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2013 Departure Dates:

The Delfin I Amazon Cruise is the perfect match to fulfill your Amazon Rain Forest and River exploring fantasies. In a setting of understated elegance and world-class hospitality this classic River vessel features 4 spacious deluxe suites, all of them with private terraces and two of them with private whirlpool baths. Intimacy and personal attention is the key success to this vessel's outstanding service. Aboard the Delfin I, you will venture into a world of exuberance and dramatic sceneries where it will become clear that you are traveling where few have gone before.

Day 1 - Arrive Iquitos and Embark

Plan to arrive in Iquitos on the afternoon flight from Lima arriving at 5:00pm. After arriving at Iquitos International Airport, you will be assisted by our guides and transported by bus for about 1½ hours to Nauta. Nauta lies between Iquitos and the Marañon River, where the Delfin I is waiting for you. Upon boarding the Delfin I your experienced crew will help you settle into your stateroom, and introduce you to their extraordinary vessel.

Just before dusk, as the Delfin starts its journey into the rainforest, our barman and staff will provide you with a wide variety of drinks and cocktails including Peru’s finest and most famous cocktail, the pisco sour, made of Pisco, a Peruvian grape brandy. Fine regional cigars will also be available. Dinner is served in our cozy dining room located at the back of the ship’s second deck. Aside from providing you with your first rainforest adventure, the Delfin is also a unique culinary experience, offering the best of Amazonian-Peruvian cuisine in a cosmopolitan gourmet setting. Our chef prides himself in serving dishes in different styles and seasoned with a wide variety of herbs and spices, as well as exotic fruits.

After a delicious meal, head to the top observation deck where our guides will use charts and short videos displayed on our flat LCD screen to conduct a brief orientation, outlining details of your journey, including the places you will visit, the wildlife you will see, as well as a summary of the history and geography of the Amazon basin.

Finally, under the beauty of an Amazonian night filled with hundreds of stars or perhaps a full moon, and wafted by the gentle breeze of the rainforest, our multi-talented staff will entertain you with a little live music, while you enjoy an after dinner drink and the tropical Amazonian breeze.

Accommodations: Delfin I
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - San Isidro Flooded Forest Hike & Yanayacu/Pucate River

On this first morning, wake up early for an activity to explore one of the most important zones of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Early rising is always rewarding and wildlife is abundant and very active. There is an early morning bird watching experience offered just before breakfast for those who will like to get up with sunrise. After breakfast, hike through this pristine and unique flooded ecosystem, passing through a classic tropical rainforest with emergent trees and canopy trees reaching up to 55 meters in height. Our target is the giant ceiba or kapok tree with its large diameter. Search for local medicinal plants and encounter them while hiking. This forest is also very good for spotting birds such as the bluish-fronted jacamar seen in pairs in middle and lower parts of forest edges, or collared trogons, red capped cardinals, etc.

Head back to the boat and continue upstream towards our next destination while enjoying lunch. This afternoon head out for the YanaYacu excursion (protected area within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve). In this opportunity you will have the chance to explore one of our main cores of the National Reserve. Wild life will be the one to greet you and the biodiversity will be outstanding. On board of an aluminum skiff, have the chance to get deep into the rainforest and its fantastic diversity of flora and fauna. Enjoy the black river waters and discover this mysterious and bountiful destination. Back aboard the Delfin I, we continue the navigation to our next destination. Your appetite will be calmed with dinner at the cozy dining room. Afterwards, there is lazy time on the third Deck. Tonight far from civilization, the stargazing opportunities are unique. While enjoying the sweet breeze of the Amazonian night, the wonderful symphony of the jungle, you can see stars of the Northern and Southern constellations.

Accommodations: Delfin I
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Canopy Walk, Primary Rainforest Hike, Tawampa Lake/Nauta Cano Exploration

Awaken to a wonderful breakfast festival, with all natural juices and really exotic fresh food. Begin the day with a Private Reserve “La Posada” canopy walk. This is a unique opportunity; at a height of over 85 feet and extending for 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´ll enjoy “terra firma” forest and you will be able to see the differences between your previous hike and this one. We will be canoeing back through the Tawampa Lake where you will possibly be able to observe giant arapaima, the largest fresh water fish in the world.

Back on board, continue upstream navigation towards the formation of the Amazon River while having lunch and a lecture about this amazing region. This afternoon's activity is a Nauta Caño Exploration, fishing experience & night safari. Here is the chance to explore this small creek, its lagoons, and its wonderful dynamic and stunning panoramas. Cruising is the best way to experience the diversity of the wildlife that populates the rivers and their neighboring habitats.

On board our excursion skiffs, head to a beautiful lake for a spectacular fishing spot, and expect to catch some fish; the target will be “piranhas”. There are 25 different species of piranha in the Amazon basin, black, white, red bellied. They are so smart and fun to catch. Once it is dark, you will hear the second installment of the jungle symphony. Armed with powerful spot lights, begin the night safari in search of night herons, pauraques, spectacled owls, up to a dozen species of croaking from the river’s edge, and fish bats flying over the water scooping up fish. Spectacled and black caimans are found in these pristine waters, and our guides will point them out to you. Stargazing at this time is unique while fireflies light up the jungle around us. Back aboard the Delfin I, continue to our next destination while having a delectable dinner and free time.

