Aria Luxury Amazon Riverboat

The new Aqua Nera luxury riverboat cruises on the Amazon River depart from Iquitos, Peru.

Custom built for travel on Amazon rivers, the small ship provides quality boutique-type accommodations with gourmet cuisine, while exploring the world's largest forest and river system.

You may now travel remote Amazon waters with a level of comfort and service that was not available just a few years ago. The ship is operated by Aqua Expeditions, the pioneer in luxury class riverboats in Peru. The ship maintains a minimum of one staff person to one guest.

The Amazon Cruise itineraries travel the area of the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers which form the Amazon River and into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Amazon Cruise tour options include itineraries of 7 Nights, 4 Nights, or 3 Nights onboard ship.

The Aqua Nera Luxury Riverboat

Embrace distinctive Amazon style and luxury aboard this brand-new river cruise ship designed and operated by Aqua Expeditions.

Setting a new standard for luxury river cruising on the Amazon, Aqua Nera draws design inspiration from the Peruvian Amazon’s mystical black water lagoons and bears the hallmarks of contemporary style and generous interiors that Aqua Expeditions cruise ships are known for.

Aboard the Aqua Nera, award-winning architects Noor Design crafts every space to perfection. The vessel’s 20 spacious Design Suites convey a sense of Amazon tranquility, while the social spaces showcase refined elegance with a touch of drama. Tastefully woven into the design are accents and details from the rubber boom era and the colorful cultures of Portugal, Spain and Peru.

Aqua Nera operates alongside the Aria Amazon, taking guests into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon in the comfort of luxury. The cruise features cuisine by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s finest chefs who is celebrated for creating refined cuisine from native Amazonian produce. Every day, expert naturalist guides conduct small-group excursions that reward guests with up-close wildlife encounters in the world’s most biodiverse rainforest.

Prices & Dates
Contact us to check 2024 & 2025 rates and dates.
Contact us to check date availability and special discounts on selected departures.

All rates are USD per person in double occupancy; single supplement +25% regular rates.
Child Policy: 7 year age minimum on all departures, child under 12 years old will receive a 20% discount.
Third person sleeping on sofa bed will receive a 20% discount
Third person being a child under 12 years old sleeping on sofa bed pays US $500 per night

NOTES:
The rates above are priced based on per person, double occupancy of suites and master suites. 
Included in your all inclusive rate are:
• All meals while onboard • All excursions • All beverages (non-alcoholic, house wine and beer) • Transfers to/from vessel when arriving on recommended flights • Pacaya Samiria entrance fee
Not Included:
• Air tickets to and from Iquitos • Guide and crew gratuities • Boutique purchases




The Aqua Nera Amazon Cruise Itineraries

Click here to down 4D/3N Itinerary during Low Water Season
Click here to down 4D/3N Itinerary during High Water Season
Click here to down 5D/4N Itinerary during Low Water Season
Click here to down 5D/4N Itinerary during High Water Season
Click here to down 8D/7N Itinerary during Low Water Season
Click here to down 8D/7N Itinerary during High Water Season

AQUA NERA Amazon River Expedition Cruise, 8-Days Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Friday IQUITOS / AMAZON RIVER  Afternoon flight from Lima to Iquitos, in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon region. After you’ve claimed your luggage and are met by your local guide, you board an air-conditioned bus for your journey to the river to board the M/V Aria awaits.

From the moment you step on board, you will enjoy the ship’s atmosphere of low-key luxury. As you settle into your handsomely appointed, over-sized suite, you will feel the vessel begin to move –the beginning of one of the great adventures of your life. Stand on the Upper Deck to take in the view, as the M/V Aria leaves Iquitos behind.

Over the next seven days, you will also sail along the two largest tributaries of the Amazon, the Ucayali and the Marañon, as well as the mighty Amazon itself. You are embarking on a spectacular adventure, to a place visited by only a few of even the most experienced world travelers.

Before dinner we will perform a routine safety drill and have the first of the nightly briefings about your adventure to follow. You will meet the naturalist guides and the cruise director, who will use video, photos, and maps to explain the details of your journey into the Amazon.

