Can a luxury Amazon cruise actually protect wildlife and empower local communities?

In this episode on sustainable luxury travel, we explore how Delfin Amazon Cruises and Relais & Chateaux are redefining regenerative tourism in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Host Amy Wald sits down with tropical biologist and sustainability lead Gabriela Orihuela of Delfin Amazon Cruises to unpack what it really means to cruise with purpose in the Amazon. From pink river dolphin research and giant river otter sightings to community-driven “BioRest” reforestation with native species, this conversation spotlights nature-based tourism that restores ecosystems and culture.

You’ll learn how Delfin’s Relais & Chateaux partnership elevates eco luxury travel through seasonal, locally sourced gastronomy; why keystone species like river dolphins matter; and practical ways travelers and hoteliers can avoid wildlife trafficking, reduce impacts, and turn sustainability into a richer guest experience. Whether you’re a conscious traveler, hotelier, or brand leader, you’ll take away field-tested ideas for sustainable hospitality, community-based conservation, and storytelling in hospitality that inspires action.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

00:00 - 00:57: Redefining Luxury in the Amazon — pristine rivers, biodiversity & culture

00:57 - 02:42: Delfin Amazon Cruises × Relais & Châteaux — sustainability at sea

02:42 - 04:39: Tropical biologist’s perspective + Peru’s Ramsar wetland & migratory birdlife

04:40 - 10:25: From community handcrafts to BIOREST — women-led impact & native reforestation

10:25 - 18:45: Aboard Delfin III — food heritage, seasonal landscapes & what river luxury means

18:46 - 26:49: Citizen science & wildlife conservation — pink dolphins, giant otters & trafficking threats

26:49 - 31:05: Partnering with the National Reserve + conscious traveler tips (what not to buy)

31:05 - 38:03: Biophilic ship design & Amazonian gastronomy with Relais & Châteaux standards

38:03 - 45:18: A day in the life on Delfin — sunrise skiffs, wildlife talks, community visits & how to get there

45:18 - 51:21: Hotelier playbook anywhere — water & energy savings, sustainable menus, sourcing responsibly

51:21 - 54:06: What to pack for the Amazon + guest takeaways (guides, culture, cuisine)

54:08 - 56:30: Why sustainable tourism matters + closing thoughts

Guest Intro

Gabriela Orihuela is a tropical biologist and the head of sustainability at Delfin Amazon Cruises, the first Amazon cruise line partnered with Relais & Chateaux. She leads community-based conservation, citizen science on pink river dolphins, and Delfin’s BioRest program restoring forests with native, culturally significant species.

Learn more: https://www.delfinamazoncruises.com

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