Delfin Amazon Cruises: travels in the heart of Amazon
Delfin Amazon Cruises offers a unique approach to exploring the Amazon, rooted in authenticity, connection with the land, and a deep commitment to conservation.
Delfin doesn’t simply navigate the river, it becomes an integral part of it, moving in harmony with the rhythm of the forest and respecting local culture and communities. Every aspect of the experience reflects this philosophy: from ship design and management to route selection, from sustainability programs to guest activities, everything is crafted to provide a fully immersive and authentic experience of the Peruvian Amazon.
Delfin I
Delfin 1_terraza
The company stands out for its ability to combine comfort with an intense natural experience. Its vision of travel goes beyond merely transporting guests from one point to another, embracing a broader concept of regenerative tourism that aims to give back more than it takes from the environment. This approach is reflected in respectful navigation, itineraries designed to minimize environmental impact, and direct engagement with local communities, ensuring long-term positive benefits.
Delfin Amazon Cruises’ fleet embodies the company’s philosophy, combining understated luxury, comfort, and a deep connection to the Amazon. Delfin I, built in 2006 and fully renovated in 2025, is an intimate vessel with four suites designed for those seeking a personal, immersive experience, featuring spaces harmonized with the surrounding environment and details crafted by local artisans. Delfin II, exclusive to seven-night programs with Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic and Natural Habitat, has 14 suites and offers a balance between elegant common areas and cozy cabins, allowing guests to experience the Amazon rainforest deeply and immersively. Delfin III, the newest and largest in the fleet with 22 suites across four categories, combines spacious comfort with an intense sense of closeness to nature while maintaining the intimacy and authenticity that distinguish Delfin, making it ideal for exploring the Amazon with larger groups without sacrificing connection to the environment.
The onboard experience is designed to foster a sense of belonging to the forest. It’s not just about visiting the Amazon, it’s about living it. Guests have the chance to observe local wildlife up close, follow the rhythms of the river, and discover the traditions of communities along its banks. The company works closely with highly trained naturalist guides, whose role is to introduce guests to the complexities of the Amazonian ecosystem while highlighting the importance of conservation and respect for biodiversity.
Delfin-I-Common-areas
Delfin II Gym
Delfin Amazon Cruises is committed to promoting regenerative tourism. Every cruise is designed to give back more than it takes from the environment, ensuring that the ships’ activities positively impact local flora, fauna, and communities. This commitment is implemented through tangible practices: onboard waste management, use of eco-friendly materials, guest environmental education, sustainable sourcing of food from local farms, and initiatives such as jungle trails managed by local communities to create sustainable economic opportunities.
Engagement with Amazonian communities is a cornerstone of Delfin’s philosophy. From collaborating with local artisans to produce traditional crafts to directly supporting over 1,400 people across 14 communities, every project aims to ensure economic independence, preserve traditional skills, and generate tangible benefits for the populations living along the river. The company’s presence has helped create sustainable artisan markets, preserving ancient crafting techniques and enabling local women to support their families through stable, culturally respectful livelihoods.
Delfin itineraries offer a variety of experiences, from the remote stretches of the Yarapa River to the protected areas of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Cruises allow guests to explore pristine landscapes, observe wildlife such as pink dolphins, caimans, and a rich variety of tropical birds, and participate in guided forest walks to better understand the complexity of the Amazonian ecosystem. Each excursion is designed to foster authentic contact with nature while ensuring guest safety and comfort.
The company’s philosophy is also reflected in the onboard atmosphere: each ship is conceived to create spaces of intimacy, harmony, and silence, where guests can observe the river, listen to the sounds of the forest, and sense the changing landscape. Common areas and cabins are designed with natural materials and local textiles, combining modern comfort with authenticity so that each guest can enjoy an immersive experience without compromising on discreet luxury.
Delfin III lounge
Delfin III restaurant
A distinctive element of Delfin is the direct involvement of its founders and their team in creating and managing the cruises. Lissy Urteaga and Aldo Macchiavello, still actively involved, have defined a travel philosophy centered on connection with the forest and local communities. Every decision regarding the fleet, itineraries, and onshore activities is guided by deep knowledge of the region and a desire to offer experiences that respect and celebrate the Amazon. This personal, hands-on approach sets Delfin apart from other cruise companies, providing direct contact with those who truly know the river and its dynamics.
Delfin Amazon Cruises is therefore much more than a journey, it is a full immersion in the Amazon, an experience that combines comfort with a connection to nature and local communities. Every itinerary is carefully designed to allow guests to experience the forest and rivers authentically, observe wildlife, explore safe trails, and participate in cultural interactions—all while respecting natural rhythms and the surrounding environment. With locally designed and built ships, expert crews rooted in the region, and regenerative tourism practices, Delfin ensures that every trip leaves a positive impact on both the territory and its communities.
Ultimately, choosing Delfin means participating in a transformative experience, where the journey itself becomes an opportunity for discovery, wonder, and sustainability, making each cruise a unique and memorable moment in the beating heart of the Amazon.
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