At the welcome dinner, you may sample some fine South American wine, and enjoy the truly world-class cuisine, created by Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of the best in all of Lima. Schiaffino’s recipes, with the imaginative use of local products – fruit, fish, spices – make every meal a delightful adventure. (The menu always offers choices, including a vegetarian option.) Toast the beginning of a beautiful journey. Perhaps you may enjoy a nightcap on the Upper Deck, under the stars, before retiring.
Day 2: Saturday AMAZON / YANAYACU / YACAPANA/YARAPA
Early Morning Skiff Expedition on the Amazon River to watch the sun rise over this green world filled with wonderful wildlife.

After breakfast (the daily breakfast buffet features a wide choice of traditional breakfast egg dishes, plus Peruvian specialties, and fresh-squeezed fruit juices) is an excusriosn by skiffs to the Yacapana Islands, called the “the Isle of the Iguana” thanks to the great number of these reptiles.

After lunch and siesta, is an late afternoon expedition to the Yarapa River.
As the sun sets, you will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and photograph both gray and pink freshwater dolphins. Once the sun sets and the jungle is dark, we begin our search for caiman, frogs, and different kinds of nightlife. Once the sun sets and the jungle is dark, we begin our search for caiman, frogs, and different kinds of nightlife. This night, the M/V Aria continues upstream, toward the headwaters of the Amazon River, where the Ucayali, Marañon, and the Amazon Rivers merge.
 
Day 3: Sunday / PACAYA-SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE
A full day of exploring the Amazon rainforest and Yanallpa river systems with nature walks and wildlife boating excursions. Today you may see a great variety of bird, howler and capuchin monkeys, the squirrel-sized monkeys called tamarins, dusky titi and pigmy marmoset monkeys, pink and gray river dolphins, and a vast variety of birds, and learn about the important medical value of jungle plants, see giant Kapok Trees (ceiba pentandra)in addition to caiman and dolphins.

Day 4: Monday BIRTHPLACE OF THE AMAZON / AMAZON VILLAGE / NAUTA TOWN 
In addition to wildlife watching, and seeing the giant water lilies or “Victoria Regias,” today you visit the jungle town of Natua, and a nearby native village, where you can interact and can learn more about their culture, traditions, and folklore. You will also have the opportunity to purchase some of their handicrafts and delightful folk art.

NOTE: In the afternoon, fellow passengers who have taken the three-night cruise itinerary depart in Nauta for transfer to Iquitos. In the evening, new passengers arriving for a four night cruise itinerary arrive from Nauta for dinner onboard.
 
Day 5: Tuesday AMAZON RIVER TRIBUTARIES / PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE 
Another full day of meeting locals and exploring the Amazon rainforest and river systems with nature walks and boating excursions.

Day 6: Wednesday TACSHA RIVER / PACAYA SAMIRIA / SAN MARTIN DE TIPISHCA
Another full day of meeting locals and exploring the Amazon rainforest and river systems with nature walks and boating excursions - including an evening boat outing to listen for and locate nocturnal creatures.creatures, including, perhaps, huge caimans.
 
Day 7: Thursday TAHUAYO/CHARO LAKE
A morning boating excursion along the Yanayacu or Yanayaquillo Rivers for visits with locals and wildife viewing. At lunchtime, the ship starts sailing down the Amazon River river toward Iquitos.

After lunch is an excursion along the the dark waters of the Tahuayo River and fishing on Lake Charo. A good place to see the abundant wildlife such as sparrows, hawks, monkeys and sloths. After our arrival at Lake Charo, you will be using the fishing gear to fish for piranhas and other specious. While you fish, our nature guides will tell you the history of the lake and its residents.

After dinner the ship will continue its journey down stream through the night towards Iquitos.

Before your gourmet farewell dinner is a briefing in the Top Lounge to recap you itinerary and sightings. After dinner, your guides will introduce some of the crew members that you have not yet met, but who have been busy with the “behind the scenes” work that has helped to create a seamless experience. There may even be a bit of musical entertainment!
 
