There are few places on earth that capture the imagination quite like the Amazon. A realm of extraordinary biodiversity, pulsing with life and mystery, this vast green expanse is often thought of as a destination for the boldest adventurers. But with the right partners and the right vessel, the Amazon can be anything you need it to be — a haven of discovery for young minds, a place of comfort and camaraderie for seasoned travelers, or an unforgettable backdrop for life’s milestone moments.
Recently, two of Aracari’s own embarked on separate journeys into the Peruvian Amazon aboard Delfin, our long-standing luxury cruise partner. Juanjo, our Product and Experience Manager, set off with his young son, age seven, while our founder and CEO Marisol returned to the region for a voyage with close friends. Their experiences—vastly different, equally profound—serve as a testament to the diversity and adaptability of Amazon cruising when carefully curated.
Where the Rainforest Becomes Water: Navigating Peru’s Amazon
To understand the magic of an Amazon cruise, one must first understand the place itself.
The Peruvian Amazon is a vast and remote region, home to one of the most intact tracts of rainforest on Earth. Cruises like those offered aboard Delfin navigate the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a 20,800-square-kilometer protected area known as the “forest of mirrors” for its glasslike blackwater rivers that reflect the towering canopy above. During high-water season (November to May), the jungle transforms—the forest floods, waterways swell, and boats glide silently between the trees, revealing a world that feels secret and sacred.
This is a place where nature reigns in its purest form. Sloths dangle in the treetops, toucans flash across the sky, and pink river dolphins crest quietly through the dark water. Remote riverine communities live in harmony with the jungle, offering glimpses into lifeways that have changed little in generations. The experience is not just about what you see—but how it makes you feel: deeply connected to something timeless, untamed, and utterly captivating.
With Aracari, access to this world is made possible through partnerships that combine deep local knowledge, expert guiding, and carefully chosen vessels. But the key is always the journey itself—designed around you.
A Wild Classroom: Exploring the Amazon as a Family
For Juanjo, traveling with his son was not only a logistical consideration—it was a lens through which the Amazon came to life anew.
“Traveling with children in the Amazon is magical,” he shares. “But it does require thoughtfulness. The heat, the humidity, the insects—all of it demands a level of preparation. That said, seeing the rainforest through my son’s eyes? That’s a reward like no other.”
The two spent four nights aboard Delfin, where every moment was filled with new discoveries. From kayaking quiet tributaries to spotting monkeys and sloths from a skiff, the Amazon unfolded as an immersive classroom.
“He was enchanted,” Juanjo says. “This was a world he had only seen on screens before—snakes, spiders, pink dolphins. Seeing it all in real life sparked a kind of wonder you can’t replicate anywhere else.”
It wasn’t just the wildlife that left an impression. On one excursion, they visited a remote riverine village, where his son played with local children, despite not sharing a language.
“That moment stayed with him,” Juanjo recalls. “He came back quieter, thoughtful. I could tell it made something click—about how vast the world is, and how different and beautiful life can be elsewhere.”
The structure of the experience made all the difference. Delfin’s thoughtful design was key to the journey’s success. Aboard the ship, a pool, lounge areas, and family-friendly amenities provided opportunities to unwind between excursions. Just as crucially, multiple skiffs and expert naturalist guides allowed for flexible excursions—ensuring both families and independent travelers could explore at their own pace.
“Children experience things with such immediacy,” Juanjo reflects. “If they’re too tired, too hot, too overwhelmed, it can change the tone of a whole day. But when you get it right—when the pacing is just enough, when there’s space to cool off or play a game before dinner—it becomes something unforgettable for both of you.”
Some of the most special moments happened in between the official activities—watching the stars together from the deck, or simply drifting downriver, his son curled beside him, listening to the forest stir into its twilight chorus.
“When cruising the Amazon with kids, having that balance is everything,” Juanjo adds. “It gives children the freedom to be themselves, and parents the confidence to relax and enjoy.”
The voyage was more than a vacation—it was a memory carved deeply into the minds of father and son alike. A shared chapter of discovery, curiosity, and connection in one of the wildest, most wondrous places on Earth.
Elegance in the Wild: Cruising with Friends
For Marisol, the Amazon has long been a cherished place—one that she has returned to throughout her life with evolving eyes. But in recent years, her relationship with this remote world has taken on new meaning.
“I’ve always been drawn to the wildness of the region,” she reflects. “But over time, I’ve come to appreciate comfort just as much as adventure. Delfin brings those worlds together beautifully.”
