peruvian amazon river cruise

North America

South america.

Aria Amazon

Embark on the classic peruvian amazon expedition aboard the award-winning aria amazon – sister ship to our state-of-the-art aqua nera..

Designed by innovative architect Jordi Puig, Aria Amazon is a river cruise ship that is custom-built to explore the Peruvian Amazon and the famed Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in absolute comfort and luxury — with minimal impact to the delicate Amazon river and rainforest environment.   On board, 16 suites with floor-to-ceiling windows give guests a full view of the Amazon’s majestic river and rainforests. The top deck features amenities including a jacuzzi, indoor lounge and bar, and an outdoor observation deck. In the dining room, guests also savor the best of Peruvian cuisine with a comprehensive dining menu created by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s most accomplished chefs known for using produce and ingredients from the Peruvian Amazon.   With small-group excursions of no larger than 12 conducted by highly-experienced naturalist guides, guests can be assured of the most fulfilling, life-enriching wildlife encounters they can get from an Amazon discovery cruise deep in the Amazon rainforest. Our custom-designed ergonomic fleet of private launch boats, manned skillfully by our captain and crew, adds to the comfort of every wild exploration.   Setting a green example for every other Amazon river cruise vessel in the region, Aria Amazon features a water treatment plant and virtually smoke-free, fuel-efficient engines that comply with strict US and international environmental standards.

From signature floor-to-ceiling windows to the elegance of our indoor-outdoor lounges, Peruvian architect and interior designer Jordi Puig artfully combines contemporary style with the use of sustainably-sourced natural woods, for the refined aesthetic Aqua is renowned for.

Our guides know the Peruvian Amazon like the palm of their hands. Learn all about this incredible destination while sailing on Aria Amazon, from the wildlife to the local communities and their long-standing traditions.

Taste the true palate of the Amazon with dishes specially created by our Consulting Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino - globally recognized for his innovative rainforest-influenced cuisine and owner of multiple award-winning restaurants.

Find yourself exploring deep into the snaking Amazonian tributaries with our customized aluminum motorized speedboats, in search of armored catfish, red-bellied piranhas, and the beady-eyed spectacled caimans in the mystical black lagoons.

Keep an eye out for Amazonian wildlife as you kayak through the tributaries or as you fish for red-bellied piranha in the black lagoons of the Pacaya River. Let our expert guides lead you to one of the most beautiful natural swimming spots in the Amazon for a swim in the lush rainforest.

A wonderful way to learn about life on the Amazon riverside is by biking along its banks. Cycle through local towns as you discover traditional Peruvian houses, shop for unique Amazonian souvenirs, and enjoy the sights of a major tributary of the Upper Amazon.

Radio communication with separate battery pack; satellite phone; life jackets, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in each cabin; flares and signals; automatic defibrillator on board.

Passengers are accommodated in 16 river-facing Design suites across two decks. 8 Design Suites measuring 23.2 square meters / 250 square feet each deck; 4 of the cabins can be converted into 2 interconnecting suites measuring 46.4 square meters / 500 square feet.

Four auxiliary aluminum launch boats equipped with four-stroke low emission engines; constant radio communication with the main vessel. Each boat has a capacity of 12 passengers.

26, including a cruise director, paramedic and 3 English-speaking naturalist guides.

Up to 32 passengers

See All Ship Photos

• Year Built: 2010
• Port of Embarkation: Iquitos, Peru
• Vessel’s Registry: Peru
• Type of Vessel: River Expedition Vessel
• Length: 147 feet / 45 meters
• Beam: 29.5 feet / 9 meters
• Draft: 5 feet / 1.5 meters
• Gross Tonnage: 500 tons
• Cruising Speed: 12 knots
• Electricity: 220 volts
• Engines: 2 Cummins 400 HP Marine Engines
• Generators: 2 x 135 KVA Cummins (encapsulated for noise reduction)
• Water: 9,000-liter water treatment plant
• Internet: Unlimited access to SpaceX’s high-speed Starlink Satellite internet for all guests.

Ship Specifications

• Dining room
• Indoor bar and lounge
• Outdoor lounge
• Outdoor jacuzzi
• Massage Room
• Exercise Room
• Observation Deck
• Infirmary with onboard medical staff

On Board Living and Social Areas

“I have a lot of lux travel experiences and can be hyper critical. I genuinely have no notes. Everything was incredible. This was my 2nd time to Peru and the 1st was magical. I was afraid this couldn’t compare. You guys exceeded my expectations. This was an incredible experience. I will tell my friends. Thanks for offering the same level of service despite there only being 10 of us. I will remember this trip.”

Calvin and Dawn B.

February 2020.

“We just wanted to let you know how amazing your staff are on the Aria Amazon. We have just completed a 7-night cruise on the Amazon and our experience was phenomenal. It is not possible for us to single out one crew member because all of your staff were exceptional; from the guides, catering, maintenance staff and all the crew. They were always enthusiastic and professional. They looked after our every need with a smile – nothing was too much for them. We feel the staff onboard are a real credit to your company and we would happily travel with Aqua Expeditions again and would certainly recommend you to our friends and family.”

See All Reviews

February 2018

“The Amazon River, the jungle, the villages, the animals–the indescribable beauty–all speak for themselves, but our experience was truly spectacular because of your entire staff with whom we came in contact as well as the Aria itself. To begin, the Aria is very special in so many ways! All of the special touches did not go unnoticed–from the impeccable servicing of our rooms, to the towel animals on our beds, to the “good night” treats, to the “welcome drinks” each time we returned “home” to the boat, to the beautifully folded napkins and new accompanying dishes at each meal. But, what truly made this a journey we will never forget, was the staff, all of whom knew us by name from day one! Beginning with Juliana and Jorge, they were wonderful Cruise Directors, doing whatever was needed to make sure we were always comfortable, happy and well taken care of. However, the jewel of our trip was our experiences with the Naturalists. Knowing that each of them grew up in the jungle and are now fascinating us with their breath of knowledge about the jungle, the plants, the people, the animals and the birds was truly mind-blowing! These individuals could NOT have been more helpful, accommodating, receptive to questions, knowledgeable, and went “well beyond the call of duty” to ensure that we all had an unforgettable experience. And we DID!”

Dick and Lale

November 2017.

“Fantastic! From the time we stepped onboard the Aria Amazon until disembarkation, we were looked after excellently in all areas of the cruise. Guides and crew made the cruise A1 and we will recommend to all our friends.”

“Recently finished a 7-night trip on the Amazon on board the Aria. It was an unforgettable and fascinating experience. Truly a trip of a lifetime. The ship, the crew and the guides were outstanding. I would highly recommend this cruise to everyone with a taste for adventure.”

“I wanted to write you directly to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on the Aqua Mekong 7 day cruise starting Nov 10. I have not been on a cruise since I was 16 and that was 50 years ago. I have never been interested in cruising, but my friend, Jon Staub cruises all over the world. So when I proposed your ship he said great, let’s do it. At the end of the 7 days aboard your perfectly designed ship I asked if he liked the trip. His response was…..it was the best cruise he had ever been on!!! Now that made me very happy because my husband and I thought the trip was “perfect” in every way.

We love the design of your ship. Our room #205 was beyond my expectations. It is roomy, with enough space around the bed to maneuver without bumping into each other. You have plenty of space, not too much, in fact, just the right amount….and I really like having both shelves and drawers to work with. Shelves are my personal favorite, so I can easily see what I want to wear. There was ample hanging space in the closet. The bed was very comfortable, lighting was sufficient, corner chair a must, we used it all the time. And the bathroom was wonderful, nice big shower, plenty of pressure……my only constructive criticism would be the make up mirror should be at a 5 foot height so it would be much easier to use, rather than bending over every evening to put on some make up. Otherwise all in the suite was perfection.

The common areas are beautifully designed and welcome conversation amongst the passengers. On our boarding at Phenom Penh, I just kept saying…WOW….this ship is beautiful.

All of the above would be just okay if the crew wasn’t pleasant. But thats not the case on this ship. Everyone on board, Cambodians and Vietnamese were so friendly I just can’t say enough about your crew and the manager of the ship. The manager, Julie, took care of all our needs and we think made the ship run like a clock. The guides were full of knowledge and wanted to teach us about their country, we love that. We organized dinner parties and changed who we ate with and the crew in the dining were very accommodating letting us set up a table for 10 one night. The spa ladies were experts at massage and we love that. The bartender also made me a special drink that I like, every night. The crew got to know us and we felt that we were taken care of, and we love that. Our room was immaculate with fresh towels and I love that.

I don’t know what else to say but that you have designed and built and crewed a wonderful ship and made our vacation full of great memories.”

Janurary 2017

November 2016.

“I have never traveled with some wonderful, well-traveled people and staff and was completely impressed by the overall experience.”

“Exceeded what we expected, the personalities (the crew) on board were exceptional.”

“A true adventure” “Everything in this cruise far exceeded our expectations. Excellent facilities, service reserved for a five-star hotel, food and drink of the highest quality. I am an adventure traveler from way back. When I am traveling the world, I want to see or do something that is unique and different. TheAria Amazon river cruise is a different type of cruising that takes guests on an adventure not to be forgotten, very different from any others and would definitely go again.”

“We had a wonderful time on the Aria. We had a fun tour of Iquitos and the Manatee rescue center before the cruise and it was one of the highlights. The food and accommodations were wonderful and the staff top notch. The excursions were fun and interesting, and we saw lots of wildlife. So, all in all, we had a great trip.”

February 2016

“The Aria cruise was absolutely wonderful! Everything was perfect. The food was delicious, the accommodations were first rate and the service was excellent. Marina and the rest of the crew were always helpful, kind and knowledgeable. All the guides were extremely professional and knowledgeable. They were so kind and gracious and helpful. I always felt very safe with them. From the first meeting concerning safety, until the final and extremely fun musical evening everything was top notch. I want to thank all of the Aria crew and guides for one of the best trips of my life.”

Philip & Sabine

January 2016.

“We had a fantastic time on the Aria. So many wonderful memories and the staff was excellent. The boat and accommodations and service and food was above what we dreamed. Everybody on the Aria were smiling and friendly and knowledgeable. My wife and I are already looking over our calendar as to when we can go on Aqua Expeditions’ Mekong River experience.”

Frederike O.

December 2015.

“The trip was a very relaxing experience and saw more animals than I thought. The pink dolphins were in front of our panoramic windows and could see how they were playing outside. A unique moment was when we were in the middle of the Amazon watching the sunset and suddenly the guides took a few glasses of champagne to make a toast with the whole group.”

“The 7-nights that we spent this past June on the Aria will probably be the pinnacle of our travel experience for many years to come. The cruise was amazing in every detail….from the beautiful and well maintained ship to the friendly and professional staff, Aqua Expeditions clearly has set the bar by which other premium travel companies will be measured. The scenery was breathtaking, the guides (with their nearly superhuman eye sight) spotted and showed a vast amount of animals, and the food and presentations were world class. Our cabin was gorgeous and the attention to detail by our cabin attendant was beyond words. Congratulations to Aqua Expeditions for creating such a wonderfully run company and thank you for making our travel experience a life-changing event.”

“My wife was very reluctant to undertake this trip, consenting only after seeing the photos of the boat and being assured that she could remain on the boat and watch the scenery go by. As it turns out she took all but one off-boat excursion, and since returning has described the trip to friends as “fabulous” and “one of the best we’ve ever taken”. The most special part of the experience was our guides–George, Jose, Daniel, and Neyser; they are so knowledgeable and personable, their English language skills are impeccable, and they are just some really smart guys. We spent time with each one, and immensely enjoyed the company of each. All in all, this was a great trip, and I would change nothing about it.”

Or contact us for more information

• Amazon River
• Galápagos Islands
• Indonesian Archipelago
• Mekong River
• Irrawaddy River
• India Cruises
• Machu Picchu
• Iguazu Falls
• South America Cruises
• Amazon River Cruises

Amazon Cruises In Peru

Peru Amazon cruises start and finish in Iquitos – the largest city in the world only accessible by plane or waterway – or in the city of Nauta , some two hour’s drive south. Found in the enormous province of Loreto, in northeastern Peru, both cities form the hub for the country’s Amazon river cruise activity. In fact, two-thirds of Peru’s land mass is covered by the Amazon jungle, much of it unspoiled and waiting to be explored by riverboat. Amazon river travel is still the primary method of transportation in the region as the Amazon Rainforest is mainly a roadless wonder, and a riverboat cruise is the best way to access the narrow, winding creeks and tributaries, and venture deep into the jungle for the best wildlife-spotting opportunities .

The best Amazon cruises in Peru visit the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve , a protected area of flooded forests commonly referred to as the ‘Jungle of Mirrors’ owing to the impressive reflections one can observe during the high-water period. Covering an area larger than 20,000 square kilometers (5 million acres) the reserve provides a wealth of activities, from piranha fishing and jungle trekking, to indigenous community visits and the chance to meet a local shaman and learn about natural medicine and see first hand what life in the Amazon is like. Pacaya-Samiria is also home to some of the Amazon’s most abundant biodiversity. Scientists have registered the presence of 527 species of birds, 102 mammal species, 69 species of reptiles, 58 amphibian species, 269 different kinds of fish, and 1024 species of wild or domesticated plants, and is home to iconic Amazonian species such as pink river dolphins, giant otters, macaws, sloths, and caiman, all potentially viewed during a Peru Amazon river cruise.

Aria Amazon

APRIL SALE:   Discover and book at   up to 60% off!

Amazon Tours & River Cruises in Peru

If you are a rainforest lover, then a Peru Amazon adventure is the perfect option for you. After arriving in Iquitos travel on the Amazonian river through lush greenery and untamed jungle wilderness. Start your Peruvian adventure in Lima or Cusco after hiking your way up to Machu Picchu.

Filters applied

56 peru amazon tours with 1,240 reviews.

• River Cruise
• Christmas & New Year

Amazon Riverboat Adventure In Depth

The boat, the crew and the tour guides were all excellent and gave great and friendly service. We enjoyed every minute.

Absolute Peru

Our tour with G adventures was awesome and our guide Henry was the best! I highly recommend Absolute Peru!

• In-depth Cultural

Peru Essentials

That was an impressive tour with a lot of new experiences. Overall, I had a great time, even though there are surely ways to improve the schedule a little (and the breakfast^^)

3 days Iquitos Amazon Jungle tour with Pink Dolphin watch

I had a wonderful time. So many great experiences, swimming in the Amazon, ziplining in the jungle, nature hikes, animal sanctuaries. The hotel grounds are wonderful. And the food is delicious. Staff is super attentive and friendly. Great place if you just want to chill but also lots of optional activities.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Highlights of Peru (Amazon, 12 Days, Intra Tour Air Cusco To Lima)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing

Premium Peru in Depth

• Jungle Trekking

Premium Peru, Chile & Argentina (14 destinations)

3 days Amazon Jungle tour with Pink Dolphin watch from Iquitos

• Mountain Hikes
• Hiking & Trekking

Inca Trail & Amazon Adventure

Exceptional tour. Our guides and porters made the trip. Best tour I have ever been on. If you travel with anyone other than Intrepid you'll be getting a very ordinary second best. All staff at intrepid are extremely knowledgeable and can't do enough to help you 24/7.

• Wildlife & Nature Photography

ROYAL IQUITOS - 4 DAYS

Thank you for this amazing adventure! The Amazon is truly a precious, unique and fragile ecosystem that should be preserved at all cost. Special thanks to Luz and Ruth for perfectly organizing our tour! Special thanks to Max for being so knowledgeable and attentive!

The Amazon Majesty

I booked this tour as a single traveller and really enjoyed the tour. They planned the itinerary with flexibility so I could do the activities I wanted to do. Brian the lodge Manager accompanied me from the airport to the lodge and was very professional and courteous.The only thing I would pick up on was that the lodge was basic but this wasnt an issue as its intended to give you a real feel for the Amazon.i shared my thoughts with management as the are very keen to offer a good service for future customers.

Peruvian Rivers & Rainforest Discovery (2024) (Lima to Lima, 2024)

4 Days Peruvian Amazon

4-Day Amazon Expedition In Peru From Iquitos

• Ocean Cruise

From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon with the Nazca Lines & Galápagos Cruise 2025

Reviews of peruvian amazon cruises.

