Day 1: Iquitos & Amazon River
Arriving on a morning flight, receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by our crew and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon continues with an introduction to the historic city of Iquitos and the opportunity to visit an indigenous Amazon community.
In the early evening, embark the Aqua Nera and settle into your generously-sized suite 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, ámaZ, is one of Peru’s most renowned dining establishments.
Day 2: Yarapa River & Clavero Lake
Aboard our comfortable skiffs, we set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Ready your binoculars for tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloths. Line-fish for Amazon’s notoriously ferocious piranhas as our naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo.
In the afternoon, we sail on to Lake Clavero where villagers rely on traditional dugout canoes to get around. Swim in the lake’s calm waters or visit native residents of Amazonia who welcome you to their community with open arms.
Day 3: Yanallpa River & Dorado River
We explore the blackwater tributaries of the Yanallpa River by skiff, disembarking to walk deep into the wildlife-rich Amazonian rainforest. Later, we board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal creatures.
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: Yanayacu-Pucate River & Lisboa Town
Rise with the sun for early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River and enjoy breakfast in the middle of the jungle. Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River as we seek the legendary pink river dolphins. In the afternoon, visit a local village and interact with the native people and visit local school children.
Day 6: Samiria River
The rewards for our early start today are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch accompanied by the jungle symphony, and fishing on the blackwater of the Samiria River. On the way back to the Marañon River after lunch, we venture out by skiffs alongside the banana boats transporting jungle products, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.
Day 7: Nauta Cano River & Jungle Walk in Casual
As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary blackwater Nauta Caño River.
In the afternoon, we will take a jungle walk on the firm soil forest of Casual while looking for flora and fauna which may include medicinal trees, insects and poison dart frogs. Learn more about the different rainforest strata and ecosystems. At night, focus our hi-tech telescope on the sky to identify the stars, planets and the milky way.
Day 8: Arrival in to Iquitos, Manatee Rescue Centre & Airport Transfer
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.
Return to the Aqua Nera for breakfast before disembarkation. En route to the airport, visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where orphaned Amazonian manatees rehabilitate before they are released back into the wild.