Her most recent journey was one of deep connection and shared perspective, traveling alongside Lissy Urteaga, a dear friend and co-founder of Delfin. Together—with a small circle of like-minded companions—they navigated the blackwater rivers, into the flooded forest of Pacaya Samiria, where the trees rise from water and life feels entirely untethered from the outside world.
“The guiding was exceptional,” she recalls. “We watched monkeys leap like dancers across the canopy. It felt like magic.”
Each day offered a perfect rhythm: a gentle awakening with the jungle, followed by skiff excursions to hidden lakes, village visits, or quiet moments birdwatching beneath the trees. Back onboard, the days were punctuated with long lunches, storytelling on deck, and a rare kind of stillness that only the Amazon can offer.
“There’s a kind of softness to the Amazon,” Marisol notes. “Yes, it’s wild, but it isn’t aggressive. There’s a gentleness in the way time moves here.”
Cuisine, too, played a central role in the experience. Peruvian flavors reimagined with sophistication were served with impeccable style—fresh ceviches, Amazonian fruits, and warm, spiced dishes that felt celebratory yet grounded in place.
“The food was exquisite,” she says. “For all of us, it was such an important part of the experience—gathering over beautiful meals, reflecting on the day.”
Years earlier, Marisol had chosen the Amazon for one of life’s milestones—chartering the Delfin II for her 50th birthday. It was a celebration unlike any other: a private river voyage filled with laughter, meaningful conversation, and a sense of wonder that felt heightened by the setting.
“It felt right,” she says. “To mark something so personal in a place so profound. No lights, no cities, just the river, the stars, and the people I love spending time with.”
Now, revisiting the Amazon with Lissy, whose own life’s work has helped shape luxury travel in the region, the experience was both a return and a deepening.
“There’s something very special about being in the jungle with friends,” she reflects. “You become quieter together. You pay attention to the same birdcall, the same moonrise. It pulls you into the present.”
For Marisol, the Amazon is not just a destination—it is a place of reconnection, both to the natural world and to the people with whom you choose to share it.
Where to Go Next: Designing the Perfect Combination
At Aracari, we believe the best journeys are those that unfold like a well-crafted story—each chapter building on the last.
For families like Juanjo’s, pairing the Amazon with the Andes offers a compelling contrast. “Cusco and Lake Titicaca are ideal,” he shares. “It’s a journey that blends cultural immersion with high-altitude adventure, and it gives children a full sense of Peru’s diversity—from steamy rainforest to Incan ruins.”
Marisol echoes the desire for balance. “After the humidity and the soft wildness of the Amazon, I always love ending in the Sacred Valley,” she says. “There’s something grounding about it. The crisp mountain air, the quiet beauty—it’s the perfect counterpoint.”
From Lima’s coastal cuisine to the highland traditions of the Andes, Peru offers a seamless circuit of culture, nature, and comfort. And no matter your travel style, Aracari will tailor each transition so that your journey feels fluid, intentional, and personal.
Curated by Aracari: The Art of Amazon Travel
Aracari has worked with Delfin Amazon Cruises for years, not because of luxury alone, but because of the way they allow us to craft journeys that are both meaningful and seamless. Their vessels—ranging from the intimate four-suite Delfin I to the spacious Delfin III—serve as floating bases for exploration, offering a refined experience without losing the spirit of the jungle.
But what truly matters is not the ship, nor the itinerary—it’s the way the journey is curated around you. From choosing the right season for high-water or low-water exploration, to ensuring the right mix of pace, activities, and comfort, Aracari brings a deep knowledge of the region and a meticulous eye for detail.
Because the Amazon is not a place to simply visit—it’s a world to enter, respectfully and luxuriously, with care.
A Journey for Every Traveler
Whether it’s a child’s first brush with nature’s raw beauty, a refined escape with lifelong friends, or an occasion to be marked in unforgettable style, cruising the Amazon is not a one-size-fits-all affair. It is a canvas—vast, vibrant, and full of possibility. And with Aracari’s deep-rooted partnerships and bespoke approach, we ensure that every journey is exactly what it needs to be: safe, immersive, comfortable, and wholly transformative.
At Aracari, we believe that the Amazon is not just a destination—it is an awakening. One that transcends age, interest, or travel style. Whether you are looking to inspire your children, reconnect with old friends, or simply bask in the grandeur of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses, there is an Amazon journey waiting for you.
Let us guide you through the Amazon, in a way that’s perfect for you. Get in touch today with our luxury travel designers.