Day 8: Friday ARRIVAL IN IQUITOS / CITY TOUR / TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT  After breakfast, with weather and time permitting, this will be the last opportunity to see how people live along the Amazon — by visiting the lively riverside community of Belen, in Iquitos, by skiff. Here, where the houses and shops actually float on the river during some months, you will see the bustling food market for the entire Peruvian Amazon. All local inhabitants throughout the region sell and purchase goods here.

Some groups may instead take a short skiff ride to visit the Boras indigenous community, on the Momon River. The Bora tribe has made every effort to maintain its traditional culture since arriving from deep inside the rainforest more than 30 years ago. Today they will perform some of their most colorful dances for you.

After lunch, you debark the ship to explore the unique jungle city of Iquitos. This bustling town, complete with a house built by Gustave Eiffel, was once a rich center of the rubber industry. En route, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for endangered Amazon manatees that conservation authorities have seized from local people and fishermen. Biologists will give a presentation about the project and its efforts to help these helpless mammals. You will also see how the manatees are cared for and are prepared for re-introduction into their natural habitat. Finally, we will stop at the San Juan Amazonian Indian Market, for a last chance to shop for local crafts.

In the late afternoon, your guides will help you with the airport check-in for flight back to Lima, or transfer to an Iquitos hotel if staying extra overnights.
Note: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.

Vessel Specifications

• Ship Specifications
• Year Built: In Progress
• Year Operational: 2020
• Cabins: 20 suites across 2 decks
• Ports of Embarkation: Iquitos (Peru)
• Vessel’s Registry: Peru
• Type of Vessel: River Expedition Vessel
• Length: 62.4 meters / 205 feet
• Beam: 11.5 meters / 38 feet
• Draft: 1.5 meters / 5 feet
• Cruising Speed: 12 knots
• Electricity: 220 volts
• Engines: 2 x Caterpillars, Tier 3 Emission compliant
• Generators: 2 x Caterpillars, encapsulated for noise reduction
• Water: Reverse osmosis and UV water treatment plant
• AC: Central air-conditioning throughout
• Laundry: Complimentary service (no dry cleaning on board)
• Safety: ISM Compliant
• On Board Living and Social Areas
• Sun Decks
• Indoor and outdoor bars
• Indoor dining room and outdoor private dining
• Screening room with theater-style seating
• Outdoor cinema under the stars
• Games room with pool table
• Outside shaded lounge with single and double day beds
• Antique and artisanal boutique
• Lobby lounge
• Observation deck with outdoor sunbeds
• Top deck gym overlooking the river
• Infirmary with onboard medical staff
• Outdoor top deck plunge pool with private cabanas
• Two spa treatment rooms, one single and one double.
• Design Suite layout
• Besides being incredibly spacious, our suite’s layouts are designed to maximize space, optimize movement and enhance natural light. Passengers who need walking assistance can navigate our rooms and bathrooms with ease.
• Our suites can each accommodate a maximum of three guests (interior sofas can be combined to form a bed), with a maximum cap of 43 guests on board the vessel.
• All individual suites measure 322 square feet (30 sq m), inclusive of ensuite bathroom and closet space.
• Bed dimensions:
• California King size bed: 2.1m (w) x 2m (l)
• Single Twin Size bed: 1.05m (w) x 2m (l)
• Interconnecting suites: Be it for larger families or to attain an ultimate experience of luxury, our interconnecting suites are the best choice for guests who desire more private space on the Aqua Nera. Eight out of our 20 individual Design Suites on board the Aqua Nera can be combined into four interconnecting suites via a sliding door. Each interconnecting suite can accommodate up to six guests.
• For the ultimate romantic cruise, our interconnecting suites offer the luxury of having one suite configured as a living room, while the other as the master bedroom with our sumptuous California King bed. Enjoy his-and-hers baths and the magnificent grandeur of a 640 square foot (60 sq m) residence on the Amazon.
• Safety On Board
• State-of-the-art safety features include radio communications with separate battery pack, satellite phone, Carley float life rafts, flares and signals, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in each cabin, automatic defibrillator on board
• Accommodations and Cabins
• Passengers are accommodated in 20 Design Suites across two decks. Each measuring 30 square meters / 322 square feet
• Launch Boats for Shore Excursions
• Four auxiliary aluminum launch boats equipped with two four-stroke low emission engines; constant radio communication with the main vessel. Each boat has a capacity of 10 passengers.
• Aqua Nera Crew
• 40 members, including a cruise director, paramedic and 4 English-speaking guides.

