Upper Amazon

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Maps
Ship Information
Highlights

Upper Amazon: Exploring Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
Skim past massive lily pads, peer up at towering ceiba trees, go fishing for piranhas, and witness glorious sunsets on our journey to the headwaters of the mighty Amazon in the heart of Peru’s rain forest. Every day we slip through an intricate network of jungle waterways aboard motorized skiffs, spotting hundreds of bird species as well as sloths, tamarins and caimans.

Life Aboard Delfin II
With its hardwood floors, rattan-draped sofas, wooden slate hammocks and graceful, modern design, Delfin II is more than comfortable as our base for exploration. The only ingredients used by Delfin II's chef that are not local are olive oil and balsamic vinegar – even the chocolates placed on your pillow each night are made on board daily.

The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
This immense seasonal flood forest is delimited by two rivers, which meet in the easternmost corner of the reserve to form the Amazon River. Over 60% of the birds in Peru reside in the reserve, while rare pink river dolphins swim its waters, and red howler monkeys swing through its jungle canopy. We’ll even get a chance to meet the native people – called ribereños – who rely on sustainable fishing, hunting and agriculture, just as their ancestors did

Upper Amazon itinerary:

DAY 1 — Lima/Iquitos/Nauta/Embark

Fly to Iquitos today and drive via bus (1 ½ hours) to the riverside town of Nauta, where we embark Delfin II. Once on board, you are welcomed by hardwood floors, rattan sofas, wooden-slat hammocks and a graceful, modern design. The enthusiastic Naturalists and Expedition Leader will set the informal tone for your expedition. And our chef will introduce you to Peru’s haute cuisine and local delicacies, all prepared with an Amazonian flair.

DAY 2 — Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

The Pucate River is one of the three main rivers in the reserve. Never does nature seem more bountiful than here in the tropics. The wildlife and the biodiversity are tremendous, and with experienced naturalists at your side, understanding will come easier. Aboard the skiffs and kayaks we explore this black water stream, looking for parrots, macaws and perhaps monkeys, such as the monk saki with its gray and black body, naked face and long shaggy tail. You might also see the saddle-back tamarin whose high chirping notes can easily be confused with those of a flock of birds

DAY 3 — Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

Experience one of the principal ecosystems within the Amazon basin: terra firma. Disembark and hike to see the vegetation and wildlife, distinctly different from the seasonally flooded forests. For those not interested in hiking, it is well worth traveling up-river by skiff. We reach an important junction of the Amazon headwaters, where the Ucayali & Marañon rivers merge to form the mighty Amazon River. Visit the Sapuena Village to learn about the life of the ribereños—those who live on the riverbanks.

DAY 4 — Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

Today we venture to find the giant Amazonian water lily Victoria regia. This beautiful aquatic plant grows in small lagoons known as cochas. Hike a trail with excellent bird watching, and learn about caciques and oropendolas. At the junction of the El Dorado River, look for dolphins and see abundant birdlife. Sharp eyes may find an iguana lazing in the sun and sloths hanging in the upper canopy. A watch is also kept for squirrel monkeys. We return to Delfin II after sunset in order to see nocturnal life along the river. We will be prepared with a spotlight!

DAY 5 — Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

Sail further into the heart of the Pacaya-Samiria Nature Reserve. From December through May explore Atun Poza by skiff. Look for lagoon birds such as egrets, herons, jacamars, ringed kingfishers and various raptors. If the river levels are sufficiently low, a short walk to a local community will be offered. From June through November, hike through a rich ecosystem, passing through a classical tropical rain forest. Biologically, this kind of forest is probably one of the richest habitats on earth, supporting the most species of plants and animals per unit area. Our goal is to reach the giant “ceiba” or kapok tree with its immense trunk diameter. By skiff we depart for our furthest point in the journey, up the Pacaya River to Yanayacu lagoon. The waters of this lake originate in the very heart of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. This rain-forest wilderness is home to red howler and capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths and numerous species of parrots. Today, with luck, we may swim in the vicinity of Amazonian pink river dolphins!

DAY 6-7 — Exploring the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

We coninue exploring by kayak and skiff. From January through July, rivers flood and lowland forests have more than three feet of standing water at the base of trees. Flowering and fruiting coincides with this flooding and many fish, including piranhas, swim around the trees to feed on the fallen fruit (so the super-carnivore reputation of piranhas as a bloody-thirsty fish is quite exaggerated!). From July through December, search for the shorebirds that appear only at this time of year. When the river is very low, huge white sandy beaches emerge and young, sometimes temporary river islands form, creating special ecosystems favorable to sand pipers, terns and kingfishers. By skiff we stop at Puerto Miguel Village to learn about their culture, traditions and folklore. Back on board, our talented staff on Delfin II will delight you with some live music.

DAY 8 — Nauta /Disembark/Iquitos/Lima

After lunch we disembark and return to Iquitos by bus. There is time to visit the manatee rehabilitation center before flying to Lima. In Lima, we proceed to the Costa del Sol Ramada for the night.

Delfin II

Capacity: 28 guests in 14 outside suites.

Registry: Peru.

Overall Length: 120 feet.

Vessel Specifications

Built in: 2009

Type of vessel: River vessel
Vessel´s Registry: Perú
Port of embarkation: Nauta City
Length: 120 feet (40mt)
Beam: 30 feet (9.30mt)
Draft: 7’3’’ (2.25mt)
Capacity: 28 passengers
Cruise ship cabins: 4 Master Suites (230 Sq. Ft. = 22 m²), 10 Suites (210 Sq. Ft. = 20 m²) and 2 Tour Conductor cabins.
Generator: 2 Caterpillar 55 (encapsulated for noise reduction)
Engine: Caterpillar 350 HP turbo boosted
Cruising Speed: Average 8 to 10 knots.
Water: Water treatment plant with 7.0 cubic meter capacity
Radio Communications: VHF, UHF and satellite phone onboard
Launch boats: 3 aluminum 12 passenger boats equipped with four-stroke low emission engines; radio communication with main vessel, life jackets and flares.

Public Areas: Outdoor areas include the well-designed, comfortable Top Deck, where sofas and chairs invite you to linger with a good book or a pair of binoculars. Enjoy drinks at the bar and unwind on cool, wooden-slat hammocks. The Top Deck is where the natural history staff will give their presentations with maps, large flat-screen plasma and digital technology. There is a small reference Library and the Bridge, where you are welcome to meet the captain and officers.

Meals: The air-conditioned dining room’s large windows provide panoramic views. A different visual presentation greets you at every meal, which are served in a single seating with unassigned tables. Meals on Delfin II are to be savored. Often special dishes will include sustainable products of the rain forest and sauces made with exotic regional fruits. The chef prepares dishes equal to any five-star restaurant.

Suites: Elegant, air-conditioned guest suites on the Main and Upper Decks all offer exceptional vistas. Each spacious suite has a minimalist décor with a luxurious overtone. Enjoy complimentary organic sun block, insect repellent, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner.

Expedition Equipment: 10-person skiffs — with individual seat cushions and plenty of leg room. Rain ponchos are kept handy in the skiffs and distributed if needed. Rubber boots are provided before an excursion if deemed necessary.

Special Features: Guests may swim directly from the skiffs using the convenient swim ladder, weather permitting.