Delfin Amazon Cruises Announces
New Special Interest Voyage for 2024
Pink River Dolphin Research Specialist joins in November onboard Delfin III
Iquitos, Peru (August 22, 2024): Delfin Amazon Cruises (Delfin), the first Relais & Châteaux Cruise in the world and an upscale river cruise operator in the Upper Peruvian Amazon, is pleased to announce a special interest departure to set sail in November 2024 onboard its Delfin III. This departure furthers Delfin's commitment to the conservation and preservation of the Amazon Rainforest. Delfin passengers will gain enlightening insights as they cruise the Amazon River with pink river dolphins and conservation specialist Dr. Joanna Alfaro.
November 19, 2024
|4-Nights Pink River Dolphin Research Voyage with Dr. Joanna Alfaro
"In launching these three special departures with renowned experts who share our
passion for protecting this vital ecosystem, our aim at Delfin Amazon Cruises is
to not only provide our guests with unforgettable experiences but to inspire a
greater appreciation for its beauty and significance,"
shares Aldo Macchiavello, CEO of Delfin Amazon Cruises
The Delfin III offers 22 suites with the highest comfort levels for up to 44 passengers, making it the largest cruise in its fleet. While on board, guests can enjoy several amenities from the top observation deck, including spacious indoor and outdoor lounge areas, a sundeck with a plunge pool, a spa and gym, and a bar. Located on the upper deck, guests will experience five-star, farm-to-table dining services from Delfin’s local garden, blending Peruvian history with contemporary dishes. In addition to the unique programming of these special departures, guests will experience Delfin’s daily excursions to explore deeper into the Amazon rainforest, led by their talented and experienced team of naturalists and interpretive Amazon River guides. By land, guests can join trail walks and community visits or explore the river’s small creeks, tributaries, and lagoons by skiff, kayak, or paddleboard.
November 19, 2024 | Pink River Dolphin Research Voyage with Dr. Joanna Alfaro
To raise awareness and support critical research for the endangered pink river dolphin, Delfin Amazon Cruises has announced a special four-day voyage on its Delfin III with conservation specialist Dr. Joanna Alfaro, departing November 19. The pink river dolphin, classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), faces a critical threat. These rare creatures, found only in the freshwater rivers of the Amazon near Iquitos, Peru, are known for their social nature, friendliness, and high intelligence. However, their existence is severely threatened by habitat destruction due to logging and pollution. The construction of hydroelectric dams, negative interactions with fisheries and miners, and using their meat as bait all contribute to their decline, making their conservation an urgent priority.
During the voyage, esteemed marine biologist Dr. Joanna Alfaro will share her ongoing research, which focuses on mitigating fishermen's unintentional catch of dolphins. This unique opportunity allows guests to gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating species, learn how to spot and identify the two different types of dolphins on the Amazon, and even participate in Dr. Alfaro's research firsthand. They will accompany her as she deploys seapods to collect and record the sounds of dolphins and to record temperatures in water where dolphins are spotted. Her current work on the pink river dolphins focuses on a project in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in Peru that involves CPODs (acoustic monitoring loggers) that, through the number and velocity of clicks, can give an idea of how dolphins use their habitat (where do they breed, where do they eat, at what times, etc.), and see if the presence of a device called ‘Pinger’ that emits sound reduce the presence of the dolphins. This is to look for alternatives and reduce the by-catch by local fishermen.
Dr. Alfaro, a distinguished researcher who earned her Ph.D. from the University of Exeter, has an impressive track record in Pink River Dolphin conservation. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her research, including the prestigious Whitley Award in 2012. Her collaborations with renowned marine conservation organizations such as WWF and Darwin Research and her leadership of the non-profit Pro Delphinus demonstrate her commitment to conserving threatened and endangered marine fauna in Peru. Her expertise and dedication make her a valuable resource for anyone with a special interest in river dolphins and Amazonian aquatic animals.
Rates for Delfin III begin at $3,700 per person for double occupancy for the 3-night special departures and $4,900 for the 4-night special departures. Rates include meals, excursions, equipment, entrance fees to Pacaya Samiria Nature Reserve, and transfers to/from Iquitos on recommended flights.
About Delfin Amazon Cruises:
Delfin Amazon Cruises was launched in early 2006 by its founder and CEO, Aldo Macchiavello. The company is the culmination of a dream shared with his wife, Lissy Urteaga – to run a boutique travel business that should showcase the natural beauty of their country, Peru. Delfin Amazon Cruises sets the highest standards for impeccable 5-star hospitality, authentic Peruvian design, and superb local cuisine. The Delfin I, II, and III effortlessly combine comfort and grace with the breathtaking wilderness setting of the Amazon. Each vessel thrives in harmony with nature and their panoramic suites and terraces offer guests a special “non-cruise” atmosphere with the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most pristine environments. Deep in the Peruvian Amazon, the boutique luxury vessels take guests on three and four-night itineraries into one of the world’s largest protected flooded forests, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Experienced naturalist guides and experts showcase the immense biodiversity of the area with excursions and activities that include visits to local villages, kayaking, swimming near pink river dolphins, fishing, daytime hiking, and night safaris.
