Aboard the Aqua Nera, award-winning architects Noor Design crafts every space to perfection. The vessel’s 20 spacious Design Suites convey a sense of Amazon tranquility, while the social spaces showcase refined elegance with a touch of drama. Tastefully woven into the design are accents and details from the rubber boom era and the colorful cultures of Portugal, Spain and Peru.
Aqua Nera operates alongside the Aria Amazon, taking guests into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon in the comfort of luxury and featuring cuisine by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s finest chefs, known for creating refined cuisine from native Amazonian produce. Expert naturalist guides conduct small group excursions that reward guests with up-close wildlife encounters in the world’s most bio diverse rainforest.
On the Aqua Nera, our partnership with chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino continues. Expect sumptuous and refined Peruvian cuisine orchestrated with native Amazonian ingredients that impart a multi-sensory dimension to your journey unlike any other cruise.
Equal measures of luxurious style and immaculate comfort on board the Amazon’s finest cruise ship With a distinctive design philosophy and a spacious layout, Aqua Nera is built for ultimate enjoyment and relaxation on the Amazon river, with amenities that are second-to-none.
Observation Deck
Opening up to the vast Amazon sky, the observation deck on both ends of the Aqua Nera is the highest vantage point aboard the cruise ship and the ideal place for guests to observe life on the river and riverbanks. This is also a perfect spot for photography and birdwatching when the ship sails closer to shore.
Outdoor Lounge and Bar
Admire expansive views of the Amazon with a cocktail or two at the outdoor lounge areas, which are located at both the bow and the stern of the cruise ship and outfitted with comfortable loungers. Or sit barside and strike up a conversation with our friendly bartender. Plenty of shade is offered at the bow lounge area, thanks to Aqua Nera’s soaring sun canopy that also provides shelter to the ship’s river-facing plunge pool.
In the evenings, Amazonia’s legendary sunsets draw guests to the open-air decks. Return to the outdoor lounge after dinner for stargazing, outdoor cinema screenings, or endless conversations as the river settles into a soothing peace and quiet.
Private Screening Room
Enhance any Amazon river cruise journey with our selection of classic films about this exotic region. Our cruise director will be happy to organize a private screening for up to ten guests here or on the Observation Deck.
The Private Screening Room also sees guests gather for private lecture, videos, and documentaries to learn about the fascinating cultures on their Amazon river journey.
Indoor Lounge and Bar
With an inviting ambiance tastefully blending modern and classic elements, the Aqua Nera’s indoor lounge is the focal point of the top deck for social activities. Luxurious lounge sofas let guests relax in air-conditioned comfort while sipping on the drink of choice from the bar.
Dining Room
Pair the Amazon’s stunning scenery with chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino’s show-stopping cuisine at the refined Dining Room, stylishly adorned with colorful accents from the Peruvian culture. Choose to make dinner date night, or dine family-style as we deliver a five-star dining experience from start to finish.
Outdoor Pool
Let the jacuzzi plunge pool’s cool soothing waters take the edge off Amazonian heat after a jungle or skiff excursion. Located at the bow of the Aqua Nera, the outdoor pool is well shielded from the elements with a canopy and places guests in a commanding position to soak in the majestic panoramic vista of the Peruvian Amazon.
Gym
Love your next cruise ship workout at a gym that faces out to the Amazon river with full-height windows. The gym is also comprehensively equipped with essential machines and free weights.
Spa
Indulge in therapeutic relaxation with a body massage at our onboard spa designed with privacy and tranquility in mind. Let our experienced therapists work wonders to rejuvenate your mind and soul, or simply to relax your muscles after a day out on the Amazon. Both single and couple spa suites are available.
Library and Games Room
Immerse in the finest literature about the region or play a game of pool on our exquisite glass and wood table. The library and games room on the Aqua Nera is the ideal place for quiet contemplation.
Arriving on a morning flight*, receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by our crew and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon continues with an introduction to the historic city of Iquitos and the opportunity to visit an indigenous Amazon community.
In the early evening, embark the Aqua Nera and settle into your generously-sized suite as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following an introduction to our naturalist guides and a routine safety drill, gather at the restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aqua Nera consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Amaz, is one of Peru’s most renowned dining establishments.
*Separate arrangements can be made for afternoon arrivals.
Aboard our comfortable skiffs, we set sail from the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Ready your binoculars for tropical songbirds, black collared hawks and sloths. Line-fish for Amazon’s notoriously ferocious piranhas as our naturalist guides share stories of Lake Moringo.
In the afternoon, we sail on to Lake Clavero where villagers rely on traditional dugout canoes to get around. Swim in the lake’s calm waters or visit native residents of Amazonia who welcome you to their community with open arms.
We explore the black water tributaries of the Yanallpa River by skiff, disembarking to walk deep into the wildlife-rich Amazonian rainforest. Later, we board the skiffs again to cruise along the El Dorado River for a dusk excursion in search of exotic nocturnal creatures.
In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish.
