Cruising down Peruvian Amazonas

The Peruvian Amazon is a place like no other. Nature takes over all the senses, and the river and rainforest flood your surroundings. A sanctuary to locals and legend amongst travelers, this place does not disappoint. While the wildlife is abundant and mostly still a mystery to us, the Amazon itself is quite welcoming - as long as you’re ready to accept it and explore it. Journeying through the Amazon does require some preparation, but it is well worth it. Here’s what you need to know for a trip down the Amazon River.

Aqua Expeditions

Our team decided to take on this journey with Aqua Expeditions. There are several companies that will take you down the Amazon, ranging in price and quality. There are also various hotels throughout various parts of the vast rainforest and river where you can explore the jungle and take day trips down the river for daytime excursions. We wanted to get a fully immersive experience by traveling the river by boat, giving us the ability to explore a variety of parts. We chose the Aqua Nera as it is Aqua Expeditions newest ship in the Amazon. It holds 40 people. However, due to recent reopening requirements, we were lucky enough to have 20 people on board, which left for a very personalized, private experience. The boat was absolutely stunning, with an outdoor plunge pool, sun deck, gym, spa, and very spacious rooms and bathrooms. The crew was knowledgeable, friendly and incredibly helpful. The guides who took us on our daily expeditions had all grown up on the Amazon River which gave us insight into the true experiences of the locals. 

If you’re curious about other options for traveling through the Amazon, contact us here.

Getting there

Getting to the Amazon typically requires flying through Lima to another smaller city or village. We met Aqua Expeditions in Iquitos, known as the largest city on the Amazon, then drove roughly two hours to Nautika to board the boat. 

On your way there or on your way home we highly recommend throwing in a trip to Machu Picchu. You can find our experiences hiking the Inca Trail and other parts of Peru here.

Iquitos

Iquitos is a rather large city in the Amazon region. The city isn’t actually on the Amazon River, but it is close and is considered the gateway to the Amazon because it is the closest airport. The city itself is very interesting. We got in a day early to have some time to explore. In all honesty, Iquitos is quite poverty stricken. You’ll see many unfinished buildings, unpaved roads, stray animals, and many many many tuk tuks. In my opinion, seeing a place like this is humbling and heartbreaking all at once, but it is similar to how many of the locals live throughout this region. A few things to note when spending time in Iquitos:

Have lunch at the Iron House - this is a historical building in Iquitos and has an interesting past worth learning about

Visit the old ship museum to learn more about the history of the Amazon

Don’t go to the market without a guide - we were told it isn’t really safe for tourists to go to on their own. Of course, you can be your own judge when it comes to this.

Visit the Manatee center - we did this with Aqua Expeditions. While I wouldn’t say the center is a “must-visit” it does help support local wildlife and ecosystems within the Amazon.

Activities

Your day to day will look different depending on what boat or hotel you choose, the weather, the route your trip is taking, and various other factors. The Aqua Nera team provided the perfect mix of activity and rest time to enjoy the facilities on the boat. We were lucky with beautiful weather, only a few hours of rain one day. But a bit of rain won’t stop the team from filling your day with the Amazonian wonders. Enjoy a traditional cooking class with locally sourced ingredients one day and a picnic lunch another. Some of the main activities also include…

Skiff rides

Most of your days will be spent zooming along the Amazon River on skiffs. These high powered, long and thin boats have the ability to navigate through narrow waterways and reeds. Enjoy a sundowner or snack packed by the crew and take in all the sounds of the river. 

Village visits

One of the most amazing parts of this trip was getting to spend time with the local children of the Amazon River. There are various villages along the river, all with different traditions and cultures. We visited the village of Buenos Aires and had the opportunity to look around their homes and school. We were also able to provide them with school supplies, toiletries, and medical supplies. These villages do not have the luxury of easy access to these resources. Be sure to bring along some cash to purchase some crafts made by local artisans. 

Fishing

Fishing in the Amazon is a bit different than you might be used to. Fish like the locals with the simply a stick, fishing line, and some bait. What exactly are you fishing for? Piranha… Yep, this vicious fish is easily attracted to the raw meat that waits on the hook. You’ll learn some techniques for catching these little guys and you might even get to keep one and cook it up for lunch. 

Kayaking

During one of the expeditions, you may have the opportunity to kayak along the black water lagoons of the river, giving you free time to roam and experience this wonder on your own. 

Rainforest walks

One of the most amazing parts of visiting the Amazon is spending time in the incredible Amazon jungle. We are all aware of this vast tropical ecosystem, but experiencing it firsthand is something else. The rainforest is full of sights and sounds you can only imagine. Spend time dodging wait-and-attack* snakes, searching for tiny poison dart frogs, and listening to the incredible sounds of nature. There is no place like it in the world.

Packing List

T-shirts

Lightweight long sleeve shirt

Pants (ones that zip into shorts are ideal)

Shorts 

Fleece for chilly mornings or evenings

Down puffer incase of cold front

Windbreaker

Outfits for dinner (casual is okay)

Underwear

Socks 

PJs

Swimsuit 

Waterproof walking/hiking boots

Sneaker

Sandal or flipflop for rest time

Hat

Beanie for chilly morning

Lightweight gater - sun/bug protection

Sunglasses 

Mosquito net (optional)

Reusable water bottle (provided by boat)

Binoculars

Flashlight or headlamp

Insect repellent

Sunscreen 

Camera

Extra memory cards

Waterproof camera bag

Adaptors

Rain boots (provided by boat)

Rain ponchos (provided by boat)

Recommended soft luggage for easy storage

FAQ

What vaccines are required to travel to this region?

Always check with your doctor or local travel clinic! Yellow fever vaccines are required depending on the region you live in or where you are traveling from.

Is there malaria?

Yes, although it is rare and depends on the region of the Amazon you are visiting. Our travel clinic highly recommended taking malaria medication for this trip. Again, check with your doctor.

Do you need to be physically fit to participate in activities?

Most activities offered by Aqua Expeditions are generally accessible for most people. If something doesn’t suit you, you always have the option of staying onboard the boat.

Are there other countries where you can visit the Amazon?

The Amazon goes through 7 other countries besides Peru including Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. While tourism surrounding the Amazon is less popular is these other areas, it is doable in most.

Is it safe for children?

The boats are safe and the crew knows what they are doing. But remember, you are spending

the majority of your time on a very large river, climbing in and out of skiffs. I would not

recommend taking children under the age of 10.