CALL US AT:
Av. Abelardo Quiñones km 5 / San Juan Bautista. Iquitos - Perú / Local:
+51-1-7190999
Delfin Amazon Cruises | Luxury Amazon Cruises Experience
CALL US AT:
Av. Abelardo Quiñones km 5 / San Juan Bautista. Iquitos - Perú / Local:
+51-1-7190999
The Amazon is one of the world’s last great wilderness, a place where life moves to the rhythm of the river, where nature reigns untamed, and where Delfin Amazon Cruises has made its home. We are proud to have been privileged residents of the forest for decades.
As the only Peruvian-owned luxury cruise operator in this part of the Amazon, our roots run deep, in the waters we navigate, in the culture, the communities, and the land itself. This is not just where we sail—this is where we belong.
With every voyage, we don’t just bring travelers to the Amazon—we bring them into it. This is not a place to simply visit; it is a world to be part of. A world that stirs wide-eyed wonder, that forges a connection—to nature, to ancient traditions, to something greater than yourself.
Born in the Peruvian Andes, the Amazon River is the lifeblood of the rainforest—a vast, winding force that carries more water than the next ten largest rivers combined. Its journey begins high in the peaks of Arequipa’s Mount Mismi, giving way to a sprawling network of tributaries, a web of life that nourishes the largest rainforest on Earth.
Every bend in the river reveals a world in motion—pink dolphins breaking the surface, the silent glide of a black caiman, the distant rumble of a downpour feeding the currents. The Amazon is not just a river, but a pulse, a force, a presence—and every journey with us is an invitation to feel its unyielding, immense power.
Spanning over 5 million acres, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the largest protected flooded forest on Earth—an ecosystem so pristine it is often called the “mirror forest” for the way the sky and landscape reflect perfectly in its gentle waters.
During the high-water season (December to May), 85% of the reserve is submerged, making it accessible only by boat—an endless, liquid expanse where forests seem to float. As the waters recede in the low-water season (June to November), new landscapes emerge—hidden trails, exposed riverbanks, and a surge of life adapting to the rhythms of the floodplain.
But Pacaya Samiria is more than wilderness—it is home to over 100,000 ribereños (river people) who have lived in balance with its waters for generations. Through sustainable initiatives and partnerships, we work tirelessly to support and preserve both the ecosystem and the communities that rely on it, ensuring that this extraordinary world remains as resilient as possible in the face of climate change.
For thousands of years, the Amazon Basin has been home to indigenous communities. Their traditions passed down through generations, are a testament to an instinctive knowledge of the land—a life shaped by the forest.
Contrary to misconceptions, these communities do not deplete their surroundings; they depend on them sustainably, through fishing, small-scale agriculture, and traditional craftsmanship. Through partnerships and humanitarian projects, Delfin and in turn, our travelers support and empower these communities, helping them maintain their way of life while fostering a balance between their needs and the preservation of the rainforest.
Reaching our part of the Amazon begins with a flight from Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport where travelers can connect directly to Iquitos, with our recommended flight arriving around 1:45 p.m.
Upon arrival at Iquitos airport, our team will greet you at baggage claim and ensure a smooth transition to Nauta, where your Amazon journey begins.
At the end of your voyage, you will disembark after breakfast for a transfer back to Iquitos airport. Our recommended departure flight leaves Iquitos at approximately 2:20 p.m. (subject to change).
Our experienced, hands-on service team is here to assist every step of the way—from providing all necessary flight details to handling your flight bookings upon request, ensuring a seamless and stress-free journey to the heart of the Amazon.
The Amazon is warm and humid year-round, with temperatures averaging 33°C (95°F) max and 21°C (70°F) min. However, the landscape transforms with the two distinct water seasons:
• High-water season (December to May) – 85% of the reserve is flooded, allowing deeper exploration by boat into hidden lagoons and forest canopies.
• Low-water season (June to November) – Water levels recede, revealing trails and riverbanks, ideal for walking excursions and wildlife sightings.
Each season brings unique experiences, shifting wildlife activity, and changing landscapes. All excursions are subject to weather conditions and river levels.
In the Amazon, wildlife is at the helm. It rises with the dawn, as scarlet macaws streak the sky in flashes of red, blue, and gold. It moves with the river, where pink river dolphins break the surface, vanishing as quickly as they appear. It fills the night, when the deep hum of unseen creatures creates a chorus unlike anywhere else on Earth.
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, home to one-third of all recorded species on Earth. Here, life flourishes in every layer—from the towering ceiba trees of the canopy to the shimmering arapaima fish lurking in the depths. Every moment in the Amazon is a chance encounter, a brush with something wild, ancient, and untamed.
The Amazon is a paradise for birdwatchers, with one in five of the world’s bird species calling this vast ecosystem home. Scarlet macaws wheel across the treetops, their vibrant plumage a contrast against the verdant canopy. The elusive harpy eagle, one of the most powerful raptors in existence, soars high above, while the call of the hoatzin echoes from deep within the floodplain forests.
