Exploring the Waterways of Peru's Amazon
Amazon River Expedition
EARLY SIGN-UP DISCOUNT
- 20% off on a limited number of cabins for 2024, 2025 & 2026 departures
- Waived single supplement on select departures
Overview
The mighty Amazon River is home to 2.5 million square miles of rainforest—one of the earth's largest and most intact wildernesses. Aboard the luxury yacht Aria Amazon or Aqua Nera, you'll explore its many wonders as you journey in style along the Ucayali and Marañon rivers, the two largest tributaries of the Amazon, and through the remote Pacaya Samiria National Park and Reserve, set deep within the rainforest at the headwaters of the Amazon. This vast wetland reserve is a haven for Amazonian flora and fauna, a world filled with birds in neon-bright colors, playful monkeys, graceful hawks and herons, and millions of butterflies. As you cruise along, you'll try your hand at fishing for piranha, visit riverside communities to witness their culture and traditions, learn about the area's conservation and sustainability projects, and enjoy night excursions by skiff under a canopy of sparkling stars. There are two seasons in the Amazon: low water (June to November) and high water (December to May). Each season offers extraordinary experiences of the Amazon.
Arrive: Iquitos, Peru
Depart: Iquitos, Peru
Highlights
- Nature walks, cultural exploration, excursions by skiff
- Outstanding wildlife includes a variety of monkeys, freshwater dolphins, sloths, iguanas
- Enjoy village visits, learn about conservation projects, search for birds and medicinal plants, fish for piranha!
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Arrive in Iquitos, Peru, then enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant (or 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, board the Aria and settle into your generously proportioned suite as you begin one of life's greatest adventures. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima's top ranked dining experiences.
Aboard comfortable skiffs, set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Keep your binoculars ready to spot tropical songbirds, black collared hawks, and sloths. You'll go fishing for Amazonia's notoriously ferocious piranhas while the naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo. As the sun sets, head off on an evening's wildlife excursion with extraordinary stargazing on the black waters of Nauta Caño.
Rise with the sun for an early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River. After breakfast, take a jungle walk while looking for flora and fauna that 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 you look for legendary pink river dolphins. Focus the hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.
This morning, 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, 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 you start your journey together along the Marañon River.
By skiff, explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River, disembarking to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest. Later, board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife.
The rewards of an 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, 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.
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, you'll gather to meet some of the crewmembers whom you may not have met, working "behind the scenes" to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the Aria.
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, you will make one last truly memorable stop at the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees. You 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 recommended flight schedule.
Day 1: Arrive in Iquitos, travel to Nauta, and embark the Aria
Day 2: Yanayacu-Pucate River / Marañon River
Day 3: Samiria River / Nauta Caño or PNA (Amazonian Natural Park)
Day 4: Nauta Town / Village Visit / Birthplace of the Amazon
Day 5: Ucayali River / Pacaya River
Day 6: Pacaya River / Ucayali River / Requena
Day 7: Yarapa or Clavero River / Jungle walk in the San Jose de Sarapanga forest
Day 8: Nauta / Manatee Rescue Center / Depart
Day 2: Yanayacu-Pucate River / Marañon River
Day 3: Samiria River / Nauta Caño or PNA (Amazonian Natural Park)
Day 4: Nauta Town / Village Visit / Birthplace of the Amazon
Day 5: Ucayali River / Pacaya River
Day 6: Pacaya River / Ucayali River / Requena
Day 7: Yarapa or Clavero River / Jungle walk in the San Jose de Sarapanga forest
Day 8: Nauta / Manatee Rescue Center / Depart
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy. There are shore excursions featuring nature walks and village visits, and river outings by skiff. It is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active.
Conditions along the Amazon River in Peru divide into two seasons: a high water season from December through May and a low water season that lasts from June until November. Cruising the Amazon in either season promises rich rewards with breathtaking opportunities to view and photograph magnificent plant and animal life unlike anywhere else on earth.
If seeing the glorious Amazon rainforest at its lushest and getting up close to lots of birds and mammals (and enjoying slightly cooler temperatures) sounds most attractive, then December to May might be your best choice. If jungle hikes and spotting exotic migratory birds perched on trees between flights across Amazonia appeals most to you, while still having the chance to see capuchin monkeys, kinkajou, and other mammals, and going on great fishing expeditions, you might be happier choosing the warmer, low water season.
