Many of the men and husbands help out by collecting fibers, seeds, and barks needed for the handicraft production. “They identify and differentiate themselves from other artesian communities with names such as ‘The Butterflies of Yarapa,’ and have representatives who are in charge of organizing their work. “The communities have their own malocas, or communal houses, where the women exhibit their artwork,” explained Macchiavello, Delfin’s founder. On most sailings, the crew will bring goods and medical supplies to the villages, and you can purchase women-made handicrafts, which helps the local economy. I personally opted out, uncomfortable by the idea of treating villagers as a tourist attraction - though these excursions do directly benefit the community. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit one of several local villages, such as San Regis, San Francisco, Puerto Miguel, Amazonas, and Posada. Village excursions help support local communities Hey, it’s the WILD.) Look out for pink river dolphins and otters | Delfin Amazon Cruises Go kayaking, piranha fishing, and swimming all in the same river (your guides say it’s perfectly safe, though on our sailing, we spotted an electric eel being devoured by large birds right next to our swimming spot, so maybe play that one by ear. Keep an eye out for river otters, bats, caimans, and poisonous dart frogs. You’ll embark on a ton of water adventures via skiffs - you can go birdwatching one morning and stand-up paddle boarding with dolphins in the afternoon. Then, set sail along some 350 miles of the Marañon and the Ucayali tributaries of the Amazon. I spent a solid 20 minutes watching a baby otter play with its toys and splash around its enclosure - a major win in my book. Your cruise operator can arrange a visit, pre- or post-cruise. Definitely pay a visit to the Amazon Rescue Center - they rehabilitate orphaned baby manatees, and other sick and injured animals like otters and various primates. The wildlife-spotting is absolutely bonkersīefore setting sail, you could easily spend a day or two exploring Iquitos’ markets and street food scene (grilled slugs, anyone?).
AMAZON RIVER PLUS
The ship has an earthy, rustic look with wood elements, plus textiles and handicrafts made by local women who live in communities along the river. They’re small, but you’ll still find amenities like a restaurant, bar, massage room, and even a tiny pool. Both offer three-, four-, and seven-day sailings throughout the year, and those rates include all excursions, meals, non-alcoholic drinks, and a few boozy drinks too.ĭelfin sails a fleet of three ships - Delfin I, II, and III - which range from four to 22 cabins. There are two main operators out of Iquitos: Delfin, with rates starting around $2,800 per person, and Aqua Expeditions, with rates starting at $3,500 per person.
The rest of you may be thinking, “But Stefanie, aren’t river cruises really expensive?” Indeed! But can you put a price on exploring the awe-inspiring splendors of the natural world from the comfort of a plush private cabin? You may be roughing it out there, but in here, you’re basking in air-conditioning, hot showers, and gourmet meals emphasizing local Peruvian ingredients, like paiche fish and yucca. If you want to see flora and fauna in one of the most biodiverse places on earth, spot pink dolphins leaping out of the water as you sail by on a skiff, or get up close and personal with a happy-go-lucky sloth, this river cruise is your jam. If you have even one adventurous bone in your body, sailing down the Amazon is one of those ultra-gratifying life experiences that deserves a spot on your bucket list.
And your excursions? Well, let’s just say you’re not getting a walking tour from a guy waving a flag down cobblestone streets. These are not your average port cities, but extremely remote destinations with limited infrastructure. The most popular ones set sail from Iquitos, Peru, a city of 420,000 people that can’t even be accessed by road because it’s smack dab in the middle of a rainforest. Nothing against the Danube, but a river cruise down the Amazon River totally shatters those stereotypes. I get it - you see the words “river cruise” and you think of Grandma Jean gathering up her bridge club comrades and setting sail on the Danube, freaking out about all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and posting an excessive amount of medieval church photos.
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