Service was excellent. Great way to explore the river and life surrounding it.

great guide, great sites to visit topped with Inka trail

Peruvian Amazon Tours starting in:

• Iquitos (17)
• 3 Day Tours (4)
• 7 Day Tours (14)
• 2 Week Tours (7)
• 3 Week Tours (11)
• Spring 2024 (26)
• Summer 2024 (33)
• Fall / Autumn 2024 (32)
• Winter 2024 / 2025 (35)
• Spring 2025 (25)
• Summer 2025 (24)
• Fall / Autumn 2025 (24)
• Winter 2025 / 2026 (19)
• April 2024 (22)
• May 2024 (28)
• June 2024 (30)
• July 2024 (31)
• August 2024 (32)
• September 2024 (32)
• October 2024 (31)
• November 2024 (31)
• December 2024 (31)
• January 2025 (24)
• February 2025 (20)
• March 2025 (24)
• April 2025 (25)
• May 2025 (24)
• June 2025 (24)
• July 2025 (23)
• August 2025 (22)
• September 2025 (24)
• October 2025 (24)
• November 2025 (24)

Other Regions in Peru

• Machu Picchu (603)
• Tambopata (50)
• Peruvian Coast (45)
• Iquitos (29)
• Colca Canyon (28)
• Rainbow Mountain (23)
• Huascaran National Park (17)
• Huaraz (14)
• Arequipa (12)

Popular Cruise Ships

• Aria Amazon from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• Delfin III, Treasure of Galapagos from Avalon Waterways
• Delfin III from Avalon Waterways
• Amatista from G Adventures

Travel Styles

• Singles and Solo (38)
• For Couples (17)
• Seniors (22)

Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration

16 days | lima to lima.

4.8/5   35 reviews

• Dates and Pricing
• Ship Details

Choose when you want to travel

Experience the very best of Peru over 16 days of wonder and amazement.

From a deep dive into Lima—the “City of Kings”—to the legendary Machu Picchu, this 16-day cruise/tour is an all-encompassing adventure into the marvels of Peru and the Amazon rainforest.

Journey into the Amazon Rainforest onboard the Aria Amazon , a five-star ship designed for your Peruvian adventure. Embark on river skiffs as you explore the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers. Admire the diverse flora and fauna in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Discover the beauty of the heartland of the Inka Empire, known as the Sacred Valley. Of course, no trip to Peru could truly be complete without a trek to the world-famous Machu Picchu. A must-see, this spectacular piece of history has fascinated both historians and archaeologists alike.

With no shortage of awe-inspiring beauty, this trip is sure to be an unforgettable adventure.

Note: The cruise itinerary will vary depending on water levels.

Also note: Due to cultural differences and other factors, the beverage policy for Peru programs differ from our European programs. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.

• Embark/Disembark
• Lima to Lima

Optional Extension

Rio de Janeiro & Iguazu Falls Pre-Cruise Extension

• 2 nights at the Belmond Copacabana Palace (or similar)
• 2 nights at the Belmond das Cataratas (or similar)
• Breakfast daily, 2 lunches
• All service charges, taxes, and porterage
• Christ the Redeemer Statue, Sugarloaf Mountain & Iguazu Falls
• English-speaking guides
• All transfers and transportation

Click here for full details.

Arrive at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the beautiful Country Club Lima Hotel. Its charm and comfort will offer you the perfect home for your exploration of the city.

Seasons : The Aria Amazon sails year-round, and every voyage is uniquely appealing, based on the changing seasons. During the high-water season (approximately November through May), the river and estuaries grow, allowing launch boats to venture deeper into the flooded forest. During the low water season (approximately June through October), the river recedes and beautiful sandy river beaches form. Of course, water levels do not always follow a calendar; day-by-day programs might require adjustments due to these water level fluctuations.

Known as the “City of Kings,” Lima was founded in 1535. A melting pot of cultures, flavors, and history, this bustling metropolis has something for everyone, and today you get to discover it all.

Featured Excursion

Lima city tour.

This panoramic drive will take you around the coastline of Lima in Miraflores. You’ll stroll around the “Plaza San Martín” and “Plaza de Armas,” the main square. Afterward, your guide will take you to the San Francisco Monastery. A maze of tunnels and catacombs...

This panoramic drive will take you around the coastline of Lima in Miraflores. You’ll stroll around the “Plaza San Martín” and “Plaza de Armas,” the main square. Afterward, your guide will take you to the San Francisco Monastery. A maze of tunnels and catacombs await you here.

Later, you'll visit Casa Aliaga. Built in 1535, the “Plaza de Armas” is one of Lima’s oldest buildings. A colonial mansion of the Aliaga family, it has been passed down the family for 17 generations. You will meet a family member who will give you a tour and show you items from centuries past. Lunch will be served at the mansion.

Lima, Fly to Iquitos (Nauta), Embark

You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Iquitos. Upon your arrival at Iquitos International Airport, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the Aria Amazon .

In the evening, you will be welcomed with a reception dinner by Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Famous for his innovative take on Amazonian cuisine, this dinner will be bursting in flavors unique to the Peruvian Amazon.

Iquitos Panoramic City Tour

Before heading to the ship to begin sailing, a local guide will take you on a captivating tour through the Belen market. This busting market is a unique and vibrant place, and our guided tour allows you to explore its lively atmosphere while interacting with locals. You'll also head to the Nanay...

Before heading to the ship to begin sailing, a local guide will take you on a captivating tour through the Belen market. This busting market is a unique and vibrant place, and our guided tour allows you to explore its lively atmosphere while interacting with locals. You'll also head to the Nanay Bridge for breathtaking views of the Nanay River, showcasing the natural beauty of the Amazon region.

Ucayali River, Clavero Lake, Yarapa River

Your day starts at the headstream of the Amazon River, the Ucayali. Kayak, canoe, and swim in the black waters of Clavero Lake, or learn about traditional customs of the area at a remote village along the Ucayali River. Once the sun sets, we’ll explore the Yarapa River in search of the nocturnal wildlife of the Amazon.

Featured Excursions

Ucayali river wildlife exploration.

We start the day searching for the incredible wildlife along the Ucayali River. Parrots, egrets, hawks, and monkeys are among some of the Amazonian wildlife you may come across.

Clavero Lake Excursion

This afternoon, it's your choice: kayak, canoe, or swim the black waters of Clavero Lake. Alternatively, take the unique opportunity to interact with some of the native ribereños —which roughly translates to "river people," Amazonian villagers who live on the banks of the...

This afternoon, it's your choice: kayak, canoe, or swim the black waters of Clavero Lake. Alternatively, take the unique opportunity to interact with some of the native ribereños —which roughly translates to "river people," Amazonian villagers who live on the banks of the rivers—and learn about their culture.

Wildlife & Stargazing on the Yarapa River

At dusk, head out on an excursion with your naturalist guide in search of the nocturnal wildlife native to the Amazon. While cruising the Yarapa River in search of these creatures, don't forget to turn your gaze skyward for a crystal-clear view of the constellations.

Amazon River, Tahuayo River, San Pedro Forest

Today we’re exploring the vibrant wildlife and lush greenery thriving in the Amazon.

Amazon River Wildlife Exploration

Explore with your naturalist guide, who will teach you all about the diverse flora and fauna unique to the region.

Tahuayo River Exploration

Explore the Tahuayo River, a black water tributary of the Amazon River. Learn about the Tahuayo River through the stories shared by your naturalist guide.

Flora & Fauna of the Amazon

Following lunch onboard, venture out on a jungle walk through the forest to explore the Amazonian flora and the fauna of Puerto Prado.

One of the oldest inhabited areas in the Peruvian Amazon, Nauta is nestled between the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers. You’ll explore the town’s market, which is full of fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables. From there, it’s a short journey to the birthplace of the Amazon River.

Nauta Market Visit

Discover some of the exotic fruits unique to the area, such as Camu Camu or Maracuya. Meet local fishermen and see what the catch of the day is. Maybe even indulge your taste buds in an unfamiliar treat.

Birthplace of the Amazon

Despite centuries of exploration, the Amazon River remains a fascinating destination, shrouded in mystery. Journey to where this mighty river is born, where the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers join. While all the lush greenery is breathtaking, you’ll especially be amazed at the giant ...

Despite centuries of exploration, the Amazon River remains a fascinating destination, shrouded in mystery. Journey to where this mighty river is born, where the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers join. While all the lush greenery is breathtaking, you’ll especially be amazed at the giant water lilies growing in the river basin.

Marañón River, Yanayacu-Pucate River, Amazon River

Experience life as an Amazon River dweller as you cruise along the Marañón River. Search for Taricaya turtles and other wildlife lurking just beyond the river. Once the sun sets, we’ll take to the Amazon River, on the lookout for nocturnal beasts.

Marañón River Bird Watching & Jungle Walk

One of the most important water sources in Peru, and a main Amazon tributary, the Marañón River is abundant in animal and plant life. Be on the lookout for one of the 64 rare bird species native to the area.

Yanayacu Pucate River Skiff Ride & Village Visit

Explore the black waters of the Yanayacu Pucate River, keep an eye out for sloths, egrets, parrots, and the Taricaya turtles. After your skiff ride, visit an Amazon village to witness a demonstration of Aguaje palm harvesting.

Piranha Fishing on the Amazon River

After lunch, embark on a top bucket-list adventure for your Amazonian trip, piranha fishing. Your guide will show you how to safely hunt for the notorious fish from the safety of our comfortable river skiffs.

Nocturnal Wildlife Exploration along the Amazon River

Set out at dusk with your naturalist guide in search of the exotic nocturnal wildlife of the Amazon.

Samiria River, Ucayali River

The rewards of our early start today are plentiful, including a picnic lunch under the Amazonian shade, orchestrated to the sound of the jungle symphony. Go fishing along the black waters of Samiria River and choose to go on a jungle walk, canoeing, kayaking, or swimming inside the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Later, cruise along the Ucayali River and enjoy the sunset.

Fishing along the Samiria River

Today, your naturalist will guide you on a fishing expedition along the black waters of the Samiria River.

Night Sailing on the Ucayali River

At dusk, enjoy a sunset cruise along the Ucayali River, while keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Exploration

This afternoon, choose to explore the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve one of four ways: by canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or on a jungle walk.

Puerto Prado Forest, Amazon River

Spend the morning jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking, or swimming before a visit to Puerto Prado Forest.

Marañón River Skiff Tour

Today, you'll be exploring the Amazon rainforest by skiff as you cruise the Marañón River. If you're lucky, you may spot some pink river dolphins.

Puerto Prado Village Visit

Visit an indigenous village to learn about local life in the Amazon, and take the opportunity to view the giant water lilies that can be found here. These lily pads are known to grow up to 10 ft. in diameter and have been recorded being able to hold hundreds of pounds without sinking under the...

Visit an indigenous village to learn about local life in the Amazon, and take the opportunity to view the giant water lilies that can be found here. These lily pads are known to grow up to 10 ft. in diameter and have been recorded being able to hold hundreds of pounds without sinking under the water.

Nauta (Iquitos), Disembark, Fly to Cusco, Urubamba (The Sacred Valley)

Take a morning walk through the town of Nauta before disembarking the Aria Amazon . Your guide will take you on a few excursions on your way to the Iquitos airport for your flight to Cusco.

Once you’ve landed in Cusco, you will be taken to the Tambo del Inka hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Nauta Town Visit

Founded in 1930, Nauta is a central gathering place for Amazonian villagers to buy and trade their local harvest. Your guide will show you the town and give you insight into the daily life of these remote people.

Manatee Rescue Center

Manatees in the Amazon face multiple threats, from habitat destruction to hunting. The Amazon Rescue Center, funded by the Dallas World Aquarium Zoo, takes in orphaned calves, rehabilitates them, and releases them back into the wild. Since their founding, they’ve rescued over 40 orphaned baby ...

Manatees in the Amazon face multiple threats, from habitat destruction to hunting. The Amazon Rescue Center, funded by the Dallas World Aquarium Zoo, takes in orphaned calves, rehabilitates them, and releases them back into the wild. Since their founding, they’ve rescued over 40 orphaned baby manatees. During this visit, you’ll have a chance to get up close to these majestic creatures.

Urubamba (The Sacred Valley)

Enjoy this day of leisure to get the most out of your stay at the wonderful Tambo del Inka. Treat yourself to a relaxing service at their Kallpa Spa, considered one of the best in the country, take a dip in the heated pool, or savor delicious Andean cuisine. Situated in the heart of the Sacred Valley, the Tambo del Inka is also the perfect location from which to head out on your own to explore the incredible nature, cities, and historical sites available nearby.

Masterpiece Collection Providing the most all-inclusive luxury to our guests is the heart and soul of our brand and that will never change. Yet sometimes our guests want something that goes even "above and beyond" our included experiences. In light of this, we now offer guests a curated selection of optional excursions, available for an additional charge.

The art gallery workshop.

Visit The Art Gallery, a creative space owned by famous Peruvian artist Pablo Seminario. Join a workshop on painting, during which you’ll make your a tile that will be dried and burned in the oven for you, and later delivered to your hotel in Cusco to take home as a souvenir. The Art Gallery is also an excellent place to shop for nice creative pieces to bring a piece of Peru back from your trip with you

*Masterpiece Collection are optional experiences that go above and beyond our daily selection of included excursions and can be booked for an additional fee. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be pre-booked. Please note that requests to pre-book must be made by calling our Reservations Team no later than 6 days prior to departure and are subject to availability. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in USD. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 5 days prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 5 days they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change. Masterpiece Collection excursions may not operate if they occur on a holiday or if they require a minimum number of participants and that minimum is not met.

Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)

Today you will explore the heartland of the Inka Empire, known as the Sacred Valley. Your guide will take you to Moray and Ollantaytambo, two historic sights of significant importance. You’ll experience the unique way of living in the Sacred Valley as you meet locals. We finish the day with a train ride to Aguas Calientes, the small villages nestled at the bottom of Machu Picchu. 

Please note: You are only allowed one 11 lb piece of luggage on the train to Aguas Calientes. All other luggage will be taken to your hotel in Cusco.

Moray–Agricultural Terraces & Weaving

A pre-Inkan site, Moray is considered to be a significant Inka agricultural research center. Your guide will give you a tour of the round, agricultural terraces. Afterward, you will meet with local women who will show you traditional Peruvian weaving techniques.

Ollantaytambo Family Home Tour with Picnic Lunch

One of the few battles where the Spaniards lost to the Inkas took place at Ollantaytambo, an impressive fortress that overlooks one of the oldest villages in Cusco. After your tour of the fortress, you will walk to the “last living Inka village of Peru,” which sits under Ollantaytambo....

One of the few battles where the Spaniards lost to the Inkas took place at Ollantaytambo, an impressive fortress that overlooks one of the oldest villages in Cusco. After your tour of the fortress, you will walk to the “last living Inka village of Peru,” which sits under Ollantaytambo. Experience the fascinating way of living in the Sacred Valley at a family home visit. Afterward, enjoy a picnic to the sounds of traditional local Inkan instruments before making your own panpipe.

"Flavors of the Andes"

On a private terrace at the foot of Machu Picchu, sit for a fine-dining experience that fuses ancient Andean flavors with contemporary culinary techniques. Chefs Carlos Pardo Figueroa and Ribelino Alegri´a are dedicated to restoring crops in high-altitude Andean communities, bringing back ingredients that have been forgotten by Peruvian menus for centuries. The result is an outstanding tasting menu, “Flavors of the Andes: Apucc Mikhuna,” which translates to “the food that the mountains bring us.” Every ingredient of your meal tonight will have been sustainably sourced from communities within 31 miles of the restaurant.

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu), Cusco

A breathtaking, historical sight, Machu Picchu is one of the “must-see” archeological sites in the world. This remarkable Inkan Empire site was never found by the Spaniards and was rediscovered during the 20th century. Today, archeologists continue to excavate this ancient city. While many mysteries still surround it, Machu Picchu tells a story of a history that goes back thousands of years. Following your day at Machu Picchu, you will take a train to Ollantaytambo and then a motor coach will take you to the Palacio del Inka hotel in Cusco.

Machu Picchu

Your day starts early with a shuttle bus up to the ancient citadel. Your guide will share stories about the Inka civilization, the site’s discovery, and all the theories surrounding this spectacular piece of history. Enjoy lunch at the famous Sanctuary Lodge before heading back down to Aguas...

Your day starts early with a shuttle bus up to the ancient citadel. Your guide will share stories about the Inka civilization, the site’s discovery, and all the theories surrounding this spectacular piece of history. Enjoy lunch at the famous Sanctuary Lodge before heading back down to Aguas Calientes.

Located in the Andes Mountains, Cusco was the heartland of the Inkan Empire. Today, you will explore all the wonders of this city as you admire the cobblestone streets, colorful textiles, and art galleries. A perfect blend of ancient Andean cultures with Spanish colonial influence, Cusco is not to be missed. Overnight, you will stay in the Palacio del Inka hotel.

Cusco City Tour

Start your morning off at Sacsayhuamán, the Inkan ceremonial fortress dedicated to the sun. Indulge your senses at the San Pedro market as you wander through the colorful stands overflowing with fruits, vegetables, spices, and local products. Your tour continues after lunch with visits to...

Start your morning off at Sacsayhuamán, the Inkan ceremonial fortress dedicated to the sun. Indulge your senses at the San Pedro market as you wander through the colorful stands overflowing with fruits, vegetables, spices, and local products. Your tour continues after lunch with visits to the renaissance-style Cathedral and Koricancha, the temple dedicated to the sun “Inti.” Finally, your day ends with a dining experience inside the San Francisco Monastery of Cusco.

Cusco, Fly to Lima

We’re headed back to Lima today. After a brief walk around town, you’ll head to the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel.