Aqua Nera Lounge

Aqua Nera Dining Room

Aqua Nera Lobby

Aqua Nera Dining Room

Aqua Nera Outdoor Lounge & Pool
Aqua Nera Suite – Double & Single Bed Configuration






FAQs

What does my all-inclusive cruise price include?

Aqua Expeditions cruise rates include all meals, soft drinks, and wine with meals, Suite or Master Suite accommodations, excursions with Aqua Expeditions knowledgeable naturalist guides, the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve entrance fee, onboard lectures, and evening entertainment. We will provide transportation from/to the airport if you arrive and depart on our recommended flights. Breakfast and lunch will be available on your last day and are included in the rate. One great advantage of our “all inclusive” rates is that you will know in advance exactly how much your Aqua Expeditions vacation will cost. Your only extra expenses will be airfare, drinks, boutique purchases, and gratuities.

Why should I book a cruise on the Aqua Nera or Aria?
Aqua Expeditions pioneered the concept of ultra-luxurious small ship cruises on the Peruvian stretch of the Amazon River. The first ship, the Aqua Amazon immediately began to sell out as word spread about the possibility to enjoy supremely luxurious accommodations and fine dining while exploring some of the most remote, wildlife rich areas of the Amazon River. Beyond building this stylish and safe cruising vessel, founder Francesco Galli Zugaro identified local guides who knew every animal, bird and tree of the Amazon jungle—most had grown up there. These Aqua Expeditions guides provide life changing travel and educational experiences for our guests. His success was so great that almost immediately he began construction on a second boat, the Aria Amazon, which also sails the Amazon. And now new to the Amazon River is the Aqua Nera sailing in 2021.

Is it better to book the early or can I book on short notice?
Since the ships has capacity compared, we recommend our guests book early, especially if your desired travel dates are not flexible. People often book their 10 to 18 months in advance, however we will always do our best to accommodate desired cruise dates.

Should I buy travel insurance?
Travelers are strongly advised to purchase trip cancellation insurance, which will reimburse the cost of air tickets and other non-refundable trip payments. International medical, baggage loss, and delay insurance are also recommended. If you miss the vessel because of a weather-related flight cancellation, we will not reimburse the cost of the reservation, since flight cancellations are beyond our control and we have to comply with our schedules. If Aqua or Aria is not able to sail (i.e. due to force majeure or mechanical failure), Aqua Expeditions reserves the right to substitute another vessel. If the travelers do not take this option, Aqua Expeditions reserves the right to cancel the trip upon a refund pro rata per cruise night not used or, as an alternative, will offer credit toward a future cruise.

What are the Visa and Passport Requirements for Peru?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, European Union, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, ASEAN, and most South American countries do not need to apply in advance for a tourist visa to visit Peru. A passport valid for at least six months longer than you intend to stay in Peru is required to receive a Tourist Visa at the border or the international airport upon arrival in Peru. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. Travelers to Peru will receive a card from the airlines or Peruvian Immigration upon arrival stating the length of approved stay (usually 90 days). Extensions are not available, and overstays will result in fines. Visit the Embassy of Peru website in country that issued your passport for the most current visa information and to determine if you must apply for a visa in advance of arrival. Peru does not require any immunizations for entry, although it recommends vaccination against yellow fever.

