Amazon River Cruise
With Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
June 2028
Amazon River Cruise 2028
I spent a great deal of time researching cruise tour companies in the Peruvian Amazon Basin. In the end, I believe that the Amazon Aria is an ideal ship size at 32 guests. Cabins are nicely appointed and the public areas on board are plentiful. What I ended up with is a 16-stateroom luxury cruise experience beginning and ending in Iquitos after 7 nights on the main Amazon River and its major Peruvian tributaries and headwater rivers, including the Marañón, Ucayali, and Puinahua rivers, alongside smaller blackwater streams like the Yanayacu-Pucate, Yarapa, and Nauta Caño.
The heart of this tour program is a 7-night cruise on the Upper Amazon and it’s Peruvian tributaries. As an option, guests are invited to visit Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on a 6-night post-cruise deluxe tour.
A 7-night luxury cruise aboard the Aria Amazon includes 7 nights of design suite accommodations, all gourmet onboard meals featuring Peruvian cuisine, non-alcoholic beverages, daily guided wildlife excursions, park entrance fees, group airport transfers on recommended flights, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
What’s not included:
· Premium alcoholic spirits, cocktails, and select specialty wines.
· Crew and guide gratuities.
· International or domestic airfare to/from Iquitos, Peru. (see flight section)
· Spa treatments and boutique purchases
After the seven night tour program, you can extend your time in the south on a 6-night Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco tour. This tour program will take you to the Sacred Valley, a day at Machu Picchu, and a final tour of Cusco.
The Cost: By chartering this vessel for the week, savings are passed on to you, the guest.
Second Deck Stateroom $9,358 per person (5% savings)
First Deck Stateroom $8,900 per person (5% savings)
There is an additional $300 (per person) in early booking discounts for the first 10 bookings under deposit.
Our schedule on the Aria Amazon Cruise portion is Friday June 9th to Friday June 16th, 2028.
Daily High Water Schedule Highlights*
Day 1: Friday (Embarkation) — Board the ship in Iquitos at 6:00 p.m. and sail down the Amazon River while watching the sunset from the Upper Deck.
Day 2: Saturday — Morning birdwatching along the Amazon River, followed by skiff explorations around the Yacapana Islands and Nauta Caño River to spot sloths and hawks.
Day 3: Sunday — Rise early for birdwatching on the Marañón River, take a jungle walk, and visit an Amazonian village along the Yanayacu-Pucate River.
Day 4: Monday — Explore local life at the Nauta town fresh market with chef-guided fruit and catch identification, continuing toward the birthplace of the Amazon.
Day 5: Tuesday — Navigate the black waters of the Yanallpa River by skiff, walk deep into the flooded rain forest, and enjoy an evening safari to spot caimans.
Day 6: Wednesday — Full-day excursion along the Pacaya and Ucayali rivers into pristine landscapes housing egrets, monkeys, and river turtles.
Day 7: Thursday — Morning options for canoeing, kayaking, or swimming in the black waters of Clavero or Yarapa lakes, followed by a farewell crew introduction.
Day 8: Friday (Disembarkation) — Disembark in Iquitos, visit the Manatee Rescue Center en route, and transfer to the airport.
*June is officially a shoulder month, not quite high water and not quite low water.
Staterooms:
Aria Amazon staterooms are 250-square-foot luxury design suites featuring polished timber floors, air conditioning, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic river views. Each of the 16 identical suites accommodates up to three guests with convertible twin-to-king beds and a sofa bed, plus an en suite bathroom with a rain shower.
Suite Features and Layout
- Size: 250 sq. ft. of air-conditioned living space.
- Views: Outward-facing, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.
- Bedding: Two twin beds or one California king-size bed with fine Peruvian cotton linens.
- Sitting Area: Includes a sofa bed, round coffee table, and closet space.
- Interconnecting Options: Four pairs of suites can connect to accommodate families.
Bathroom and Amenities
- Bathroom: Private en suite with a glass-enclosed walk-in rain shower.
- Comforts: Premium organic bath toiletries, plush robes, and a professional hairdryer.
- Tech & Security: Electronic safety deposit box, internal intercom, and 220-volt electrical outlets.
The cabins are identical on both decks. Deck Two cabins are a bit more expensive due to the slightly increased elevation above the river.
The public areas on the 147-foot luxury river ship Aria Amazon combine chic boutique-hotel comfort with open-air views, featuring an indoor lounge and bar, a formal dining room, an outdoor observation deck with a jacuzzi or cold plunge pool, an exercise room, and a massage treatment room.
Indoor Lounge & Bar
- Styled like a cozy, elegant living room with soft couches, armchairs, and coffee tables.
- Stocked with reading books and oversized board games like Scrabble or backgammon.
- Includes a fully equipped bar serving custom specialty cocktails (such as Camu Camu Pisco Sours), beer, and wine.
Dining Room
- Features a refined, intimate layout with flexible two-, four-, or six-top seating.
- Outfitted with large windows so passengers can watch the rainforest glide by during meals.
