CALL US AT:
Av. Abelardo Quiñones km 5 / San Juan Bautista. Iquitos - Perú / Local:
+51-1-7190999
Delfin Amazon Cruises | Luxury Amazon Cruises Experience
CALL US AT:
Av. Abelardo Quiñones km 5 / San Juan Bautista. Iquitos - Perú / Local:
+51-1-7190999
From our founders’ pioneering vision to the dedicated naturalists who bring the rainforest to life, every element of Delfin reflects a deep-rooted love for this extraordinary place. Our commitment extends beyond our vessels, fostering lasting relationships with local communities, supporting conservation efforts, and crafting a guest experience defined by unparalleled service and personal connection.
Discover what sets Delfin apart—from our story and people to our regenerative travel initiatives, Relais & Châteaux partnership, and global recognition.
Lissy, who had once been intimidated by the untamed elements of the Amazon, now found herself completely captivated by its energy—both grounding and immense. For Aldo, a lifelong banker, the numbers made sense first. No one was offering travelers a way to experience the Amazon in comfort, authenticity, and complete harmony with its surroundings. Opportunity met instinct, and together—Aldo as the brain, Lissy as the heart—they took a leap. Selling everything, they bought a small wooden boat that would become Delfin I, embarking on their journey as true pioneers of the Amazon.
By 2006, their first voyages had launched—not with a grand strategy, but with friends, family, and early adventurers drawn to the unknown. In those first years, Lissy practically lived on board, joining every expedition alongside guests. She immersed herself in the rhythms of the river, listening to its sounds, learning its shifting nature. Slowly, Lissy shaped the spirit of Delfin—not as a business, but as an extension of her own home.
From the very beginning, Delfin was deeply Peruvian—not just in name, but in soul. Delfin’s first hire was Adonay Rodriguez, a local guide whose knowledge of the river was instinctive. He introduced Lissy and Aldo to the Amazon’s hidden pathways, its unspoken laws, and the communities whose lives were intrinsically tied to the forest. More than a guide, Adonay became Delfin’s bridge to the heart of the region, shaping the way guests would experience his world.
Through Adonay’s introductions, Lissy formed a deep bond with the local women. As she spent time in their villages, she recognized the beauty and skill in their craftsmanship—intricate weavings made from palm fiber, dyed with colors drawn from the land itself. She envisioned sharing their artistry with Delfin travelers, but at first, the women hesitated. Who else would buy their work if Lissy didn’t return? Yet trust grew, and what began with just six women weaving on mud floors became a thriving network of artisans across the region.
As Delfin’s presence in the reserve deepened, so did its crew—all of them from the local river communities. Many who joined in those early years remain today, growing alongside Delfin as it evolved.
Lissy and Aldo knew Delfin needed to expand. In 2009, Delfin II was purpose-built from the ground up—not in a state-of-the-art shipyard, but along the riverbanks of Iquitos, where a local team crafted every detail under Aldo’s careful supervision. Two years later, in 2011, they reimagined Delfin I, elevating it to an exclusive four-suite vessel. With Lissy’s meticulous eye for design, it set a new benchmark for luxury river cruising in the Amazon.
By 2016, Delfin III further expanded the fleet, offering comfort for larger groups while preserving the same spirit of intimacy and authenticity. Every decision, every new addition, was made with one purpose—to remain independent, family-owned, and deeply connected to the river it sailed. Unlike the international brands that would later enter the Amazon, Delfin was, and always would be, part of this place.
Delfin’s story is not just one of building a business—it is a story of belonging. What began as a leap of faith has become a way of exploring, a way of welcoming, and a way of preserving the Amazon.
Delfin is more than a fleet of ships; it is a passage into the heart of one of the world’s last wild places, where travelers don’t step aboard as guests, but as part of something greater—something rooted in culture, connection, and wonder.
For Lissy and Aldo, the river’s magic never fades. Even after two decades, every journey holds a moment of quiet awe—a sunset like no other, the glow of caiman eyes at night, the silent gaze of a pink river dolphin. The Amazon doesn’t just change with the seasons; it changes you. Delfin exists to ensure that transformation is not just for today’s explorers, but for generations to come.
Delfin is more than a fleet of ships; it is a passage into the heart of one of the world’s last wild places, where travelers don’t step aboard as guests, but as part of something greater—something rooted in culture, connection, and wonder.
For Lissy and Aldo, the river’s magic never fades. Even after two decades, every journey holds a moment of quiet awe—a sunset like no other, the glow of caiman eyes at night, the silent gaze of a pink river dolphin. The Amazon doesn’t just change with the seasons; it changes you. Delfin exists to ensure that transformation is not just for today’s explorers, but for generations to come.