What is the Embarkation Point?
Aqua Expeditions naturalists meet all guests at Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport (IQT) in the remote Amazonian city of Iquitos, Peru. During high water season, from December to May, guests board the Aqua and the Aria in Iquitos, while from June to November, our guides will begin acquaint passengers with highlights of our luxury Amazon cruise itineraries on the scenic one-and-a-half hour drive through the Peruvian countryside to the village of Nauta for boarding. Guests return to Iquitos at the end of Aqua Expeditions 4 and 7 night itineraries while our 3-night passengers disembark in Nauta then continue by road to Iquitos. The largest city in the Peruvian Amazon and the fifth largest city in Peru, Iquitos is furthest inland port city in the world, some 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles) upriver from the Atlantic Ocean and accessible only by river or air. This isolated town that was once a rich center of the rubber industry still retains the historic charms of 18th-century Moorish Spanish churches, rubber baron mansions now mostly abandoned and the so-called Iron Building designed by Gustave Eiffel, intended for the capital of Bolivia in the late 19th century but abandoned here en route up the Amazon. An extra overnight in Iquitos is recommended. With flights permitting, at the end of every journey aboard the Aqua Amazon and the Aria Amazon, before we head for the airport, we visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where biologists and volunteers care for endangered Amazon manatees rescued from local people who mistakenly think this will be like taking care of a pet fish or puppy that can swim. Aqua Expeditions has been working with the Manatee Rescue Center from its inception six years ago. Thanks to our guests, we support all the educational programs of the Manatee Rescue Center, with a focus on raising awareness in local schools.

How do I get to Iquitos?
From Lima, guests fly on one of the daily one hour 25 minutes air flight into Iquitos, Peru. Travelers will need to fly in and out of Iquitos, Peru’s Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport (IQT). We recommend doing so on a LAN Perú flight as Aqua Expeditions airport transfers are only included if arriving or departing on recommended flights, which will be provide depending on cruise itinerary.

How old do you have to be to cruise?
The minimum age to travel on the Aqua Amazon is seven. Passengers must be at least 18 years of age to travel without their parents or guardians. If any occupant in the cabin is under 18, then a passenger at least 25 years old must be booked in the cabin with them. The only exception is that children under age 18 may be allowed to have their own cabin if they are in a connected suite shared by their parents or guardians.

Do you welcome families with children?
Yes, we welcome families with children, as long as they are age seven or older. Some of the suites can be interconnected to cater for families. An accommodation for one child or additional adult is available. Our naturalist guides are very friendly with kids and all of our staff will provide the necessary care for your family.

Do you need a minimum of passengers to guarantee my departure date?
No, all of our departures are guaranteed. Please review our current list of available departures for our 3,4 and 7-night cruises.

Do I need any shots before traveling to the Amazon?
Malaria medication and yellow fever shots are not required for travelers coming into the region, however they are recommended. Please consult your physician.

What should I pack?
Life is casual aboard the ships, so you can feel free to pack light for your Amazon River cruise, with some specific items to wear and use on excursions into the Amazon rainforest and jungle. Please bring comfortable walking shoes, lightweight long pants and long sleeved shirts for our excursions, as well as a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, extra socks, mosquito repellant with DEET, and of course, your camera, with charger and extra batteries. You may wish to include some items that you can give away to the locals (t-shirts, pens and paper are especially prized) and the small medical goods on our Pack for a Purpose list that will be provided. For our guests who prefer to pack light, Aqua Expeditions created three Donation Kits: hygiene, school supplies and fishing. Each contains items of the greatest use and value to our Amazonia neighbors. These and good quality mosquito nets are available for purchase in the Aqua Amazon boutique. By purchasing these for distribution in the villages we visit, our guests help in meaningful, effective ways. During meals in the dining room we ask our guests to wear casual clothing and shoes. We provide rubber boots for wetland excursions. We also provide waterproof ponchos with hoods to protect against rain. There will be hairdryers available in every suite. We allow you to bring as much luggage as you like, but suggest the use of soft suitcases/bags for easy storage. How much you bring, however, may be determined by the airlines, which have limits on both checked and carry-on baggage, so you will need to check on your specific flights.

How much luggage may I bring?
Are there porters available at the airport and the pier?
We allow you to bring as much luggage as you like, but suggest the use of soft suitcases/bags for easy storage. How much you bring, however, may be determined by the airlines and you should check for your specific flights. Aqua Expeditions porters are available at both the airport and pier. They will make sure that your bags arrive at the embarkation point. As soon as you have identified your luggage, our porters will take your suitcases to your suite.

