Amazon River Cruises
Consider Amazon River cruises as a way to see the largest river in the world which is estimated to contain 20 percent of all the fresh water on earth. The Amazon River stretches 4,000 miles from its source in the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean. Although oceangoing ships can navigate inland for about 2,300 miles, many of the regular cruises offering Amazon River cruise itineraries enter at Belem, the 200-mile wide mouth of the river, traverse the Narrows of Breves, stop at Santarem, and conclude their exploration of Manaus. The Amazon River is so wide at spots that you will be unable to see the other side; however, when passing through the Narrows of Breves you are treated to miles of beautiful green flora and tributaries located on both sides of your Amazon River cruise ship. The Amazon hosts 1,500 species of fish, 14,000 species of mammals, 15,000 species of insects, and 3,500 species of birds, although few of these will be visible on your Amazon River cruise. Many travelers opting for an Amazon River cruise expect to experience a ride up a picturesque jungle river right out of the Tarzan movies. Unfortunately, most cruises do not afford an opportunity to explore the more primitive areas, and most of your time will be spent sailing up a brown-colored river with everchanging scenery and some unusual but not fascinating ports of call. Belem is situated on Guajara Bay at the gateway to the Amazon and is often the first or last stop for Amazon River cruises. The town thrived during the rubber boom of the early 1900s and is still the great trading center of the Amazon. Your ship will either dock adjacent to the downtown area where everything is within walking distance or anchor at Scoraci and tender passengers ashore. Many Amazon River cruise ships also commence or conclude their Amazon trips at Manaus because its airport can serve large planes affording passengers access to the middle of the Amazon by air. Although it was a thriving commercial metropolis in the late 1800s during the rubber boom, today one might refer to Manaus as the armpit of South America. A more interesting option would be the riverboat ride down the Rio Negro to Lake January. Here the boat docks, and you can take a walk on a wooden bridge into a jungle swamp to a pond filled with giant lily pads and an occasional alligator. The night tour to Lake January is dedicated to seeking out alligators by flashlight. Our guide was supposed to wrestle one but the match never took place. Although not as picture perfect as the all-inclusive jungle ride at Disney World, these tours are through an authentic jungle and provide and opportunity to take some unique photographs to show the fans back home. If you are more adventurous you can attempt to hire your own boat and guide and possible get deeper into the jungle. |
