Amazon River Cruise: Delfin I

Tour Type

Adventure
Couple
Cruise
Explore
Family

Peru

Discover the secrets of Amazonia

Whether you choose a 3- or 4-night stay onboard our cruises, rest assured you will receive an unforgettable experience. All of our programs have been carefully crafted to showcase the best flora and fauna that the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve have to boast, along with offering ideal soft adventure excursions for travelers to further discover the secrets of the Peruvian Amazonia.

Although all activities are optional, we encourage our guests to tempt their adventurous side and choose among our big array of experiences, including: kayaking in the calm creeks and lakes, fishing for piranhas at sunset, skirting the riverbanks in search of playful creatures, birdwatching, trail walks, and visits to local communities to interact with the native people, and more.

High Water Season: From November to May
Low Water Season: From June to October

Departure & Return Location

Crnl. FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta
International Airport in Iquitos (Google Map)

Departure Time

3 Hours Before Flight Time

Price Includes

All meals while on board (arrival day: lunchbox and dinner; cruise days: all meals; departure day: breakfast)
All excursions & equipment (including rubber boots & rain ponchos)
Transfers to/from vessel when arriving on recommended flights to/from Iquitos (Lima-Iquitos: 10:00 a.m.; Iquitos-Lima: 1 p.m.)
Entrance fee to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Natural juices, soda, coffee, tea, water, beer, house cocktails, pisco cocktails & sours, house wines with lunch and dinner.

Price Excludes

Air tickets to/from Iquitos
Cost of medical emergencies (including evacuation)
Gratuities (amount suggested per guest: USD 120.00)
Any additional transportation services
Any additional bar consumptions

What to Expect

Notes
Nature walks & explorations: Due to the conditions of the wet and humid rainforest, the Delfin outfits you with waterproof rubber boot rentals (included) for your comfort and convenience. Before each outing, the boots will be provided for you; after each outing, they will be returned to the staff for cleaning. We also provide the use of rain ponchos.
Kayaking: Please check with your naturalist guide about the day’s weather conditions for the use of kayaks. With the water level and weather forecast permitting, you are welcome to register, at your discretion, for the kayak sessions. These sessions will be conducted in calm waters where you can paddle in a very relaxed manner. Our kayaks are ideal for 2 passengers each. The kayaking group will always be accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide for the entire duration.
Fishing: Our fishing policy is in the form of catch and release.
Community visits: For the health and safety of our local communities, we will not be visiting them during our
excursions this time. We are committed to continue nurturing our strong relationships with the communities we visit so we kindly ask our guests to consider donating notebooks, school supplies, toys and t-shirts in lieu of
visiting the villagers in person. These are all resources they need and our crew will take care of delivering all
donations to them.

Recommendations
Itinerary: The itineraries are subject to change due to weather conditions at certain times of the year. The water levels of the rivers also vary from time to time, as well as the hours of sailing. Excursions may be modified at the discretion of the Delfin crew.
Weather: The weather in Iquitos is warm and humid and the temperature varies between 33 °C (90 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F).

• The rainy (high water) season is from November to May.
• The dry (low water) season is from June to October.
• Each season boasts dramatic difference in plants, animals, and weather.

Clothing: light and fresh pieces, blouses, long-sleeved shirts, swimwear, shoes with soft rubber sole for the boat (rubber boots and rain ponchos are provided by us), cardigan or long-sleeved shirts, wind resistant jackets. The days are hot and humid while the night breeze is fresh.

Insects & Mosquitoes: We recommend taking Vitamin B or B-15 a few days before arrival to the jungle. These
vitamins are the best natural repellent against insect bites. As well, do not forget to bring conventional repellent and cream for bites.
Other items: We suggest bringing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars (very important for enjoying the fauna and flora. Preferably 1 per person), camera, and extra batteries.

Connectivity: There is no WiFi Internet or phone signal coverage on our vessels.
Tips: Tips for both the crew and the guides are not included and are expected, as is customary on cruises around the world. The amounts are distributed equally between your entire vessel’s crew, and we hope their service is valuable and insightful to your experience aboard Delfin. From past experience an average of US$ 120.00 per passenger is suggested, and envelopes will be provided in your room.

DAY 1 – PM Arrive: To Iquitos, embarkation, and orientation. PM Pahuachiro: Skiff exploration.
DAY 2 – AM Amazon Natural Park: Canopy walkway. PM Yanayacu Pucate: Kayaking.
DAY 3 – AM Nauta Caño: Piranha fishing. PM Fundo Casual: Jungle trail & Amazon confluence.
DAY 4 – AM Disembarkation: Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (Amazon Forever).

