Delfin Amazon Cruises | Amazon River Adventure Cruise | Lindblad Expeditions (2023)

Daily Expedition Reports

Delfin II

Casual and Amazonas

On our last full day exploring the Upper Amazon, the namesake of this area made its presence felt with lots of rain in the rainforest. Sheets of rain fell last night, obliterating the view of the shore across the river less than a mile away. It’s this rain that feeds the tributary rivers and is such a critical part of the rainforest cycle of life. Fortunately, it let up this morning, and we were able to do our walk in the protected forest area of Casual with an occasional drip from above. Our findings included the Goliath tarantula, a rosy-tailed boa, and a couple of poison dart frogs that looked like they were wearing colorful Freddy Mercury tights. The images tell the story of our forest findings and the community that calls this magnificent place home.

Daily Expedition Reports

Delfin II

Amazon Natural Park and Yanayacu Pucate Caño, Marañon River

Today we got to experience the forest from a different perspective. Our first hike on ‘terra firme,’ the land in the Amazon that does not regularly flood, took us to the hanging bridges of the Amazon Park. This private reserve borders the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve and protects a vast tract of land while offering visitors a chance to walk at the canopy level for a glimpse of the most active area in the jungle. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a lecture on the Cucama-Cucamilla, the native people of the area. The beginning of the rainy season finally caught up with us, and in the late afternoon, we witnessed a massive electrical storm that brought a copious downpour of rain. An incredible show that we observed from the open bar on the top deck with some delicious pisco sours in hand!

Daily Expedition Reports

Delfin II

Yarapa and Nauta Caño

In 1801, the race was on to present Queen Victoria with a flower from the giant water lily. The Duke of Devonshire was the winner, and it was no easy task coaxing this massive plant into producing a flower in not-so-tropical England. This morning, we took a short walk in the forest to a pond where there were dozens of these magnificent plants and a few of the much sought-after flowers. The flowers were white, telling us that last night was their first night open. Pink flowers indicate two nights, after which the plants are finished with their pollination cycle before moving into seed production. Each day of exploration has brought new and different highlights from this massive and diverse habitat we call the Amazon Rainforest.

Daily Expedition Reports

Delfin II

The Pacaya is one of the rivers that gives its name to the amazing area we are visiting. This area is a prime destination worldwide for its variety of wildlife and the sheer numbers that concentrate here. We set out for a half-day outing to spot thousands of birds from over 70 species. We observed turtles, river otters, pink dolphins, countless monkeys, and various other mammals. Afterwards, all agreed it was a formidable experience. To top it off, some brave guests dared to jump in a black water lake for a refreshing swim with pink dolphins. At night, we set out for a hike in the forest, the first real hike of our expedition. With the aid of torches, our intrepid guides found a myriad of insects, spiders, and frogs.

Daily Expedition Reports

Delfin II

Belluda Canõ and Rio Dorado

Our day started early, as it does with the denizens of the forest, so we could take advantage of the softer light, cooler temperature, and heightened activity of the native fauna. Our rewards were plentiful and colorful, from Isabel’s saki monkeys to a squadron-like flyover of scarlet macaws. We observed lesser appreciated but no less impressive birds, such as sunbitterns, capped herons, and umbrella birds. We sought the light, waited for the right moment, and were richly rewarded with diverse wildlife sightings and unique photographic opportunities.