Should I bring gifts to give away to the locals?
Aqua Expeditions guests enjoy passing out small gifts from home when we visit local villages. We strongly advise sharing t-shirts, pens and paper instead of cash or candy. Aqua Expeditions also participates with Pack for a Purpose [http://www.packforapurpose.org/docs/countries/peru/aqua-expeditions.shtml] in collecting small medical items from overseas of particular use to the Amazon villages we visit. For our guests who prefer to pack light, Aqua Expeditions created three Donation Kits: hygiene, school supplies and fishing. Each contains items of the greatest use and value to our Amazonia neighbors. These and good quality mosquito nets are available for purchase in the Aqua Amazon boutique. By purchasing these for distribution in the villages we visit, our guests help in meaningful, effective ways.

What is a shore excursion? How physically challenging are they?
A shore excursion can be anything from exploring remote tributaries by skiff, to spotting monkeys and birds along a jungle trail, from visiting a local village to fishing on one of Amazonia’s beautiful lakes. They vary in level of exertion, but most travelers who are reasonably fit will have no trouble participating in every excursion. Passengers will be divided into three groups of eight people for shore excursions, with each group led by an Aqua Expeditions trained naturalist guide. Guides will rotate among the groups, so that each passenger can benefit from their specialized knowledge. Our guides speak fluent English, and one speaks French and another speaks German. We recommend that groups requiring any other language bring a translator, if necessary. Each evening, your guides will brief you on what to expect on the next day’s excursions. Typically, we will navigate the Amazon River or one of its tributaries at night, arriving in a new location, for a new adventure, in the early morning. Passengers opting to go on the early morning excursions will get a wakeup call at approximately 6 a.m. The Aqua Amazon is equipped with three auxiliary aluminum skiffs that will take passengers along the waterways or ferry them to the landing point for onshore excursions. These comfortable speedboats are equipped with 4 stroke low-emission engines and are in constant radio communication with the main vessel. Each boat has capacity for eight passengers, plus guide and launch pilot. Excursions last two to three hours, allowing plenty of time to explore, learn about and photograph the abundant wildlife. Land excursions involve disembarking on dry riverbank, however for your safety, your guide and skiff driver will always be available to assist you. When the excursions are in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, we follow marked trails, walking at a leisurely pace for up to one hour. Guests should be in good physical health in order to be able to make the most of their Amazon cruise. The daily nature excursions may include walking on irregular terrain. Getting in and out of the skiffs occasionally requires some physical effort. Our naturalist guides are always here to help you. We provide rubber boots for wetland excursions and recommend taking comfortable walking shoes for walking on the dry paths. We also provide waterproof ponchos with hoods to protect against rain.

Instead of going on an organized shore excursion, can we go off on our own?
For safety reasons, passengers are required to be with one of our naturalist guides whenever they are on land during our cruise.

Are the cabins assigned in advance?
A Suite or Master Suite will be assigned to you when we confirm your reservation. All suites are described and numbered on the Deck Plans. You may request a specific cabin depending on your preference and we will assign it if available. In order to ensure the optimum safety and comfort of all our passengers, we allow a maximum of three people in each suite.

Do all suites include an Amazon River view?
Yes, all suites have outward-facing panoramic windows, giving every cabin a river view. The Master Suites have even larger windows that offer you magnificent views of the passing landscape. If you choose to leave the blackout curtains pulled back, the dawn light will awaken you in the mornings, as Amazonia life and wildlife begins anew.

Is there any difference between the lower and upper-deck suites?
Dimensions and all features are exactly the same for both decks.

Do you have cell, satellite or internet connectivity on board?
Internet is not available, though guests traveling with Blackberry, iPhone and other mobile roaming devices report connectivity in more developed areas along our journey. If you need to contact your home or office for any emergency, the Aqua Amazon is equipped with a satellite phone. The cost of your call can be paid directly on board. We will inform you, prior to calling, of the current price of an international call. We do not have Internet connections onboard the vessel. For cellular phone contact you may need a special telephone that can operate on a foreign signal. Please check with your carrier. However, keep in mind that most areas outside Iquitos are so remote that you will be unable to get a signal.

Do you have laundry services on board?
There is no laundry service.

What type of medical capabilities do you have on board?
We have a paramedic on board at all times plus our first-aid trained staff can handle minor scrapes, bites or sprains. There are no handicapped facilities.