San Blas Walking Tour

Abundant in beautiful handicrafts and antique stores, San Blas is a vibrant neighborhood. You’ll visit the Hilario Mendivil Museum, showcasing the work of Mendivil, an artist famous for statues of saints with notoriously long necks. Wander down small alleys with your guide before enjoying...

Abundant in beautiful handicrafts and antique stores, San Blas is a vibrant neighborhood. You’ll visit the Hilario Mendivil Museum, showcasing the work of Mendivil, an artist famous for statues of saints with notoriously long necks. Wander down small alleys with your guide before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

Your majestic Peru adventure ends this morning. Your guide will walk you from the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel to the Lima International Airport check-in.

What's Included

• Meals onboard prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• Five-star cuisine with menu by top chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino
• 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 10 dinners
• Complimentary house wine and beer, spirits, soft drinks, tea, and coffee will be served on the Aria Amazon , between 6am and 11pm throughout the cruise. Onboard lunches and dinner include complimentary house wine and beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Onshore lunches and dinners include complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea

• 13 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts and naturalist guides

Accommodations

• 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the luxurious Aria Amazon
• Lavishly appointed riverview suites with floor-to-ceiling windows
• 2 nights in Lima at the Country Club Lima Hotel (or similar)
• 2 nights in Urubamba at the Tambo del Inka hotel (or similar)
• 1 night in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) at The Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (or similar)
• 2 nights in Cusco at the Palacio del Inka hotel (or similar)
• 1 night in Lima at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel at the Lima International Airport (or similar)

Experiences

• 1 country: Peru
• 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
• Cultural enrichment
• Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
• Flights included between Lima & Iquitos, Iquitos & Cusco, and Cusco & Lima
• Gratuities for onboard and onshore personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager, local experts, drivers) are included both during the cruise/tour as well as on any pre- or post-cruise land extensions

Similar trips you may also like

Dutch Delight

8 days | amsterdam to amsterdam.

2024 | Dive into Dutch history, culture, and cuisine on a river cruise through the Netherlands.

Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong

15 days | ho chi minh city to hanoi.

2024 | A fascinating, rewarding and multilayered adventure.

Splendors of Egypt & the Nile

12 days | cairo to cairo.

2024 | Cruise the Nile in a manner once reserved for queens and pharaohs.

Stay up to date on all things Uniworld

We'll keep you up-to-date with our latest news, travel inspiration and special promotions.

Privacy Policy

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Request a Quote

Peruvian amazon & machu picchu exploration.

We're here to answer your questions about Uniworld cruises and ships, as well as any of our special offers.

Please note that someone from our team will reach out to you based on this request, but unless you have checked the box to continue to receive News and Special Offers, the information you've provided in this form will be used for this request only.

Please view our Privacy Policy for more details.

• Monday–Friday from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm (PT)
• Saturday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (PT)
• Closed on Sundays

Receive our latest offers, news & travel inspiration

We'll keep you up-to-date with our latest news, travel inspiration and special promotions.

Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu

Activity type.

Physical Grading

Service Level

TripAdvisor

5-Star Reviews: See what our travelers say about our Tours

Trip Leaders

• Prices and Dates
• Why Peru Summit
• Trip Reviews
• Trip Checklist
• What's the trip like

• Positive impact on nature
• Jobs for local tour guides
• Jobs for local muleteers & porters
• Empowering those who have fewer chances
• Money for local transportation

Best Amazon River Cruise and Machu Picchu

Amazon River Cruise and Machu Picchu–Explore the gems of Peru on this incredible 10-day journey through some of the best sights and sites: Machu Picchu an iconic place in the Americas, the Amazon River a renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty.

Natural beauty is on display everywhere you look on this ten-day voyage through the Pacaya Samiria National Park, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, a dreamy realm of majestic rivers, lush forest, impressive mountains, delicious cuisine, and vibrant cultures. In the headwaters of the Amazon River, with our team of naturalists, you will encounter rare pink dolphins, sloths, howler monkeys, giant lily pads, and an astounding variety of birdlife, and you will glide into the Amazonian backwaters by kayak or skiff for an up-close look at the intricacies of this rainforest ecosystem. Sail the mighty Amazon River on board a luxury cruise and stay at the best hotels across the country, this will be a Trip of a Lifetime, an experience never to forget.

The contrasts couldn’t be more extreme as you make the seamless step up to the highlands and ascend to Machu Picchu . Your first sight of the famed ruins perched among the tall mountains will give you the shivers just like you knew it would on this memorable journey. Explore the extraordinary Inca ruins near Cusco such as Sacsayhuaman made of massive limestone blocks, once a religious site, and experience the lively life in the Sacred Valley along with its impressive Inca ruins. Get immersed in Peruvian food with a Peruvian foodie expert, who will show you the tangy and tasty traditional “Ceviche” dish – fresh, raw fish that is marinated in lemon juice and chili spice as well as other local delicacies. If you fancy exploring the city a bit faster, we’ll arrange a bike tour and ride through charming Miraflores and bohemian Barranco. And last but not least, your guide will be a native Quechua who’ll make you as comfortable in Cusco and Amazon jungle as you’ll be among mountain or jungle villagers and llama herders–Best Amazon River Cruise and Machu Picchu Tour

Join us for the adventure of a lifetime – give us a call at  +51 984 464 391  or shoot us an email at  [email protected]  to learn more or book your spot today!

This trip is operated By Peru Summit Adventures in collaboration with Delfin Amazon Cruises

Think Green, Think Global for a Better Place for Everyone

Traveling with us you are making a big difference in favor of the environment, our trips are rated as eco-friendly trips to ensure that fragile ecosystems are protected and maintained for future human generations, also maintain ecosystem and environment integrity through considering a sustainable and ethical business model. Making genuine and sustainable itineraries often translates to real costs, with a host of responsible travel practices that underpin our prices.

Trip Details

Upgraded Comfort

UPGRADED COMFORT: Premium or Comfort trips are led by Peru Summit Adventures experts, an experienced crew at your side, or top trip leaders/guides, and tap into private local experts' resources to allow for in-depth exploration and special access to unique sites that only the local leaders/guides know. Itineraries are carefully crafted and fully planned, with plenty of free time to roam. Camping gears are high-end and accommodations are high-end or best available. Ground transportation and most meals (especially in hikes) and activities are included in the trip price.

EASY: Designed for everyone. Light, Nothing too Challenging. Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

Wildlife, Natural History, Photography & Cultural Adventures

Important Note

While we expect the tour will run as the itinerary describes to Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu. Participants should accept that there is the possibility of changes, being necessary liable to local conditions, eg, strikes, natural disasters, these changes might be at the discretion of your travel company.

Accomodation

Cozy and lovely hotels each night in Lima, Sacred Valley Urubamba, Machu Picchu Pueblo, Cusco, and DeLuxe Cruise in the Amazon River.

Min 2 ppl, Max 10 ppl

Minimum of 02 people is needed to depart. Family groups, couple travelers, friends, or even if you’re a SOLO traveler, you are welcome to our trips. Price is per person, which is based on two people who might share a room/tent. The itinerary is described and based on shared services as well as semi-private service; however, if you are looking for a private service, that would be upon request.

Limited Spaces

YES. To protect MACHU PICCHU, the number of people allowed a day is limited to 4500 (spaces may vary depending on new regulations). That is why you should reserve your space as soon as possible. Spaces can be filled up three to four months in advance. Spaces fill more quickly in the high tourist season, from May to September.

Why experience the Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu

• Unforgettable Adventure, Wildlife encounters, Luxury amenities, History, Food Experiences, Culture, all of them in a journey.
• With an expert naturalist guide, witness and learn the biodiversity and wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest and Amazon River.
• View pink dolphins gliding effortlessly through the underwater world when you take a skiff excursion during your cruise—it’s the best time of year to see them
• Explore the Pacaya Samiria National Park, a nature lover’s paradise, with its rare birds, plants, and monkeys, many of which are easily spotted during a stroll on the river’s bank.
• Step back in history in Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, once the capital of the Incan empire, as well as home of the largest stone citadels and agricultural terraces.
• Taste the innovative and world-class Peruvian cuisine that has been gaining accolades worldwide on a culinary experience with a private foodie guide.
• Enjoy nature walks, skiff, cultural experiences, and more on the mesmerizing Amazon River.
• Embark on rewarding wildlife discoveries in the Peruvian Amazon aboard a five-star, eco-friendly, luxury cruise.
• Experience the tremendous birdlife of the Amazon Rainforest in Pacaya Samiria National Park.
• Explore the famed Machu Picchu with a private local expert, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered the religious center of the Incan empire.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: arrival in lima.

Welcome to Peru

Arrival at Lima airport any time during the day where our local representative will be waiting for you, you will then be transferred to your hotel, where you will be informed about the fascinating journey in Peru that awaits you. If you are arriving in the morning, the afternoon will be to explore the Lima city hub with your private guide.

• Hotel: Hotel B Lima, JW Marriott Hotel Lima, or a similar hotel.

DAY 2: Lima Food Adventure: Peruvian Biodiversity Food Experience

Buen Provecho! Bon Appetit

This Gourmet Tour in Lima will allow you to travel around Peru through its incredible culinary biodiversity while learning more about its numerous ecosystems. You will live a true gastronomic journey through three natural regions of Peru, selva (jungle), sierra (highlands), and costa (coast).

You will begin with biodiversity work where you will get the chance to discover numerous ingredients from different parts of Peru that you have probably never heard of. Some fruit tasting will be on the menu, which will be followed by a chocolate tasting session and a fun quiz! Next, accompanied by your private foodie guide, you will be heading to the first restaurant where you will taste the delicacies from the Amazon. You will have the opportunity to taste delicious bites from the jungle. All this from Lima – how cool? To punctuate the journey on a high note, the Pacific Coast will be the vedette. You will indulge yourself in a mostly fish and shellfish round of bites before getting some dessert. After this food experience, we will return to our hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

DAY 3: Flight to the Amazon Jungle: Welcome to the Jungle

Welcome to the Amazon Rainforest of Peru

3 hours prior to the flight departure time, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for the flight to Iquitos city. Our crew will be expecting your arrival at the airport, then transfer all together in our comfortable private vehicle. We will start you off with a lunchbox as we begin the journey to Nauta.

Arrive to Nauta port: Nauta is a small riverside town on the banks of the Marañon River and was the first city founded in the department of Loreto. Once we reach Nauta, you will enjoy a VIP greeting at our private port along the shores of the Marañon River where the vessel awaits you.

Embarkation: Aboard Delfin, you will be served by our qualified staff who will introduce you to your exquisite and cozy suite, specially equipped with all the amenities for the experienced traveler as yourself. Orthopedic beds, pure cotton sheets, pillows of 100% pure natural latex, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and private bathroom with Spanish style hot water showers are all framed with a spacious private terrace we are sure you will enjoy to the fullest.

Orientation: While the Delfin begins its initial navigation, you will enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the elegantly outfitted observation area located on our third deck. Your naturalist guide will give you an overview of your journey’s schedule, activities, route, highlights, wildlife and vegetation to keep your eye out for, geographical and historical background, and other useful details.

Marañón River: We head down into the Marañon River to a location known as Pahuachiro. This lovely spot is an ideal place to spend some time in search of birds and playful monkeys. As your naturalist guide spots various creatures for you, the landscape adorned by the usual colors of the sun´s reflections is a great photo opportunity as you witness your first Amazon Rainforest Sunset. Breakfast and dinner included and some snacks.

• Night at Delfin III

DAY 4: Exploring the Amazon Jungle: Amazon Natural Park and Yanaycu Pucate

Wildlife encounters

Iquitos Caño: On your first morning with us, we recommend getting up early to appreciate one of the most important zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Never does nature seem more bountiful than in the tropics, and early rising is always rewarding since wildlife is most abundant and active with the rising of the sun. The early morning hours are the best time of day to watch birds, observe their special displays and listen to their songs. We will jump on the skiffs and head to this area with large trees and old palm trees as well, these components favor the presence of several parrot species. This particular spot also has a great number of other birds of different species. We will look for the famous hoatzins nesting a few feet above water, and perhaps a sloth or two of the three toed kind.

Amazon Natural Park: This very unique opportunity, you will get to the only Canopy Walkway in this area, an experience unequaled in the rainforest! At a height of over 25 meters (85 feet) and extending for 500 meters (one-third of a mile), the Canopy Walkway provides a view of the rainforest from the treetops, the best vantage point for observing Amazon wildlife and vegetation. The Canopy Walkway is accessible to all and requires no special skills or equipment. The suspended walkway is spread between 14 of the area’s largest rainforest trees and is one of the longest canopy walkways in the world. You will enjoy “Terra Firma” forest.

Yanayacu Pucate: You will start cruising through the Yanayacu and Pucate Rivers, peeking into different creeks and lagoons. This is one of the best preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will use his expert eye to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. If you want to interact directly with the waters of the Amazon, go out on one of our kayaks or paddle boards. You will even have the opportunity to spot the famous pink dolphins! After dinner, you will enjoy a night safari on Nauta Caño. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

DAY 5: More of the Amazonia from comfort and luxurious Delfin III Cruise: Nauta Caño and Casual & Confluence

Pink Dolphins, Sloths, Birds, and More Adventure

Nauta caño: Nauta Caño Creek is known for squirrel and silver back tamarillo monkeys, birds, dolphins, and even sloths! We will skim the riverbanks for small caimans and spiders, as well as insects of all colors, shapes and sizes.

Fundo Casual: The walk at Fundo Casual jungle trail will take you deep into the rainforest on terra firme (non-flooded forest) where your guide will point out the dynamic creatures and vegetation of the Amazon. Be sure to keep an attentive eye open for spotting surprises! It’s almost unbelieveable how with every step you find something along the way. Almost definitely Anaconda, Rainbow Boas, Tarantulas, Poison Frogs, and most recently porquepines have been spotted. This is one of the very few places in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Amazon Rainforest where you will spot the ever so elusive 2-toed sloth. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

DAY 6: Flight to Cusco - Transfer to The Sacred Valley Urubamba

Welcome to the realm of Llamas and Alpacas

Disembarkation: With heavy hearts, the staff will wish you farewell as you begin your departure. At the port of Nauta, our ground crew will be waiting to take you by our private vehicle back to the city of Iquitos, about 95 kilometers journey by paved road.

Amazon Forever: On our way from Nauta back to Iquitos airport, you will visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (Amazon Forever) where you will have the chance to meet baby manatees and learn about these wonderful and docile creatures and why they are on the endangered species list. As well, there are also some other animals cared for by the center that have been rescued from capture for the intention of being turned into pets and other threatening conditions. We welcome you to donate to this ambitious organization and education center as you wish. Our land personnel will wait for you at the airport and give your boarding passes and help you check in.

Airport departure and arrival: Our staff will be on hand to help you with your luggage and check-in at Crnl. FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport in Iquitos. The flight to Cusco will take you through Lima airport. Upon your arrival at Cusco airport, our private crew will be waiting for you to transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley Urubamba, en route you will have a couple of stop-offs to enjoy the Andean scenery. Only breakfast and some snacks included.

• Hotel: Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado or a similar hotel.

DAY 7: The Best of Sacred Valley (Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Picnic at scenic spot)

Ancient Incan Temples, Quaint Andean Villages

Today, a great nutritious breakfast makes us ready for a full-day exploration of the highlights of the Sacred Valley. The first place to visit will be Ollantaytambo, an impressive Incan site, with amazing farming terraces and a temple of the sun, for the sun temple the construction boulders of over 100 tons were brought from 5 miles away. Our next place to visit is Moray, a unique Incan farming testing center, where the Incas built terraces in a rounded shape in order to generate sort of microclimates, which were used to acclimate different types of plants, here you will explore and learn about this place since the hands of your private guide. After Moray, we will drive to Maras’s salt pans, which was the main salt source to provide to Cusco and other settlements in Urubamba Valley like Machu Picchu during the Incan times, today the locals still process the salt using the ancient techniques as the Incas would do.

To have a perfect day, you will enjoy a picnic by midday at a scenic spot with llamas roaming around you and great vistas in further directions, for sure, this will be unique and unforgettable. In the afternoon we will drive back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley Urubamba. Breakfast and lunch included.

DAY 8: Machu Picchu: A Wonderful day at the Lost City of the Incas

Rediscovering Machu Picchu

In the early morning, you will be transferred to the train station to take the glass roof panoramic train to Aguas Calientes town (Machu Picchu Pueblo).  Our train departs at 7:45 am, we need to be at this station 30 minutes before than the departure time. The train journey is for 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the Machu Picchu Pueblo (town). Once we arrive in the town, we will take the bus to Machu Picchu citadel. Once there,

“What a moment” you will be mesmerized at having the Sacred city of the Incas right in front of you so you will seal your feat with an epic picture with Machu Picchu at the background, you will then have a private guided tour where you will learn about the construction methods, history, and new discoveries from this great iconic site.

After a great time, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes town (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you will have lunch, next, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo train station and/or Poroy train station, where our private crew will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Only breakfast included.

• Hotel:  Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel Cusco or a similar hotel.

DAY 9: The Best of Cusco (Sacsayhuaman Ruins, Cathedral of Cusco, Temple of the Sun)

Welcome to the Ancient Capital of the Incan Empire

A day of leisure in the ancient capital of the Incan Empire entitled a World´s Heritage site by UNESCO. In the morning you will explore the stunning fortress-temple Sacsayhuaman whose construction rocks weigh over 200 tons, where you will be very amazed about this type of Inca architecture. The next place to explore is the Cathedral of Cusco, a gem from the colonial/ Spanish occupation time, this great building took about 130 years to be completed the whole construction by local indigenous people under the management of the Spaniards.

You will then keep exploring the typical Cusco’s alleys, it’s how you will arrive walking to the extraordinary Temple of the Sun Coricancha, the most important religious site of the Incas in the lower Cusco. This sumptuous temple’s walls and floors were allegedly once covered by sheets of solid gold and silver, any recreation of animals, plants, people were made of gold and silver. This temple was once one of the most important religious sites of the Incan people in the city of Cusco. On this tour, you will also visit San Pedro a local market where you will taste fresh-baked Chuta bread, local fruits, and you will see some local bizarre stuff for different purposes, like offerings for Pachamama (mother earth). After a great day of exploring the historical city center of Cusco, we will return to our hotel. Only breakfast included.

DAY 10: Adios Peru: Depart for home

The End of the Great Adventure. Chau!

Two hours before than your flight departure time, you will be transferred to the airport of Cusco to catch the flight to Lima, from where you will connect your flight to home. End of the adventure. Only breakfast included.

Note on Itinerary

Although we do our very best possible to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for several reasons beyond our control, including strikes, weather, natural disasters, and terrain conditions. On some occasions, these conditions may demand us to deviate from our original schedule, in which case we will provide the best available alternative options. And we’ll make a great experience of it!

Included on the Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu

• Transfer from the airport of Lima to your hotel by private transportation and a professional driver.
• 6 nights of Hotel at 5-star hotels (on triple occupancy).
• 3 nights at Delfin Amazon Cruises
• Meals as described on the itinerary.
• Domestic flight from Lima to Iquitos and vice versa.
• Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco and vice versa.
• Other airport to hotel transfer and vice versa by private transportation.
• Foodie guide for food tour in Lima
• Tasting meals during food tour.
• Naturalist guide in Amazon jungle.
• Professional tour guide in Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
• Round trip train tickets on glass roof train class.
• Bus tickets in Machu Picchu.
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu.
• Entrance tickets to all visited places in the Sacred Valley.
• Entrance tickets to all visited places in Cusco.
• Entrance tickets to the Pacaya Samiria National Park in the Amazon rainforest.
• Private transportation on a new and roomy van for the day tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley, comes with a professional driver.
• 24/7 monitoring

Not Included on the Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu

• Meals, some meals are not included, further information on the itinerary.
• Extra expenditure during the trip, premium drinks in the Amazon, massage/spa, extra snacks, personal taxi, laundry, souvenirs, etc. Or any activity and service, which are out of the budget.
• Gratuities for guides and other staff (expected but not compulsory, your own appreciation).
• Travel Insurance (you need to have one to travel with us).
• International flight tickets (please provide us with your flight information).

Prices & Dates

• SEMI PRIVATE 2022 FIXED DEPARTURES
• GO PRIVATE & CUSTOMIZE
• Flexibility on dates: Choose your own dates, you decide when to start your journey.
• Perfect for families, group of mates (friends), honeymoon: Make this trip for you and your loved ones or someone special.
• Totally customizable: Travel the way you want; so you can travel exactly how you want. Book this trip as is or customize it to be as active or relaxed, rustic or luxurious as you wish to go. Perfect for multi-generational families and to celebrate a special anniversary or milestone birthday.
• Go at your own pace: Walk or explore on your own rhythm, forget to stay or keep up with the large groups. It's your own journey.

Note on Prices

Prices are per person, double occupancy or triple occupancy in case of families or friends, Solo travelers will be matched with a person of the same gender if available or single supplement will be forced.

Trip Payment Schedule

• At time of reservation: 50% of the total balance.
• 60 days prior to departure: 50% must be paid fully.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule

• Minimum fee (tour permit fee): $900 per person
• 61-90 days prior to departure: 30% of trip cost
• 46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
• 45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

What Makes Us Different!… Here’s, Why You Should Book With Us!

Making a choice of your right travel company/ tour operator is the most important decision you will make as you make your plans for a long-anticipated dreamed adventure. At first glance, some companies may seem cheaper. However, when you research a little deeper, you will see why traveling with Peru Summit Adventures assures that you will have the most memorable travel experience possible. In fact, we guarantee it, our TripAdvisor reviews say that.

Making genuine and sustainable itineraries often translate to real costs, with a host of responsible travel practices that underpin our prices, here are the reasons why you should go with us!

1. We Focus on Details

2. our safety record is flawless, 3. knowledge and expertise, 4. the smallest groups en route “amazon river cruise and machu picchu” – averaging just 8 travelers, 5. we deliver on our promises.

6. The Best Fare For The Best Trip

7. you book, you go…don’t worry… we won’t cancel, 8. we are local entrepreneurs, a family enterprise.

Probably you will see that most of the tour operators mention it on their websites that are local tour companies, however, if you research a little deeper you will find out that’s not true, they might be although half of the operation is done from here and another half abroad, they even have NorthAmerican phone number or European phone numbers, which is a clue to find out, we are not against the foreigner companies or half foreign companies, what we are against is that they lie.

9. Responsible Travel

Be a responsible traveller! Let’s make this world a better place for everyone and for everyone that lives in it!  The natural environments that we travel to are fragile and abundant with beautiful culture and traditions that are often reliant on tourism. We have a responsibility as travelers to minimize the impact of our presence, protect what is delicate, and leave a positive influence everywhere we can.

As a locally owned and based Peruvian tour company, we integrate these practices into our in-country operations we are aiming for a style of travel that makes the world a better place for everyone, and for everyone that lives in it. Since our very first days as a tour operator, responsible business has been at the heart of what we do. Peru Summit Adventures is committed not just to treading lightly, but to making a real difference by helping and investing in local communities, education initiatives, environmental conservation projects. These values are not more than just words, they are ingrained in the culture and philosophy of our crew, daily operations of Peru Summit Adventures trips, and at our office too. 

Our Flawless Reviews | Your Words -- We Tell It Like It Is!

Experience of a lifetime.

Amanda R from EEUU

Best trip of my life, michael p from eeuu, trekking machu picchu, sam e from eeuu, custom salkantay trek for 13 plus wedding, meridith craven from eeuu, ausengate trek – best 5 days so far, stefanie from eeuu, salkantay walk with peru summit, daryl s from eeuu, trip checklist.

• Flight info (required, printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Travel Insurance info (required, wit photocopies)
• Passport (required, with photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates (required, with photocopies)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (with extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash especially for Amazon Rainforest, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (used for daily excursions)
• Hands sanitizer
• Personal first-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunblock, Acetazolamide (Diamox good for altitude sickness prevention), Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
• Flashlight/ torch (headlamps are ideal with extra batteries).
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear and waterproof hiking shoes
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Travel towel
• Toiletries (preferably biodegradable)
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Warm gloves
• Warm layers
• Hiking pants (convertible/zip-off and quick dry recommended)
• Rain gear (especially if traveling in the wet season, from October to March).
• Dry bag (will help keep cameras and essentials dry)
• External battery pack and power bank.
• Motion sickness tablets
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sun hat/bandana
• Deet (at least 35% of Deet)

Whats the Trip Like

Nature walks & explorations, community visits, weather in the amazon rainforest.

• The rainy (high water) season is from November to May.
• The dry (low water) season is from June to October.

Clothing for the Amazon Rainforest

Insects & mosquitoes, other items, connectivity, tipping in etc amazon rainforest, weather in cusco, sacred valley, and machu picchu, trek leaders or guides are part of the core of peru summit adventures and your perfect local companion.

The perfect custom-made private tours, adventure tours, or expeditions don’t just happen. It takes a team of talented, knowledgeable, passionate, and experienced professionals to bring it all together and possible. Our team of Peru Summit Adventures Leaders is comprised of local trip veterans, seasoned tour veterans with rich backgrounds on history, archaeology, culture, cuisine, geology, biology, and more.

With the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the travel industry, our Trip Leaders safely deliver your trip-of-a-lifetime to maximize your Peru journeys and adventures every step of the way. Our Tour/Trek Leaders have worked extensively in the Peru isolated mountains, archaeological sites, hiking the Inca Trail (at least 150 times), Amazon jungle, and being at Machu Picchu for over 400 times at least, this guarantees your trip a unique and memorable experience.

Extend your Experience

Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco

Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike

Nazca Lines Tour 2 days

Short Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu

Hotels: We select carefully our hotels in each destination all over the country. And we select our accommodations for how well they represent the distinctive character of the destination you’re in. Some of these rooms and cabanas draw their inspiration from history and others from the views they offer. What’s consistent, however, is that we stand by each and every one of these for what they’ll add to your experience.

Delfin III Cruise: It is our newest vessel, that offers guests an immersive rainforest experience while simultaneously treating them to the highest levels of luxury. Launched in 2015, it is the largest in our fleet, with a capacity of up to 44 guests. The ship has been beautifully finished with the finest details, hardwood floors, designer furniture, and handmade Peruvian art and crafts. The itineraries have been carefully planned and are set to offer an unforgettable experience. You will have no shortage of up-close rainforest experience and gourmet food to complement. On the first deck, there are 8 Suites with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows as well as 2 spacious Corner Suites facing the front of the ship. On the second deck, you’ll find 10 Upper Suites and the largest of all, the Owner’s Suite. The top deck features a beautiful indoor and outdoor lounge, a sundeck with a plunge pool, a spa and gym, and of course the bar.

Suggested Reading List

We have created a custom comprehensive listing of Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu , Machu Picchu and Peru , Machu Picchu, and Peru travel books for this trip. Our reading list Peru is custom-designed to complement specific Peru Summit destinations. We feature a handpicked selection of travel guides, maps, literature, books on art, cuisine, nature, and culture, designed to help you get more out of your travels to Machu Picchu & Peru.

Machu Picchu Uyuni Salt Flats Tour

Best Galapagos and Machu Picchu Tour

The Best of Peru Luxury Tour Package 15 Days

First Name (required):

Last Name (required):

Your Email (required)

Phone or WhatsApp (required):

Your Country (required): United States Canada Mexico United Kingdom ----- Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea Korea Kuwait Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Netherlands) Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia & S. Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

Number of participants (required):

Main Travel Date:

Alternative Travel Date: Please provide at least two alternative tour start dates in order of preference. Write none if there are no other dates available for you.

Waynapicchu and Machupicchu Climb: Consider only if your tour includes or finishes at Machu Picchu Waynapicchu Mountain Machupicchu Mountain More info about Waynapicchu Here

Aditional Information:

Send Inquiry

Confirm Your Email (required)

Your Country (required): United States Canada Mexico United Kingdom ----- Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea Korea Kuwait Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten (Netherlands) Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia & S. Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Number of participants (required): Main Travel Date: Alternative Travel Date: Please provide at least two alternative tour start dates in order of preference. Write none if there are no other dates available for you. Waynapicchu and Machupicchu Climb: Consider only if your tour includes or finishes at Machu Picchu Waynapicchu Mountain Machupicchu Mountain More info about Waynapicchu Here Aditional Information:

The experts at Peru Summit Adventures specialize in crafting highly-customized trips. We look forward to answering your questions about your upcoming travel plans. Get started by filling out the information below

Tour name: Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu

Main contact details, start planning here.

We can customize this private tour just for you. Any detail can be tailored – activities, length, hotels, and other destinations as well as we can accommodate this tour to the photography experience. Use the form below to start planning your experience of a lifetime.

Prefer to speak with a local Expert?

Peru Summit Adventures has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the past five years in a row.

The experts at Peru Summit Adventures specialize in crafting highly-customized trips. We look forward to answering your questions about your upcoming travel plans. Get started by filling out the information below.

Inca Trail Booking

Main Date (required)

Alternative Date (required)

Waynapicchu and Machupicchu Climb: Consider this option only if you are taking 5-Day Trek Inca Trail Trek Waynapicchu Mountain Machupicchu Mountain More info about Waynapicchu and Machu Picchu here

Add these private tours to your trek at discounted prices (based on 02 people): Sacred Valley Full Day ($ 125.00 pp) Rainbow Mountain Trek ($ 130.00 pp) Humantay Lake Full Day Tour ($ 130.00 pp) Extended Sacred Valley ($ 130.00 pp) Cusco Highlights Tour ($ 90.00 pp) Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour ($ 140.00 pp) Cusco Walking Tour ($ 45.00 pp)

Please add any special request or relevant information you think we should know:

Highly Recommended!

South America Adventures

• The Great Amazon River Expedition

Trip Highlights

Voyage to the Amazon Headwaters

Cruise Aboard a Private Luxury Riverboat

Explore the Rain Forest in Search of Wildlife

Photo Departure

What Makes Our Amazon Expedition a Cut Above the Rest?

• The Finest Vessel on the River You won’t find a riverboat of higher quality. The  Delfin II  is custom-designed for navigating the Amazon and its tributaries. Built in a classic style distinctive to this region and beautifully finished with contemporary comforts, this small ship features generous cabins with panoramic windows for surveying the passing rain forest and wildlife.
• A Maximum of 28 Guests for a More Intimate Experience While some Amazon ships carry 100 passengers or more, the Delfin II offers a much more personalized experience. We charter the ship exclusively for our travelers. Its compact size means we can tie up at the bank to easily embark small skiffs for excursions to observe wildlife at close range. We also meet with local ribereño people in riverside villages along our route in an authentic and non-commercialized context. 
• Cruise all the Way to the Amazon Headwaters Amazon itineraries vary—compare carefully. Our main focus is the largest protected realm in Peru (and second largest in the entire Amazon Basin), the WWF-supported Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. This 5-million-acre wetland at the headwaters of the mighty river is replete with wildlife—you won’t find a richer experience of  rain forest  biodiversity. 
• The Best Guide-to-Guest Ratio You'll Find  While the ship operates with three local naturalist guides on every voyage, we also travel with two Nat Hab Expedition Leaders, whose expertise and depth of knowledge in the Amazon greatly enhance your interpretive experience. Our Amazon guides average at least 10 years’ experience in the region, and that means they'll be able to help you spot elusive wild creatures that are otherwise virtually invisible in the rain forest's shadowy depths. Your Expedition Leaders also provide an added level of service and personalized attention.  Read our Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our renowned leaders.
• Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Superior Amazon Cruise Natural Habitat Adventures offers an exclusive guarantee, which clearly states that we will meet the lofty expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise for yourself!
• Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.

Read what travelers are saying about our Great Amazon River Expedition:

Availability & Book Now

Download Trip Details

Ask a Question

Customize Your African Safari

Let our in-house safari experts create your perfect African adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on this safari or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917 .

Customize Your Trip

Let our in-house trip experts create your perfect adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on our ${tripName} or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Get our downloadable trip details in PDF format, a handy resource for your travel planning. Inside, you'll find all the info from our website—highlights of the trip, itinerary, accommodations, and full details on dates, prices and logistics—plus a few extras!

Thank you for your request! Click here to see your trip details PDF now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Fill out our form to receive additional information about our ${tripName}, or give us a call at 800-543-8917 .

We’ll be in touch soon with more details.

Request Your 2023 Catalog

Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to arrange nearly a hundred nature travel experiences around the planet, while helping to protect the magnificent places we visit and their wild inhabitants.

Get Weekly Updatess

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add [email protected] to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Send Us a Message

Have a question or comment? Use the form to the right to get in touch with us.

We’ll be in touch soon with a response.

Refer a Friend

Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.

We've received your friend's information.

View Our 2023 Digital Catalog

View Our 2024/2025

Digital Catalog

Thanks for requesting access to our digital catalog. Click here to view it now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Adventure Cruises

Photography Expeditions

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Have a question or comment? Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us. Hours Mountain Time

• 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday
• 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday
• Closed on Sunday

Luxury Amazon River Cruise & Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu and Iquitos, two of the most amazing destinations in Peru, will open your eyes and dazzle you in a 10-day expedition through the best of each place. This itinerary is for the ones who want to travel to the top and most famous regions in Peru differently. We’ll take you along the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting its interesting Inca sites and relaxing surrounded by astonishing mountains in hand-picked boutique properties. You will explore the best of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve on board the luxurious El Delfin cruise ensuring maximum comfort in the Amazon Rainforest. Peru’s Andes and jungle await!

Why we love this trip!

• Discover the scenic route to Machu Picchu by taking the Sacred Valley train.
• Explore Machu Picchu, the most famous Inca fortification.
• Cruise the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve on board the luxury El Delfin III vessel to the source of the Amazonas River.

