Delfin III

Amazon Cruise

Day 1 - Embark Delfin III at Nauta

You will be met at Iquitos Airport and transferred to the Delfin III at the riverside town of Nauta, on the banks of the Marañon River. After setting sail, enjoy panoramic views from the observation area and an exotic cocktail made with regional fruits and pisco. Then, 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. 

Day 2 - Fundo Casual & Yanayacu Pucate

Enjoy a morning walk on the Fundo Casual jungle trail deep into the rainforest on “Terra Firma” (non-flooded forest) where your guide will point out the creatures and vegetation of the Amazon. Be sure to keep an attentive eye open for spotting surprises!

We then cruise 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. You will even have the opportunity to swim in the jungle river along with the famous pink dolphins!

Day 3 - Samiria River & Nauta Cano Creek

Explore by skiff on the Samiria River and its tributaries, where an abundance of wildlife hides in the deep rainforest, such as blue and yellow macaws, scarlet macaws, toucans, umbrella birds, monkeys, river otters, capybaras and more. Your naturalist guides will pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. This is also a popular dolphin feeding spot.

After lunch we visit Nauta Caño Creek where we fish for the famous piranha, a delightful and challenging experience you won’t forget! As night approaches, your guide will take you on a night safari in search of caiman alligators and night birds.

Day 4 - Amazon Rehabilitation Centre & onward flight

Disembark after breakfast. On our way to Iquitos airport, visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre of River Mammals 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. You will also have the chance to pet and feed these kind manatees.

Continue to Iquitos Airport for an assisted check-in for your onward flight. 

Delfin III Amazon Cruise

Day 1 - Embark Delfin III at Nauta

You will be met at Iquitos Airport and transferred to the Delfin III (one of only 3 Delfin ships to be recognised by the Relais & Chateaux organisation of luxury hotels) at the riverside town of Nauta, on the banks of the Marañon River. After setting sail, enjoy panoramic views from the observation area and an exotic cocktail made with regional fruits and pisco. Then, 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. 

Day 2 - Jungle walk & Yanayacu and Pucate Rivers

This morning we walk on the Fundo Casual jungle trail deep into the rainforest on “Terra Firma” (non-flooded forest) where your guide will point out the dynamic creatures and vegetation of the Amazon.

We then cruise 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. You will even have the opportunity to swim in the jungle river along with the famous pink dolphins!

Day 3 - Samiria River, Nauta Cano Creek & night safari

This morning we travel by skiff on the Samiria River and its tributaries, where an abundance of wildlife hides in the deep rainforest, such as blue and yellow macaws, scarlet macaws, toucans, umbrella birds, monkeys, river otters, capybaras and more. Your naturalist guide will use his expert eye to pinpoint all the biodiversity of this region. This is also a popular dolphin feeding spot.

After lunch, we will visit Nauta Caño Creek where we fish for the famous piranha, a delightful and challenging experience you won’t forget! As night approaches, your guide will take you on a night safari in search of caiman alligators and night birds.

Day 4 - Village visit & the Marayali River

Morning visit to the community of San Francisco including a short skiff ride and jungle walk to meet local villagers who have called Amazonia their home for generations. Here we will visit a market featuring amazing arts and crafts from the local women. Following this visit will be a jungle walk with our guides to search for creatures of the rainforest.

After lunch, we explore the Marayali River by skiff where we visit our first location populated by sloths, iguanas and a new favourite location for anteaters. Birdwatchers are likely to check off their bucket list, the yellow-rumped caciques and very elegant egrets.

Day 5 - Amazon Rehabilitation Centre & onward flight

Disembark after breakfast. On our way to Iquitos airport, visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre of River Mammals 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. You will also have the chance to pet and feed these kind manatees.

Continue to Iquitos Airport for an assisted check-in for your onward flight. 

High Water Wet Season Cruise (Nov-May)

Day 1 - Arrive Iquitos and transfer to Delfin III

You will be met at Iquitos Airport and transfer to the Delfin III moored in Nauta, a small riverside town on the banks of the Marañon River.

After settling into your luxury riverboat, Delfin II sets sail - enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the observation area with your naturalist guide giving an overview of your journey’s schedule, activities, route, highlights, wildlife and vegetation to keep your eye out for, geographical and historical background, and the program for the next following day.

Later, take a walk on the Fundo Casual jungle trail deep into the rainforest on terra firme (a non-flooded forest) where your guide will point out the creatures and vegetation of the Amazon, including anaconda, rainbow boas, tarantulas, poison frogs and porquepines. This is also one of the very few places in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Amazon Rainforest where you will spot the ever so elusive 2-toed sloth.

Our final destination today is Nauta Caño Creek, 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.