Details

Itinerary

Arrive to the Amazon city of Iquitos Our crew will be expecting your arrival at the airport, then transfer all together in our comfortable private vehicle. We will start you off with a lunchbox as we begin the journey to Nauta. Arrive to Nauta port Nauta is a small riverside town on the banks of the Marañon River and was the first city founded in the department of Loreto. Once we reach Nauta, you will enjoy a VIP greeting at our private port along the shores of the Marañon River where the vessel awaits you. Embarkation Aboard Delfin, you will be served by our qualified staff who will introduce you to your exquisite and cozy suite, specially equipped with all the amenities for the experienced traveler as yourself. Orthopedic beds, pure cotton sheets, pillows of 100% pure natural latex, cotton bathrobes, air conditioning, and private bathroom with Spanish style hot water showers are all framed with a spacious private terrace we are sure you will enjoy to the fullest. Happy Hour and orientation While the Delfin begins its initial navigation, you will enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the elegantly outfitted observation area located on our third deck. Your naturalist guide will give you an overview of your journey’s schedule, activities, route, highlights, wildlife and vegetation to keep your eye out for, geographical and historical background, and other useful details. Pahuachiro We head down into the Marañon River to a location known as Pahuachiro. This lovely spot is an ideal place to spend some time in search of birds and playful monkeys. As your naturalist guide spots various creatures for you, The landscape adorned by the usual colors of the sun´s reflections is a great photo opportunity as you witness your first Amazon Rainforest Sunset. Nauta Caño Nauta Caño Creek is known for squirrel and silver back tamarillo monkeys, birds, dolphins, and even sloths! We will skim the riverbanks for small caimans and spiders, as well as insects of all colors, shapes and sizes.

Las Palmas On your first morning with us, we recommend getting up early to appreciate one of the most important zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Never does nature seem more bountiful than in the tropics, and early rising is always rewarding since wildlife is most abundant and active with the rising of the sun. The early morning hours are the best time of day to watch birds, observe their special displays and listen to their songs. We will jump on the skiffs and head to this area with large trees and old palm trees as well, these components favor the presence of several parrot species. This particular spot also has a great number of other birds of different species. We will look for the famous hoatzins nesting a few feet above water, and perhaps a sloth or two of the three toed kind. Yanayacu Pucate You will start cruising through the Yanayacu and Pucate Rivers, peeking into different creeks and lagoons. This is one of the best preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will use his expert eye to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. If you want to interact directly with the waters of the Amazon, go out on one of our kayaks or paddle boards. You will even have the opportunity to see the famous pink dolphins! Amazon Natural Park This very unique opportunity, you will get to the only Canopy Walkway in this area, an experience unequaled in the rainforest! At a height of over 25 meters (85 feet) and extending for 500 meters (one-third of a mile), the Canopy Walkway provides a view of the rainforest from the treetops, the best vantage point for observing Amazon wildlife and vegetation. The Canopy Walkway is accessible to all and requires no special skills or equipment. The suspended walkway is spread between 14 of the area’s largest rainforest trees and is one of the longest canopy walkways in the world. You will enjoy “Terra Firma” forest.of a local ribereño is eye-opening to how far we have come in this day and age and a reflection of how simple yet rewarding life is for others. After dinner, you will enjoy a Shamanism lecture from our guides

Yanayaquillo You will start cruising through the creeks of Yanayaquillo, peeking into different creeks and lagoons. This is one of the best preserved and protected zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Your guide will use his expert eye to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. This is also a popular dolphin feeding spot so we won´t be the only one enjoying our happy meal here. We will also try piranha fishing. Pianha Creek We head down into the Marañon River to a location known as Piraña Caño. We had the option to explore the creek either by kayak or by skiff, and they were both fantastic choices! This lovely creek which leads to a lagoon is an ideal place to spend some time in search of birds and playful monkeys. As your naturalist guide spots various creatures for you, also try to pinpoint some yourself now that you’ve been in the jungle for a few days and have trained your eye a bit! Kayakers will endure the feeling of paddling down the river with only the noises of the forest as your companion. As for the skiff riders, the encounters with wildlife are abundant. The landscape adorned by the usual colors of the sun´s reflections by whichever mode of transportation is stunning. So sit back and enjoy the beauty of the Amazon forest! Night Nature Walk.

Disembarkation With heavy hearts, the staff will wish you farewell as you begin your departure. At the port of Nauta, our ground crew will be waiting to take you by our private vehicle back to the city of Iquitos, about 95 kilometers journey by paved road. Amazon Forever On our way from Nauta back to Iquitos airport, you will visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals (Amazon Forever) where you will have the chance to meet baby manatees and learn about these wonderful and docile creatures and why they are on the endangered species list. As well, there are also some other animals cared for by the center that have been rescued from capture for the intention of being turned into pets and other threatening conditions. We welcome you to donate to this ambitious organization and education center as you wish. Our land personnel will wait for you at the airport and give your boarding passes and help you check in. Airport departure Our staff will be on hand to help you with your luggage and check in at Crnl. FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport in Iquitos. The return flight will take you directly to the city of Lima, the capital of Peru. At the security gate, your guide and Delfin crew will say goodbye. We truly hope that you enjoyed your stay and Amazon travel experience with us!

Destination

Argentina

Bolivia

Brasil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guatemala

Mexico

Peru

Tour Type

Peru