Amazon River Cruises

The Amazon is a continent, not just a river. The experience changes drastically depending on the country.

• Select 'Peru' (Iquitos/Nauta) If: You want the classic 'National Geographic' shot. This is the Upper Amazon (Pacaya Samiria Reserve). The river is narrower, the wildlife is denser, and you are closer to the canopy. Best for: Pink dolphins, sloths, and skiff excursions.
• Select 'Brazil' (Manaus) If: You want scale. This is the Lower Amazon. The river is miles wide—like an inland sea. You navigate the Rio Negro and the Amazon proper. Best for: The 'Meeting of Waters,' remote villages, and massive landscapes.
• Select 'Ecuador' (Napo River) If: You want culture and hiking. These tributaries are fast and shallow. Best for: Parrot clay licks, deep indigenous interaction, and combining with the Galapagos.

Don't search by 'Summer' or 'Winter.' The Amazon only has water levels.

• High Water (Dec–May): The forest floods. Skiffs can travel deep into the jungle canopy. You are closer to the wildlife, but there is almost no hiking.
• Low Water (Jun–Nov): The water recedes. Trails emerge. This is the season for hiking the jungle floor and spotting caimans on the muddy banks.

• Expedition Class: Comfortable, air-conditioned, utilitarian. The luxury is the location.
• Boutique Luxury: Floor-to-ceiling windows, gourmet dining, and high-thread-count linens. A sanctuary after a muddy hike.