Weather in this region of the Amazon remains generally warm with some rainfall even during low water season. In fact, despite being the "rainy" season, during the high water months, the Amazon only gets about 10% more rain than in the low water season. So, as you choose the time of your cruise on the Amazon River (in either season), we suggest you consider the following three key points:
- Some rain will fall in whichever season you choose. This is the Amazon Rainforest.
- You will see spectacular Amazon wildlife, birds and plant life any time of year on the Amazon.
- In either season, you will definitely see the Amazon River's rare pink dolphins.
The Amazon basin is as lush and green as it is because it gets an abundance of rain -- 12 feet a year on average. In a typical year, the Amazon River rainforest experiences 200 rainy days, which means that there will be days of rain even in the low water season. However it rarely rains all day. Rain most often falls in passing cloudbursts, which allow the vessel to coordinate excursions accordingly. When it does rain, you are provided sturdy ponchos to ensure you stay extremely comfortable so you can focus on the astonishing Amazon jungle scenery.
Peru's rainy season runs from December through May, which is summer and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the relatively cooler and wetter season when the Amazon region receives more than half (60%) of its total annual rainfall. During the high water season, the average temperature is 86°F, only 12°F cooler than in the average low water season. Benefits of visiting Peru's Amazon at this time of year include the dramatic high water panorama. The Amazon Basin's rivers and streams rise about 23 feet higher than during the low water season. Aside from the striking visual effect, this also means that every river, creek, and lake is navigable. Thus, the ship's tenders are able to cruise further along the wildlife-rich waterways of Amazonia and bring guests up close to more plants and Amazon animals than during the low water season. Flooded waterways carry you significantly deeper by water into the Amazon jungle canopy, where the kaleidoscope of Amazon birds flutter about. Although the odds of sighting wildlife do not change significantly between the two seasons, you are likely to see more of some Amazon wildlife favorites such as monkeys, turtles, and caimans during the high water months. Enhanced navigation by water has a flip side -- areas to walk and trek become less accessible at this time of year. When you do find usable hiking trails, so will the mosquitoes that are more prevalent now than during the low water season. Fishing in the Amazon River is actually more limited during these high water months too, but you still have close to a 50/50 chance to reel in a memorable catch.
Low water season in Amazonia coincides with winter in the Southern Hemisphere, from June to November. This is the warmer season on the Amazon River, with temperatures averaging about 98°F. Despite its name, the low water season still exhibits some heavy rains. A key difference between visiting the Amazon in low water season vs. high water season is you are able to access the jungle trails that get flooded from December to May, allowing you to follow your naturalists and local Amazonia guides deeper into the jungle by foot, and accompanied by fewer mosquitoes than during the high water season. Guests also tend to spot an even greater abundance of migratory birds in flight during the low water season. However, the trade-off at this time of year is that water levels on the Amazon River and its tributaries drop much lower from June to November, which means that many of the creeks and lakes that we visit by tender during the rainy season are now inaccessible. Lower water levels do offer a bonus: good fishing is 100% guaranteed, you even stand a fair chance to catch a piranha.
Client Testimonials
"This was our first real luxury wilderness experience. It was wonderful."
Kimberly K.
Park City, UT
"This was an amazing adventure...great holiday for the body, brain, and especially the soul! It was so refreshing to get away from Internet, WI-FI, phones, world news....and instead listen to the sounds of the Amazon Rainforest!"
Margrieta E.
Arva, Ontario, Canada
"This trip is a nature and cultural trip. We met and talked with people everywhere we went—farmers, artisans, rangers, river venders, etc."
Nick H.
Oakland, CA
"This was the best trip we have ever been on. Superb accommodations, superb food, super staff at all levels. The naturalists were awesome, for their knowledge, ability to find critters, and congeniality."
Pat C.
Pittsboro, NC
"The Aqua Nera is a beautiful small boat with an excellent staff. The suites were very comfortable and the dining was 5 star! Exceeded our expectations!"
Sandy M.
Menlo Park, CA
"Everything exceeded our expectations. It was fabulous and we will tell others about it."
Sue Ellen Y.
Lafayette Hill, PA
"Lovely boat, with a staff that does everything possible to make your experience exceptionally memorable!"
Susan C.
Colorado Springs, CO
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.