Day 2 - Las Palmas, Amazon Natural Park and Yachay

An early start to experience sunrise in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the best time to observe birds, with their special displays and tweets. Explore the area by skiff observing 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.

We continue cruising on 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. Explore by kayak or paddle board. You will even have the opportunity to swim in the jungle river along with the famous pink dolphins!

Finally today we visit the remote village of Yachay. A special event is meeting the Shaman, Carola. Carola is known far and wide in the rainforest, leading a normal village life with her wood carver husband, while at the same time acting as spiritual caretaker and healer to literally hundreds of jungle dwellers spread over many roadless miles. The role of shaman is often misunderstood in the west, associated with black magic, and spells. While these things all have their place, the actual practitioners are as varied as in any profession. Carola is known as a “White” shaman, a healer and spiritual guide.

Day 3 - Yanayaquillo, Piaña Caño, Puerto Prado and night safari

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. We will also try piranha fishing.

We then cruise on the Marañon River to Piraña Caño. Explore the creek either by kayak or skiff. 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. So sit back and enjoy the beauty of the Amazon forest!

As the day draws to a close and an orange moon rising your guide will take you on a night safari in search of caiman alligators and night birds.

Day 4 - Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre & onward flight

Disembark after breakfast. On our way to Iquitos airport, visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre of River Mammals 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. You will also have the chance to pet and feed these kind manatees.

Continue to Iquitos Airport for an assisted check-in for your onward flight. 

Wet Season High Water Cruise (Nov-May)

Day 1 - Arrive Iquitos and transfer to Delfin III

You will be met at Iquitos Airport and transfer to the Delfin III moored in Nauta, a small riverside town on the banks of the Marañon River.

After settling into your luxury riverboat, Delfin II sets sail - enjoy the most fantastic panoramic views from the observation area with your naturalist guide giving an overview of your journey’s schedule, activities, route, highlights, wildlife and vegetation to keep your eye out for, geographical and historical background, and the program for the next following day.

We set sail on the Marañon River to 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 you will witness your first Amazon Rainforest Sunset.

Day 2 - Yanallpa and the Dorado River

Up early this morning exploring the forest! The early morning hours are the best time of day to watch birds, observe special displays and listen to the extraordinary birdsong. Travel by skiff to the shores of the Ucayali River. This area is green with large trees and old palm trees as well, ideal for spotting several parrot species as well as a large flock of red-bellied macaws, raptors, woodpeckers and swallows. If you are very lucky you will hear loud and distinctive sounds of blue and yellow macaws!

Later we explore the Dorado River, looking for the famous hoatzins nesting a few feet above water, and perhaps a sloth or two of the three toed kind. The Dorado River can also be home to troops of brown capuchin monkeys mixed up with squirrel monkeys. As the sun sets our aim will be looking for black and white caiman, fishing bats, and noisy night monkeys.

Day 3 - Pacaya River and Magdalena

The Pacaya River is at the very heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru’s largest protected area with a mean annual rainfall of nearly 3,000 millimeters, by far the largest protected wetland reserve in the world. Filled with lakes, palm swamps, and streams, the reserve becomes a flooded forest in the rainy season and is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit. You will also have the chance to swim in one of the pristine Amazon lagoons in this wonderful region!

We continue to Magdalena by skiff exploring the narrower channels and thick rainforest adjacent to the water. During our explorations we will look for some of the more typical and iconic birds of the New World tropics, such as the lettered aracari toucan, the straight-billed woodcreeper and white-eared jacamar. Later on, we travel near Flor de Castaña for an opportunity to swim among pink dolphins. 

Day 4 - Yarapa River, Fundo Casual and night safari

This morning we explore the Yarapa River to a wide creek that leads to an attractive hidden lagoon. As we absorb the beauty of the landscape, we will have the chance to reflect on the wildlife. Hawks, terns, herons and monkeys which are part of our everyday excursions. Look out for specific types of monkeys like the pygmy marmoset, squirrel monkey and first Monk Saki. This medium-sized monkey with the thick fur and bushy tail looks more like he is dressed for the Arctic than the Amazon.

We continue to Fundo Casual where we walk on a jungle trail deep into the rainforest on terra firme (non-flooded forest) where your guide will point out the dynamic creatures and vegetation of the Amazon.  Almost definitely anaconda, rainbow boas, tarantulas, poison frogs and most recently porquepines have been spotted. This is one of the very few places in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Amazon Rainforest where you will spot the ever so elusive 2-toed sloth.

Our final destination today is Puerto Prado where as night approaches your guide will take you on a night safari in search of caiman alligators and night birds - an unforgettable experience.

Day 5 - Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre & onward flight

Disembark after breakfast. On our way to Iquitos airport, visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre of River Mammals 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. You will also have the chance to pet and feed these kind manatees.

Continue to Iquitos Airport for an assisted check-in for your onward flight.