Itinerary day-by-day

Welcome to Peru! Upon landing at Cusco airport, we will greet you and take you in private transportation towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll stop at Sarapampa, a beautiful country manor that has been farming some of the best corn in Cusco for over three generations. Our host will welcome and show you around the hacienda before settling in for a delicious meal. Then, we’ll visit the Pisac traditional market to appreciate many local customs and regional products, before heading to your charming countryside hotel.

Set off on tour to visit Moray, a unique Inca site consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression. Then, head to Maras and visit MIL Centro, a new cuisine proposal at 3,568 m (11706 ft) by Virgilio Martinez, the most recognized Peruvian chef in the world. Savor here a gourmet 8-course meal based on the Andean highlands before visiting the Maras salt-extraction complex. Next, enjoy the views of this impressive salt-extraction complex while taking an easy painting class to capture the beauty and intensity of the unbelievable landscape.

Leave our hotel and head to Piuray Outdoor Center at the shores of Piuray Lagoon. Your instructor will welcome and give you a short briefing of today’s adventure before starting your kayaking experience. Go in the water and stroll along the lake, surrounded by a beautiful landscape and birds. Afterward, enjoy a fresh lunch made with the best inputs with the unbeatable view of the lake. After some time to rest, leave Piuray, and start our journey back to your hotel.

Board the exclusive Sacred Valley train and start your journey towards Machu Picchu town. This elegant train dates back to 1920, and after a complete refurbish, it’s possible to enjoy a fascinating ride among the Andes onboard a classic but luxurious train. After a 30-minute bus up a steep zigzagging road, you’ll encounter Machu Picchu. The afternoon is a great time to take the guided tour around the main areas of the site, as many travelers are leaving the site at this point. Your guide will be happy to answer all the questions you may have before we take you back to Aguas Calientes and your charming hotel.

Today at the coordinated time, we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, a charming village that has not changed much since Inca times. We will explore this town and of its famous archaeological site, a fortress with impressive Inca stonework only seconded by Machu Picchu. Afterward, we continue to Wayra restaurant, where you will get to enjoy a delicious lunch while appreciating a show of the Peruvian Paso horse. Drive to your hotel in Cusco city.

Strap on our walking shoes and get ready to explore the historical center of Cusco and the surrounding countryside! We will begin with a 10-minute drive to our first visit of the day: Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress overlooking the city. Next, we’ll head back to the city. Now, our walking tour will take us not only through the most touristic sites in Cusco, such as the Main Square, and Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), but also along ancient streets, local markets, and old neighborhoods. There we will discover the magic of Cusco! A spot we like to visit, where few others go, is San Francisco Church. It has impressive colonial architecture, catacombs, and excellent rooftop views of the city. Finally, we will head to the MAP Cafe Museum. This restaurant is probably the best option in the city for a gourmet meal. You will enjoy an exquisite seven-course tasting menu with the best of our Andean cuisine.

Leave Cusco and board your flight to Iquitos, the northern Amazon Rainforest. On arrival, your cruise crew will welcome you and drive to the local port in Nauta to board your deluxe cruise El Delfin III. You’ll go on a 4-day expedition along the Marañon River and Pacaya Samiria National Reserve while enjoying some cocktails onboard and the beautiful views from the top deck.

Don’t miss the change to enjoy the astonishing sunrise from your panoramic view cabin! Head on a 2-hour skiff exploration and jungle walk trail to Fundo Casual that will take you deep in the Terra Firme forest. Your guide will teach you about the Amazon flora and fauna. Continue your Amazon expedition towards Yanayacu and Pucate rivers and enter the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a protected area of the reserve, due to the presence of the endangered pink dolphin.

Go on a 4-hour exploration and walk along the Amazon Natural Park. Here, you’ll learn about the medicinal use of the many plants and trees that live in this forest. Following a tasty lunch, you’ll board the boats and go towards Puerto Prado. This small Amazon village will be happy to welcome you in their community. After this eye-opening encounter, we’ll continue our boat trip towards Unión de Los Ríos. At this river confluence, the Ucayali river meets the Marañon river upstream of the immense Amazon River.

After a farewell breakfast, we’ll say good-bye to the lovely cruise crew that traveled with us during the past four days and start our drive back to Iquitos city. On route to Iquitos, we will stop at The Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals to meet some river otters and baby manatees, one of the most threatened species from the Amazon. This visit and donation will help to support the preservation project. Finally, we will continue to the airport to board your flight to your next destination.

What’s included ?

• Personalized attention before and throughout your trip
• Brief presentation prior departure
• All transfers and transports
• Entrance fees
• Local English-speaking guide focused on personalized trips
• Accommodation at well-thought hotels according to your travel style
• Mentioned meals

What’s not included ?

• Services not specified in the program, extras & tips
• Domestic flights
• International flights
• Travel Insurance

Similar Trips

Choquequirao trek & tambopata national reserve, machu picchu & the tambopata national reserve, peru family adventure, wildlife tour in peru, nature at its purest, machu picchu & the amazon rainforest, discover the soul of peru.

Thousand of kilometers traveled, countless cities visited, always new discoveries right at your fingertips. Be the first to know all about our trips and the latest news.

• Amazon Rainforest
• Arequipa & Colca Canyon
• Ayacucho & Central Highlands
• Bolivia & Uyuni Salt Flats
• Cusco & Machu Picchu
• Ecuador & Galapagos
• Kuelap & Chachapoyas
• Paracas & Nazca Lines
• Puno & Lake Titicaca
• Trujillo & Chiclayo
• Piura & Tumbes
• Peru Family Tours
• Peru Highlights
• Peru Honeymoon Tours
• Peru Luxury Tours
• Nature & Wildlife
• Peru Off The Beaten Path
• Responsible Travel
• Trip Finder
• Start planning here
• Get in touch
• Sign up for e-mail

Aria Amazon River Cruise

The 147-foot-long, M/V Aria is the ultimate luxury cruise ship on the northern Amazon River in Peru and it is custom built by Peruvian architect Jordi Puig. It launched in April 2011 and offers an extraordinary level of comfort while enjoying an amazing Jungle experience!

The boat’s itineraries explore remote areas of the Amazon River; it has 4 world-class guides and 24-crew member and also includes an Amazon wildlife reference library plus air-conditioned multimedia room.

• Includes & Not Includes
• Specifications

The M/V Aria features 16 specially designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, a fully air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge as well as the Aqua Expeditions’ signature Amazon Grill with award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

The boat’s itineraries will vary from those of its sister ship, the M/V Aqua, but will also explore remote areas of the Amazon River. The 24-crew member M/V Aria is staffed with four world-class nature guides and will also include an Amazon wildlife reference library and air-conditioned multimedia room.

Day 1 : Iquitos - Amazon river

We have 3,4,7 and 8 days cruises, in this case, we will detail the 8 days itinerary:

We will meet at Iquitos International Airport then enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant or we will serve a box lunch en route, depending on the flight arrival time. The afternoon continues with an introduction to this historic city and the opportunity to meet an indigenous Amazon community.  At 6:00pm we will board the ARIA AMAZON. Settle into your generously proportioned suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to our naturalist guides, we gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by our Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima’s top ranked dining experiences.

Day 2 : Amazon river - Yarapa river - Nauta Caño

Aboard our comfortable skiffs, we set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Keep your binoculars ready to spot tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloths. We’ll go fishing for Amazonia’s notoriously ferocious piranhas while our naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo. As the sun sets, we head off on an evening’s wildlife excursion with extraordinary stargazing on the black waters of Nauta Caño.

Day 3 : Marañon Creek - Suspended Bridges Yanayacu-Pucate river

Rise with the sun to explore a ‘lost river’ along the Marañon River. After breakfast, we will take a jungle walk across suspended bridges deep into the high Amazon rainforest. Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River as we look for legendary pink river dolphins. Focus our hi-tech telescope on the night sky to identify the planets and constellations.

Day 4 : Nauta town - Village visit - Birthplace of the Amazon

This morning, we will visit the local fresh market with your guides who can identify the day’s catch by the fishermen of Amazonia and the region’s exotic fruits. In the afternoon, we witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. Tonight you will meet the new passengers who have signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.

Day 5 : Yanallpa river - Dorado river

By skiff, we explore the black waters of the Yanallpa River, disembarking to walk deep into the Amazonian rain forest. Later, we board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife.

Day 6 : Pacaya river - Ucayali river - Tapiche river

The rewards of our early start today are plentiful, including a breakfast picnic accompanied by jungle symphony and fishing along the black waters of the Pacaya River. After lunch, we venture out by skiffs on the Ucayali River alongside the banana boats transporting their jungle products to the port of Requena, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.

Day 7 : Clavero or Yarapa river - Amazon river

Choose to go jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming on the black water Yarapa or Clavero River in the morning. Visit a remote Amazonia village in the afternoon. This evening before dinner, we will gather to introduce you to some of the crewmembers whom you may not have met, working “behind the scenes” to ensure your countless exceptional experiences aboard the ARIA AMAZON.

Day 8 : Arrival in Iquitos - Manatee Rescue Center - Transfer to the airport

At the Bellavista Nanay morning market along the Nanay River, sample exotic snacks from the Peruvian Amazon like ‘Suri’, Amazon caterpillars that are considered especially appetizing. Return to the ARIA for breakfast and to pack up. Before saying goodbye, we will make one last truly memorable stop at the Manatee Rescue Center, a very special kind of animal orphanage for Amazonian manatees. We will also visit San Juan craft market on route to the airport. Lunch or box lunch will be provided, depending on the exact departure flight time, which may vary. Other local activities may be included as well, according to the flight schedule.

• All meals while onboard
• All excursions off the Aria Amazon
• Beverages (non-alcoholic, select premium wines, sparkling wine and national beer)
• Transfers to/from vessel when arriving or departing on recommended flights
• Pacaya Samiria National Reserve entrance fee

Not Include

• Air tickets to and from Iquitos
• Guide and crew gratuities
• Boutique purchases
• Year Built : 2010
• Port of Embarkation: Iquitos, Peru
• Vessel’s Registry: Peru
• Type of Vessel: River Expedition Vessel
• Length: 147 feet / 45 meters
• Beam: 29.5 feet / 9 meters
• Draft: 5 feet / 1.5 meters
• Gross Tonnage: 500 tons
• Cruising Speed: 12 knots
• Electricity: 220 volts
• Engines: 2 Cummins 400 HP Marine Engines
• Generators: 2 x 135 KVA Cummins (encapsulated for noise reduction)
• Water: 9,000-liter water treatment plant
• Safety on board the Aria Amazon: Radio communication with separate battery pack; satellite phone; life jackets,  fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in each cabin; flares and signals; automatic defibrillator on board.
• Launch Boats Used for Shore Excursions from the Aria Amazon: Four auxiliary aluminum launch boats equipped with four-stroke low emission engines; constant radio communication with the main vessel. Each boat has a capacity of 8 passengers.
• Aria Amazon Crew: 27, including a cruise director, paramedic and 4 English speaking naturalist guides.
• Aria Amazon Capacity: Up to 32 passengers with private facilities (Additional accommodation for one child in each cabin)
• Accommodations and Cabins: 16 suites (8 Design Suites measuring 23.2 square meters /250 square feet on the first deck and 8 Design Suites measuring 23.2 square meters / 250 square feet on the second deck). All outside-facing with floor to ceiling panoramic windows. All air conditioned with en suite sitting areas. Four interconnecting suites for families.
• Unique Cabin Features and Amenities: Amazon river facing panoramic windows; air conditioning; twin beds that convert to a California king-sized bed; en suite sitting area, bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, cabinet, hairdryer, hot water around the clock and a basket of toiletries; internal communications system.
• Common Living and Social Areas: Indoor Bar; Lounge; Dining Room; Outside Lounge; Outdoor Jacuzzi; Exercise Room; Massage Room; Observation Deck; Boutique

We had a wonderful trip.!! LOVED the Aria and the Treehouse…. but I would suggest doing Treehouse first since it is not air conditioned and no hot water. The food on the Aria was fantastic. Also loved Lake Titicaca and Suasa Island.

Why travel with us?

Suggested peru cruises.

Amazon Cruises

Best Amazon Cruises 2024-2025

An Amazon River cruise is on the bucket list of most nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Actively cruise the Amazon and its tributaries up close aboard purpose-built small ships and river boats. Contact us for expert advice and a free quote on your Amazon cruise.

Choose from the best selection of Peru Amazon River cruises from Iquitos, lower Amazon cruises in Brazil from Manaus, and upper Amazon cruises in Ecuador on the Napo River. Amazon  small ship cruises carry only 8-43 guests ensuring intimate and up-close encounters. Amazon River cruise itineraries are typically 4 to 8 days in length.

Not sure where to start? View the best Amazon cruises below. Our experts know all the Amazon river boats to help you choose the right cruise for your interests, schedule and budget.

Cruise along three powerful Amazon tributaries: the Marañón, Ucayali and Pacaya Rivers aboard the Aqua Nera Amazon River Boat. Exciting jungle walks, piranha fishing and skiff rides are the best ways to explore the Peruvian Amazon jungle.

Voyage to the heart of the Brazilian Amazon aboard the 18-guest Tucano to the remote wilderness and uninhabited sections of the Rio Negro. Cruise within the Central Amazon Conservation Complex on this exploratory and authentic Amazon small ship cruise.

Board the 28-guest Amatista and spend 9 days cruising to the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon. Visit a local community and shaman and explore by foot and skiff, searching for wildlife beside expert naturalist guides.

Amazon Cruises with AdventureSmith

We are award-winning Amazon small ship cruise specialists. We understand nuances of each Amazon cruising region and seasonal distinctions which are important when selecting a cruise. Whether you seek a simple Amazon nature cruise, a National Geographic expedition or a luxury Amazon River cruise we have the right trip for you. Why book your Amazon River cruise with AdventureSmith Explorations?

Personalized

Work with one specialist from a licensed & insured, U.S.-based company, throughout the process.

An unmatched selection of classic Amazon River boats & luxury Amazon small ship cruises in Brazil, Peru & Ecuador.

Our experts match you with the best Amazon cruise. Let our firsthand experience be your guide.  

Take advantage of early-booking deals & other Amazon river cruise perks. We are here to help you save.

Amazon River Cruise – Peru, Brazil or Ecuador?

Peru Amazon cruises from Iquitos are the most popular and pair perfectly with travel to Machu Picchu. An Amazon cruise in Brazil , embarking in Manaus, is the choice for travelers wanting to cruise the lower Amazon River and see less civilization. Ecuador Amazon cruises are often paired with the Galapagos Islands and explore Yasuni National Park, along upper Amazon River tributaries. Learn more from our Amazon River cruise guide – How to Choose .

Luxury Amazon River Cruises

Sophisticated, luxury Amazon river cruises offer 5-star chefs and fine dining, superior service and high crew-to-guest ratios with top rated guides. Luxury Amazon river boats cruise in comfort with floor-to-ceiling windows, topnotch spas and fully air-conditioned spaces. The Delfin III Amazon luxury cruise in Peru touts membership in the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association. The modern 32-guest Aria pioneered luxury Amazon cruises in Peru. The 40 guest Anakonda offers the only 5-star luxury Amazon river cruise in Ecuador.

“The Amazon’s remote jungles reveal untamed wildlife, indigenous cultures and a place where all life flows from the water.”

Temperature & Rainfall

Best Time to Cruise the Amazon River

The high-water season runs roughly from November to May with 60-180 inches of rain. This rainy season allows more extensive exploration in small craft and jungle access via water. Low-water season is June through October with 30-100 inches of rain. This dry season, or shall we say less rainy season, may allow for more trail walks. Though it can rain slightly more in the high-water season, it usually rains some every day in the low-water season too. The best time to cruise the Amazon River is at the end of the rainy season in May and June.

Want to Learn More About the Amazon’s Climate?

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Amazon River Boats

Purpose built small ships are at the heart of an Amazon River cruise. Nimble Amazon River boats carrying only 8-43 guests ply remote rainforest with the highest level of safety and comfort. Amazon River cruise ships range from affordable classic wooden river boats to modern luxury ships built of steel and glass. Enjoy daily off vessel excursions then return each night to your Amazon River boat for a beautiful sunset, a delicious meal and a restful sleep before another day of exploration. We have the best Amazon river boat for you at the right price. There is simply no better way to experience the Amazon than on a small river boat.

The 32-guest Aria Amazon offers a sophisticated boutique hotel aesthetic, with full air-conditioning, floor-to-ceiling windows, private baths, Jacuzzi and fitness equipment. Add a 5-star Peruvian chef and custom ship design and the Aria Amazon is one of the most luxurious adventure vessels cruising the Amazon River.

The 28-guest Delfin II is one of the most innovative and sustainable ships in the Amazon; it is the first to host a full fleet of kayaks. Luxury and authenticity combine perfectly on this river vessel, which brings influence and cultural awareness throughout the Peruvian Amazon.

The 40-guest M/V Anakonda is the only luxury ship in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, featuring air conditioning, fine dining and superior service with floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious decks and fiberglass ecologic canoes.

