Travel

Man swimming in the Amazon River in Peru

South America

Into the Wild:
Olie’s Journey with Delfin Amazon Cruises in Peru

Written by Lightfoot Travel

With a strong commitment to sustainability, a journey with Delfin Amazon Cruises in Peru treads lightly on the Amazon’s waters whilst offering meaningful connections to one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems.

When Lightfoot Travel’s Head of Americas, Olie, recently visited Peru, his itinerary included three days aboard the Delfin III—a luxurious river cruise designed for deep immersion into the Amazon rainforest. Below, Olie shares his day-by-day account of his time onboard.

A journey with Delfin Amazon Cruises in Peru is no ordinary cruise. With three beautifully appointed vessels sailing along tributaries of the Amazon each journey is a masterclass in slow travel. The pace is gentle, the landscapes ever-changing, and the remote jungle setting feels worlds away from home.

Aboard a Delfin cruise, guests slip into the rhythm of the rainforest, alternating between panoramic deck views and thrilling, guide-led excursions deep into the flooded forests of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. The Delfin guides, whose passion for the Amazon was palpable, led every excursion (two to three per day) with infectious enthusiasm and extraordinary knowledge.

For travellers seeking something more intimate, the recently renovated Delfin I offers just four suites—perfect for families or a small group looking for a private and exclusive Amazon experience.

High-Water Season in the Amazon

Day 1

Our first morning onboard Delfin III took us across the flooded forest by skiff. We saw plenty of wildlife including pink and grey river dolphins, squirrel monkeys, macaws, sloths and saddleback tamarins. Our guide also pointed out a tayra - a rare, otter-like weasel – who made a fleeting appearance in the treetops. A visit to a local shaman offered a glimpse into the spiritual life of the region.

In the afternoon, kayaking and swimming in the river was both fun and took us closer to the local communities who live here. These villages are an authentic part of life along the Amazon, despite the fact the locals now wear western clothing.

That evening we went on a night tour by boat spotting bats and birds under a beautiful starry night sky. Our trip fell in the high-water season (November – May) but during the dry season (June – October) the night tours are typically on foot into the rainforest with the chance to spot more native wildlife.

Day two began with a 6am wildlife excursion—a quiet, golden hour when the jungle was at its most alive. Capuchins, saddleback tamarins, scarlet macaws, hawks and toucans all made appearances. Fishing for piranhas proved tricky during the flooded season, but I managed to catch (and release) a small catfish. Later, we helped release 200 baby turtles into a protected lagoon - a conservation project run in collaboration with local villagers who now safeguard turtle nests until the hatchlings are ready for the wild.

Later in the morning, we walked through the jungle and spotted various species, including a pygmy marmoset - the smallest monkey species in the world. The afternoon included a visit to a nearby community, followed by a scenic sail to the confluence of the Marañón & Ucayali Rivers where they create the Amazon River.

That afternoon we enjoyed a cooking class, where we learned to prepare an Amazonian freshwater bass dish. Chopped red onion, garlic, ginger, green pepper, tomato and local coriander were combined with soy sauce and olive oil to marinate the fish which was then wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled. Delicious!

Day 2

Day 3

On our final day onboard Delfin III we visited a local manatee rescue centre before transferring to Iquitos for our flight home. Seeing the work that they do at the rescue centre to help these gentle giants was a fitting end to our time in the Amazon, getting up close to this delicate ecosystem and the people who protect the wildlife here was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Photography credits: All photos taken by Olie