M/V Aria Amazon Cruise

Experience the world as it was at the very beginning of time and sail the waters of the mighty Amazon.
Every week of the year, the award-winning Aqua Expeditions’ luxurious M/V Aria takes 24 passengers deep into Peru’s Amazon wilderness to places only ever visited by a fortunate few.

Daily water-based excursions on comfortable launch boats allow guests to experience such wonders as pink dolphins, six-foot-wide water lilies, fishing for sharp-toothed piranha, to interacting with the people who live out their days along the river.

M/V Aria’s expert guides, all under long-term contracts to Aqua Expeditions, provide rich narrative detail about life along the Amazon. They enrich guest’s journeys to such little-visited areas as the remote Pacaya Samiria Reserve and the headwaters of the river, with stories about the life and folklore of the area. In fact, many of the guides grew up in Amazonia.

The 24 guests aboard the 130-foot-long M/V Aqua enjoy fine wine and haute cuisine, in all-inclusive comfort equivalent to a five-star boutique hotel. The 12 over-sized staterooms all feature en-suite seating areas, generous beds, and wall-to-wall panoramic windows. The observation deck and outdoor lounge are also glorious places to sip a pisco sour and watch the world go by. Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s star chefs, created the MV Aqua’s gourmet menu. Fine South American wines are included at every meal. Travelers can book three, four, or seven-night journeys. All departures are guaranteed.

Accommodation
M/V Aqua is Aqua Expedition's 130-foot flagship. Its 12 luxury guest suites, designed by an internationally renowned Peruvian interior designer, measure a generous 230 to 240 square feet and feature large, outward-facing panoramic windows and en suite sitting areas. All suites are air-conditioned, and four are interconnected to cater to families. Guests can socialize in the dining room, bar, on the observation deck, and in the outdoor lounge. There is also a small boutique. You'll be served by a crew of 21, including a cruise director, paramedic and three skilled naturalist guides.

Amenities /Attractions
Guests may choose three, four, or seven-night itineraries. Each day will bring amazing new wonders, as guests set out with guides in a fleet of three launches to float toward the source of the mighty Amazon. Each day, you will explore the small inlets and various winding river systems that make up the flooded forest. Pacaya Samiria Reserve, located on the headwaters of the Amazon basin, spans more than five million acres. Twice the size of Yellowstone Park, it teems with wildlife and aquatic life. Visitors will have the opportunity to see hundreds of species, including the endangered pink Amazon dolphin, black caiman, and three-toed sloth.

Dining
Explorers aboard the Aqua will enjoy a menu of fresh, delicious world-renowned Peruvian fare, whether served on-board or on an adventure. Dinner each evening promises to be a culinary feast for the senses, paired with select wines from South America. The menu has been created with the assistance of Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru's top ten chefs.

Seasons
Aqua Expeditions operates year-round, and every voyage is uniquely appealing, based on the changing seasons. During the high water season, the river and estuaries grow, allowing launch boats to venture deeper into the flooded forest. During the low water season, the river recedes and beautiful sandy river beaches form.

Location
Amazon River voyages depart from the port city of Iquitos, Peru. Iquitos is served by numerous daily flights from Lima, Peru’s capital. The flights take one hour and twenty-five minutes.