AMAZON RIVER CRUISE...
Discover beauty
well beyond Your wildest dreams
An Amazon river cruise is a unique adventure like no other. One of the top river cruise destinations you can experience in the world today.
I remember with affection our first Amazon river cruise in the early month of 1976.
We were as bunch of international travellers that departed from London for a fantastic South America vacation that took us to several countries, by air, land and water.
To me and my wife meant much more than that.
We we coming back to Argentina after a couple of years abroad, and the idea of doing it overland rather than flying direct London-Buenos Aires was just too enticing to let it go.
To get overland from Boa Vista to Manaus was spectacular in itself, but to cruise the mighty Amazon river and trek the Amazon rainforest was simply superb.
"Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.
Anatole France (1844-1924)
After wandering and negotiating for several days at Manaus port we came across to the right boat for us.
A very small supply boat that was on its way from Manaus to Belem - where the Amazon meets the Atlantic ocean - with no comfort whatsoever, just hooks on deck to hung our hammocks on and a three-man-crew that spoke nothing but Brazilian Portuguese.
The bathroom was so small that I couldn't raise my arms.
More than a shower it was like standing impotently under the rain.
They cooked fejoada for us every single day - fejoada or fejon is Brazil's traditional dish based on rice, black beans and chicken.
The not-so-funny part is that they used water from the Amazon river for cooking so many of us got diarrhea as a consequence.
One of the girls loved to sunbathe naked on deck, to the amusement of the crew.
For some reason, during those hours, they seemed to loose concentration on their daily tasks.
Amazon Rainforest Lodge - © Christian Knepper / Embratur
To experience the Amazon river and the magic scenery of the Amazon rainforest there is nothing like taking an Amazon river cruise.
Your cruise will more likely start or end at Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
If cruising to Belem, you will visit Santarem, where the Amazon and Tapajos rivers meet but don't mix for miles.
Another standard cruise will take you from Iquitos, Peru, to Manaus, Brazil.
Please give yourself a few days to explore Manaus and its surroundings, and if you are there by the last week of June, make sure to witness Parintins festival.
Parintins festival is an incredible ritual of magic, passion and mystery that is recreated annually for the last 80 years or so.
To take an Amazon river cruise is a fantastic wilderness experience.
The lush smell of the rainforest, with a symphony of macaws, parrots and other tropical birds, and monkeys playing in the trees above is something that most people have only imagined.
Not to mention if you are lucky enough as to see some Amazon Pink river dolphins swimming alongside your boat.
The mystique and allure of the Amazon rainforest beckons those who are fascinated with the natural world.
Essential Items To Pack:
- Long and short sleeves cotton shirts
- Waterproof jacket with hood
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Pants- better those with zip out legs that can convert into shorts
- Bathing suit
- Hat
- Sunglasses, insect repellent and sunscreen
- Binoculars
- Light sweater
- Small backpack
- Self-sealed plastic bags - for documents, film, batteries, etc.
Amazon Rainforest fern
Please visit Travellers Health for the basic first aid kit to carry with you, as well as to check for resources regarding vaccination needed.
So consider to take an Amazon river cruise on your South America vacation and you will discover beauty well beyond your wildest dreams, because it is one of the top river cruise destinations you could ever experience in the world...
How To Get To Manaus:
By Air:
Through Eduardo Gomes International Airport.
By River:
There are river boats from many Amazon ports, including Iquitos (Peru) and Belem.
By Road:
From Brasilia to Belem: Belem-Brasilia Federal Highway: BR-153, BR-226, BR-016
Where to Stay:
Novotel Manaus:
AV Mandi 4 Industrial District -
Phone: 69075-140
Best Western Lord Manaus
Rua Marcilio Dias 217
Phone: 69005-270
Hostels:
Amazon Backpackers
Avenida Joaquim Nabuco 204 City Center
Eco Amazon Lodge
Mamori Lake
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