Amazon River Cruise: Peru
Endless amazing discoveries in the most biodiverse rainforest and river system on Earth
An Amazon river cruise is possibly the most rewarding nature expedition in the world. Journeying into Earth’s largest rainforest, the explorer is ushered into Mother Nature’s Cradle of Life, which covers some 40% of South America across nine countries. A voyage into the selva (“jungle”), as the locals call it, is only possible by boat on the mythical Amazon River. Also known as Rio Amazonas, this great waterway originates from the foothills of the Andes mountains in Peru and flows east on a 4,000 mile (6,400 km) course towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The Amazon rainforest houses the world’s largest and most diverse collection of plant and animal life. It is ‘home sweet home’ for more than one-third of all recorded animal species in the world, including 20% of all bird species. At least 40,000 plant species, 427 mammals, 1,300 birds, 378 reptiles, more than 400 amphibians and around 3,000 freshwater fishes are known to exist within this giant cradle.
Peru offers explorers the most direct and accessible path to the heart of the Amazon via luxury. Iquitos in Northeastern Peru, where the Aria Amazon river tour sets sail, is just two hours flight from the capital and international air hub of Lima and the archeological treasure trove of Cusco. Surrounding Iquitos is lush Amazon territory — a region comprising the headwaters of the Amazon River and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Here the upriver Amazon waters are low in sediment and rich in aquatic life, coupled with an astonishing concentration of wildlife on land.
To reap the most rewards out of a river cruise journey into the Peruvian Amazon, cruise with experienced naturalist guides on board. A keen eye and mountains of experience are needed to navigate challenging terrain and help guests spot wildlife in an environment designed by Mother Nature to conceal them. Amazon boat tours and river cruise ships that conduct small-group excursions are also preferable, as a lesser human presence often leads to more up-close wildlife sightings.
The best Amazon river cruises enable the comfort and luxury required for safe and adventurous navigation through the beautiful Amazonian wilderness.
Choose Your Itinerary
3-night, 4-night and 7-night river cruises aboard the luxury Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera
Every itinerary on our luxury vessel is designed to offer an enjoyable and deeply insightful experience of the Amazon river and rainforest. Having grown up on the Amazon’s riverbanks, our experienced naturalist guides not only help guests spot and zoom in on wildlife during excursions, they readily share deep insights about their behavior and the jungle’s many secrets and fascinating truths — ingredients for a truly rewarding Amazon journey.
Our guides’ keen instincts aside, chances of encountering wildlife with Aqua Expeditions are also maximized with small-group explorations in groups of no larger than 12 aboard Aria Amazon, and no more than 10 for Aqua Nera’s fleet of private launch boats . These boats are also ergonomically designed for maximum comfort.
There’s a lot more to cruising the Amazon than meets the eye. Especially with the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve’s many different habitat types and microclimates, no two wildlife excursions are the same. Fishing, kayaking and canoeing are also part of the quintessential Amazon experience, along with local village and market visits.
All journeys begin in Iquitos. Explore our itineraries to get a fuller picture of what it is like to cruise with us on the Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera.
7 NIGHTS | Amazon Expedition Cruise
The ultimate Amazon odyssey aboard a best-in-class river cruise ship
Our acclaimed 7-night Amazon Expedition Cruise lets guests experience the most luxurious and complete of Amazon journeys among the two tributaries, Marañon and Ucayali, that give the Amazon river its life. This all-encompassing itinerary lets explorers discover the best that Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve has to offer, including its hidden lakes and lagoons, as well as amazing jungle trails.
From USD $8,435 per adult
4 NIGHTS | Amazon Explorer Cruise
Afford yourself more time to explore the Amazon and be richly rewarded
The 4-night Amazon Explorer Cruise manages to fit major highlights of the Peruvian Amazon and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in an action-packed itinerary. Go piranha fishing, trek into the dense jungle with our experienced guides in search of wildlife such as Amazon monkeys, three-toed sloths, hoatzins, toucans, macaws and unravel the mystery of giant water lilies. Journeys focus on the Ucayali tributary, where wildlife feeding and nesting grounds are aplenty.
From USD $4,820 per adult
3 NIGHTS | Amazon Discovery Cruise
A brief yet unforgettable Amazon experience
Get a taste of the most biodiverse rainforest in the world aboard the Aria Amazon or Aqua Nera. Begin your journey in Iquitos, a rustic city which is the beating commercial heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Our 3-night itineraries focuses on the Marañon, the Amazon River’s largest tributary, as well as other neighboring waterways, the Yarapa and Yanayacu-Pucate. Discover the habitats of these nutrient-rich waterbodies and how they — and the lush jungle around them — support a vast array of wildlife.
From USD $3,615 per adult
Highlights and Excursions
On board an Aqua Expeditions’ Amazon river cruise, guests get to experience the world’s most biodiverse land ecosystem in the most intriguing and rewarding way alongside top naturalist guides. An intimate experience with wildlife, nature and culture is made possible by our small-group excursions of no larger than 8, which limit our footprint on the environment and transforms an Amazon cruise adventure into a deeply personal holiday experience.
Amazon Rainforest - Led by our naturalist guides, venture into the world’s richest land ecosystem with a wealth of knowledge.
Amazon River - Closest to its source, the mighty Andes mountains, the Amazon river is as pristine as Amazon’s waters get. This makes it perfect for a wide range of water activities and excursions
Human Habitats - The Peruvian Amazon is home to about 200 communities, each offering a fascinating glimpse into a way of life in harmony with the river and rainforest.
Best Time to Visit the Amazon
Cruising the Amazon river and rainforest ecosystem is like seeing a giant living and breathing creature. The significant ebbing and flooding of the Amazon River and its tributaries between seasons replenish the waters with vital nutrient. The cycle also dictates the rhythm of life for so many species including plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and the local people — the ribereños. As for the ‘best time to visit’ the Amazon, here’s two facts explorers need to know:
As the name suggests, the Amazon rainforest sees rainfall throughout the year regardless of month or season. (Read our ‘Weather’ section on this page.)
The Amazon experiences microclimates. This means that rain can occur in a particular localised area while other areas remain sunny.
You will see spectacular Amazon wildlife, birds and plant life at any time of year. For instance, you can definitely see the Amazon’s rare pink river dolphins.