Peru • Cruise
Amazon Cruise - Delfin
Cruise the Peruvian Amazon from Iquitos with Delfin Amazon Cruises for an intimate, luxury experience with the world’s first Relais & Chateaux river cruise company.
Enjoy the comforts of deluxe and environmentally friendly small river vessels accommodating between 8 to 44 guests. Award-winning Peruvian cuisine completes the picture.
From NZ$9,425 per person, twin share
5 Days / 4 Nights • Delfin I: Thursdays, year-round
Delfin II: Wednesdays, year-round
Delfin III: Tuesdays, year-round • Peru
Price quoted is a lead-in rate. As pricing may vary seasonally and according to standard/category selected, please contact us for a quote on your specific requirements.
About
About this journey
The heart of the Upper Peruvian Amazon is the 5-million-acre Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Its Marañon and Ucayali Rivers offer an abundance of natural wonders, dramatic scenery, indigenous cultural history and extraordinary flora and fauna. Each vessel offers 3- and 4-night itineraries which vary with duration and with the seasons.
Daily excursions with expert naturalist guides may include kayaking, fishing for piranhas, skirting the riverbanks in search of playful creatures, birdwatching and trail walks. All suites feature air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, a yoga mat and binoculars.
Your Ship: Delfin I
Intimate and exclusive with understated luxury from a choice of 4 very spacious suites. All have private terraces and two suites have their own private whirlpool. Relax in the lounge, bar or dining room. The Delfin I is 20.4 metres in length.
Your Ship: Delfin II
Offers 14 large guest suites all with 90-degree wrap windows and an indoor sitting area. Relax on the outdoor top deck with bar, the indoor lecture room and lounge or the dining room. A massage room and exercise room complete the picture. The Delfin II is 40.5 metres in length.
Your Ship: Delfin III
With 22 spacious suites, each with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and a sitting area. The top deck features beautiful indoor and outdoor lounge, a sundeck with plunge pool, a massage room and gym, and of course the bar. The beautiful dining room is on the upper deck. The Delfin III is 56 metres in length.
The seasons: There are two distinct seasons throughout the year.
Dry (low water) Season: June to November
The Amazon is a rainforest so there is still rain in this period! However with lower river levels the paths are accessible allowing you to penetrate deep into the jungle on foot. It is also a time of year when dozens of species of migratory birds are found in addition to the prolific array of those who live in the jungle throughout the year.
Flooded (high water) Season: November to May
Somewhat cooler and wetter, the water level is on average 7 metres higher than the ‘dry’ season which means every river and creek is navigable. You are also closer to the jungle canopy making it a little easier to spot mammals and birds.
Who this suits
Travellers who want the Amazon in a small luxury boat and a choice of scale: Delfin I with four terrace suites, Delfin II with fourteen suites and a top-deck bar, or Delfin III with twenty-two suites and a plunge pool. Four nights with all meals, local beer and house wine served on each ship’s own terms, shared excursions with English-speaking guides and airport transfers on the recommended flight. Each ship sails its own programme; Delfin II’s is the one shown.
Good to know
The day-by-day shown is Delfin II’s, the most popular programme; Delfin I and III sail their own itineraries on different days, which we can send you. Flights to and from Iquitos, spa treatments and gratuities aren’t included. Drinks and minimum ages differ by ship — ask us which suits your party. A limited number of single supplements are waived — ask us; festive sailings and children’s pricing are on enquiry. The river sets the programme, so days can change.
The journey
Day by day
Day 1 — Iquitos › Nauta › Maranon River
Upon arrival in Iquitos you will be met and transferred to Nauta, a small riverside town on the banks of the Maranon River where your luxury river cruise boat awaits. Enjoy the best of Amazonian-Peruvian cuisine before a briefing from your guides.
Day 2 — Peruvian Amazon & Yanayacu Pucate
Today you will have the opportunity to meet a local spiritual healer and caretaker, and learn about their traditions before continuing your journey deep into the forest.
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. 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!
Day 3 — Fundo Casual & Nauta Cano
Venture the jungle as your guide will point out the diverse creatures and vegetations of the Amazon. Be sure to keep an attentive eye for surprises! You may see anacondas, rainbow boas, tarantulas, rare poison frogs, and more. 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.
Continue your journey navigating the tranquil waters of the Nauta Cano river to observe the area’s rich biodiversity. After a delicious lunch on board, embark on an exciting kayaking session, exploring hidden channels and lagoons in search of wildlife. At sunset, continue your quest for animals while enjoying the spectacular Amazonian landscape.
As night falls, you will venture into the jungle for an exhilarating night safari, equipped with flashlights and guided by experts, in search of nocturnal creatures like caimans, frogs, and insects.
