Aqua Expeditions Helps Save Endangered Taricaya Turtles

Last week, our M/V Aqua vessel transferred six trays of Taricaya turtle nests from the Pacaya River basin to the town of Nauta. The transfer, conducted in conjunction with authorities from the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, was meant to ensure that most of the eggs will survive after hatching.

 With Taricaya turtles (aka Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle) in danger of extinction, Aqua Expeditions and local educational institutions transferred a total of 115 nests (each one containing an average of 30 eggs) to artificial beaches in Nauta and Iquitos. Under the care of students and local authorities, the 3,450 turtles born from the eggs will be released into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve upon hatching, increasing the likelyhood the species population will eventually rise to healthy levels again.

Eggs being laid in the trays for transfer to the city of Iquitos.

Aqua Expeditions staff carrying the trays with eggs at the pier in the city of Nauta.

Aqua Expeditions staff placing the trays with eggs in the truck of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve authorities.

Aqua Expeditions staff.

Aqua Expeditions Launches Gourmet Peruvian Cookbook From the Kitchens of Aqua Expeditions

As the gastronomy industry booms in Peru, Aqua Expeditions is excited to announce the launch of a gourmet Peruvian cookbook designed by the company’s executive chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. 

Chef Schiaffino’s interest in food began at the young age of thirteen, while helping his father on their family farm.  He eventually opened his own Peruvian style restaurant, which prompted CEO of Aqua Expeditions, Francesco Galli Zugaro, to seek his help with the cuisine aboard the M/V Aqua and the M/V Aria. 

Because Chef Schiaffino’s cuisine is so heavily influenced by Amazonian produce, it was a natural fit for Aqua Expeditions, whose vessels traverse remote areas of the Amazon River. Schiaffinio prepares most of his dishes using only the freshest local ingredients instilling five-star quality and taste. 

The cookbook, From the Kitchens of Aqua Expeditions, offers exclusive interviews with Chef Schiaffino, himself, along with additional famous chefs, restaurateurs, and others who have been on board the first vessel, the M/V Aqua.

“I am very impressed by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino… I’m about double his age, and I can tell that he will change how Peruvian cuisine is perceived throughout the world,” says highly influential chef and restaurateur, Nobu Matsuhisa. 

The cookbook includes a plethora of Chef Schiaffino’s Amazonian and Peruvian recipes, from cocktails and starters to main dishes and desserts.  Chef Schiaffino uses flavors from the jungle to perfect each dish that he creates.  His main ingredients include sofrito, turmeric and sachaculantro, along with garlic and onions.

The cookbook will be available for purchase aboard the boats as well as www.thetravellerscollection.com.

Aqua Expeditions and Gianni Bulgari Enigma Watches Create 10 Limited-Edition C42 Amazon Timepieces

Aqua Expeditions is celebrating the M/V Aria by partnering with Gianni Bulgari’s Swiss brand Enigma to custom-create 10 limited-edition “C42 AMAZON” luxury adventure watches. The designer timepieces will be available exclusively onboard the new M/V Aria and its sister ship, the M/V Aqua, where they will retail for 4,300 CHF (approx. US$4,546).

Ten percent of proceeds from the sale of the watches will go directly to social community efforts in the areas that Aqua Expeditions’ vessels visit throughout the year.

With only 10 watches created, each limited-edition piece has been crafted to cater the discerning fashion-conscious adventurer. Whether on the streets of Milan or in the depths of the Peruvian rainforest, the C42 AMAZON will look and feel perfectly at home: the sleek, matte-black finish is ideal for both men and women; the luminova-treated hands ensure maximum reading capabilities in low-light situations; and the watch’s 100-meter underwater capability can withstand any Amazonian storm. Each timepiece comes with a steel case, sapphire anti-glare glass and a see-through case-back for protection.

Aqua Expeditions Welcomes Milly Alva as New Marketing and Sales Manager

Aqua Expeditions announced the appointment of Milly Alva as Marketing and Sales Manager.

Milly brings with her over 17 years of experience in the field of tourism, and an extensive knowledge of Peru and South America as a tourist destination.  Her expertise will be greatly used with the aim to increase sales and tourism to the Peruvian Amazon.

Prior to joining Aqua Expeditions, Milly managed the regional sales department of Condor Travel, a leading tourism company in Peru, with franchises all over South America.  During her time at Condor Travel, she also worked as a division manager of the European and Incentive Cruises, starting in 2009.

Milly is the director of the National Chamber of Tourism CANATUR and she also has held the position of Vice President of the Peruvian Association of Tour Operators APOTUR, since 2006.  From 2004 -2007 she was the general manager of South American Tours de Peru .