- Serves gourmet, Amazonian-influenced cuisine designed by a top consulting chef.
Outdoor Observation Deck & Jacuzzi
- Located toward the bow of the boat, offering panoramic views of the river and jungle.
- Equipped with a shaded outdoor seating area and a refreshing outdoor jacuzzi or cold plunge pool.
Wellness & Exercise
- Includes a compact exercise room with basic fitness equipment.
- Features a dedicated massage room offering spa treatments after active daily excursions.
Machu Picchu excursion with Sacred Valley and Cusco
DAY 1 Friday June 9, 2028 Flight Iquitos to Cusco via Lima
On arrival, private transfer from Cusco airport to Sacred Valley hotel (with Representative)
A morning flight connects you to Cusco, the heart of Andean Peru. You’ll be collected by private transport and taken into the Sacred Valley, the fertile region that once fed the Inca Empire. This agricultural strip lies at a lower altitude than Cusco, so you will have the opportunity to acclimatize in pristine Andean surroundings. Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley, Sacred Valley
DAY 2 Saturday, June 10, 2028 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Private Full Day Cultural & Pachamanca Experience
You’ll depart from the hotel to explore Ollantaytambo ruins, famed for its Inca architecture and breathtaking views. Next, travel up the Patacancha valley to the village of Pallata, home to the Laucata clan. There, you’ll learn traditional weaving from Teofila and discover local farming practices. The day ends with a unique outdoor Pachamanca lunch, where you can join in preparing and tasting this underground-cooked meal. Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley, Sacred Valley
DAY 3 Sunday, June 11, 2028 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Private Sacred Valley Tour with Moray & Maras + Chincheros
Prepare to have your breath taken away! Your Sacred Valley exploration will include visits to the ancient circular agricultural terraces of Moray, the salt mines at Maras, and the ruins and village of Chincheros. From Ollantaytambo, you’ll be treated to a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley to the town of Aguas Calientes where you will stay in comfort to await the highlight of our tour.
You will enjoy an authentic culinary experience at Chuncho, located on the main square of Ollantaytambo. Using ingredients from its own garden and local farmers, the restaurant serves a four-course tasting in rustic banquet style, with shared platters that highlight the flavors and traditions of the Sacred Valley.
Overnight at Sumaq, Aguas Calientes
DAY 4 Monday, June 12, 2028 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Private Machu Picchu tour
This is one for your bucket list. Uncover the mystical secrets of Machu Picchu during a guided private tour of this Incan citadel. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the most important parts of the ruins to wonder at how they were constructed.
After a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life, you’ll depart from Aguas Calientes by train for Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at the train station you will be met and transferred to your Cusco hotel. Overnight at Casa Andina Premium, Cuzco
DAY 5 Tuesday, June 13, 2028 Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
During your private tour of Cusco, the capital of the Incan Empire, you will visit Sacsayhuaman, an immense Incan complex with impressive stonework; Koricancha, one of the most important Incan temples (the walls were once actually coated in gold!), and Cusco’s Cathedral where you will learn about the Cusco School of Art. Overnight at Casa Andina Premium, Cuzco
DAY 6 Wednesday, June 14, 2028 Meals Included: Breakfast
Private transfer from Cusco hotel to airport (with Representative)
One of our representatives will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the Cuzco airport for your flight to Lima.
Tour costs, based on double occupancy:
$3350 per person
Tour includes:
- Local guide
- Transportation as indicated
- All breakfasts
- Four Lunches
- One Dinner
- Entrance fees
Tour does NOT include:
- Meals unless otherwise indicated
- International Air ticket
- Additional domestic flights*
*I will arrange for reservations and tickets for domestic air tickets for the fees as indicated below:
Iquitos-Cusco (Via Lima) $255 (includes baggage fees and seat assignment)
Cusco-Lima $133 (includes baggage fees and seat assignment)
There are cheaper airline options, but after looking a the budget options and the associated reviews, all flights will be with Latam Airlines.
Flight suggestions to Lima and/or Iquitos to join the cruise.
Our cruise begins on Friday in Iquitos, which is a 2-hour flight from Lima. There are a variety of airlines departing US gateways for Lima with 1 or 2 stops. I suggest that you come in 1-2 days early, spend a couple nights in Lima to acclimate and see the city. On Friday, we will fly as a group from Lima to Iquitos mid-morning to tie into transportation from Iquitos Airport to the ship.
I will offer a 2-night tour program in Lima that will include accommodations, breakfast, a city tour, transportation from the hotel to the airport and the flight from Lima to Iquitos.
If you’re just flying home after the cruise and NOT coming to Machu Picchu, then you’ll book your departing flight from Iquitos to Lima to depart after 2:00 PM. This will tie into most international flight schedules returning to the USA.
If you ARE coming to Machu Picchu with the group after the cruise, I will coordinate your flight from Iquitos to Cusco and your late afternoon flight from Cusco to Lima on June 21st. Flights home can be booked for anytime after 8:00 PM from Lima.