The Aqua Expeditions company flagship, the Aqua, was the first luxury vessel to cruise the northern Amazon. The boat features 12 incredibly spacious luxury suites designed by a leading Peruvian architect, including four panoramic master suites. All rooms - more like hotel suites than cabins - have oversized panoramic windows allowing optimum views of the stunning Amazon rainforest and all meals onboard are of gourmet standards with wine included. With drinks available from the indoor and outdoor lounges and an upper observation deck there is plenty of space to relax, making the Aqua the most luxurious, comfortable and stylish way to experience the breathtaking beauty and wonder of the Amazon.
Day 1
On arrival at Iquitos airport you will be transferred to the wharf and then board the Aqua. You will be welcomed onboard and have time to settle in before a short briefing by your guides on life on the boat and on your Amazonian trip, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Day 2
Journey along the blackwater Tahuayo River, passing local fishermen in their dugout canoes. Catch your first sightings of Amazonian wildlife, then arrive at Lake Charo and fish for infamous Amazonian piranhas. In the afternoon visit the Yacapana Islands, home to a huge population of iguanas.
Day 3
Today you have a choice of two different itineraries.
Option 1: Take a full day excursion from Yanayacu to the remote Chingana Creek, nesting place of the near-extinct giant river otter. Then take a walk deep into the jungle past howler, capuchin and squirrel monkeys as well as dolphins, and see the great Kapok trees, the tallest in the jungle.
Option 2: In the morning, take a jungle walk with a National Park Ranger. In the late afternoon, go on an excursion to see dolphins and monkeys; you may even pass caimans and will see many of the 200 different species of birds native to this area.
You can choose to go on a night expedition in search of caimans, tree boas, frogs and tarantulas.
Day 4
Get up early to watch the sun rise over the headwaters of the Amazon. Then visit the settlement of Puerto Miguel where you will meet native villagers and find out about their way of life in this remote part of the world. In the afternoon see the world's largest aquatic plant, the Victoria regia giant water lilies.
Day 5
After breakfast, trek into the jungle in search of the bizarre hoatzin birds. After lunch onboard the boat, continue along the Ucayali River and meet native fishermen. Then take a night excursion to see different types of caiman (relatives of the alligator) as well as various other nocturnal wildlife.
Day 6
After breakfast you will be guided on a walk into the jungle, where you can see native villagers farming the forest. Then travel along the Pacaya River, passing capuchin and saki monkeys. As darkness falls, watch out for the Amazon's nocturnal animals.
Day 7
Passing parrots, macaws and toucans, you will visit dolphin feeding spots as you have breakfast before you begin the return journey towards Iquitos. After lunch, fish for piranhas on the Sapote River.
Day 8
On your final morning take a brief trip on the skiffs for a last chance to photograph the stunning Amazon wildlife. You will then cruise back to Iquitos, where a brief city tour will be followed by your flight back to Lima.