What health and safety precautions are taken on board?
No particular vaccines are required for Peru, but some are strongly advised, such as anti-malaria medication and yellow fever shots for travel to the Amazon Basin. We suggest that you consult your physician before your departure regarding travel health and preventative measures, and check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website for the latest information. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. If you plan to extend your Peru journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu, ask your doctor about medication for altitude sickness. Once all the passengers have boarded, the crew will conduct a mandatory safety drill. Please be sure to check exactly where the life vests are located in your cabin. Memorize your way to the deck in case an emergency should arise. Consult your Cruise Director or Guide regarding any questions you may have. Life vests are provided for use while onboard the skiffs and you are required to wear them. Always hold the guide or crewmember’s hand while embarking or disembarking, since the boat ladder and deck may be wet and slippery. It is important for us to verify that all our passengers are on board prior to departure. Each ship is equipped with a satellite phone for emergency access.

What precautions should I take to prevent crime while traveling in Peru?
Peru is well known for its warm, hospitable people. However, when traveling in large cities, visitors should be cautious about pickpockets and street crime, as they would be anywhere in the world. Keep your belongings close (don’t keep valuables in a backpack) and avoid wearing flashy or expensive jewelry.

Will I have access to a safe deposit box?
Yes. All cabins have safe deposit boxes with instructions for their use.

Can we drink the water aboard ship?
When you board the Aqua Amazon, you will be supplied with a complimentary Aqua Expeditions water bottle that is yours to keep. Water refill stations are available throughout the vessel. We recommend that you do not drink the water from the faucet while on board.

Is motion sickness ever a problem?
Not really. On the surface, the Amazon main river looks more like open sea, with some waves, however we sail on some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, our crew continually receives the most accurate weather information and navigates accordingly, which decreases the incidence of motion sickness for our guests. While navigating by skiff deeper into the flooded forest, the smaller tributaries take you to calm, mirrored water.

How do I pay for purchases on board?
You will be asked to sign for every cocktail and premium wine at the time you order it. Please keep track of your consumption of alcoholic beverages in order to avoid any confusion at the end of the cruise. You can pay your bar bill, as well as for any purchases in the boutique, either in U.S. dollars or with Visa, American Express or MasterCard.

What about tipping?
We are often asked what gratuity is appropriate for guides and crew, and our response is that the quality of service should determine the amount of any tip. From experience, we recommend an amount in the range of US $20 – $30 per passenger per day for the crew (to be divided among all the crew members) and between US $7 – $10 per passenger per day for the guides. The total suggested tip for Aqua Amazon staff on your trip would therefore be somewhere between US $81.00 – US $120.00 per passenger in total for those on a 3 night trip or US $108.00 – US $ 160.00 per passenger those on a 4 night trip. Envelopes are provided for your convenience. Please note that these amounts are suggested levels of gratuities and that this is entirely at the discretion of our guests aboard the Aqua Amazon.

Are there smoking areas?
Smoking is forbidden inside the Aqua Amazon. It is allowed only in the Outdoor Lounge and on the Observation Deck. If you want to smoke here, please ask the bartender for an ashtray. Do not throw your cigarette stubs or ash into the Amazon River or its tributaries.

What’s the drinking age on the ships?
You must be at least 18 years old to legally consume beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages in Peru and on the Aqua Amazon.