In the afternoon, witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. By nightfall, you will meet the new passengers who signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.
Rise with the sun for early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River and enjoy breakfast in the middle of the jungle. Later, swim, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River as we seek the legendary pink river dolphins. In the afternoon, visit a local village and interact with the native people and visit local schoolchildren.
The rewards for our early start today are plentiful: a full day excursion including a picnic lunch accompanied by the jungle symphony and fishing on the black water of the Samiria River. On the way back to the Marañon River after lunch, we venture out by skiffs alongside the banana boats transporting jungle products, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins.
As the day begins, embark on a morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary black water Nauta Caño River.
In the afternoon, we will take a jungle walk on the firm soil forest of Casual while looking for flora and fauna which may include medicinal trees, insects and poison dart frogs. Learn more about the different rainforest strata and ecosystems. At night, focus our hi-tech telescope on the sky to identify the stars, planets and the milky way.
In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish.
Return to the Aqua Nera for breakfast before disembarkation. En route to the airport, visit the
Manatee Rescue Center, where orphaned Amazonian manatees rehabilitate before they are released back into the wild.
Note: Our itineraries may be subject to changtan e according to local weather and water conditions.
Arriving on a morning flight*, receive a warm welcome at Iquitos International Airport by our crew. Board our private transfer to our exclusive Nauta Lounge for a welcome lunch before embarkation.
Settle into your generously-sized suite aboard the Aqua Nera as you begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following an introduction to our naturalist guides and a routine safety drill, gather at the restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aqua Nera consulting chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurant, Amaz, is one of Peru’s most renowned dining establishments.
*Separate arrangements can be made for afternoon arrivals.
Rise with the sun for early morning birdwatching along the Marañon River. Later, canoe or kayak in Yanayacu-Pucate River and look out for Amazon’s legendary pink river dolphins. In the afternoon, visit an Amazonian village, where you can interact with native riberenos (people of the river) and visit local schoolchildren.
Awake to a lush jungle sunrise and birdwatching along the Samiria River, enjoying breakfast in the middle of the lush jungle. Swimming and kayaking are some of the recommended activities at this part of the Reserve. In the evening, embark on a wildlife excursion on the black waters of Nauta Caño, and end the night with extraordinary stargazing.
In the morning, take a guided visit to the local market and marvel at the regional produce of the Peruvian Amazon, and sample exotic snacks if you wish.
In the afternoon, witness one of the great spectacles of the Southern Hemisphere, the birthplace of the Amazon River. By nightfall, you will meet the new passengers who signed on for the four-night trip, as we start our journey together along the Marañon River.
Boarding our skiffs, we start the day like Amazon River dwellers, cruising along the Ucayali and Yanallpa River. As farmers and fishermen go about their business, we search for pink river dolphins in these pristine waters.
In the afternoon, explore a fascinating black water stream aboard skiffs, part of the vast Amazon flooded forest within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guides will regale you with tales and insights about the jungle as we explore what scientists call a “gallery forest” because of dense vegetation that creates a tunnel of leaves. As we explore this type of riparian vegetation, keep your eyes peeled for parrots, macaws, and fluffy monk saki monkeys.
This morning we will embark on a full-day excursion along the Pacaya tributary within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, observing and exploring the flooded forest of this vast region of the Peruvian Amazon. Sail among a wide variety of wildlife, birds including large parrots, macaws, herons and storks, and many species of primates like the capuchin, howler and squirrel monkeys.
After a picnic lunch, visit some of the most beautiful lakes in Pacaya Samiria and meet local guardians of the Reserve’s natural resources. On our return, behold the famous Ceiba tree, the tallest of its kind in the Amazon.
Choose among jungle walking, canoeing, kayaking or swimming excursions on the black waters Yarapa or Clavero River. In the 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 a memorable experience aboard the Aqua Nera.
Visit the quaint riverside town of San Jose de Paranapura en route to Nauta. Before saying goodbye, we will visit the Manatee Rescue Center, a sanctuary for orphaned Amazonian manatees to rehabilitate before their release back into the wild.
Note: Our itineraries may be subject to changes according to local weather and water conditions.
Award-winning architect Noor Design draws inspiration from the peaceful blackwater lagoons and tributaries of the Mirrored Forest of the Peruvian Amazon to craft an aesthetic for Aqua Nera’s suites that are impeccably stylish and inviting.
Presenting 20 Design Suites (including 4 interconnecting suites), your accommodation on the most luxurious ship in the Amazon features premium fittings and bedding, as well as full air-conditioning and full-length windows to gaze at the endlessly enthralling panorama of the Amazon river and rainforest.
Besides being incredibly spacious, our suite’s layouts are designed to maximize space, optimize movement and enhance natural light. Passengers who need walking assistance can navigate our rooms and bathrooms with ease.
Our suites can each accommodate a maximum of three guests (interior sofas can be combined to form a bed), with a maximum cap of 44 guests on board the vessel.
All individual suites measure 322 square feet (30 sq m), inclusive of ensuite bathroom and closet space.
