Cruising the Amazon on the Aqua Nera
The Aqua Nera
Why Cruise the Amazon?
Before we start gushing about our Amazon river cruise experience, we’ll answer the question: why visit the Amazon and specifically the Peruvian Amazon? The Amazon is the planet's largest rainforest and river system, a mix of biodiversity unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. It's home to countless species of monkeys, sloths, vibrant birds, pink river dolphins, and elusive jaguars. It’s about as off-the-beaten path as you can get, with indigenous cultures living in small villages along the banks. It’s this mix of nature, beautiful river scenery and adventure that makes it a trip you won’t forget. Plus Peru is where the Amazon starts, so it makes sense to start your Amazonian adventure there!
So we’ve hopefully convinced you to visit the Peruvian Amazon, but why a cruise? Why not just stay in a hotel or lodge? First, there aren’t many lodging options and those that exist are pretty primitive (think no air conditioning, no laundry, which can be challenging considering you’re in a hot and humid jungle environment). Secondly, most of the lodging is well off-the-beaten path, so it can require a day-long mix of planes, cars and even boats to get to your destination. With a cruise, and specifically the Aqua Nera, you take a single short flight from Lima to Iquitos and Aqua representatives pick you up and take you directly to the ship. From a logistics perspective it’s easy and seamless. Thirdly, though the jungle is beautiful, being on the river and waking up to a sunrise over the Amazon with pink dolphins jumping, it’s just WOW!
The Perfect Introduction to River Cruising
Bar and lounge
For those curious about river cruising but hesitant to commit to a longer, more traditional itinerary (like the 8+ day European voyages), an Amazon cruise is an excellent test run. Our journey was 4 days (3 nights). This shorter duration makes it a fantastic add-on to a longer Peruvian/South American itinerary. All of the excursions require being able to get in and out of a skiff and also include jungle hiking and kayaking, so it is definitely geared toward a younger and more active crowd. We may have been the oldest ones on our ship!
Luxury Navigating the Wild
Guestroom
We were aboard Aqua Expeditions’ Aqua Nera, a gorgeous boat built in 2020 with 20 all-suite guest rooms (so max 40 guests). It blends contemporary elegance with subtle nods to Peruvian culture. There was beautiful woodwork all over the boat and the textiles (pillows, wall hangings) were all locally-made and I was wishing I could take them home to decorate my own house! Our suite was a sanctuary – beautiful linens, spacious, and with really good A/C (a must in the hot and humid amazon!). Plus it had the floor-to-ceiling windows with uninterrupted views of the passing rainforest. Every morning we felt like we were waking up to a personal rainforest documentary video playing live outside our window!
Deck pool
Beyond the exquisite accommodations, the service and amenities on board were top-notch. There was a pool where we parked ourselves with a cocktail for a refreshing cool-off after a day trekking in the hot jungle. The bar was always open for either coffee or cocktails, and boy, did they make some good pisco sours! Daily laundry service was also included in the price and with the hot and humid weather, we definitely took advantage of it. And the staff were beyond helpful and accommodating. Every detail, from knowing our morning coffee order to the thoughtful turndown service, spoke of meticulous attention.
Dinner on the Aqua Nera
The culinary experience was a highlight too. Most of the food was hyper-local, meaning it wasn’t just Peruvian food, it was food of the Amazon. For example, ceviche was made with local Amazon river fish. Breakfast featured fruits I had never heard of, let alone tried before. Dinner especially was amazing. After a day of excursions and walking through the jungle, to sit down to a multi-course meal featuring fish and vegetables of the Amazon along with a chilly glass of white wine was such a treat.
Expert-Led Exploration
Skiff - see the guide on the shore looking for sloths
While the luxurious ship is a definite plus, the real reason you do an Amazon cruise is to experience the nature of the river and jungle. The cruise is led by highly knowledgeable naturalist guides, most local to the region, who bring the rainforest to life with their stories of its flora, fauna, and culture. They take you on daily excursions, conducted in comfortable skiffs, that go deep into the jungle's tributaries and floodplains. We had a piranha fishing adventure on one of the tributaries where David caught multiple piranhas….those teeth are no joke! On daily wildlife spotting expeditions we saw sloths (not the easiest to spot, they’re pretty shy, but the expert guides found them no problem), pink dolphins, monkeys and tons of colorful birds. We also did a few jungle walks, including one at night. Definitely not for the faint-of heart, we came across some crazy big snakes, hairy spiders and a huge anthill with poisonous ants. But the guides were so knowledgeable and competent, we felt completely (ok, almost completely) at ease.
Hairy spider
Besides the wild nature is the cultural aspect. We took the skiffs to a few remote villages, and it all felt ethically and responsibly done. In one village the women met us on the banks and showed us their basket weavings that incorporated colorful patterns. In another, larger village we got out of the skiffs and toured the area. We saw the kids in school, met the woman who is the village leader and saw a typical house that even had a few pet monkeys.
Great Addition to a Peruvian Itinerary
David catching a piranha
An Amazon cruise is a phenomenal addition to any Peruvian itinerary (see . Most visitors understandably prioritize Machu Picchu, and perhaps if they're lucky, squeeze in one other iconic spot like Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley or Lake Titicaca. However, we strongly recommend extending your adventure to include the Amazon. The shift from the mountains of the Andes to the dense rainforest provides a more comprehensive understanding of Peru's diverse geography. If you're looking for an extraordinary travel experience that combines luxurious comfort with profound natural discovery, look no further than an Amazon river cruise.
And don’t forget to check out are additional posts about Peru:
