WHEN -

There are two seasons - Low Water (June to November) and High Water (December to May)

There is rain throughout the year but it usually comes in bursts of an hour or two. There are 250 rainy days a year. Usually it is in localised spots and not everywhere at once

You will see wildlife, birds and plants in either season but treks in high season will be by boat and you will be closer to the canopy.

It is a bit warmer 36C and drier in low season 25% less rain (It may rain for an extra 15 mins in High Water Season). In High Water season the average temperature is 30C.

Humidity is about 80% all year round

STAY -

· All suites are the same, you just need to decide whether you want river level or 1st floor. Both have their plusses. All are air conditioned

Aria Amazon - 

Built 2010, 16 suites with floor to ceiling windows, top deck Jacuzzi lounge and bar, eco friendly and all safety features. Indoor outdoor bar, massage room, exercise room, infirmary.

Aqua Nera  -

Built 2020, 20 Design suites, indoor outdoor bars, indoor outdoor dining, Cinema under the stars, pool table and games room, shaded lounging area, top deck gym with river view, plunge pool with cabanas, 2 spa rooms, infirmary. Latest design and top of the range.

IQUITOS -

There are some good value options here like the 

Hilton Doubletree ***** 

which is right next to the main square. 

If you feel a need to get back onto the river there is the 

Amazon Oasis Floating Lodge.

Or to save a few dollars try the - (both have pools)

Hotel Jungle House ***

Or Nativo Hotel ***

LIMA - 

Miraflores is the upscale and safe touristy area with plenty of entertainment. It is a good area for first timers to Lima. Both hotels are close to the popular Parque Kennedy area.

Iberostar Selection Miraflores ***** - 

Outdoor pool - spa & wellness centre - fitness centre - 3 restaurants - bar - views

Hilton Garden Inn Lima Miraflores **** - 

Outdoor pool - fitness centre - restaurant - bar - terrace

ABOUT -

Fly in and out 

of Lima and spend a few nights there on the way in. It is a city with many attractions and some of the best food on the planet. 

Fly to Iquitos and meet up with your 4, 5 or 8 night Amazon Cruise.

Spend a few days in Iquitos in a nice hotel after the cruise to wind down and stretch the Honeymoon out a little longer. Look around town and pick up a few souvenirs. Iquitos has wide boulevards and old colonial mansions as a legacy of the Rubber Boom. It has a lively nightlife and traditional Amazonian cuisine. It is the largest city on the planet that can't be reached by road.

ADD ONS -

Spend a few nights in Lima and Iquitos (The capital of the Peruvian Amazon) on the way in and out. 

ROMANCE

Breakfast Picnic by the Pacaya River

Couples room in the spa

Watch the world slide past from your bed

Bottlefeed manatees

SUNRISES & SUNSETS

Everynight from the top deck bar or Jacuzzi with cocktail in hand - a different river view every evening

From the Malecon in Iquitos

BUDGET -

There are 7, 4 and 3 day cruises which work out a little over US$1,000 per person per day. This is all inclusive for food, tours, guides etc. Beer, house wine and non alcoholic beverages are included. As are transfers from the airport or hotel in Iquitos. Currency on board is the US$. They also supply bug spray, raincoats and other incidentals

HIGHLIGHTS -

Scenery, Food, Wildlife, People, Adventure

PAMPER -

Spa, massage and Jacuzzi

RELAXING -

Watching the scenery pass by from bed, a comfy chair, a day bed, the Jacuzzi, the bar etc

VIEWS -

Stunning and ever changing of the Amazon river and rainforest

FOOD -

Buffet Breakfast

Fine Dining restaurant

Dishes have been created by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino one of Peru's most celebrated chefs and the man behind two of their best restaurants. Peru has one of the World's most celebrated cuisines.

70% of ingredients are sourced from the Amazon. Some of them cannot be found anywhere else.

........................................................................................................................................................

A lot of Chinese live in Iquitos and they say it has the best Chinese food outside of Beijing.

DRINKS -

Bars on top deck, indoor and outdoor bars. They have Peruvian Coffee, beer, wine, spirits and custom made cocktail they will be happy to teach you. There are also bar snacks to go with your drinks.

IQUITOS -

Try the Cafe-Teatro Amauta for some local music

There are some lively bars along the malecon with good river views

Head to the area north of the main square

LIMA - 

Gran Hotel Bolivar Bar - 

famous imbibers include Hemmingway, Welles, Gardner, Jagger, Kennedy

SIGHTS -

Giant water lilies

Sloths

Toucans

Macaws

Taricaya Turtles

Amazon Monkeys

Hoatzins (Reptile Birds)

Caimans

Birthplace of the Amazon

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Hidden Lakes, lagoons and jungle trails

IQUITOS -

Butterfly Farm - best on the continent

ACTIVITIES -

Kayak, Canoe or swim with Pink Dolphins

Fish for Piranha

Small group treks into the jungle with expert guides

Small boat tours of tributaries

Cycle along the riverbanks and through small villages

Birdwatching

Village visits - a different one each cruise so they don't get commercialised

Market visits

Onboard educational talks about the Amazon

Cooking Classes

Pisco Sour making session

IQUITOS -

Visit the Manatee Rescue Centre - bottle feed a manatee

Get spiritual enlightenment during a profound psychedelic trip on Ayahuasca

Visit the amazing market and several museums

Visit neighbouring Belen

SOUVENIRS -

Don't buy anything made from animals

The small villages you stop in at on the cruise will sell local handicrafts

Around the Plaza de Armas in Iquito

For local handicrafts head out to the Mercado de Artesania Sa Juan on the Airport road

Belen Street Market

Anaconda Craft Market

TIPS -

Take US dollars for cocktails on board

Don't book during spring break if you want to avoid kids

CHEAPER OPTIONS -

You could hunt around and get something for about half these prices. Just remember you only get what you pay for and once you're on a boat it's hard to get off. Perhaps have a look at 

Canadian based G Adventures

VISAS -

Many countries don't need a visa for Peru. Just the usual requirements of an onward ticket etc. Check your local embassy to be sure.

Click here for information

TRANSPORT -

Lima Jorge Havez International Airport (LIM) - 

has direct flights to 61 destinations in 18 countries. Major connections would be Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Madrid, Paris and Amsterdam.

Iquitos International Airport (IQT) - 

Aka Crnl. FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport is a 2 hour flight from the capital Lima. You'll have to fly, or catch a boat in because no roads lead to Iquitos. It is surrounded by thick Amazon jungle. A boat could take between 3 and 18 days!

Check flights here

EXTRA -