Amazon River Cruises
Explore the world’s greatest rainforest from a small expedition ship — pink dolphins, macaws and monkeys by skiff along the headwaters of the Amazon in Peru and Brazil — with a specialist who knows the region.
An Amazon cruise is a wildlife expedition, not a city-hopping river cruise. Small, comfortable vessels of roughly 8 to 40 guests set out with naturalist guides and fleet of skiffs to explore narrow tributaries, oxbow lakes and flooded forest. The two great bases are Peru — Iquitos and the vast Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve near the river’s source — and Brazil, from Manaus along the Rio Negro and the Meeting of the Waters. Trips run 3 to 7 nights and pair with Machu Picchu (Peru) or Rio (Brazil). We help you choose the ship, region and season, and send up to five free quotes.
Why cruise the Amazon?
Wildlife by skiff
Twice-daily excursions in small boats with naturalist guides — pink river dolphins, sloths, monkeys, macaws and caimans.
Peru or Brazil
Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria reserve for pristine wildlife, or Brazil’s Rio Negro and the famous Meeting of the Waters from Manaus.
Small expedition ships
Intimate vessels of ~8–40 guests reach places large boats can’t — with expert guiding and few other travelers.
Pairs with an icon
Add Machu Picchu and Cusco in Peru, or Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls in Brazil — we build the whole trip.
Peru or Brazil — which Amazon?
Peru’s upper Amazon around Iquitos and the Pacaya-Samiria reserve offers the most concentrated, pristine wildlife and the most luxurious small ships. Brazil’s Amazon from Manaus is vast and mighty, with the dramatic Meeting of the Waters where the dark Rio Negro meets the sandy Solímoes.
The high-water season (roughly December–May) lets skiffs glide deep into the flooded forest; the low-water season (June–November) exposes river beaches and walking trails. We’ll match the region, ship and season to what you want to see.
Amazon river cruising in pictures
Ready to plan your Amazon river cruise?
Tell us Peru or Brazil, your dates and how you want to travel, and we’ll send up to five free, no-obligation quotes from Amazon expedition specialists.
Get up to 5 free Amazon cruise quotesFrequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for an Amazon cruise?
Both seasons are rewarding: high water (roughly December–May) lets skiffs explore the flooded forest; low water (June–November) opens beaches and jungle walks and concentrates wildlife along the shrinking channels.
Peru or Brazil for the Amazon?
Peru (Iquitos & Pacaya-Samiria) is best for pristine, concentrated wildlife and luxury small ships. Brazil (Manaus & the Rio Negro) is best for sheer scale and the Meeting of the Waters.
How big are Amazon ships?
Small — typically 8 to 40 guests — which allows deep exploration by skiff and a very personal, guide-led experience.
What wildlife will I see?
Pink and grey river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, macaws and parrots, caimans, and — for the keen — piranha fishing and night excursions. Naturalist guides lead every outing.
How do I get an Amazon cruise quote?
Request up to five free, no-obligation quotes and compare ships, regions, seasons and land add-ons like Machu Picchu.