Milly attended the Hospitality and Tourism Institute San Martin in Peru, where she received her associate degree in hospitality and tourism with a specialization in hospitality. She later studied English at the Catholic University and course organization and administration at the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences.

Welcome abord, Milly!!

Aqua Expeditions Brings a Tropical Fiesta to London for M/V Aria Launch

With the inaugural press trip safely home, Aqua Expeditions brought their Pisco Sours to London with a launch event for the M/V Aria at the National Geographic store on Regent Street.   To celebrate the launch of Aqua’s second Peruvian Amazon cruise boat, the team recreated the Amazon for the night – in London.  Tropical plants, exotic artifacts, maps and globes set the scene while guests – a mixture of loyal travel trade friends and press, enjoyed Pinchos, Pisco Sours and a short presentation from founder and creator, Francesco Galli-Zugaro. Francesco talked us through an entertaining slide show on the new boat – the philosophy, the design, the food and the daily wildlife excursions led by Aqua Expedition’s expert guides.

Guests left with smiles on their faces and a keepsake of the Amazon – the new ‘From the Kitchens of Aqua Expeditions’ cookbook which features a selection of Aqua Expedition’s  favourite recipes created by Head Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and the perfect pisco sour recipe!

Aqua Expeditions’ New River-Cruiser, M/V Aria, Sets Sail

The M/V Aria, Aqua Expeditions’ second luxury river-cruiser on the Peruvian Amazon, set sail this past Friday on its maiden voyage with 21 passengers aboard.  The brand-new addition to the Aqua Expeditions fleet features 16 specially designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, a fully air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge as well as the Aqua Expeditions’ signature Amazon Grill with menu designed by award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

In addition to these amenities, the M/V Aria has an exercise room and an outdoor Jacuzzi with sun deck, a unique addition to accommodate the discerning and fitness-conscious traveler.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of the world’s second five-star luxury vessel to sail the Peruvian Amazon,” says Galli-Zugaro. “The M/V Aria will provide the ever-growing number of travelers who wish to explore one of the world’s last great wilderness areas with a one-of-a-kind travel experience.”

The boat’s itineraries vary slightly to complement those of its sister ship, the M/V Aqua, but also explore remote areas of the Amazon River. The 24-crew-member M/V Aria is staffed with four world-class nature guides and will also include an Amazon wildlife reference library and air-conditioned multimedia room.

Amazon Wildlife Top Ten: #1

1: Pink Dolphin. I feel sure that this is probably first on most Amazon biologists’ lists, our incredible pink dolphins. We don’t have to worry about protecting them poachers, because the river people rarely hunt them. They believe that the pink dolphins possess extraordinary power. One example: If a young woman becomes pregnant, and the father is unknown, the pregnancy is often blamed on a nocturnal liaison with a pink dolphin . . . or as we call them . . . a boto. The local people believe that the dolphin has lured the lady into the water for illicit porpoises.

Amazon Wildlife Top Ten: #2

2: The little but very mighty piranha. People come to the Amazon expecting to see a monstrously large fish. In fact, the largest piranha is about two feet long, and most are considerably smaller. Yet they earn their reputation. Their powerful jaws and razor sharp triangular teeth enable one small fish to kill a cow. There are many types of piranha . . . in some areas the piranha never bite people. In other areas they may. However, there is no verified report of any human ever being killed by one of these sharp-toothed fish. That only happens in Hollywood.

Amazon Wildlife Top Ten: #3

4: Sloth. These animals completely live up to their name . . . they truly are sluggish and lethargic. The good news is that when visitors to the Amazon spot one – with the help of their naturalist guide – they have lots of time to watch the slothful behavior. These animals move veeeeeery slowly. In fact, they only ever come to the ground to urinate and defecate, and they only do that about once a week. They don’t travel to do it, they dig a small depression right at the base of the tree where they live. It takes them about half an hour, start to finish, including time to dig the depression, do the job, and then cover their excrement. Then they slooooooooooooowly make their way home again.

Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Names Aqua Expeditions in 2011 List of Grand Award Winners

Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, the most respected publication in luxury travel, recently announced its 2011 Grand Award Winners, featuring Aqua Expeditions’ M/V Aqua in the category of “Best Cruise.”

All of Mr. Harper’s Grand Award winners possess exceptional character, a commitment to classic hospitality and a profound sense of place. Mr. Harper does not make his recommendations by means of a checklist, but uses his three decades of experience to distinguish the truly enchanting from the merely excellent.

“All in all,” says Mr. Harper, “2010 has been a bumper year.” And “despite difficult financial times, the quality of these new discoveries is truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to all of Aqua Expedition’s staff for the super start to 2011!