The dawn chorus here is a symphony of wings and song—the piercing cry of a black-collared hawk, the cheerful whistles of a tuki tuki, the steady drumming of a woodpecker tapping against ancient bark. The mirror-like waters of Pacaya Samiria reflect this avian world, where birds take flight over a landscape unchanged for millennia.
Some creatures of the rainforest reveal themselves only to those who wait. High in the treetops, howler monkeys announce the break of day with a deep, resonant call that carries for miles. Along the riverbanks, capybaras—the world’s largest rodents—gather in small families, their round faces peering curiously from the water’s edge.
As night falls, the jungle’s other residents emerge. Long-nosed bats flit silently through the darkness, while the squirrel monkey, one of the smallest primates in the world, moves effortlessly between the branches. Hidden beneath the surface, the prehistoric Amazonian manatee, often called the “river elephant,” glides through the still waters.
Among the Amazon’s many wonders, one creature stands apart—the pink river dolphin. Unlike its ocean-dwelling relatives, this rare species moves through the Amazon’s labyrinth of waterways, its sleek body flashing pink as it surfaces for air.
Mysterious and intelligent, local legends say these dolphins can transform into humans, guiding lost travelers back to shore. Found nowhere else on Earth, every sighting is a privilege, a fleeting moment shared with an ancient being.
Through our partnership with Dr. Joanna Alfaro, Delfin guests gain exclusive access to pink river dolphin research, participating in conservation efforts that help protect these creatures for generations to come. With the support of a WWF grant, Dr. Alfaro has conducted studies comparing dolphin behavior in protected vs. unprotected areas, using this research to advocate for their protection with the Peruvian government.
Not all life in the Amazon is loud—some of its most fascinating creatures move in stillness, hidden in the undergrowth or resting just beneath the surface. The rainbow boa, wrapped in a lazy coil around tree branches, shimmers with iridescent colors. Giant iguanas bask in the dappled sunlight, motionless but watchful. Camouflaged among the leaves, the stick insect disappears entirely into the foliage, a master of disguise.
Resting along the riverbanks, the elusive black caiman watches from the shallows, while its smaller relative, the white caiman, lingers in quieter waters. The Amazon’s rivers teem with life, from the misunderstood piranha to the legendary paiche, a freshwater giant reaching up to 200kg. These waters sustain an ancient cycle of life, a delicate balance that has existed for millennia.
The Amazon is not just seen—it is heard, it is felt. The rainforest is a living orchestra, where wind, water, and wildlife combine in an untamed melody. In the stillness of dawn, the jungle hums with the flutter of wings, the calls of unseen creatures, and the whisper of the river moving gently through the trees.
As the sun sets, the tempo shifts. The Amazon comes alive with a storm of sound—chirping insects, distant howler monkeys, the splash of something slipping into the water. Each night, nature composes a song unlike any other, raw and unfiltered.
The recordings you’ll find here capture only an echo of the experience, a fragment of a world that must be felt to be truly understood. But step aboard, and you’ll find yourself at the center of it all—listening, feeling, and becoming part of the symphony of the Amazon.
The Amazon is not a place you pass through—it’s a world you step into. Every day brings a new way to experience its raw beauty, whether paddling through glassy waters, walking beneath the towering rainforest canopy, or meeting the river communities who call it home.
Each of our excursions is included with your cruise and guided by our expert naturalists and local crew, ensuring that every journey is safe, immersive, and tailored to your pace. And if you choose to take it all in from the deck, the rainforest will come to you—through misty sunrises, distant thunder rolling over the jungle, and night skies untouched by artificial light.
Excursions are subject to weather conditions and seasonal changes, allowing nature to lead the way.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
For a more intimate encounter with the river, paddle through calm, reflective waters, where kingfishers dart past and butterflies gather on the riverbanks. Kayaking and paddleboarding allow you to move silently and at your own pace, an unforgettable moment of solitude in the vastness of the Amazon.
The Amazon is a world of mystery, and our guides are those who unlock its secrets. More than experts alone, they are storytellers, conservationists, and stewards of the river, each with a deep-rooted connection to our home.
All of our naturalist guides are certified by the Peruvian government and have spent years navigating these waters, many of them born and raised along the river itself. Their knowledge is not just studied—it is lived. Through them, you will hear the legends passed down for generations, understand the delicate balance of the rainforest, and witness the Amazon through the eyes of those who know it best.
Every Delfin voyage is an opportunity to dive deeper, not just into the rainforest, but into the knowledge it holds. From interactive Q&As on Amazonian ecology to fireside storytelling sessions where myths and traditions are shared, our guides offer moments of discovery that stay with you long after you leave
Guide / Naturalist
Guide / Naturalist
Guide / Naturalist
Guide / Naturalist
