Amazon River Cruises - the fascination of vastness
Experience the earth's mightiest river. The highest-volume and, depending upon the calculation method, either longest or second-longest river in the world, the Amazon offers an incredible diversity of flora and a fascinating wealth of animal species. More than 3500 different species of fish and numerous animal species such as anteaters, dolphins and monkeys can be encountered here. On an Amazon River Cruise everything is larger than life, and there is a degree of diversity which is greater still.
The Amazon River Cruise - where it takes place and when to go
The Amazon rises in the Peruvian Andes and discharges into the Atlantic after 6400 km— mainly flowing through Brazil — via a several hundred km wide estuary on the north-east coast of Brazil. Over its length, the Amazon is fed by some 10,000 tributaries. The best time for an Amazon River Cruise is between December and March.
Amazon River Cruises - cities and tourist attractions
On an Amazon River Cruise you will have plenty of opportunity for animal watching and exploration of the riverine landscape. What follows is just a small selection of the many interesting destinations along the Amazon River.
On the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Amazon, lies Manaus, the regional capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The principal attraction here comes in the form of the numerous excursions into the virgin forest which surrounds the city, one of the regions with the highest diversity of animal species. In the city itself, several museums depict the culture and life of the jungle. The Amazon Theatre, an opera house in the style of the Italian Renaissance, is the city's principal landmark. Around this theatre, more interesting buildings are to be found.
The Rio Negro is also home to the Jaú National Park, which covers an area of 2,272,000 hectares and is thus Brazil's largest national park. It is also been declared a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO. Here it is possible to see jaguars, tapirs, sea cows and crocodiles.
About 115 km away from Manaus is the small town of Novo Airão, which is of interest above all for its handicrafts such as wooden Amazon boats. The inhabitants also produce and sell basketwork and wooden toys and other objects. Also worthy of mention is the "Refugio Aramboia" — a project dedicated to the study and breeding of snakes (especially the well-known boas) and freshwater dolphins, which charm and delight visitors.
Another destination on the Amazon River Cruise close to Novo Airão is the Anavilhanas Archipelago. This is an enormous river archipelago, consisting of 400 islands and covering an area of some 3500 sq. km. The area encompasses hundreds of lakes, inlets, rivers, and creeks.
Many other highlights, such as the marvellous white sandy beach of Praia Grande or the large Brazil nut and rubber trees at Lake Acajatuba could also be mentioned, but the sheer diversity of the Amazon overwhelms any attempt to describe it.
The Amazon River Cruise - an unforgettable journey
The Amazon River Cruise is a journey for explorers and nature lovers alike. The greenery and the wealth of species diversity will fascinate you, as will the traditional life of the inhabitants of South America.
