Exploring the Waterways of Peru's Amazon
Amazon River Expedition
Booking Discount
- 20% off First Deck Suites on select 2025-2027 departures
- Waived Single Supplement on 2025-2026 June and September departures
Capacity is limited, please call for availability
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.
Wildlife excursions often differ depending on the time of the year. During the high-water season (December through May), river ships sail closer to the canopies, making it easier to spot birds and other species that live in the trees. On the other hand, the low water season (June through November) allows better access to jungle trails, making it possible to discover wildlife in the undergrowth.
Low-water months are also an ideal time for fishing as aquatic populations are confined to a few key areas. For birdwatchers, dozens of species of migratory birds are in flight during this time as well.
In contrast, the high-water season concentrates the population of land animals and amphibians, making it easier to spot turtles and caimans.
Most species can be seen throughout the year and the only difference is in the manner they are seen, from the ground of the lush forest or aboard a skiff.
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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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.