager's celebrations.

During the night, nocturnal creatures like caiman alligators, frogs, owls and capybaras, the largest rodents on earth, come out.

Optional skiff exploration during the morning through Ucayali River, Amazon's largest affluent, where it is possible to see green iguanas, monkeys, a variety of birds including kingfishers and horned screamers, and the famous sloths.

Visit to Magdalena Village. Meeting with this small community of only 10 families, to interact with the villagers and learn about their lifestyle, with the assistance of the guides working as interpreters.

Skiff exploration across the Dorado River through the 'mirrored forest' with its towering trees reflected on the black-water river, and the exotic fauna. Search for Amazon dolphins, including the rare pink dolphins in this beautiful region inside Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Colorful macaws can be seen better using the binoculars.

Navigation through the Amazon River Birthplace: the convergence of the Ucayali and the Marañon Rivers. This is a birder's idea of heaven, since it is possible to spot parrot species like the parakeets and the macaws, and another exotic colorful birds, including tanagers, sandpipers and terns.

Visit to Amazon's riverside Puerto Prado Village, where a community of Cocama people live. The guide will work as an interpreter for conversations between passengers and villagers to take place, making the visit a very interesting cultural exchange for everyone. Local handicraft including painted coconut bowls and seed bead jewelry available for purchase.

On the way back to Iquitos, it is possible to see the largest aquatic plant on Earth, the giant water lilies or Victoria Regias. Their unique blossom hasn't been seen by many people, which makes this trip a non-traditional experience.

Disembarkation on Iquitos Port and guided visit to the Amazonian Rescue Center (CREA). Here, biologists and volunteers work to protect the endangered manatees by rescuing them and taking care of them and once they're ready, reintroduce them into their natural habitat.

Check-in at Iquitos International Airport at the late afternoon. The guides will offer their assistance at the airport until the departure time.