South American Rivers
Destination Deals
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From
US $3,150Voyage to the Heart of the Amazon - Amazon Nature Tours 2019
Cruise 6 nights from Manaus to the jungles of the Amazon aboard ms Tucano with Amazon Nature Tours...
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From
US $1,750Amazon Odyssey 2019 - 4 night River Cruise - Amazon Nature Tours
The Amazon Odyssey cruise visits the most essential areas to observe the flora and fauna as well as and culture of the Amazon rainforest...
-
From
US $3,150Voyage to the Heart of the Amazon - Amazon Nature Tours 2019
Cruise 6 nights from Manaus to the jungles of the Amazon aboard ms Tucano with Amazon Nature Tours...
-
From
US $1,750Amazon Odyssey 2019 - 4 night River Cruise - Amazon Nature Tours
The Amazon Odyssey cruise visits the most essential areas to observe the flora and fauna as well as and culture of the Amazon rainforest...
-
From
US $1,750Amazon Odyssey 2019 - 4 night River Cruise - Amazon Nature Tours
The Amazon Odyssey cruise visits the most essential areas to observe the flora and fauna as well as and culture of the Amazon rainforest...
South America Rivers
South American Rivers vary greatly in size and significance from the Amazon River to the Putumayo River. The Amazon River is one of the great rivers of the world and the chief river of South America.
From its mouth at Belem, the Amazon is navigable as far as Iquitos, Peru, some 2,300 miles (3,700 km) away. Oceangoing ships can reach Manaus, Brazil. The chief port cities on the river include Iquitos, Manaus, and the Brazilian cities of Macapá and Santarém. Belém, the chief port, is on the Pará River.
Highlights of a South American river cruise is of course the Amazon rainforest, with its stunning wildlife, tropical flora, traditional villages and unique cultural experiences.
Cruise Types
There are two main types of South American River Cruises.
1. Amazon River Cruises
Many of the major cruise lines have itineraries which visit Manaus. These are either shorter cruises (15nights) from Caribbean ports or longer cruises such as World Cruises and South American exploration cruises. Manaus is situated at the head of the Amazon over 900miles (1500kms) from Belem at the mouth of the river. The river is deep enough to accommodate even the large cruise ships. Smaller ships can get as far as Iquitos.
2. Specialty cruises
Amazon Tours and Cruises offer river cruises between Iquitos and Yurimaquas year round.
Cruise seasons
Amazon River Cruises operate from October to February.
Specialty cruises operate year round
Main ports
Cruises to the Amazon and the north of the continent depart from Ft Lauderdale, San Juan, Bridgetown, Rio or Buenos Aires. Additionally the longer cruises can start from as far away as Southampton, Los Angeles.
Weather
The Equator runs through Ecuador and northern Brazil so much of the continent is tropical. The dry season is from October to June which is when cruises to the Amazon operate.
Ports of Interest
- Almeirim, Brazil
- Alter do Chão, Brazil
- Amatura, Brazil
- Amazon River
- Anavilhanas, Brazil
- Ariau, Brazil
- Badajos, Brazil
- Bariloche, Argentina
- Belem, Brazil
- Boca da Valeria, Brazil
- Boca do Jari (Meruim Island), Brazil
- Breves Narrows, Brazil
- Coca, Ecuador
- Curua Una River, Amazon
- Cuxiu, Muni, Brazil
- Delta de l’Orénoque, Venezuala
- Guajara, Brazil
- Huitoto, Peru
- Iguazu Falls
- Ilha Grande, Brazil
- Ilheus, Brazil
- Iquitos, Peru
- Itajai, Brazil
- Itaqui, Brazil
- Jutai, Brazil
- Leticia, Columbia
- Macapa, Brazil
- Manaus, Brazil
- Monte Dourado, Brazil
- Napo River, Ecuador
- Nauta
- Nuovo Airao, Brazil
- Orinoco River
- Orinoco River Entrance
- Orinoco River Exit
- Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
- Panelas, Brazil
- Parantins, Brazil
- Parintins, Brazil
- Pebas, Peru
- Piriapolis, Uruguay
- Recife, Brazil
- Rio Ampiyacu, Peru
- Rio do Cajari, Amazon
- Rio Napo, Amazon River
- Rio Negro, Amazon
- Rio Preto di Boi, Brazil
- San Martin, Peru
- Santarem, Brazil
- Santo Antonio do Ica, Brazil
- Suriname
- Uara, Brazil
- Yurimaguas, Peru