AGUA MARINA Amazon Cruise, Peru
Superior cruising aboard 28-berth, boutique Amazon riverboat.
Itineraries to Pacaya-Samiria Reserve from 4 to 8 days in length.
Or can customise itinerary to suit your interests eg. birdwatching / fishing.
Great charter option, if travelling in a group of 8 or more.
No age limits, so ideal for families.
Overview
Agua Marina Cruise: Ideal Amazon Charter Option
The Agua Marina has all the amenities and attention-to-detail associated with a luxury Amazon River cruise. Yet, if you are a group of eight or more, it can work out more economic than those cruise ships with set departures … and can fit around your timeframe and interests.
The Agua Marina has 14 cabins, all with floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed views of Amazonia. The beds can be set up as either King-size or two single beds, according to your wishes.
Each cabin has a minibar, bathroom equipped with hot showers - ideal for freshening up after a jungle excursion - and air-conditioning to keep guests cool and fresh in the Amazonian heat.
Moreover, four of the cabins are suites located at the front of the vessel, which are larger and with more windows. These suites can accommodate an extra bed for younger children.
For families with older children, there are inter-connecting cabins.
Dusk is a great time to enjoy the Agua Marina’s Observation Deck, with a refreshing drink from the bar.
As the sun sets, the night sky comes alive with stars and the sounds of the jungle at night drift across the water.
When the sun is at its hottest, you may wish to cool off in the boat’s plunge pool, or enjoy the cool of the air-conditioned indoor lounge.
If you have energy to burn, there is a small gym on board. Or you can pamper yourself with a massage in the ship’s spa.
Dining on board the Agua Marina is a culinary delight. Experienced chefs create a mouth-watering fusion of Amazonian and international flavours, showcasing the freshest ingredients from the region.
You can try your hand at making some of these dishes yourself, when the chef gives an Amazon cookery class.
Meals are enjoyed in the plush dining room, against a magical backdrop of ever-changing river scenery … accompanied by specially-chosen house wines, all included in the price.
As well as preparing and serving delicious meals, the crew of 18 is dedicated to ensuring that your experience on board is exceptional and a fitting example of the warmth and hospitality of Peru’s Amazon region.
Off the boat, locally-trained, bilingual guides, with years of experience, escort guests on daily excursions, helping to spot wildlife and expounding on the wonders of Pacaya-Samiria - the largest protected wetland reserve in the world and one of the areas of highest bio-diversity.
Highlights can include visiting a tree-top canopy walkway, for a unique, bird's-eye view of the jungle; taking part in a shamanic ceremony; meeting local, Amazon River-dwelling villagers; and fishing for piranhas.
Moreover, the Agua Marina carries eight kayaks that can be used in the calmer sections of the Amazon's many tributaries and lakes, for a peaceful and active exploration of the waterways.
Prices
Prices below are to charter the Agua Marina - including crew, fuel, guides, meals & entrance fees - with up to 12 passengers. For larger groups, the total price increases … but per person price drops.
| Voyage Type | Length | Prices From |
|---|---|---|
| Charter | 4 Days | £17,569 / $22,320 |
| Charter | 5 Days | £21,969 / $27,910 |
| Charter | 6 Days | £26,401 / $33,540 |
| Charter | 7 Days | £30,801 / $39,130 |
| Charter | 8 Days | £35,202 / $44,720 |
Included
Accommodation aboard the M/V Agua Marina.
Fuel
Crew
Transfers from/to Iquitos Airport or hotel
Excursions with our expert naturalist team
All meals
House Wine with meals
English-speaking guides
Use of kayaks
Not Included:
Flights
Laundry service
Massages
Tips & gratuities
Personal Expenses
Other Alcoholic Drinks
If looking for a charter vessel for a smaller group, have a look at Spondias … or the more rudimentary Esperanza.
5D Itinerary
This is a sample 5-Day / 4-Night Itinerary on the M/V Agua Marina to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
Please note that the itinerary may change, at the discretion of the ship’s captain, according to climatic and river conditions … and can also be customised to the timeframe and interests of your group.
