Which part of the Amazon River is best for cruising?

At a glance

• The Amazon River is more than 4,000 miles long, so you’ll need to pick a section to visit
• There are river cruises on stretches of the Amazon in Peru, Ecuador and Brazil
• The classic Amazon cruise starts in Belém (Brazil) and travels to Tefé via Manaus
• Amazon River cruises typically last anywhere from two to 10 nights and sail year-round, with two distinct seasons
• Which section you choose to cruise, when and for how long will depend on what you want to see and how much time you have

What makes the Amazon River cruise-worthy?

The Amazon rainforest is like nowhere else on Earth. Where else can you swim with pink river dolphins, fish for piranhas, spot hooting howler monkeys in the jungle canopy and admire water lilies that can stretch up to three metres wide and trees that tower 30 metres tall?

And there’s no better way to explore the Amazon than on a ship. Spend some time on the water on an Amazon River cruise and you’ll access parts of the rainforest untouched by other tourists.

Back onboard, you can watch the river slide by from the sun deck of your ship, perhaps with a potent Pisco Sour or Caipirinha in hand, while listening to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs.

What is the best time to cruise the Amazon River? 

The good news is that, unlike other rivers, Amazon cruises operate all year round.

January to June are the wettest months, meaning the river gets higher and closer to the wildlife that lives in the canopy. Consequently, water activities like kayaking and canoeing take centre stage during the wet season.

July to December is drier, and therefore favoured by hikers, but busier. Deciding when to go comes down to what you're hoping to get out of the experience.

Without further ado, here’s the lowdown on the different sections of the Amazon River.

Brazil

Around 60 per cent of the Amazon rainforest is found in Brazil, and the river here is so wide that it’s not always possible to see the opposite bank.

Voyages on the Brazilian section of the Amazon typically take place on small river vessels, which range from basic to premium and can accommodate no more than 20 passengers.

At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find ocean-going ships from the likes of Seabourn, Oceania, Viking Cruises and Holland America Line.

These larger vessels carry anything from a few hundred to just over a thousand guests from Belém, where the Amazon flows towards the Atlantic, to Manaus. Beyond Manaus, the Amazon becomes shallower and narrower and therefore unsuitable for bulky ocean cruise ships. These itineraries often begin, end, or sail round-trip from Florida or the Caribbean.

While there are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, including the famous pink Amazon dolphins, on jungle treks or skiffs (small boats), Brazilian Amazon itineraries tend to focus more on people and culture. As such, expect stops in Santarém and Parintins, famed for its vibrant Boi Bumba festival, where you can meet the local communities.

What are the must-dos?

In bustling Manaus, don’t miss the gloriously ornate Renaissance-style Opera House – with its distinctive yellow dome created from 36,000 tiles imported from Alsace, upon which a Brazilian flag is emblazoned. There are guided tours daily and regular performances.

Then hop on a boat downstream to the photogenic ‘Meeting of the Waters’. It is here that the black currents of the Rio Negro run alongside the milky tea of the Rio Solimões for nearly four miles without merging.

Don’t overlook…

Brazil is a vast, sprawling country with much to see and do, so consider combining your Amazon cruise with other iconic destinations.

Popular options include Rio de Janeiro – an intoxicating city of sun, samba, football, food, beaches and Bossa Nova – the thundering Iguazu Falls, and the Pantanal wetlands, which teem with even more wildlife than the Amazon.

Ecuador

If you don’t fancy sharing your section of the Amazon with tons of other tourists, bypass Brazil and head for Ecuador, where only a couple of small expedition ships sail.

Itineraries commence in El Coca, an approximately 30-minute flight from the capital, Quito, and travel upstream on a tributary of the Amazon to the Yasuni National Park – one of the most biodiverse places on earth.

Here, you can marvel at hundreds of parrots and parakeets massed on a riverside clay lick. Ecuador happens to possess the highest density of bird species anywhere, with over 1,670 species in an astonishingly small geographical area, making this section a great shout for ornithophiles.

What are the must-dos?

Excursions include canoe trips to the remote and pristine Pañayacu River Delta in search of squirrel monkeys, pink river dolphins, piranhas, water monkey fish (arowana) and white caiman, as well as hikes through the Pañacocha Protected Forest with experienced guides.

There’s also the opportunity to interact with the local Kichwa tribe and learn about their culture, customs, cuisine and everyday life.

Don’t overlook…

The chance to spend a night glamping in the rainforest of the Upper Amazon, completely ensconced in nature, albeit with access to a champagne dinner and hot showers.

While in Ecuador, you may want to extend your stay to visit Quito, the country’s capital in the clouds, before setting off on another legendary voyage: a cruise to the Galápagos Islands, home to some of the world’s most remarkable flora and fauna.

Peru

Almost two-thirds of Peru is covered by the dense jungle of the Amazon rainforest. Roads are few, meaning the best way to experience its beauty is by water.

Since the Peruvian Amazon Basin is difficult to access by road, it’s more peaceful and less developed than its Brazilian counterpart.

The lion’s share of voyages depart from Iquitos, the closest thing the Amazon has to a capital. Don’t expect to call at any ports: instead, you’ll simply disembark at various points to explore the backwaters by skiffs.

What are the must-dos?

The standout is the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, nicknamed the ‘Jungle of Mirrors’ owing to the crystal-clear reflections of the trees and sky cast by its waters.

As you glide through these waters, you’ll be surrounded by life. Sightings of sloths, snakes, monkeys and caiman are virtually guaranteed, and if Lady Luck is on your side, you might even spot rarer species such as pink river dolphins and pumas.

You’ll also learn about traditional plant medicines – around 25 per cent of modern drugs are derived from rainforest plants – used for centuries by Amazonian tribes to cure all sorts of ailments, from a shaman (trusted medicine man or woman).

Don’t overlook…

The opportunity to experience the Peruvian Amazon in sophisticated style: Relais & Chateaux member, Delfin, operates three ships – the 14-cabin Delfin II, 22-suite Delfin III, and exclusive four-cabin Delfin I – on this section of the river.

And do make time to visit Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca site that’s South America’s answer to the Grand Canyon, as well as Lima, the continent’s foodie capital, before or after your Peruvian Amazon cruise.

Booking your Amazon River cruise

Named after legendary female warriors, the Amazon remains a cruise of a lifetime.

Little wonder then that there’s no shortage of companies offering Amazon sailings, all you need to do is decide which section is right for you – Peru, Brazil, or Ecuador – and who to cruise with.

If you want to mingle with locals, look for a local passenger vessel. Alternatively, if you’re a little hesitant about roughing it, there are plenty of luxury lines that operate on the Amazon – step forward, Anakonda Amazon Cruises and Delfin.

There’s also the option to visit the Amazon on an oceangoing cruise. A number of mainstream cruise lines (here’s looking at Holland America) combine Belém, Santarém or Manaus with the Caribbean. This allows you to tick off the Amazon’s main port cities while also enjoying all the facilities – think swimming pools, hot tubs, a plethora of restaurants and non-stop entertainment – that a big ship has to offer.