How is the food?
It is rated Five Star. Aqua Expedition’s Executive Chef in the Amazon, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, has earned global recognition, including from The Diners Club® World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, for his innovative Amazonia influenced cuisine, served at Lima’s top ranked Malabar and Amaz restaurants, as well as on board the Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon. Though Peruvian cuisine has made its way around the world, many of Schiaffino’s obscure yet delectable ingredients grow only in the Amazon jungle. He has spent years studying the cooking traditions and food resources of Amazonia, while working beyond the kitchen with anthropologists and environmental scientists. The Lima based chef returns often to go even deeper into this dense jungle, in search of the next sustainable ingredients he’ll incorporate to create original dishes for Aqua Expeditions guests on the Amazon. Schiaffino says around 70% of all ingredients on board are sourced in the waters and rainforest surrounding our journey, but guests may rest assured that dishes also stay true to more accessible indigenous traditions like Peruvian ceviche, with its succulent tranches of just caught river fish, juicy onions, cilantro, coriander and corn kernels.
Since 2001, chef Schiaffino has been studying the food and cooking traditions of Amazonia, working beyond the kitchen with anthropologists and environmental scientists. Calling the rainforest his “natural habitat”, chef Schiaffino has cultivated a knack for skillfully incorporating sustainable produce and ingredients from the Peruvian Amazon into this cuisine. In fact, 70% of all ingredients used in chef Pedro’s dishes on board the Aria Amazon are sourced here.
“When I hear from friends in Iquitos or villagers along the river about an unfamiliar dish or ingredient, I would start asking questions. Starting in Lima, I speak to anthropologists and other experts. Then I’ll go to the Amazon, sometimes heading off on a speedboat for eight hours or more in search of ingredients to taste and experiment. It’s amazing how the Amazon constantly offers up tastes and flavors I’ve never imagined before.” — Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino
Chef Schiaffino’s commitment to excellence lets him transform uncommon ingredients into captivating, authentic dishes that deserve their place alongside well-known Peruvian favorites such as ceviche. On board the Aria Amazon, guests savor dishes such as hearts of palm soufflé, scallops with wild almonds and umari fruit, plantain, and yucca gnocchi, escolar fish in aji panka chili adobo, grilled paiche with Amazon huatia potatoes — the delicious results of chef Schiaffino’s culinary mind.

What if I have special dietary needs?
If you have special dietary requests, we strongly encourage you to inform Aqua Expeditions at the time of booking, or at least by 30 days prior to embarkation. Every effort will be made to cater to special dietary needs, and to accommodate special requests, subject to a given product’s availability in Peru.

Is room service available?
Room service is not available, but will be provided in the event of passenger illness.

What is Peru’s time zone?
The time in Peru is one hour behind Eastern Standard Time in the United States.

What currency is used in Peru?
The Nuevo Sol (New Sol) is the official currency of Peru. One dollar equals about 2.6 New Soles.

How do I protect myself against mosquitoes in the rainforest?
From our experience, we recommend these options for keeping the mosquitoes away:
• DEET remains the most effective repellent on the market. Look for products with at least 30 per cent (10 per cent for children) of the active ingredient, such as Ultrathon lotion. DEET shouldn´t be used on irritated skin or under clothing.
• Other repellents recommended by the U.S. Centers of Diseases Control are Picadrin, the active ingredient in Cutter Advanced Sport spray.
• For non-chemical bug protection, cover up with long-sleeve shirts, long pants and netted hats. Light colors are best.

What is the Climate And Weather In Peru’s Amazon?
The climate in Iquitos, Peru, is warm and humid year round, with average annual maximum temperature of 31°C (88°F) and minimum of 21°C (70°F). Weather along Peru’s Amazon River remains generally warm with some rainfall even during low water season, from June to November. In fact, despite being the “rainy” high water season from December to May, the Amazon only gets about 10% more rain than falls in the low water season. Guests can expect the high water season to be relatively wetter: during this period, the Amazon region receives a little more than half (60%) of its total rainfall. During the high water season, the average temperature is a relatively cooler 86 degrees Fahrenheit, only 12 degrees cooler than in the low water season. Each season brings some differences in the plant and animal life in Amazonia, however both are excellent times to visit the Amazon.

WHAT ARE THE DEPOSITS, PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION POLICY?

• A $500 deposit per person is required to confirm your reservation
• Final payment for all programs is due 90 days prior to departure.
• Final payment will be automatically charged to the credit card used for deposit on the due date unless you make alternate arrangements prior to the final payment due date.
• Travel Insurance is highly recommended (and policy options will be provided): There is $500 per person cancellation fee from time of booking to 120 days prior to departure. Cancellation fee of 100% of the full program cost per person from 89 to 0 days prior to departure.

AMAZON BIRDING and WILDLIFE LISTS (available upon request)





































































All our Amazon tours may be combined with other explorations in Peru.
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