Luxury And Adventure In The Amazon
![Luxury and Adventure in the Amazon](https://www.emmawhitingtravel.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Delfin-lll-3-1024x683.jpg)
The Amazon is a destination that has intrigued me for as long as I can remember. The tropical jungle, unique wildlife and the mighty Amazon itself is enough to get me excited, not to mention the element of exotic adventure and a hint of danger, the Amazon has it all.
Flying into the small town of Iquitos the views below are amazing! Spectacular scenery of the river system gives you a real perspective of the enormity of the region. A refreshing towel and cool water are a welcome relief from the tropical heat.
We travel by road about 2 hours, enjoying passing through local villages and watching the changing landscapes, then we arrive at our private port on the river. Here we are welcomed by the local children who are excited to see us, dancing around and smiling from ear to ear! Such a warm welcome.
We enjoy a welcome icy cold cocktail and board our luxury vessel, The Delfin III. Our cabins are spacious with full size bathrooms. The decor is neutral and calming with lovely tribal features and local works of art. The wow factor is the huge floor to ceiling windows so you can make the most of the views across the river.
On board, the communal areas have a wonderful local vibe and a jacuzzi on the rear deck is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Amazon sunshine.
For the staff on board nothing is too much trouble. Part of the Relais & Chateaux group, the meals on board live up to expectations. Hard to believe the quality of the meals in such a remote destination and the restaurant is a real highlight of the cruise.
The expedition crew are very passionate and knowledgeable about the region you’re travelling through, and arrange all kinds of activities so you can really be amongst it and experience the Amazon up close.
A guided walk through the jungle was a definite highlight. We saw two massive boa snakes curled up on the jungle floor, a tarantula the size of a man’s hand and a gorgeous baby sloth.
Another highlight was an early morning sunrise expedition where we saw spectacular bird life including a Toucan. This is a perfect way to start a day!
The expedition zodiacs are an exciting way to explore, we did trips in the mornings and also an evening expedition to spot Cayman. One afternoon we found ourselves jumping out of the zodiacs and into the river to swim with the rare pink dolphins. This is a “pinch yourself” moment for sure, and something you just can’t do anywhere else.
On board are also kayaks, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can choose to take part. This was such a great way to enjoy the river, peacefully paddling along listening to the sounds of the forest.
Everyday there are so many activities to choose from including the zodiac expeditions, on board lectures by the naturalists, on-board classes such as making pisco sours or learning how to make the local dish, ceviche, in a cooking class with the chef.
Exploring the Amazon, learning of the region, and spotting the wildlife, while doing it in luxury is a once in a lifetime experience.
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