The 28-guest Amatista explores the Peruvian Amazon in classic riverboat style. Her comforts include air-conditioned cabins and dining on tropical flavors of the Amazon.

Amazon Cruise Reviews

Our experts and clients help you decide with firsthand cruise reviews and personalized recommendations. Amazon small ship cruises are as diverse as the rainforest itself with a huge variety of small ships cruising throughout numerous regions including Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. With all of these choices it can be challenging to know what each cruise is really like.

Our Amazon cruising experts and our travelers have documented their journeys sharing their genuine experiences and personal travel stories aboard small ships in the Amazon. Get advice the best cabin and activity choices. Find more insight into regional differences and the remarkable landscape awaiting you. Click on the Amazon cruise reviews below.

What is it like to travel through the Amazon rainforest in luxury aboard the 32-guest Aria Amazon riverboat? Read our expert's detailed review of the wildlife, experiences and food.

Hear from two AdventureSmith experts about their time sailing aboard the Delfin riverboat fleet in the Amazon. Get insight on which ship is right for you and their favorite experiences aboard.

An AdventureSmith Specialist reviews her time in the Peruvian Amazon aboard the 30-guest Amatista where she learned from the locals, observed sleepy sloths and fished for piranha.

AdventureSmith Specialist Nick Mitchell reviews his Amazon cruise aboard the 40-guest Anakonda. Learn what it's like to glamp in the Amazon and venture deep into the Yasuni National Park.

Amazon Cruise Travel Guides

The Amazon is a vast and complicated region where planning a cruise can be challenging. As seasoned pros we have compiled Amazon cruise guides, advice and articles that help you learn more. What are the essentials for an Amazon cruise? What is the difference between high water and low water season? Do I need to be concerned about Malaria? We have been asked and answered these questions for years. If you are wondering what an Amazon River cruise is really like, or have questions regarding your recently booked travel, look through our Amazon cruise guides. Our crew visits the Amazon frequently bringing up to date knowledge to you through our Amazon cruise guides.

There are more Amazon cruises than ever, and if you are confused by all the options we are here to help. Compare Amazon trips throughout Ecuador, Peru and Brazil using this Amazon guide.

The family travel experts at AdventureSmith have compiled these top 8 tips for travel in the rainforest with kids.

The world's best birding trips are found on the water. AdventureSmith Explorations recommends 5 small ship cruises and 2 lodge-based adventures for amateur ornithologists.

What Travelers Say About Their Amazon Cruise

The seamless transfer, accommodation, and guides minimized our efforts to enjoy a fabulous trip planned with AdventureSmith. I cannot say enough positive things about the way you took my thoughts and desires (including certain hotels) to create this fabulous package. The comfortably elegant suites joined together with the impeccable staff to provide a fabulous four days.

This is only the second time that I have not planned and organized a vacation and yet this is the ONLY time that every single aspect of our trip was outstanding. Doing a small boat cruise and with only 8 passengers; we all became like family and are all still in contact with one another.

Delfin II had great guides. They could spot things I never would have seen. I wish we had stayed on it for a full week instead of the short four days. All other hotels were above expectations.

The crew was absolutely fantastic. I most enjoyed the skiff excursions with Victor and Neal—they were so knowledgeable.

The naturalists were excellent, full of information and willing to answer any questions--dumb or otherwise--we asked. The entire trip was a wonderful experience.

This experience exceeded our already high expectations. The seamless transfer, accommodation, and guides minimized our efforts to enjoy a fabulous trip planned with AdventureSmith. The trip with Delfin I was truly amazing. The comfortably elegant suites joined together with the impeccable staff to provide a fabulous four days. 

Accommodations Review

All choices from the Belmond Miraflores, to our stay in Cusco, Inkaterra in Aguas Caliente, and most definitely the Delfin I were superior accommodations, each with a very unique feel.

Crew & Guides Review

The leaders and guides on the Delfin I exuded intelligence, constantly piqued our interest, and worked tirelessly to make our trip perfect. Javier was the lead guide, but we enjoyed socializing a bit with the bar tender Gaston, the Captain Javier, Security guards, Cesar and Vincente, the boat driver Rodsando, and the medic Dante.

All the transfers worked like a ballet. The drivers/guides appeared as promised with absolutely no concerns on our part. All involved were informative and professional. This certainly made our trip much more pleasant as this removed a certain tension from the trip.

Meals Review

The Inkaterra surprised our group with its attention to detail. All meals were included and all were a gourmet delight. As for the Delfin I, again with all meals included, we experienced very local foods artistically and deliciously prepared with keeping our desires in mind at all times. After one meal, the staff knew exactly our thoughts and choices for drinks, appetizers, and dishes. Excellent.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

I cannot say enough positive things about the way you took my thoughts and desires (including certain hotels) to create this fabulous package. Through many interactions and last minute changes on my part, our needs were met without question. Thank you for creating this amazing trip which will give us a lifetime of memories in a quite unique way.

We have traveled Europe extensively and now need more active experiences. Our specialist suggested many venues to satisfy our very particular taste and desires.

Featured in this Traveler Review

• Delfin I Amazon River Cruise
• Machu Picchu Explorer
• Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

This is only the second time that I have not planned and organized a vacation and yet this is the ONLY time that every single aspect of our trip was outstanding.  Every transfer and stay was flawless except one mix-up on one end and all it took was one phone call and that was solved - so really to us that didn't count.  It was one of our best vacations ever, not only because of the destination but also because we didn't have to worry about connections and specifics. The Amazon on the Delfin I was the best ever.  Doing a small boat cruise and with only 8 passengers; we all became like family and are all still in contact with one another.

The food on the Delfin I was 5 star all the way.  They even prepared our piranha that we caught and it was delicious! 

Every transfer, driver and guide was professional, reliable and couldn't have been better.  Each became a friend and were flexible enough to accommodate our desires during the day.  Couldn't say enough about all of these. 

Our AdventureSmith Specialist was available always by email, phone to answer questions and the suggested packing lists were extremely helpful and really we had 3 different climates to pack for; coastal/urban in Lima, tropical jungle in Iquitos and cooler highlands in Cusco and we found that we had packed well thanks to the advice of AdventureSmith.

The entire trip was awesome. Delfin II was great. Wish we had stayed on it for a full week instead of the short four days. All other hotels were above expectations.

I think on meals, a little more explanation would be helpful. Included hotel meals were a nice surprise as I didn't realize as many were included as they were. 

Delfin II had great guides. They could spot things I never would have seen.

Taylor was great. Setting up this trip was simple and easy and she was helpful with any and all my questions. Excellent management of all travel plans. On top of it when our flight was cancelled from Iquitos to Lima. Only hiccups were in the Lima airport. That place is crazy and we barely found our guide the first time and completely missed them the second.

• Taylor Cranney

I loved seeing all the birds and wildlife. The crew was absolutely fantastic. I most enjoyed the skiff excursions with Victor and Neal—they were so knowledgeable. The jungle walks were good too.

Everything was clean, neat and welcoming.

Victor is a jewel, very kind and helpful. I primarily stayed with Victor's group as he was a bit more into the birds and I loved seeing so many and he would identify them and was so excited and enthusiastic with each new siting. The guides most enjoyable and got us through the airport painlessly. About the only thing I would change would be for the naturalists to give us the list of possible sightings of birds and animals at the first of the trip and not on the last day. 

Food was very good. I liked the fruit with each meal and a choice of meats. I enjoyed all the variety we had.

Traveler Advice

Learn a bit of basic Spanish if possible. Bring one or two changes of nice clothes for dinner. A few things were recommended that were unnecessary, such as laundry soap, plug for the tub, and clothes line. It was hard to take everything recommended and still pack light. However, I was amazed at the very large bags some guests took.

• Amatista Amazon Cruise

We went to the Upper Amazon with a lay-over in Quito.  Everything went perfectly (except for a cancelled flight on the way home) and the entire trip was a wonderful experience.

Absolutely first class.

The were all exceptional.  The naturalists were excellent, full of information and willing to answer any questions--dumb or otherwise--we asked.  I learned a lot and I think the others did, too.

The crew/staff on both ships were excellent, as well.  The attention to detail on both ships was remarkable and everyone, from the top managers on down, went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of.

Could not have been better. The chef was exceptional at providing food that reflected the local cultures, yet catering to American (or Australian in some cases) tastes.  Every meal was fun and something of an adventure.

In addition to providing information, they were available for any questions we had.  AdventureSmith was great and answered any questions I had. They made all of our transfer arrangements and they were seamless!  Really well done.  We worked through Exito Travel for our flights to and from South America, and they were excellent, especially in the face of the problems with the reservation systems caused by the merger between American and US Airways.

• National Geographic Upper Amazon Cruise

Save on Amazon Cruises

Our experts know the nuances of Amazon cruising, including when it’s best to book, what is the advantage of seasonal discounts and how to secure the best deal. We can explain the ins-and-outs of the landscape and help you secure your dream Amazon cruise at the best rate. From early booking discounts to last minute deals and free pre-cruise hotel overnights, browse our current Amazon cruise deals to save on your next cruise. Our team of specialists will help you plan right from the start so that you get the best price on Amazon river boats.

The second guest will receive up to 40% off when you book your select 2024 Anakonda or Manatee Explorer Amazon Cruise.

Book your Ecuador Amazon cruise aboard the luxury 40-guest Anakonda and save up to 20% on select 2025 departures.

Book your Ecuador Amazon cruise aboard the luxury 30-guest Manatee and save up to 15% on select 2025 departures.

Solo travelers! Book your select 2024 Anakonda or Manatee Explorer Amazon Cruise and the single supplement fee will be waived.

Book your Amazon cruise aboard Aria or Aqua Nera now to save up to 20% per person.

Couples and adventure buddies! The second guest sharing a suite will receive up to 30% savings aboard Manatee or up to 40% savings aboard Anakonda, when you book a select April-September 2024 departure of the below-linked Amazon cruises.

Offer valid on new bookings only, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offers. Does not apply for Christmas and New Year's departures. See all Amazon cruise deals for a comprehensive list of current savings on these and other adventures.

• Anakonda Amazon Cruise
• Manatee Amazon Explorer Cruise

Save up to 20% when you book any Anakonda Amazon Explorer Cruise departing January 1, 2024, through December 30, 2025 (with the exception of Christmas and New Year's Eve).

Valid on new bookings only, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. See all Amazon cruise deals for a comprehensive list of current savings on this and other adventures.

Save up to 15% when you book any Manatee Amazon Explorer Cruise departing January 1, 2024, through December 30, 2025 (with the exception of Christmas and New Year's Eve).

Book your select April-September 2024 Anakonda or Manatee Explorer Amazon Cruise and the 50% single supplement fee will be waived (solo travelers pay the double cabin rate).

Save up to 20% when you book your 2024, 2025 or 2026 departure of the below-linked Amazon cruises aboard Aria and Aqua Nera.

Offer valid on new bookings only, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. Applicable on suites 101 and 103. See all  Amazon cruise deals  for a comprehensive list of current savings on these and other adventures.

• Aria Amazon River Cruise
• Aqua Nera Amazon River Cruise

Our Experts Are Your Fastest Way to an Amazon Cruise

Need help narrowing down all the Amazon cruise options? We’ve got your best Amazon cruises in 2024, 2025 and beyond. Our experts are just a phone call or email away to assist. Contact us to receive personalized recommendations and a free quote on the best Amazon cruises for your travel style, budget and timing.

Book your Amazon River cruise with the confidence that comes from working with a licensed and insured U.S.-based company. We handle all aspects of your travel from permits, flights and hotels to transfers and tours, creating a seamless Amazon cruise package for you and loved ones. Trust your Amazon cruise to the genuine experts.

Contact Us - Amazon Cruises

Travel is best planned one-on-one, and we’re here to help you with your specific needs.

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Phone (required because some email replies get blocked) *
• Country of residence (required in order to comply with privacy laws) * United States of America - US Afghanistan - AF Aland Islands - AX Albania - AL Algeria - DZ American Samoa - AS Andorra - AD Angola - AO Anguilla - AI Antarctica - AQ Antigua and Barbuda - AG Argentina - AR Armenia - AM Aruba - AW Australia - AU Austria - AT Azerbaijan - AZ Bahamas - BS Bahrain - BH Bangladesh - BD Barbados - BB Belarus - BY Belgium - BE Belize - BZ Benin - BJ Bermuda - BM Bhutan - BT Bolivia - BO Bosnia and Herzegovina - BA Botswana - BW Bouvet Island - BV Brazil - BR British Virgin Islands - VG British Indian Ocean Territory - IO Brunei Darussalam - BN Bulgaria - BG Burkina Faso - BF Burundi - BI Cambodia - KH Cameroon - CM Canada - CA Cape Verde - CV Cayman Islands - KY Central African Republic - CF Chad - TD Chile - CL China - CN Hong Kong, SAR China - HK Macao, SAR China - MO Christmas Island - CX Cocos (Keeling) Islands - CC Colombia - CO Comoros - KM Congo (Brazzaville) - CG Congo, (Kinshasa) - CD Cook Islands - CK Costa Rica - CR Côte d'Ivoire - CI Croatia - HR Cuba - CU Cyprus - CY Czech Republic - CZ Denmark - DK Djibouti - DJ Dominica - DM Dominican Republic - DO Ecuador - EC Egypt - EG El Salvador - SV Equatorial Guinea - GQ Eritrea - ER Estonia - EE Ethiopia - ET Falkland Islands (Malvinas) - FK Faroe Islands - FO Fiji - FJ Finland - FI France - FR French Guiana - GF French Polynesia - PF French Southern Territories - TF Gabon - GA Gambia - GM Georgia - GE Germany - DE Ghana - GH Gibraltar - GI Greece - GR Greenland - GL Grenada - GD Guadeloupe - GP Guam - GU Guatemala - GT Guernsey - GG Guinea - GN Guinea-Bissau - GW Guyana - GY Haiti - HT Heard and Mcdonald Islands - HM Holy See (Vatican City State) - VA Honduras - HN Hungary - HU Iceland - IS India - IN Indonesia - ID Iran, Islamic Republic of - IR Iraq - IQ Ireland - IE Isle of Man - IM Israel - IL Italy - IT Jamaica - JM Japan - JP Jersey - JE Jordan - JO Kazakhstan - KZ Kenya - KE Kiribati - KI Korea (North) - KP Korea (South) - KR Kuwait - KW Kyrgyzstan - KG Lao PDR - LA Latvia - LV Lebanon - LB Lesotho - LS Liberia - LR Libya - LY Liechtenstein - LI Lithuania - LT Luxembourg - LU Macedonia, Republic of - MK Madagascar - MG Malawi - MW Malaysia - MY Maldives - MV Mali - ML Malta - MT Marshall Islands - MH Martinique - MQ Mauritania - MR Mauritius - MU Mayotte - YT Mexico - MX Micronesia, Federated States of - FM Moldova - MD Monaco - MC Mongolia - MN Montenegro - ME Montserrat - MS Morocco - MA Mozambique - MZ Myanmar - MM Namibia - NA Nauru - NR Nepal - NP Netherlands - NL Netherlands Antilles - AN New Caledonia - NC New Zealand - NZ Nicaragua - NI Niger - NE Nigeria - NG Niue - NU Norfolk Island - NF Northern Mariana Islands - MP Norway - NO Oman - OM Pakistan - PK Palau - PW Palestinian Territory - PS Panama - PA Papua New Guinea - PG Paraguay - PY Peru - PE Philippines - PH Pitcairn - PN Poland - PL Portugal - PT Puerto Rico - PR Qatar - QA Réunion - RE Romania - RO Russian Federation - RU Rwanda - RW Saint-Barthélemy - BL Saint Helena - SH Saint Kitts and Nevis - KN Saint Lucia - LC Saint-Martin (French part) - MF Saint Pierre and Miquelon - PM Saint Vincent and Grenadines - VC Samoa - WS San Marino - SM Sao Tome and Principe - ST Saudi Arabia - SA Senegal - SN Serbia - RS Seychelles - SC Sierra Leone - SL Singapore - SG Slovakia - SK Slovenia - SI Solomon Islands - SB Somalia - SO South Africa - ZA South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands - GS South Sudan - SS Spain - ES Sri Lanka - LK Sudan - SD Suriname - SR Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands - SJ Swaziland - SZ Sweden - SE Switzerland - CH Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) - SY Taiwan, Republic of China - TW Tajikistan - TJ Tanzania, United Republic of - TZ Thailand - TH Timor-Leste - TL Togo - TG Tokelau - TK Tonga - TO Trinidad and Tobago - TT Tunisia - TN Turkey - TR Turkmenistan - TM Turks and Caicos Islands - TC Tuvalu - TV Uganda - UG Ukraine - UA United Arab Emirates - AE United Kingdom - GB United States of America - US US Minor Outlying Islands - UM Uruguay - UY Uzbekistan - UZ Vanuatu - VU Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic) - VE Viet Nam - VN Virgin Islands, US - VI Wallis and Futuna Islands - WF Western Sahara - EH Yemen - YE Zambia - ZM Zimbabwe - ZW
• Newsletter Subscribe to our email newsletter
• By submitting this form, you consent to our privacy policy .
• Hidden IP Location

Talk to an AdventureSmith Travel Specialist Call us toll free at 1-877-620-2875 . Call us direct at 530-583-1775 .