Accommodations: Delfin I
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Amazon Headwaters and Cano Pirana, Yucuruchi Lagoon

Wake up at Amazon Headwaters & San Francisco Village, were the Ucayali & Marañon Rivers merge and give birth to the mighty Amazon River. We will be in the formation of the Amazon River; the two powerful tributaries of the Amazon, the Ucayali and the Marañon River. In this spot, we will search for the most elusive and exotic fresh water pink river dolphin, medium sized, long snout and little or no dorsal fin you will see that they are really pink, they love this place, because is one of their favorite feeding spots.

Visit San Francisco Village, a local community; where you will stroll around their community, their houses and will have the chance to see how simple their daily life is. We will be greeted by lots of children who take you to their school to let you know all about it. The local teacher will be around. They will show you their arts and craft market that will be displayed for you to appreciate their work. Return to the ship for lunch and river cruising. This afternoon take a 35 minute hike on the Yucuruchi Jungle trail; during this opportunity we will closely study termites in their natural habitat. They are the oldest of all social insects and have one of the most complex societies in the insect world. Our guides will point you about different sized and shapes of each individuals within a single species. Our main target will be the giant Amazonian water lilies called “Victoria’s Amazonicas”, this beautiful flower grows in small lagoons, swamps, cochas, or small creeks. On this trail you will also get to know all about caciques and oropendolas birds, bees and wasps nests are their special hiding place; as these birds use to build their nests, apparently the birds benefit from this close association.

Accommodations: Delfin I
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Yarapa River, Amazon Headwaters, Nauta and Iquitos Airport

Early wake up to begin exploring Yarapa River's narrow river banks to let you experience the abundant and spectacular deep rainforest wilderness including squirrel and capuchin monkeys, herons and egrets. At around 8 o’clock breakfast will be served on the skiffs surrounded by tropical rain forest and with monkeys strolling around us, natural juice & Fruits, sandwiches, coffee and tea will be a nice treat in the morning. Next, head to a beautiful lagoon called “Uvos” a very special fruit that grows wild in the shores of this lagoon; you will be surprised also because of the presence of lots of pink dolphins that love to go there in search of breakfast.

Back aboard the Delfin I. Please take note we will be disembarking after Lunch in Iquitos so take the time to gather and pack your things. Possibly take a nap or enjoy the time left aboard the Delfin I on your private terrace or on the upper deck. Enjoy your last lunch aboard and disembark at the port in Nauta, where a bus will be waiting to take you back to Iquitos. On the way to the Iquitos Airport, visit the Rescue & Rehabilitation Center of River Mammals were you will have the chance to meet baby manatees and learn about this pacific and wonderful creatures and why they are in the endangered species list. You are most welcome to help this extraordinary program! Arrive at Iquitos Airport around 5:30pm for departing flights.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

4 Day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Iquitos and Embark
Day 2 - San Isidro Flooded Forest Hike & Yanayacu/Pucate River
Day 3 - Canopy Walk, Primary Forest Hike & Tqwampa Lake/Nauta Cano
Day 4 - Amazon Headwaters, San Francisco Village/Hike & Manatees Rescue Center, Iquitos disembark

Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Peru: Machu Picchu extensions.

Itinerary Notes: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Included: All meals onboard Delfin I, all excursions, open bar on the Delfin I, all beverages, including house wine with lunch and dinner, and alcoholic beverages at the third deck bar (except for Premium Brands). Transfer to and from vessel when arriving on recommended flights from Iquitos. Entrance fee to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Naturalist guides. Kayaking available on site with guides.

Exclusions: Airfare from to/from Iquitos; excess baggage charges; cost of medical emergencies, including evacuation; mini bar consumption; tips to local staff ($120 suggested per guest) and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Room Configurations: Delfin I consists of: two Master Suites located on the second level, each has a private deck; and two Deluxe Master Suites located on the First Deck, each has a whirlpool on the private deck. They can all be arranged with two twin size beds or one king size bed. Triple Occupancy may be arranged if needed. Single occupancy is available at a 50% double occupancy supplement. Cabins can be set up as triples. The third person (child age 11 or under or adult) gets a 20% discount (discounts do not accumulate). They will sleep on a futon with an orthopedic pad.

Families & Children: Minimum age 7 years. Children between the ages of 7-11 are eligible for a 20% discount.

Arrival & Departure: The Delfin Amazon Cruise begins and ends in Iquitos. Plan flights to arrive before 5pm on Day 1 and depart no earlier than 5pm the last day. Airport transfers are included for travelers arriving and departing on scheduled arrival/departure days and recommended LAN flights. Contat AdventureSmith for more details on these recommended flights.

Payment & Cancellation: Reservations made 91 days or more before departure: A deposit of $500pp is required to confirm the booking. The final balance is required 90 days prior to departure. If the payment is not received on time, the space(s) will be automatically released. Reservations made 90 days or less prior to departure: A full, non-refundable payment is required to confirm the booking.

Cancellations made 121 days or more before departure:
The deposit will be refunded, less a USD$ 200.00 service charge per person.

Cancellations made 120 to 91 days prior to departure:
All deposits are non-refundable.

Cancellations made 90 days or less prior to departure:
Full payment will be applied as a cancellation penalty.

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in a smaller skiff. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Most landings are dry but some may be "wet," requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.


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