Day 4 — San Jose de Paranapura, Yarapa River & Three River Confluence
Today you will visit the local community of San Jose de Paranapura, where you will be welcomed by smiling faces and friendly locals. You may be invited to see how they grow and harvest rice and cassava, while learning about their simple way of life immersed in nature.
Journey along the Yarapa River and listen closely for the sounds from within the mysterious jungle. Travel down river to this 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. In this area we will notice many more inhabitants of the Amazon, the rivereños, people being an important part of this complex bio-network. Look out for specific types of Monkeys like the pygmy marmoset, squirrel monkey, and our first Monk Saki.
Later toast and witness the distinguished colors of the three rivers confluence. It is known that the Ucayali River, which in turn confluences with the Marañón River upstream of Iquitos, Peru, to form what countries other than Brazil consider to be the main stem of the Amazon River. Great photo opportunity as you witness your first Amazon Rainforest Sunset.
Day 5 — Nauta › Iquitos
Continue sailing down the Amazon River and return to Nauta where you will disembark and visit the Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals. Next you will be transferred to Iquitos airport for check-in, where arrangements conclude.
Pricing • New Zealand dollars, per person
By season and category
2026
| Season | Twin, per person | Single | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delfin I · 01 Jan – 14 Dec | |||
| Master Suite | NZ$12,885 | NZ$22,550 | Enquire → |
| Deluxe Master Suite | NZ$13,850 | NZ$24,235 | Enquire → |
| Delfin II · 01 Jan – 14 Dec | |||
| Suite | NZ$9,425 | NZ$14,135 | Enquire → |
| Master Suite | NZ$9,810 | NZ$17,165 | Enquire → |
| Delfin III · 01 Jan – 14 Dec | |||
| Suite | NZ$10,770 | NZ$16,155 | Enquire → |
| Upper Suite | NZ$11,155 | NZ$16,735 | Enquire → |
| Corner Suite | NZ$11,925 | NZ$20,870 | Enquire → |
| Owner’s Suite | NZ$13,850 | NZ$24,235 | Enquire → |
2027
| Season | Twin, per person | Single | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delfin I · 01 Jan – 14 Dec | |||
| Master Suite | NZ$14,040 | NZ$24,570 | Enquire → |
| Deluxe Master Suite | NZ$15,000 | NZ$26,250 | Enquire → |
| Delfin II · 01 Jan – 14 Dec | |||
| Suite | NZ$9,620 | NZ$14,425 | Enquire → |
| Master Suite | NZ$10,000 | NZ$17,500 | Enquire → |
| Delfin III · 01 Jan – 14 Dec | |||
| Suite | NZ$11,155 | NZ$16,735 | Enquire → |
| Upper Suite | NZ$11,540 | NZ$17,310 | Enquire → |
| Corner Suite | NZ$12,310 | NZ$21,540 | Enquire → |
| Owner’s Suite | NZ$14,620 | NZ$25,580 | Enquire → |
Price quoted is a lead-in rate. As pricing may vary seasonally and according to standard/category selected, please contact us for a quote on your specific requirements.
What’s included
- Cruise journey
- 4 nights’ accommodation onboard your ship of choice and in your category of choice
- All meals (B, L, D) onboard
- Local beers, pisco sours, and house wines at lunch/dinner (Delfin II and III)
- Local beers, house cocktails, and house wines 24/7 (Delfin I)
- Coffee/tea, juices, soft drinks, and water
- Shared roundtrip airport transfers when arriving on recommended flight
- English-speaking local guides
- Shared excursions as per the itinerary
- Pacaya Samiria National Reserve fee
- Rain ponchos and rubber boots
Not included
- All drinks not listed as included
- Airfare to/from Iquitos
- Spa services
- Gratuities
Booking conditions
Booking conditions as supplied by World Journeys.
- Pricing varies due to fluctuations in exchange rates; please contact us for current pricing or other changes
- Please enquire about pricing for children (7 to 11 years) or for an additional guest
- Please enquire about pricing for the Christmas & New Year’s period
- A minimum age requirement of 10 years (12 years for multiple children) applies on all Delfin I
- A minimum age requirement of 7 years applies on all Delfin II and III
- The single supplement will be waived for a maximum of 2 guests per departure
- This waiver applies to Suites on Delfin II and Suites/Upper Suites on Delfin III
- This waiver applies from 1 January to 14 December
- A 4-day cruise is also available, please enquire for more details
- This itinerary serves as a guide only and changes may be necessary due to river/weather conditions
Gratuities
- Recommended USD $180 per person per cruise
Journey operated by World Journeys and booked through Fine Travel.
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