Office Hours Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm Pacific Time.

Address 40169 Truckee Airport Road, Suite 201 Truckee, CA 96161

• View Our Cruises
• View the Delfin I
• Delfin I – Deluxe Suite
• Delfin I – Master Suite
• Itinerary – Delfin I
• Virtual tour
• View the Delfin II
• Delfin II – Master Suite
• Delfin II – Suite
• Itinerary – Delfin II
• View the Delfin III
• Delfín III – Corner Suite
• Delfin III – Owner’s Suite
• Delfin III – Suite
• Delfin III – Upper Suite
• Itinerary – Delfin III
• Availability
• Rates & Policies
• General Information
• The Destination
• The Experience
• Sounds of the Amazon
• About the Founders
• Social Responsibility
• Awards & Recognitions
• Travel Agent Portal

Amazon River Cruise

What other travelers are saying....

“The Delfin crew took great care of me. They had a paramedic that went on every walk with me and assisted me to make the trek. I am proud to say I participated in every outing and this was only possible because of the commitment of the staff. The cruise itself was beautiful and every staff member made our journey memorable. If you are considering this cruise, I would highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.”

“Our days on the Delphin III were the best vacation of our lives. The staff was exceptionally good across all the areas. The excursions were like stepping into a nature documentary. Truly amazing all around!”

“I can’t say enough positive about the Delfin experience. All the staff were friendly, professional, and tried to learn everyone’s names. They made me feel special within just 3 days. The walking tour on land was amazing, with seeing lizards, birds, spiders, frogs, and even a beautiful large boa snake. Please bring school supplies to donate to the indigenous people in the villages. Visiting 1 of these villages was the highlight for me.”

YOUR PERUVIAN AMAZON ADVENTURE STARTS HERE

Planning a trip to Peru? Compliment your visit to Peru’s most popular tourist destination with Delfin’s exclusive luxury Amazon River cruise. From lush, lowland jungles to extreme altitudes rich with royal history, adventurists and nature enthusiasts can check off two bucket-list destinations within one single country. And whether your exploration of the Amazon River in Peru comes at the beginning or end of your circuit, it’s a true privilege to experience the natural rainforest in absolute comfort and serenity aboard a luxury Amazon River cruise.

Crowd-pleaser without the crowds

The moment you set foot on our Amazon River cruise you’ll notice a relaxed change of pace and positive attitude aboard Delfin’s Amazon River cruise. Gone are the long lines and crowded lookout points so characteristic of the Inca citadel. Private rooms and public spaces in our cruises, replete with touches of the Peruvian Amazon, have impressive floor to ceiling windows facing the rainforest landscape throughout our Amazon River cruise. Common areas such as the elegant bar and pool deck offer moments to contemplate this unique experience onboard our Amazon River cruise and opportunities to socialize with those sharing this once in a lifetime exploration. The daily on-shore activities enjoyed on this luxury Amazon River cruise , such as canopy walks in the rainforest, offer a unique experience and opportunity to connect to the natural surroundings and reconnect to yourself.

Comfort and Safety

Aboard Delfin Amazon Cruises, the world’s first Relais & Chateaux cruise, our round the clock security team is dedicated to your safety as well as your privacy as we cruise the Amazon River. Though discreet and inconspicuous on our luxury river cruises, our experienced personnel assure that your Amazon River cruise with Delfin is as smooth as the river itself. Our fleet provides world-class accommodation, fulfilling your every need and desire so that you feel at home as we cruise the Amazon River in luxury. Should you have any inquiries or requests, our staff members are multilingual and proud locals of the Peruvian Amazon, eager to share their knowledge and make your travel experience with Delfin Amazon Cruises authentic, enriching and comfortable. This Amazon River cruise is equally concerned with the rainforest and the well-being of our guests.

Exotic Flavors, To Your Liking

While the Andean highlands charm with simple modesty such as large-kernel corn and shapely tubers, the Peruvian Amazon bursts with unapologetically strong flavors. Aboard our all-inclusive Amazon River cruise, Delfin’s passionate culinary team utilizes local ingredients and traditional recipes to create a flavorful experience for our guests. Enjoy a colorful breakfast spread, gourmet lunch or dinner with a picturesque view of the lush rainforest landscape, a gentle reminder that you are in fact cruising the Amazon River. Meals are our way of giving you another sense of the jungle aboard Delfin’s Amazon River cruise, with respect to your dietary needs and preferences. From local favorites like the spicy Aji charapita sauce or the refreshing rosy pink camu camu juice, this Amazon River cruise is your opportunity to enjoy the best dishes of the Peruvian Amazon.

Never a Dull Day

As water levels dip and rise, Delfin’s Amazon River cruise navigates throughout the year, resulting in a different rainforest experience every season, month and even every day. Optional small-group activities off the Amazon River cruise bring you that much closer to the unique ecosystem and are offered daily during your Amazon River cruise. Our experienced Amazon travel guides keep your best interest in mind, ensuring you (safely) get the most out of your Amazon vacation. Adventure activities with Delfin Amazon Cruises include wading near pink dolphins in the ‘cafe con leche’ (coffee with milk) water in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve , kayaking and piranha fishing. On solid ground, we’ll observe native flora and fauna, living proof on this Amazon River cruise that when change arrives the best option is to simply adapt.

READY TO START YOUR PERUVIAN AMAZON ADVENTURE?

What’s included:.

• All meals while on board (arrival day: lunchbox and dinner; cruise days: all meals; departure day: breakfast)
• All excursions & equipment (including rubber boots & rain ponchos)
• Transfers to/from the cruise when arriving on recommended flights to/from Iquitos (Lima-Iquitos: 10:00 a.m.; Iquitos-Lima: 1 p.m.)
• Entrance fee to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
• Natural juices, soda, coffee, tea, water, beer, house wines with lunch and dinner

Some Questions and Advice About Delfin Amazon Cruises

Where will the cruise navigate, will we be able to see animals up close, will my dietary restrictions and preferences be considered, what type of clothes should i pack, besides clothes, is there anything else i should bring, is internet access available onboard.

Choose a Boat for Your Luxury Amazon Cruise

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

• Travel Guides Plan your adventure
• Destinations Our favourite places
• Tours Book a trip
• Travel Companies Independent specialists
• Travel Guides
• Destinations
• Travel Companies

Best Peru Amazon River Cruises

River cruises in the peruvian amazon.

Tony Dunnell

• In this guide
• Peru river cruises
• Puerto Maldonado
• Selva Central
• Peru Amazon river cruises
• Top cruise liners
• What to expect

When considering the Amazon river, your first thought may be of the Amazon basin in Brazil, where the mighty river pours into the Atlantic Ocean.

But as far as river cruising goes, the Peruvian Amazon is just as compelling a destination. The Peruvian Amazon is home to some extraordinary wildlife, with pink dolphins, caimans, giant otters and many more all on show.

Best Peru river cruises – our expert picks

The best Peru Amazon river cruises according to our expert travel journalist, Tony Dunnell.

The Perla: Arguably the best low-cost option for Amazon cruises, offering four- and seven-day itineraries to Pacaya-Samiria starting at $1,785.

Delfin I, II and III: The Delfin series of boats are some of the best on the river. Prices for the Delfin boats range from $2,779 to $4,369 for four days.

Aqua Nera: A high-end, small ship river vessel plying the waters between Iquitos and the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Early bird prices range from $3,600pp to $8,960.

There are a broad range of river cruise operators, although Peru's river cruising market is generally higher-end and pricier than its counterparts in Brazil or Ecuador, with ships more akin to floating boutique hotels than river barges.

Most Amazon river cruises in Peru depart from Iquitos and revolve around the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, home to three basins that are only accessible by water.

Here's how to find and book the best river cruises in the Peruvian Amazon.

The Delfin, one of Peru's best Amazon cruise boats

Featured Cruises

Amazon Rainforest & Machu Picchu

Machu picchu and amazon riverboat adventures.

4 Day Aria Amazon Cruise

Iquitos to pacaya-samiria reserve.

Peru Amazon Adventure

Adventure by riverboat to the peruvian amazon, boats, routes and how to plan your cruise, best amazon river cruise ships.

There are a wealth of options when it comes to choosing a boat for an Amazon river cruise in Peru. Here are some of the most popular vessels to suit all budgets.

Small boat excursion from Amazon river cruise boat

The Perla is arguably the best low-cost option for Amazon cruises, offering four- and seven-day itineraries to Pacaya-Samiria starting at $1,785. Capable of carrying 28 passengers, it doesn’t offer the heights of luxury found on some other boats, but it’s still a comfortable ride. It also has a shallow draught, giving it access to locations inaccessible to other cruise boats.

Amazon Star

The Amazon Star is a midrange option. It runs an eight-day itinerary starting at around $3,649. It’s not as luxurious as some other cruises, but it comes with a strong seal of approval: the trip was voted among National Geographic’s “25 Greatest Adventures in the World.” Includes Pacaya-Samiria.

Delfin cruise boat on the Amazon

Delfin I, II and III

The Delfin series of boats are some of the best on the river, and all three are excellent options. Delfin III is the largest with 22 cabins, and therefore the most affordable. Delfin II has 14 suites and all kinds of luxury facilities including a massage room, exercise room and an open bar. Delfin I , meanwhile, bills itself as a boutique riverboat and has the level of detail and craftsmanship you’d expect from a luxury boutique hotel. With just four suites, the personalised attention is hard to beat. Prices for the Delfin boats range from $2,779 to $4,369 for four days.

Launched in October 2015, the Zafiro is a state-of-the-art vessel that offers all kinds of modern services and facilities, including an outdoor jacuzzi. All of its 19 spacious suites have air conditioning, and one suite is designed for passengers with mobility issues. It may lack the traditional charm of some of the other boats, but it certainly has plenty of style. Four-day cruises, which include Pacaya-Samiria, start at $2,779.

Aria Amazon

Designed by the renowned Peruvian architect Jordi Puig, the Aria Amazon is widely considered the most luxurious riverboat on the Peruvian Amazon. All of its sixteen suites have panoramic views of the river and guests can enjoy an outdoor jacuzzi, a bar stocked with Chilean and Argentinean wines, and exercise and massage rooms. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find better food on any other cruise: the gourmet menu was designed by Peruvian celebrity chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. The 32 passenger capacity is higher than some of the other boats, but for sheer luxury, the Aria Amazon is hard to beat. Four-day itineraries start at $3,645.

Aqua Nera, one of Peru's higher-end river cruise vessels

Aqua Expeditions' Aqua Nera was launched in 2021 and is another high-end, small ship river vessel plying the waters between Iquitos and the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. The Nera has 20 suites and features the full complement of living and social areas including sun and observation decks, several bars, an on-board gym and a menu designed by renowned Peruvian chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

There are four launch boats to conduct guided shore excursions. Itineraries range from three night discovery cruises to seven night expeditions along Amazon tributaries, the Marañon and the Ucayali. Early bird prices range from $3,600pp to $8,960.

Red parrot on an Amazon cruise

What to expect on a Peru Amazon river cruise

River cruises in the Peruvian Amazon begin in the city of Iquitos, which has daily direct flights from Lima.

You’ll board your boat either in the port in Iquitos or in the town of Nauta. Nauta is about two hours from Iquitos by car or by speedboat, which will be arranged by your cruise agency.

From Iquitos, there are two main cruise routes. The first heads upriver to Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. The second heads downriver to Santa Rosa, located at a point where the borders of Peru, Colombia and Brazil all meet. Most cruises then return to Iquitos or Nauta, but if you head downriver to Santa Rosa, you might have the option of ending your cruise there and flying onwards.

Trips to Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve are the most popular. The vast reserve covers some 8,000 square miles of seasonally flooded rainforest and is home to a huge amount of wildlife. Your cruise boat will enter the reserve as far as its size and the season allows, after which you can explore further by canoe or kayak, or trek through the jungle. Either way, you’re guaranteed to see plenty of wildlife, including river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, turtles, hundreds of colourful birds and maybe some giant river otters.

As well as wildlife spotting, treks and kayak trips, your cruise will offer a range of other excursions from the boat (sometimes at an additional cost, so check in advance to see what’s included). You might have the option of camping for a night, either at a rustic but scenic rainforest campsite or at one of the jungle lodges scattered throughout the region. You might also have the chance to visit an indigenous tribal community, to get a feel for the traditional culture along the river. Fishing is also a popular activity, especially line fishing for piranhas. Some cruises might provide more advanced fishing gear, such as fly rods. Always check in advance to see what excursions and equipment a cruise offers. For example, the Delfin I cruise boat has paddleboards, while most other boats do not.

As for life on board, you can expect a level of comfort not often found in the Amazon, especially on a boat. While shore excursions will likely include plenty of mosquitoes and, at times, oppressive heat, you can rest assured that you’ll end the day in a cosy, dry and mercifully mosquito-free cabin.

The level of service on board depends on the boat you choose and its respective level of luxury. While you’ll never be slumming it on a river cruise, the higher-end options tend to have fewer passengers, and therefore more personalised service and more space. Whichever cruise you choose, the food onboard should be good, as Peruvians are very proud of their cuisine and the jungle has a wealth of ingredients. On the more luxurious boats, you can expect true gourmet dining.

The best time for Peru Amazon river cruises

The Peruvian Amazon experiences two different seasons: high water season from November through May, and low water season from June to October. Always be prepared for rain, however, as the region experiences around 200 days of rain each year.

The high water and low water seasons both have pros and cons. During the high water season, the river levels rise by more than 20 feet. This means boats can push further into the jungle along the Amazon’s many tributaries. It also means you’ll be closer to the jungle canopy, creating more opportunities to see birds, sloths, monkeys and other tree-dwellers. Temperatures are also cooler compared to the low water season, hovering around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). On the downside, more water means more mosquitoes. Trekking opportunities are also greatly reduced, as most trails are flooded or boggy.

The low water season is warmer, with average daytime temperatures around 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), but with fewer mosquitoes. You won’t be able to venture so far into the jungle by boat, but you will be able to trek along the dry trails, making this the best season if you want to hike in the rainforest during your cruise. You’ll also see more wildlife down by the shallow bodies of water, including plenty of caimans, storks and maybe giant river otters. This is also the best season for fishing, whether its sport fishing for peacock bass or throwing a line out for piranhas.

Peru Amazon river cruise FAQs

How long do river cruises in the amazon take.

Most Amazon river cruises last from four to eight days, but you’ll also find luxury trips that can last 10 days or more. The lengthier cruises (10+ days) are often billed as expeditions and have fewer departures. As such, they typically require more advanced reservations, sometimes of six months or more.

How much does an Amazon river boat cruise cost?

Amazon cruises tend to be expensive, but the cost depends greatly on the boat and the level of luxury offered. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $1000 per day. A four-day cruise aboard the Perla , for example, starts at around $1,769, while four days on the Delfin I will set you back around $4,369. These prices are above the budgets of most backpackers, but there are alternatives to cruises. In Iquitos and Yurimaguas, you can arrange boat trips into Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve for around $100 a day, but don’t expect anywhere near the luxury found on a proper cruise. You’ll probably be on a small boat with an outboard motor, and your lodging will consist of stilted wooden shacks on the riverbank. Alternatively, you can rough it on one of the cargo boats that run between Yurimaguas and Iquitos and Pucallpa and Iquitos.

A floating house in Iquitos, Peru

What should you pack for an Amazon cruise?

Bring comfortable clothing to wear while relaxing aboard your riverboat. It’s unlikely you’ll need anything formal, as things tend to be casual even on the most luxurious cruises. You’ll need lightweight trousers and long-sleeved shirts for use while trekking or during other shore excursions, which will help prevent mosquito bites and sunburn.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as well as a lightweight waterproof jacket, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Take your camera and don’t forget your charger, extra batteries and storage for your photos. You might find that binoculars, waterproof ponchos and rubber boots are provided onboard your cruise, but check in advance. You’ll probably visit local communities along the river, in which case you might want to bring some small gifts. T-shirts, pens, pencils and notebooks are always appreciated.

Are Amazon river cruises safe?

All Amazon cruise boats should be fully kitted out with first aid supplies, life vests, lifeboats, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency flares and a satellite phone for emergencies. At least one crew member will also be a trained first-aid professional.

In terms of potential dangers from wildlife, especially during excursions, your trained guides will most likely be highly experienced locals who know the jungle as well as anyone. They will be with you at all times, and passengers are not allowed to leave the boat alone for safety reasons. And don’t worry about piranhas: they may have a fearsome reputation, but they pose no significant threat to humans (but if you go fishing for piranhas, keep your fingers away from the snapping end of these feisty little fish -- they certainly don’t appreciate being on the end of a line).