Day 1: Iquitos: Embarkation (Dinner)
Welcome to the Amazon! Reached only by airplane or boat, the bustling city of Iquitos is the 5th largest city in Peru and the beginning of your Amazon adventure!
You will be met at the airport or your Iquitos hotel, and comfortably transported two hours by road to the town of Nauta.
Here you will embark the newly-built river boat, the M/V Agua Marina. Take some time to settle in, relax and have a drink as you get accustomed to the sleek surroundings.
As safety is our priority, we will conduct a safety drill and explain everything you need to know about the M/V Agua Marina to have a safe and exhilarating adventure.
If there is time, we will make our first foray into the Amazon rainforest, to spot wildlife and get an initial feel of the unique atmosphere of the region.
Back on board, we savour the first of many authentic, freshly-prepared dinners by our talented chef as we continue our journey up the Amazon River.
Day 2: Ucayali River & Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After a relaxing breakfast along the black-water of Belluda-Caño Creek / Dorado River, we will explore a small tributary of the Ucayali River looking for a variety of primates, colorful and unusual birds unique to the Amazon River basin and a wide variety of primates, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and rainforest plants.
Our wildlife sightings and experiences will swell as we continue upriver into the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, the largest wetland reserve in the world and home to over 500 species of birds, over 130 species of reptiles and amphibians, and hundreds of mammals and primates.
Have your binoculars and cameras to hand, because our guides will expertly identify creatures that are difficult to spot with the untrained eye.
After an invigorating day, filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, return to relax in comfort aboard the M/V Agua Marina for a nourishing dinner and review of the day’s discoveries.
Day 3: Sapote River / Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Venturing deep into the rainforest, we will spend the entire day wandering through the island mazes and twisted tunnels of the the igapo (seasonally flooded forest) where the dense plant life is dramatically different than what we see from the river’s edge and harbors a whole new variety of exotic wildlife.
As water levels allow, we will hike through the reserve for close up viewing and discovery led by our expert and knowledgeable guides.
Examine and learn first-hand about the jungle plants – their unique survival tactics as they compete for sun and nutrients in the dense rainforest, the part they play in sustaining the complex balance of life in the jungle and the important medicinal value they offer.
Witness a brilliant Amazon sunset as we return to the M/V Agua Marina, where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a Pisco sour with your expertly-prepared dinner, followed by some star-gazing on deck, before you turn in for a well-deserved night’s sleep.
Day 4: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After an early breakfast, we will explore the vast wetlands of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve further. Add to your growing list of wildlife and bird sightings.
In the morning we slowly meander up-river toward the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers, famous for marking the beginning of the mighty Amazon River. Observe small villages that dot the river’s edge and catch a glimpse of the locals’ activities as they go about their day.
As we turn into the Ucayali River, the famous freshwater grey river dolphins and Amazon pink dolphins frequently swim near the boat.
We will board our sturdy excursion boats to explore the channels that weave through island mazes so we can get a closer look at the wildlife that abounds such as monkeys, sloths, frogs, and an amazing variety of marsh birds.
In the afternoon, we will visit a village along the river for a chance to meet and learn about the lives of the ribereño people who call the river’s edge their home.
It is an excellent opportunity to ask questions (practice your Spanish, if you like!) and gain a deeper understanding of how people live in this remote part of the world.
A wide variety of handmade handicrafts and delightful folk art will be available for your viewing and purchase.
As we cruise slowly back toward Nauta, join the crew and all your new friends in a farewell dinner of authentic Peruvian cuisine and a celebration of your Amazon experience.
Day 5: Confluence of the Amazon River / Ucayali River: (Breakfast, Lunch)
A final excursion will be provided en route to the airport - a visit to the wonderful Manatee Rescue Centre where you have a chance to feed these gentle creatures by hand.
We then drop you at Iquitos airport or hotel.
