River Focus: how to sell the Amazon
Both enchanting and unfathomably vast, a river cruise along The Amazon invites guests to go off-grid in luxurious comfort, writes Gilly Pickup
Mighty, majestic, and mammoth – as far as rivers go, the 4,000-mile-long Amazon is something of a superstar. For starters, it is the largest river in the world in terms of water volume, though not quite the longest (that accolade goes to the Nile).
It’s the world’s widest river, fanning out to 30 miles in the wet season, and home to the world’s largest rainforest, making its scale and diversity unparalleled.
From its source in the Peruvian Andes, the navigable river winds its way through a swathe of countries in the heart of South America, including Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, before finishing its marathon journey on Brazil’s Atlantic coast.
The Amazon Basin covers an area larger than Western Europe, but biodiversity is at its greatest in the Peruvian region where the rainforest is untamed.
According to Carly Perkins, senior marketing manager, Seabourn, the river holds immense appeal. “There is high demand for the Amazon and our 2024 Amazon Voyages are sold out, so this is definitely a product that should be booked early,” she says. “Highlights include the city of Manaus and its Italianate pink opera house or Santarem with its Portuguese heritage.”
Seabourn allows cruise-goers to combine an Amazon adventure with a sail through the Caribbean during its 14-day Wild Guianas to the Amazon Basin voyage, which departs from Barbados throughout October.
The three main areas of the Amazon which most cruise ships explore are the Peruvian and Brazilian sections and Ecuador’s Napo River, an Amazon tributary. Those craving truly intrepid travel – where night-time canoe trips and after-dark jungle treks are on the itinerary, along with giant bugs and colourful spiders – could opt for the less-travelled Bolivian section.
In October 2025, Swan Hellenic will offer an inaugural 19-night voyage on SH Vega, which Antony Jinman, expedition leader and guide says will navigate from Belem and through Brazil’s Beves Narrows to see the Thousand Lake region.
“This is one of the Amazon’s most fascinating stretches,” he explains. “Home to traditional Caboclo communities in Aquiqui, we’ll meet them to learn about their way of life. Onboard expert lecturers will introduce the history and life of the region.”
Dave Mills, chief commercial officer, Iglu Cruise says, “South American cruises are growing in popularity, but healthy price reductions are enticing newcomers to book. This is fairly unique in that it’s clearly otherwise an incredibly hard region to visit, without needing to fly. Our top-selling cruise including the Amazon is a P&O no-fly sailing from Southampton, a winter special, departing early in the new year.”
Unmissable attractions
Speaking of Manaus, a major port destination in northwest Brazil, there a natural phenomenon occurs when two Amazon tributaries come into contact with one another.
Rio Negro’s dark waters meet, though don’t immediately mix with, the Solimões sandy-coloured waters to create the aptly named ‘Meeting of the Waters’. The two-tone colour river flows for 37 miles before mixing fully.
Further east up the Brazilian Amazon, Santarem provides cruise-goers with an authentic taste of rainforest culture, with plenty of museums and nature walks to swathes of sandy beaches for visitors to get stuck into.
Most cruises call here, docking at the new-ish Docas de Santarém terminal. Passengers also have the chance to visit indigenous villages in the Amazon’s depths, witnessing a totally different way of life to the majority of western and metropolitan society.
Then, of course, there’s the wildlife. “While sailing through the Marañón and the Ucayali, guests can come face to face with caimans, three-toed sloths and toucans and meet taricaya turtles in their natural habitat,” explains Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions.
“Our incredible naturalist guides know this area like the back of their hand and help guests spot these creatures. Not only do our guides share their personal stories and unearth the jungle’s secrets, but they can also mimic the calls of animals to lure them into view.”
It should be no surprise that the Amazon is home to a welter of peculiar animals, many of which can be spotted during more adventurous shore excursions. For instance, there’s the caquetá titi monkey, which purrs like a cat or the kinkajou, similar to a raccoon, which barks like a dog and can rotate its ankles on its hind legs to help it move through treetops.
There’s a type of piranha fish which is vegetarian, a bat which looks like a gremlin and the pink river dolphin with its long snout, thankfully spared from tribal hunting because it is believed to possess supernatural powers.
An abundance of exotic birdlife lives here too. A particularly unusual bird is the nocturnal Great Potoo, which cleverly camouflages itself to resemble tree bark.
When to visit
Choosing the best time to visit is entirely up to the traveller, as each season offers its own unique experience. Rainy season, for example, lasts roughly from December to May, with the temperature around 86 degrees Fahrenheit dropping to approximately 65 degrees in the evening. June to November, the hottest time of year, is dry season, though visitors could still expect some downpours.
Perkins points out that those who choose to visit in October could combine their Amazon adventure with a trip to Antarctica.
She explains: “Seabourn offers Amazon voyages during October when expedition ship Seabourn Venture repositions to Antarctica for the winter season. With no roads, it is nearly impossible to get a true understanding of this region without seeing it from the water.
The key element of an Amazon expedition is being able to access smaller rivers, tributaries and channels by Zodiac and kayak, giving travellers a unique perspective on the rainforest itself and on the lives of remote communities who make it their home.”
Adam Sharp, cruise expert at online travel agent CruiseKings, sums it up when he says: ‘The sheer size of this distinctive destination will blow you away, while new, unfamiliar animal species and plant life are constantly being discovered.
“One thing is for sure, travellers can expect an authentic, once-in-a-lifetime venture that guarantees to create extraordinary stories to cherish forever.” What could be better than that?
Expert view
“The Amazon river is unlike any other cruise destination. It is a journey into the heart of one of Earth’s most diverse, awe-inspiring ecosystems.
“For first timers, an Amazon cruise offers a blend of adventure and discovery, the chance to explore untouched rainforests, be immersed in remote communities and encounter rare wildlife.
“Popular shore excursions, like guided jungle treks and visits to indigenous villages, provide unforgettable experiences that make this trip truly extraordinary.”
Sarah Wikevand, managing director of partnerships, ROL Cruises
Itineraries
- Seabourn
The eight-night Heart of The Amazon cruise roundtrip from Manaus (Brazil) on Seabourn Venture is priced from £7,399pp. Flights not included. Departing 12 October 2025.
- G Adventures
The eight-night Amazon Riverboat roundtrip from Lima (Peru) on Amatista, led by Amazon Reserve naturalist guides, from £2,129pp. Flights not included. Departures from October 2024 to December 2025.
- Oceania
The 17-night Amazon Trailblazer cruise roundtrip from Bridgetown (Barbados) on Sirena is priced from £4,759pp. Flights not included. Departing 4 January 2025.
