The Aria Amazon, designed by innovative architect Jordi Puig, is a river cruise ship built specifically for exploring the Peruvian Amazon and the famous Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. On board, 16 spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of the majestic Amazon River and Peru's rainforests. On the upper deck, you will enjoy numerous amenities, including a whirlpool, indoor lounge and bar, as well as an outdoor observation deck. In the dining room, guests savour the best of Peruvian cuisine with an extensive menu created by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru's most accomplished chefs, known for his use of products and ingredients from the Peruvian Amazon. With excursions in small groups of no more than eight people, led by experienced naturalist guides, you can be sure to experience particularly exciting and interesting encounters with wildlife in the Amazon rainforest. The customised, ergonomic fleet of private launches, skilfully manned by the captain and his crew, adds to the comfort of each of your "wild explorations".
The Aria Amazon is a "shining and 'extra "green" example of every other Amazon cruise ship in the region. It features a water treatment system and virtually smoke-free, fuel-efficient engines that meet stringent US and international environmental standards.
It goes without saying that it is part of Aqua Expeditions' philosophy to preserve the beautiful rivers of this world that they travel on. Environmentally friendly and responsible behaviour is an absolute must here - this applies in the Amazon as well as in the Mekong Delta, where the Aqua Mekong offers you a river cruise between Phnom Penh and Saigon.
Because only with care will others be able to enjoy the experiences that you might tell their loved ones of another generation: Of funny monkeys, dozing sloths, dangerous caimans, chattering parrots and other colourful birds whose names you may not know, but which have enchanted you with their exotic splendour.
The endless green of the rainforest can admittedly be described in words, but the real experience of experiencing the green lungs of our planet in all their complexity and perfection can of course only be had on site. The most comfortable way to do this is on board the "Aqua Negra", which lets you discover the wonderful world of the Amazon in Peru for three, four or seven days.
Without a doubt, these suites are the most luxurious retreat you deserve after a day of fruitful adventures in the river and rainforest. Experience the purity of Amazonia in the utmost comfort and style when it comes to your private time on the Aria Amazon. Our 16 spacious designer suites overlooking the river - including 4 connecting suites - feature inviting hardwood interiors and premium fittings and bedding, including silky-soft Peruvian cotton high thread count bed linen. Admire the Amazon landscape from the fully air-conditioned comfort of your river cruise suite and watch wildlife from the comfort of your day bed next to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Suites:
All approx. 32 m² with floor-to-ceiling XXL panoramic window, king-size bed (or optionally 2 single beds), living area, private bathroom with shower, air conditioning
Service & Cuisine
Get to know the river of rivers, the wild Amazon, in the most culinary way. "Taste" the Amazon with the five-star cuisine of chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Peruvian-born Pedro Miguel Schiaffino is known for being one of the first gourmets in his country to promote local cuisine internationally by bringing out the best of Peru's regional flavours. He has been a partner of Aqua Expeditions as Consulting Chef on board the Aria Amazon since 2007 and is responsible for the menu on board and the culinary experience.
Chef Schiaffino has been exploring the culinary and food traditions of the Amazon since 2001 and works with anthropologists and environmental scientists beyond the kitchen. Chef Schiaffino calls the rainforest his "natural habitat" and has skilfully incorporated sustainable products and ingredients from the Peruvian Amazon into this cuisine. In fact, 70 % of all the ingredients used in Chef Pedro's dishes on board the Aria Amazon come from here.
"When I hear about an unfamiliar dish or ingredient from friends in Iquitos or villagers by the river, I ask questions. From Lima, I speak to anthropologists and other experts. Then I go to the Amazon, sometimes travelling eight hours or more on a speedboat in search of ingredients to taste and experiment with. It's amazing how the Amazon constantly offers flavours and aromas that I've never imagined. " enthuses chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
This enthusiasm for the Amazon region and for his country, Peru, enables Chef Schaffino to transform unusual ingredients into fascinating, authentic dishes that deserve their place alongside well-known Peruvian favourites such as ceviche. On board the Aria Amazon, for example, you will enjoy dishes such as palm soufflé hearts, scallops with wild almonds and umari fruit, plantain and yucca gnocchi, escolar fish in aji panka chilli adobo, grilled paiche with Amazon huatia potatoes. After this trip, you will always remember the Amazon as one of the highlights of your culinary life.
Small but nice is also the motto on board the Aria Amazon. A maximum of 32 passengers in 16 fully air-conditioned luxury viewing cabins with a view of the river are individually looked after here with a quasi 1:1 ratio of guests to crew of 31.
Wellness & Spa
The best way to pamper yourself after an eventful day is with a soothing massage performed by our experienced therapists on board. Or cool off in the whirlpool while you relax with a view of the river, cocktail in hand if you like.
On-board activities
Outside of the numerous daily excursions, you can relax on the ship's observation deck and watch the wildlife under the open sky above the Amazon. At dusk and dawn, Amazon sunsets and sunrises in the "mirrored forest" of the Pacaya Samiria National Park have twice the visual impact as they are reflected by the "black water" of the Amazon. The viewing platform is therefore the ideal place for many extraordinary photos.
If you want to retreat, the indoor lounge is the place to do it. Air-conditioned with plenty of natural light, soft deep sofas, soothing hardwood décor and a well-stocked bar as the centrepiece, this is arguably one of the best places in Peru to sip a pisco sour. Or treat yourself to an afternoon siesta in the outdoor lounge amidst the sounds of the rainforest.