Since 2016, many cruise boats also have one or more armed guards on board. This became more common following the assault on the Amazon Discovery cruise boat in 2016, which was boarded by bandits who robbed the passengers and crew of goods worth about $20,000. While this is obviously worrying, it is highly unlikely that such an assault would happen during your cruise. If you have any concerns about this or would like further details about armed security onboard, contact your cruise operator for more information.

Places To Visit In Iquitos

About the author.

Tony has been living in Peru since 2009. He has also written on a range of subjects for publications such as Atlas Obscura, Vice, Mental Floss, and many more. You can see more of his writing at tonydunnell.com .

Featured tours

Other guides you might like

Cruising to antarctica, how to get to antarctica: an expert guide.

Katie Coakley

Cruising the galapagos, an essential guide to cruising the galapagos islands.

Kerala's backwaters by houseboat

An expert guide to cruising kerala's backwaters by houseboat.

Sharell Cook

Featured tours view all.

Why Horizon Guides?

Impartial travel guides

Our guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice.

Expert itineraries

Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

Specialist advice

Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the world's best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book.

Our guides are 100% impartial and are written by independent, professional travel journalists. We make money by charging carefully-screened travel companies to list their business on our website. Our advertisers have no influence on our editorial content and we never accept payment for positive coverage.

Read more about how we work and what we believe in here .

• Travel guides
• Work with us

Sitemap , Privacy Copyright © 2024 Horizon Guides

Peru's Exotic Amazon Waterways

Amazon river cruise extension.

From $6,000

Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

Arrive: Iquitos, Peru

Depart: Iquitos, Peru

• Cruise by small luxury vessel, enjoy excursions by skiff
• Visit riverside communities, learn about local conservation projects

Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.

(High Season Itinerary) Arrive in Iquitos, Peru, then journey by air-conditioned vehicle through the Peruvian countryside to Nauta for lunch (or a box lunch en route, depending on the flight arrival time). The afternoon continues with your first skiff excursion in the Amazon. At 6:00 pm, board your ship and settle into your generously proportioned suite as you begin your adventure. Following a routine safety drill and introduction to the naturalist guides, gather for innovative Amazonian cuisine created by Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Malabar, is the one of Lima's top ranked dining experiences.

High Season Versus Low Season Itineraries

High Season Itinerary (December to May) Peru's rainy season runs from December through May. This is a relatively cooler and wetter season when the Amazon region receives a little more than half (60%) of its total rainfall. During the high water season the average temperature is 86°F, only 12 degrees cooler than in the low water season. There are great benefits to traveling to Peru's Amazon at this time of year. The Amazon Basin's rivers and streams are about 23 feet higher than they are during the low water season, so that every river, creek and lake is navigable. You are able to explore more of the Amazon's waterways by skiff, and will have access to areas with more plant life and wildlife than during the low water season. The flooded waterways put travelers much closer to the Amazon jungle canopy, where monkeys play and beautiful Amazon birds like to roost. In fact, you are very likely to see many more mammals, both monkeys and others, during the high water season. Enhanced navigation by water has a flip side—areas to walk and hike are sometimes limited at this time, and there will be more mosquitoes than in the low water season. Fishing in the Amazon River is more limited during these months too, but you still have close to a 50:50 chance to get out your rod and reel and make a catch. Low Season Itinerary (June to November) Despite its name, the low water season still exhibits some heavy rains. This is the warmer season on the Amazon River, with temperatures averaging about 98°F. A key difference between visiting Peru in this season versus the high water season is that trails and jungle paths flooded from December to May are now easily accessible, allowing you to explore deep in the jungle by foot (and accompanied by fewer mosquitoes than during the flooded season). The flip side of this is that water levels on the Amazon River and its tributaries are much lower from June to November, which means that many of the creeks and lakes visited during the rainy season are inaccessible. Lower water levels, however, can be a bonus in another way: during these months fishing is 100 percent guaranteed and you stand a fair chance to catch a piranha. And while you are farther below the birds that roost in the Amazon jungle canopy, you will have the chance to see dozens of species of migratory birds in flight, something you would completely miss during the high water season. Day 1: Iquitos / Transfer to Nauta / Embarkation / Maranon River Day 2: Ucayali River / Pacaya River Day 3: Pacaya River/ Ucayali River / Tapiche River Day 4: Clavero Lake / Jungle walk in the San Jose De Sarapanga Forest Day 5: Arrival in Nauta / Manatee Rescue Center/ Transfer to the Airport

Dates & Pricing

Payment & cancel schedule.

At time of reservation: $1,000 100 days prior to departure: Balance Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation & Transfer Schedule

Minimum fee: $500 per person 91-120 days prior to departure: $1,000 per person 90 days or less: 100% of trip cost

Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

• Service of local naturalist guides
• Accommodations in small luxury vessel
• All non-alcoholic beverages
• House beer and wine (onboard Aqua Nera only)
• Transfers to/from vessel when arriving on recommended flights
• Pacaya Samiria Reserve entrance fee
• All excursions off the boat

Not Included

• Airfare to/from points of embarkation and debarkation of the boat
• Additional hotel nights outside the extension's scheduled dates
• Optional gratuities to guides and crew
• Optional travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry
• Alcoholic beverages (onboard Aria Amazon only)

Accommodations

Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Days 1-4 (4 nights)

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest . There are shore excursions featuring nature walks and village visits, and river outings by skiff. It is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active.

Conditions along the Amazon River in Peru divide into two seasons: a high water season from December through May and a low water season that lasts from June until November. Cruising the Amazon in either season promises rich rewards with breathtaking opportunities to view and photograph magnificent plant and animal life unlike anywhere else on earth.

If seeing the glorious Amazon rainforest at its lushest and getting up close to lots of birds and mammals (and enjoying slightly cooler temperatures) sounds most attractive, then December to May might be your best choice. If jungle hikes and spotting exotic migratory birds perched on trees between flights across Amazonia appeals most to you, while still having the chance to see capuchin monkeys, kinkajou, and other mammals, and going on great fishing expeditions, you might be happier choosing the warmer, low water season.

Weather in this region of the Amazon remains generally warm with some rainfall even during low water season. In fact, despite being the "rainy" season, during the high water months, the Amazon only gets about 10% more rain than in the low water season. So, as you choose the time of your cruise on the Amazon River (in either season), we suggest you consider the following three key points:

• Some rain will fall in whichever season you choose. This is the Amazon Rainforest.
• You will see spectacular Amazon wildlife, birds and plant life any time of year on the Amazon.
• In either season, you will definitely see the Amazon River's rare pink dolphins.

The Amazon basin is as lush and green as it is because it gets an abundance of rain -- 12 feet a year on average. In a typical year, the Amazon River rainforest experiences 200 rainy days, which means that there will be days of rain even in the low water season. However it rarely rains all day. Rain most often falls in passing cloudbursts, which allow the vessel to coordinate excursions accordingly. When it does rain, you are provided sturdy ponchos to ensure you stay extremely comfortable so you can focus on the astonishing Amazon jungle scenery.

High Water Season on the Amazon: December Through May

Peru's rainy season runs from December through May, which is summer and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the relatively cooler and wetter season when the Amazon region receives more than half (60%) of its total annual rainfall. During the high water season, the average temperature is 86°F, only 12°F cooler than in the average low water season. Benefits of visiting Peru's Amazon at this time of year include the dramatic high water panorama. The Amazon Basin's rivers and streams rise about 23 feet higher than during the low water season. Aside from the striking visual effect, this also means that every river, creek, and lake is navigable. Thus, the ship's tenders are able to cruise further along the wildlife-rich waterways of Amazonia and bring guests up close to more plants and Amazon animals than during the low water season. Flooded waterways carry you significantly deeper by water into the Amazon jungle canopy, where the kaleidoscope of Amazon birds flutter about. Although the odds of sighting wildlife do not change significantly between the two seasons, you are likely to see more of some Amazon wildlife favorites such as monkeys, turtles, and caimans during the high water months. Enhanced navigation by water has a flip side -- areas to walk and trek become less accessible at this time of year. When you do find usable hiking trails, so will the mosquitoes that are more prevalent now than during the low water season. Fishing in the Amazon River is actually more limited during these high water months too, but you still have close to a 50/50 chance to reel in a memorable catch.

Low Water Season on the Amazon: June through November

Low water season in Amazonia coincides with winter in the Southern Hemisphere, from June to November. This is the warmer season on the Amazon River, with temperatures averaging about 98°F. Despite its name, the low water season still exhibits some heavy rains. A key difference between visiting the Amazon in low water season vs. high water season is you are able to access the jungle trails that get flooded from December to May, allowing you to follow your naturalists and local Amazonia guides deeper into the jungle by foot, and accompanied by fewer mosquitoes than during the high water season. Guests also tend to spot an even greater abundance of migratory birds in flight during the low water season. However, the trade-off at this time of year is that water levels on the Amazon River and its tributaries drop much lower from June to November, which means that many of the creeks and lakes that we visit by tender during the rainy season are now inaccessible. Lower water levels do offer a bonus: good fishing is 100% guaranteed, you even stand a fair chance to catch a piranha.

Other Trips You Might Like

Cruise Collection

Amazon River Expedition

From $11,025

Bali to Komodo Expedition Cruise

Indonesia, Bali

From $8,960

Book your trip today

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

Submit the form below to download itinerary

Trip Download Itin

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Level 1 – Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

• Royal Rajasthan and Villages of India
• Small ship cruises

Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.

• Our African safaris
• Costa Rica Wildlife

Level 3 – Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.

• Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
• Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
• Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
• Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as  Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin,  are Trip Level 3.

Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.

• Ultimate Patagonia
• Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Level 5 – Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Everest Lodge to Lodge

Level 6 – Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.

• Everest Base Camp
• Climb Kilimanjaro!

South America Chevron

Peru Chevron

On an Amazon River Cruise, Slowing Down to the Beat of Nature's Ever-Changing Rhythm

By Lale Arikoglu

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

“Shh, listen to the symphony.”

This is the instruction issued by our guide, Neycer Pizango, who has cut the engine of our skiff. Striving to be a good student, I sit as still as I can and tilt my head up toward the forest canopy. An echo of chattering macaws cracks through the rattle of the cicadas. Then the screech of a spiny lobster katydid, or giant lobster cricket, ricochets among the trees. A group of swallows in chorus swoops low above the reeds. All around us, whining mosquitoes rise above the water's surface like sentinels.

Birds swooping over the Amazon River at sunset.

Experiences like this are the reason I've come to spend four days sailing along the head of the Amazon River and into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve with Aqua Expeditions, an adventure-cruise company known for a floating five-star experience that takes guests to some of the most biodiverse—and hard-to-reach—places on Earth. Its itineraries visit destinations like the Galápagos and the Mekong, but the company's origins lie here in the Peruvian Amazon, where its small fleet of ships remains one of the only ways to get this deep into the region. You're more likely to pass a canoe laden with yucca on its way to nearby Nauta or Iquitos than another tourist boat.

I'm here during peak rainy season, the time of year when the river and its tributaries are at their highest, flooding the forest and pushing out the Indigenous communities who have for millennia spent half the year living along the banks of the Amazon. Entire villages become temporarily submerged. Banana trees buckle from the water's force. But while the river appears to consume the jungle, it also creates new routes from which to see it. The Amazon rises as much as 23 feet above its level in the dry months, so from December to May humans have one-of-a-kind access to the creatures that live high in these trees.

A great egret in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

This means that while the many pleasures of Aqua Nera (which include an outdoor plunge pool, a masseuse, and a sprawling observation deck for sipping pisco sours at magic hour) make it tempting to remain onboard, it would be foolish to miss an excursion . My guides—or naturalists, as Aqua prefers to call them—are Pizango, with his musical ear, and Alejandro Enrique Aguilar, who goes by Alex. Both were born and raised along the river, and both possess a deep breadth of knowledge and understanding of the jungle and its waters. They host lectures about the Amazon's fauna and flora, explaining the ways in which humans have not just coexisted with its ecosystem but depended on it for thousands of years.

“Nature is part of us,” Aguilar tells me early one morning as we set out in search of the region's famous pink river dolphins. When the water is high, they are more concentrated and easier to spot than during the dry season. Momentarily I spy three of them as they snort and arch beneath the burned-marshmallow hues of sunrise before sliding back into the unknown.

From that point on, I obsessively document each new sighting: the eye of a baby caiman peeking through the grass; a white-throated toucan taking flight; a pair of sloths lounging in a tree. On a walk through the jungle, the dive-bombing mosquitoes become almost unbearable (an unpleasant side effect of the rainy season), so Aguilar pokes open a termite nest and encourages the members of our small group to rub the tiny insects on our skin to ward them off. Later he identifies a cluster of flat-headed mushrooms that would fly me, he jokes, “home to New York without a plane.” Back on the skiff, he shows me a tree frog the size of a quarter perched on the end of his finger, then a stick insect camouflaged on his sleeve.

A remote village in the Peruvian Amazon

As we wind our way along the river, I'm constantly reminded that nothing here is what it seems—or, perhaps more accurately, that what I am looking at today may not be here tomorrow. “It's amazing how the Amazon is always changing,” says Aguilar, pointing to a channel he used to take the skiff down, which is now impenetrable with new vegetation. Not all the shifts we witness over the week are natural, though: An unexpected clearing reveals thousands of acid-green water lettuces bobbing on the water's surface. Unfortunately, it's due to the overhunting of manatees that like to feast on its leaves, though it's still a spectacular sight.

One evening we venture out for an excursion into the forest tributaries but stay on the skiff a little longer than usual, emerging back onto the main body of the river just after sunset. The humid air is thick, like maple syrup, as we listen to the cicadas tuning up in preparation for their nightly orchestra. This time, though, rather than cutting the engine, Pizango switches off his torch for a few seconds. At first, I see nothing. But then my eyes adjust, and swarming constellations of bats appear before me—each fluttering at its own irregular pace, carving out new paths across the night sky.

Three-night itinerary, $4,500 per person, double occupancy; aquaexpeditions.com

This article appeared in the July/August 2023 issue of  Condé Nast Traveler.  Subscribe to the magazine   here .

Recommended

Inkaterra La Casona

South America Travel Guide

• Help Center
• 1-866-921-7925

Start Searching

• Packages  
• Hotels  
• Cruises  
• Rental Cars  

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

South America: Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration

15-night aria amazon cruise.

From $11,999 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $0

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Journey into the Amazon Rainforest onboard the Aria Amazon, a five-star ship designed for your Peruvian adventure. Embark on river skiffs as you explore the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers. Admire the diverse flora and fauna in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Discover the beauty of the heartland of the Inka Empire, known as the Sacred Valley. Of course, no trip to Peru could truly be complete without a trek to the world-famous Machu Picchu. A must-see, this spectacular piece of history has fascinated both historians and archaeologists alike.

All-Inclusive Cruise

True All-Inclusive Boutique River Cruising™

All gratuities for onboard services

Unlimited fine wine, beer, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages**

Shore excursions with local experts as your guide

Internet and Wi-Fi

All arrival and departure day transfers

  Executive Member Benefit

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

Receive a $50 shipboard credit per person (maximum $100 per stateroom)♦

  Digital Costco Shop Card

Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Uniworld® river cruise†

Onboard the Aria Amazon

Aria Amazon

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2020

Double Occupancy Capacity: 32

Designed to explore the Peruvian Amazon in luxury and comfort, the Aria Amazon is an all-suite ship with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you a full view of the majestic rivers and rainforest. The top deck features a jacuzzi, indoor lounge & bar and an outdoor observation deck. With all-inclusive amenities and five-star cuisine by top chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, this luxurious ship is guaranteed to give you an intimate and immersive experience.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

Outdoor Jacuzzi

• Fitness Center
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Bars/Lounges
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Spa Services/Massage

Main Dining Room

Main Dining

Main Dining:  All-inclusive amenities and five-star cuisine by top chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

Suite Stateroom

Suite (category: s).

Category: S

• Ship Name: Aria Amazon
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2020
• Number of Passenger Decks: 2
• Number of Crew: 27
• Officers' Nationality: European/International
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 16
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 32
• Country of Registry: Italy
• Total Staterooms: 16
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: European/International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, inside stateroom, river-view stateroom, balcony stateroom, departure date - 07/10/2024, departure date - 08/14/2024, departure date - 09/11/2024, departure date - 11/06/2024, departure date - 01/22/2025, departure date - 02/19/2025, departure date - 03/19/2025, departure date - 04/23/2025, departure date - 05/14/2025, departure date - 06/11/2025, departure date - 07/16/2025, departure date - 08/13/2025, departure date - 09/10/2025, departure date - 10/08/2025, departure date - 11/05/2025, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

**Unlimited beverages include premium wine and premium spirits. Diamond List of wine and spirits is available at an additional cost.

♦Executive Members receive a $50 shipboard credit per person, maximum $100 per stateroom. Executive Member benefit is valid for primary cardholder only. Shipboard credit is per stateroom based on double occupancy. Shipboard credit will be applied to your onboard account. Any unused portion of the credit is nontransferable, nonrefundable and not redeemable for cash.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

Ship's registry: Italy

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.