Aqua Nera

Hotel Overview
Itineraries
Cabin types

Location

ex Iquitos (Iquitos, Peru) (Iquitos, Peru)

Description

Aqua Nera was built to offer luxurious cruises on the Amazon river for up to 40 passengers. This 205 foot ship has a large observation deck, indoor and outdoor bars, a comfortable lounge, library/games room, screening room, gym and outdoor plunge pool spread across 3 decks. She is air-conditioned throughout.

Capacity

40 passengers

Activities

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, which can only be reached by water, is an incredible preserved haven for Amazon wildlife, plants and birds. Daily excursions on one of the four 10 person skiffs take you exploring to view the Amazon and its wildlife close up. They are led by English speaking guides who are extremely knowledgeable and informative. Trips take place both in the early morning and early evening and include some land excursions to the local communities.

Accommodation

There are 20 suites split across two decks, each one measures 30 sqare metres and they all face out with wonderful panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. All suites have a king size bed that can be converted into twin beds and an en-suite bathroom with rain shower. Four of the suites have inter-connecting rooms for families and all can accommodate an extra child on a sofa bed.

Our comments

A modern and luxurious vessel with a strong sense of Latin American design, but not a traditional river boat.

Aqua Nera offers 3, 4 and 7 night cruises. The 3 night itinerary focuses on the Marañon river, the Amazon river’s largest tributary, and its neighbouring waterways - the Yarapa and Yanayacu-Pucate. The 4 night itinerary heads along the Ucayali tributary into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in an action-packed itinerary. The 7 night Amazon Expedition Cruise is a more complete Amazon journey combining the two shorter itineraries to explore both the Marañon and Ucayali Amazon tributaries.

Amazon Expedition: 7 night itinerary (low water season)

Day 1: Iquitos; driven to Nauta and board.

Day 2: Early morning birdwatching tour on the Marañon River. Yanayacu Pucate River (skiff excursion and kayak, canoe or swim); Marañon River and village visit.

Day 3: Samiria River (skiff excursion with optional swimming and kayaking); excursion on the black waters of Nauta Caño.

Day 4: Nauta Town (visit the local fresh market); in the afternoon witness the birthplace of the Amazon River. Departure for those on the 3 night itinerary and arrival for those on the 4 night itinerary.

Day 5: Ucayali River (skiff exploration in search of pink river dolphins); flooded forest of the Pacaya river.

Day 6: Full day excursion on the Pacaya River with picnic lunch.

Day 7: Clavero River or Yarapa River (jungle walk, canoe, kayak or swim).

Day 8: Visit the riverside town of San Jose de Paranapura en-route to Nauta; visit the Manatee Rescue Center; Iquitos.

Amazon Expedition: 7 night itinerary (high water season)

Day 1: Iquitos (city tour and visit to a local Amazon community); Amazon River.

Day 2: Amazon River; Yarapa River (skiff exploration, piranha fishing); Lake Clavero (swimming or community visit).

Day 3: Yanallpa River; Jungle Walk in the Terra Firma forest; El Dorado River (night excursion).

Day 5: Marañon River (early morning birdwatching and picnic breakfast); Yanayacu-Pucate River (swim, canoe or kayak); local school and village visit.

Day 6: Samiria River full day excursion including picnic lunch; Marañon River.

Day 7: Nauta Caño River excursion; afternoon jungle hike.

Day 8: Morning visit to the local market (with a chance to sample exotic Amazon snacks); Manatee Rescue Center; Iquitos.

The low water season is from June to November and the high water season from December to May. All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.