Our Naturalists
The Storytellers of the Amazon
The Amazon is a world of mystery, and our guides are those who unlock its secrets. More than experts alone, they are storytellers, conservationists, and stewards of the river, each with a deep-rooted connection to our home.
All of our naturalist guides are certified by the Peruvian government and have spent years navigating these waters, many of them born and raised along the river itself. Their knowledge is not just studied—it is lived. Through them, you will hear the legends passed down for generations, understand the delicate balance of the rainforest, and witness the Amazon through the eyes of those who know it best.
A Journey of Learning
Every Delfin voyage is an opportunity to dive deeper, not just into the rainforest, but into the knowledge it holds. From interactive Q&As on Amazonian ecology to fireside storytelling sessions where myths and traditions are shared, our guides offer moments of discovery that stay with you long after you leave.
For the past decade, Ericson Pinedo Salas has guided travelers through the depths of the Amazon, sharing his deep-rooted love for the rainforest. Having grown up surrounded by its vast wilderness, he developed an unbreakable connection to nature. Becoming a naturalist guide was a calling—one that allows him to introduce guests to the beauty, complexity, and wonder of the Amazon’s ecosystems.
The thrill of spotting wildlife from the skiff—every moment on the river offers the chance to witness something extraordinary, whether it’s a rare bird, a hidden caiman, or a breathtaking sunset over the jungle canopy.
The plum-throated cotinga. Its colors are astonishing, unlike any other bird. Seeing one is always a special moment.
I never grow tired of the Amazon. Every day here is unique. The rainforest is alive, constantly changing, and always full of surprises.
There is no detail too small in the Amazon. Every plant, every animal, every sound plays a role in this ecosystem. Everything is connected, and everything matters.
Growing up with a deep respect for nature, Jairo Flores was instilled with a love for the Amazon from an early age. His parents taught him to honor and protect the rainforest, a lesson that led him to become a naturalist guide. For the past decade, he has been guiding guests through the Amazon’s ever-changing landscapes, helping them connect with the region’s breathtaking biodiversity and gain a deeper appreciation for its delicate ecosystems.
My favorite moments are when I see guests form a true connection with the Amazon—whether it’s experiencing the beauty of the landscape, spotting wildlife, or simply feeling a sense of peace in nature.
I don’t have just one. Every animal, bird, and insect plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, and together, they create the balance that makes the rainforest so extraordinary.
The changing dynamics of the river—watching the transitions between low-water and high-water seasons, and how they shape the movement of animals and life in the Amazon.
The rainforest is the greatest natural defense we have against climate change. Protecting it means protecting our planet’s future.
As the very first guide hired by Delfin Amazon Cruises, Adonay Rodríguez has played a pivotal role in shaping the experience for guests and forging lasting connections between Delfin and the communities of the Amazon. With nearly two decades of experience, he has dedicated his life to exploring the flooded forests, studying its wildlife, and sharing its wonders with travelers from around the world. His deep understanding of the rainforest and its people has made him not just a guide, but a true bridge between visitors and this extraordinary place.
Exploring the flooded forest in search of wildlife—it’s where the rainforest reveals some of its most extraordinary sights, from hidden creatures to reflections of the sky on the water.
The blue-and-yellow macaw. Its exotic colors are striking, and its presence in the canopy always captures my attention.
The sheer diversity of the Amazon’s flora and fauna amazes me every time. No two days in this vast region are ever the same.
The Amazon holds incredible knowledge, especially in its plants. The traditional use of medicinal plants is something I love sharing with our guests—it’s a testament to the deep connection between nature and the people who live here.
For over 15 years, Denis Gonzales Cohelo has been guiding travelers through the wonders of the Amazon, sharing his deep appreciation for its extraordinary biodiversity. His love for the rainforest began long before he became a guide—growing up surrounded by its vast and intricate ecosystems, he developed a fascination with the way nature adapts and thrives.
The moment I enjoy the most is when we cut the engines, and all you can hear is the jungle. That silence, filled with the sounds of nature, is something truly magical.
The pink river dolphin. They are unlike any other creature—mystical, intelligent, and deeply tied to the legends of the Amazon.
Every time I see pink river dolphins, it feels just as special as the first time. Their presence in the water is a reminder of how unique and fragile this ecosystem is.
The Amazon is full of incredible creatures, each perfectly adapted to survive in this ever-changing environment. Sharing these stories of adaptation with our guests is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
