Amazon River – Cruising Peru in Style
Pure bliss: Cruising on the Amazon River with Delfin 1.
Amazon River cruising didn’t sound all that appealing when my friend Nina first mentioned it to me. In fact, just the words “Amazon River” conjured up visions of someone in a grungy boat swatting at flies and dodging Anacondas.
However, I sat up and took noticed when I clicked on the link that Nina sent me. Delfin Amazon Cruises operates two boats Delfin 1 and Delfin 2, and they both looked beautiful. Suddenly, I went from pooh poohing her idea to begging her to book one of the four luxurious cabins on Delfin 1 for us.
If you read my earlier post about our experience at Machu Picchu, you know that Nina is the Founder & Director of Ancient Summit, where she specializes in creating custom itineraries to Peru. She planned our whole – highly successful – three-week trip in April/May this year.
Amazon River luxury
To connect with Delfin 1, we flew from Lima to Iquitos (not a beauty spot, BTW) and then were transferred by skiff to the ship.
My expectations were sky high, but – in fact – the ship and our spacious cabin were even better than I had imagined. Big floor-to-ceiling windows allowed us to enjoy the view from the king size bed and from a sitting area. Outside, our private deck extended the length of the cabin, and two chaise and a table and chairs offered an even closer view of the Amazon River and surrounding jungle. Ample closet space, high-thread-count bed linens, and fresh flowers were also very welcome. Did I mention that there was a shower on the deck in addition to the one in the bathroom? Ooo la la.
This is Delfin I. The Amazon River fleet also includes Delfin II with 14 suites.
The rest of the ship was equally attractive. The top deck included a bar, a lounge area, and a 360-degree view; an elegant dining room with wrap-around windows was on the same level as our cabin.
We shared the ship with fellow travelers Esther and Miguel (Spaniards living in Lima) and Irma (Peruvian) and Maarten (Dutch) living in New York. After just a short time, we were talking and laughing like old friends.
Amazon River adventures
The highlights of each day were the excursions that allowed us to explore the area without the fly-swatting, anaconda-dodging I’d feared. Twice a day the six of us would get in the skiff with our guide Renny and head off to a new adventure.
Cruising the Amazon River allowed us a glimpse into life along the waterway.
On one excursion we saw monkeys, egrets, a black collared hawk, trees dripping with bromeliads and a large area covered in water lilies. On another we went swimming in the river. We also went kayaking and fished for piranha (that had really scary teeth). One time we came home after dark, which gave us a chance to experience the surprisingly loud sounds of the night jungle.
The Amazon River area is rich in rainforest wildlife.
On the last day, we went upriver in the skiff to a point where we could disembark and hike in the incredibly muddy jungle. (Delfin provided the wellies.) On this trek we saw a very poisonous frog and a lizard that looked just like the one in the Geico ad on TV and – yes – a huge anaconda that, thankfully, kept his distance.
Meeting local villagers and seeing their handcrafts was a highlight of our excursions.
In spite of having enjoyed the excursions, I have to say the thing I loved and remember the most are the beautiful reflections of trees, plants and clouds on the still surface of the river. These ethereal scenes were especially magical in the early morning and late afternoon light.
Amazon River reflections.
Amazon River cuisine
On Delfin 1, a crew of 12 is on hand to service four cabins and up to eight people. Every time we returned to our cabin, we found a new towel creature on the bed. Likewise, the kitchen staff knocked themselves out at every meal decorating the table and arranging the plates.
Meals on the Delfin 1 included lots of produce from the Amazon River and rainforest.
Meals included produce from the Amazon River and the surrounding jungle. I especially enjoyed the Doncella fish that was served with three different sauces at lunch and a dinnertime pumpkin soup garnished with seeds from the Amazon rainforest Macambo tree.
The food, the friends, the excursions, sitting up in bed drinking tea and watching the Amazon River go by…it was all just wonderful.
If you go, book well ahead. I’m not Delfin’s only fan.
Enjoy!
BTW, Manu National Park, northeast of Cusco, is another great place to experience the Amazon River and rainforest.
Amazon River sunsets are gorgeous.
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
I have been there and done that and the way you wrote this makes me want to go back – TODAY! It sounds so wonderful all over again for me.
Hi
I dont speak english but I love your job
I live in Brasil – Belém, Pará – Brasil
Região Amazônica.