Lindblad NatGeo Expands Amazon Fleet

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

Lindblad Expeditions has launched a series of new chartered Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyages along the Upper Amazon River and Peru aboard Delfin III, an elegant 42-guest, all-suite ship.

Locally built and sustainably furnished featuring hand-made furniture and art and textiles from the surrounding communities, Delfin III was designed to spotlight the nature and culture of the region and exquisite Amazonian-Peruvian flavors. Onboard, when they aren’t resting in one of the 21 glass-wrapped suites, guests on Delfin III can relax on the Observation Deck with its open-air Whirlpool hot tub, catch a presentation from knowledgeable naturalists and local experts in the spacious air-conditioned Lounge, or enjoy a Pisco Sour or other cocktails featuring unique regional ingredients and spirits at the Bar.

“The untouched wilds of the Peruvian Amazon have long fascinated intrepid explorers and modern travelers alike, making our one-of-a-kind small-ship expeditions along the Upper Amazon particularly alluring to our guests. Given the popularity of these sailings, when the opportunity presented itself to charter Delfin II’s sister ship, Delfin III, and more than double our occupancy in the region—from one ship with 28 guests to two ships with 70 guests—we simply couldn’t say no,” said Trey Byus, Chief Expedition Officer, Lindblad Expeditions. “Delfin III is a welcome addition to our chartered fleet; with 21 well-appointed suites wrapped in floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass, a sprawling sundeck with a Whirlpool hot tub, a spa and gym, and a star-worthy menu featuring locally inspired dishes and regional delicacies, this ship will allow guests to explore one of the world’s most extreme places in extreme comfort.”

Beginning January 2026, Delfin III will join its sister ship Delfin II and sail the Ucayali and Marañón rivers to the confluence of the mighty Amazon in Peru’s Upper Amazon in style with two new itineraries from Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.

Upper Amazon: A River Expedition (Six Days)

Guests will embark on an unforgettable journey to the source of the mighty Amazon in Peru’s lush rainforest aboard the luxurious rivership. Here, they will navigate winding jungle waterways while they explore the seasonally flooded forest of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve at the headwaters of the Amazon with a team of experienced naturalists; meet the welcoming ribereños, natives of the reserve, and learn about their ways of life along the river; watch for elusive Amazon wildlife like pink river dolphins, monk saki monkeys, and piranhas, while getting photo tips from a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor on every voyage; and so much more over the course of just six adventure-filled days.

Wild Peru Escape: Amazon and Machu Picchu (10 Days)

For the traveler who wants to see it all, the new Wild Peru Escape: Amazon and Machu Picchu expedition was expertly crafted to highlight the best of Peru. This 10-day itinerary offers Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic guests all of the thrills of the six-day Upper Amazon: A River Expedition paired with several additional days exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the thriving city of Lima, two full days at Machu Picchu with a full day exploring the iconic sanctuary, and an overnight in Cusco, the imperial capital of the Inca.

Delfin III is the sister ship of Delfin II, which Lindblad Expeditions has chartered since 2010 and operated along the Amazon year-round on behalf of the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic co-brand. Both award-winning ships have been recently inducted into the luxury hotelier Relais & Châteaux group in recognition of their commitment to local nature and culture and their exquisite Amazonian-Peruvian cuisine.

With this news, Lindblad Expeditions’ growing fleet is now up to 20 owned, chartered, and leased mission-built vessels, making it the largest, most diverse modern expedition fleet in the industry. The charter of Delfin III and the launch of these two new itineraries also doubles Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic’s offerings along the Amazon, where the co-brand currently sails year-round with Delfin II.

The brand remains dedicated to protecting the Amazon’s biodiversity and supporting the Indigenous peoples who have relied on and sustainably managed the forest for millennia. Through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, the brand has invested nearly $500,000 in conservation projects in the region and has worked with Minga Peru to empower leaders and strengthen conservation, from training local youth in forest conservation and eco-friendly entrepreneurship to planting 20,000 timber and fruit trees to provide food and economic resources, prevent soil degradation and further enrich the Amazonian forest. 

See More Of Our Coverage Of Lindblad And Our Last Sailing