Cruising within “The forest of the mirrors”

In a country of extremes, it should come as no surprise that the intrepid Peruvians have successfully launched real luxury cruising into the Amazon rainforest, without losing authenticity or upsetting the delicate ecosystem. But will luxury and a ‘wide angled’ view of this beautiful landscape prove to be as popular as the ‘close-up’ inclusive experience of the rainforest lodge?

Hailed by ‘Travel & Leisure’ magazine as one of the “hottest new trends” of 2009, river cruising has been a feature of the remote North-eastern ‘flooded forest’ of Peru. But the recent introductions of the hand-crafted Aqua and Delfin II vessels have raised the bar in exploring the pristine Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

Take the Delfin II which I was lucky enough to experience first-hand on its maiden voyage this April. It takes every aspect of river cruising to new heights – from its 280-thread Peruvian cotton sheets, to the finish of its 14 large air-conditioned guest suites and the delicious scope of the gourmet cuisine.

Whilst blending in with the awe-inspiring surroundings, the lakes and lagoons of El Bosque de los Espejos, what really sets these cruises apart is their location. Home to thousands of animal and plant species, but 75% covered in water during the rainy season, boat is the only way to explore this wildlife paradise. It’s a place where the extraordinary becomes almost common place as you meander up the Amazon’s mighty tributary, the Ucayali. In just a few days we encountered monk saki, capuchin and squirrel monkeys, at least 12 sloths, yellow and blue macaws, trogons, kingfishers, white caiman and to cap it all the rare and magical pink dolphins which are only found in the Amazon. For a vacation rich in relaxation, scenery, wildlife and cuisine these new cruises are impossible to beat.

If you would rather have your feet on solid ground, perhaps a lodge-based vacation is more suited to you. Wildlife is abundant and the guiding superb in the different ecosystem of Tambopata in South-eastern Peru from where Ricky, a member of our Aracari team, recently returned. Just a short flight from Lima, this is an easier option for some. Here the accommodation is part of the landscape – with no air conditioning and no electricity – but what it lacks it makes up for in ambience as you become part of the rainforest itself, exploring and coming face to ‘face’ with the wildlife.

Commenting on the differences between a cruise and a lodge-based trip, Ricky says, “the lodge-based alternative permits you to feel the jungle on your skin – you are in it, part of the food chain. Ideally, it is perfect for those who like to be active as you are up from 5am to 9pm and there is never a dull moment.”

This are just two of our favourite rainforest experiences, but there are many more to choose from. If you would like to explore some of the most pristine rainforests on the planet, please contact Ricky at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .