Amazon River Tours & Trip Packages

Amazon River Tours & Trips

21 Amazon River trips. Tours from 7 tour companies. 47 reviews. 4.9/5 avg rating.

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21 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

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Ecuador by river & rail: Amazon cruise & Tren Crucero
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

Ecuador may be slightly dwarfed by other South American countries, but it punches well above its weight. It’s tempting to pass through only the mainland en route to the celebrated Galapagos Islands, but our specialists would urge you to holiday in continental Ecuador, too. They’re able to help you experience all the country’s beguiling variety in a tailor-made Ecuador itinerary.

13 days$539 / day
Trip details
Private Guided
Quick view
Brazil, Argentina & Chile Unveiled with Brazil's Amazon & Peru
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

On this South America tour, experience some of South America's most exciting cities, gorgeous natural wonders, and famous historic sites. You'll overnight in Manaus, Brazil’s Amazon, Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. Enjoy guided sightseeing of South America's famous cities: Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, and Cusco. Visit the famous Opera House in Manaus; take the cog railway to the summit of Corcovado Mountain to see the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio; visit Recoleta Cemetery, where Eva Perón is buried, in Buenos Aires; explore the relic-filled Cathedral in Santiago; visit Lima's 11th-century San Francisco Monastery; and explore Cusco’s Cathedral, with its important collection of artwork. Tour highlights include Brazil’s Amazon, Iguassu Falls, and Machu Picchu. In Brazil’s Amazon, cruise on the river, take Naturalist-guided walks, visit a local village, and marvel at the flora and fauna that thrive in the Amazon. At Iguassu Falls, marvel at the 275 waterfalls spanning almost two miles, the thundering roar of the falls, and the 180-degree rainbows that surround you. At Machu Picchu, stand in awe as you witness these 15th-century ruins and learn about the Incas' accomplishments. Set in a majestic setting, it is nothing short of spectacular! While in Peru, you'll also visit other Inca ruins, including Ollantaytambo and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, where you'll see an amazing example of Inca masonry. You’ll also have a chance to learn why camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) are important for Inca cultures and to visit an Indian market and a local's home. Historic sites, beautiful scenery, vibrant cities, and time to explore on your own—all of this and much more await you on this value-minded South America tour. It's a dream vacation!

24 days$198 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Ultimate South America with Brazil's Amazon & Galapagos Cruise
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

Discover some of South America's greatest cities—Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, and Quito—and some of its most spectacular ruins and scenic areas on this South America tour. Overnight in Manaus, the Amazon Jungle, Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Quito, and Guayaquil, along with four nights cruising the Galápagos Islands. Highlights of this South America tour include Iguassu Falls, where you’ll hear the thundering roar from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides, be amazed at the brilliant rainbows, and stand in awe as you witness these 275 falls spanning nearly two miles! You’ll also be amazed at Machu Picchu, set in a majestic mountainside with ruins dating back to the 15th century. Glimpse the ancient history and culture as you enjoy this stunning and mystical place. Visit the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, with stones weighing up to 350 tons. Time in Peru's Lake Titicaca, a lake of floating islands maintained over centuries by the local Indians, gives you a chance to experience the world's highest navigable lake and to learn about local practices. In each city, enjoy guided sightseeing of the cities’ must-see attractions, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, the baroque 11th-century San Francisco Monastery in Lima, and Quito’s La Compania Church. But that’s not all…you’ll also spend time in Brazil’s Amazon, where you’ll cruise on the river, take Naturalist-guided walks, visit a local village, and marvel at the flora and fauna that thrive in the Amazon. While cruising the Galápagos Islands, you’ll see sea lions, land iguanas, hybrid iguanas, boobies, Darwin’s finches, and much more. Ancient ruins, stunning scenery, guided sightseeing, native flora and fauna, and local experiences—this South America tour designed for the value-minded traveler has it all!

30 days$255 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Ultimate South America with Brazil's Amazon
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

Discover some of South America's greatest cities—Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Lima—and some of its most spectacular sites and scenic areas on this South America tour to Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. You'll overnight in Manaus, the Amazon Jungle, Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca. Guided sightseeing in each of the cities features the must-see sites. In Rio, take the cog railway to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Your time in Buenos Aires includes a visit to Recoleta Cemetery, burial place for Eva Perón, and a Tango show. In Lima, your sightseeing focuses on the city's colonial heritage. Highlights of this South America tour include Iguassu Falls, where you’ll hear the thundering roar from both the Brazilian and Argentine sides, be amazed at the brilliant rainbows created by the clouds of spray, and stand in awe as you witness these 275 falls spanning nearly two miles! You’ll also be amazed at Machu Picchu, set in a majestic mountainside with ruins dating back to the 15th century. Glimpse the ancient history and culture as you enjoy this stunning and mystical place. Visit the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, with stones weighing up to 350 tons. Time in Peru's Lake Titicaca, a lake of floating islands maintained over centuries by the local Indians, gives you a chance to experience the world's highest navigable lake and to learn about local practices. You’ll also spend time in Brazil’s Amazon, where you’ll cruise on the river, take Naturalist-guided walks, visit a local village, and marvel at the flora and fauna that thrive in the Amazon. All of this and more are included on this South America tour designed for the value-minded traveler who wants to experience it all!

23 days$190 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Brazil, Argentina & Chile Unveiled with Brazil's Amazon
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

This South America tour features three of the continent's most exciting cities—Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Santiago—along with Iguassu Falls and Brazil’s Amazon. At a relaxed pace, you'll enjoy guided sightseeing in each city as well as free time in Rio to sip caipirinhas and visit the famous beaches, in Santiago to people-watch at a lovely café with the snowcapped Andes Mountains as your backdrop, and outside of Buenos Aires to take an optional excursion to a local estancia (ranch). Your guided sightseeing tours include the cog railway in Rio de Janeiro that takes you 2,300 feet up to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and 360-degree views of the city; Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Perón, in Buenos Aires; and a visit to the 18th-century Cathedral in Santiago. You’ll also be able to witness a Tango show— the world’s most sensuous dance—in Buenos Aires, a city where romance permeates the air. A highlight of this South America tour is a visit to Iguassu Falls, where you'll experience the falls on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides. Hear the thundering roar of the water, be awed by the rainbows formed in the mist, and enjoy the ecological jungle train that takes you through the rainforest for unforgettable views. Pictures cannot do justice to these falls—they must be witnessed in person! But that's not all…you’ll also stay inside the Amazonia rainforest. You’ll cruise down the Rio Negro to the Meeting of the Waters, where the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões form the mighty Amazon. You’ll enjoy Naturalist-guided walks to see the Amazon’s flora and fauna, and you’ll visit an Amazon village to learn about the local way of life. From the vibrant cities to the scenic beauty, this vacation to South America will leave you with vacation memories you'll cherish for life. For savvy, value-minded travelers, it's the perfect vacation.

16 days$206 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Brazil, Argentina & Chile Unveiled with Brazil's Amazon & Easter Island
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

This South America tour features three of the continent's most exciting cities—Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Santiago—along with Iguassu Falls, Brazil’s Amazon, and Easter Island. At a relaxed pace, enjoy guided sightseeing in each city as well as time to explore on your own or to take optional excursions. Your guided sightseeing tours include the cog railway in Rio that takes you 2,300 feet up to the summit of Corcovado to view the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and 360-degree views of the city; Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Perón, in Buenos Aires; and a visit to the 18th-century Cathedral in Santiago. A highlight of this South America tour is a visit to Iguassu Falls, where you'll hear the thundering roar of the water, be awed by the rainbows formed in the mist, and enjoy the ecological jungle train that takes you through the rainforest for unforgettable views. But that's not all…you’ll also stay inside the Amazonian rainforest. Cruise down the Rio Negro to the Meeting of the Waters, where the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões form the mighty Amazon. Enjoy Naturalist-guided walks to see the Amazon’s flora and fauna, and visit an Amazon village to learn about the local way of life. You’ll also travel to Easter Island, a large open-air museum with 400 moais, ruins, and temples. You’ll marvel at the large statues in various stages of completion, enjoy the second-oldest volcano on the island, visit the topknot-quarry where all the pukaos that were placed on top of the moais were made, and much more. From the vibrant cities to the scenic beauty, this vacation to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile will leave you with vacation memories you'll cherish for life. For savvy, value-minded travelers, it's a dream vacation.

20 days$222 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view

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Amazon River Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
47  Reviews
See all Amazon River tour reviews
Excellent
60
Great
4
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
M

Mariam

Jul 2018

Written on

The trip exceeded my expectations.

Sebastian and Carolina were extremely helpful putting the tour together to South America. We had a great trip, the itinerary was good and I enjoyed the fact that the...

J

Jonathan

Feb 2018

Written on

We can strongly recommend Across Argentina as a secure and highly experienced travel agency

"We recently booked an extensive two week trip of Argentina and Chile through Across South America We approached the company by email (in English) from Australia and...

L

Lynne

May 2017

Written on

Really loved Ecuador.

really loved Ecuador.  The trip was wonderful and a really good value. Thanks for all of your help in helping us add the extra days.  The hikes in the clou...

R

R. Sheahan

Sep 2016

Written on

Amazing Trip with Kuoda

From your first contact to plan your trip, to the very end when you leave, Kuoda does not disappoint. Fantastic customer service, an itinerary built to give you the ...

D

Deborah C

Jul 2016

Written on

Perfect Travel Company

Booked entire trip via Kuoda. They handled the hotels, many meals, and tourist sites. The staff was wonderful. Pilar was our tour guide who totally took care of us. ...

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Amazon River Tour Selection Trips

  • During dry season (which takes place roughly between June to December) rivers run shallow. The banks of the river turn into white sand beaches, which are excellent for swimming . The are also more chances to see certain rare animals, which have to come to the limited supplies of water. Your guide will be able to show you the specific pools of water where wildlife congregates, and where certain birds gather to feed upon migratory fish that lay their eggs. 
  • January to May is the rainy season which brings heavy, but usually brief, downpours. This season also has its perks: the rivers rise dramatically, and the high water enables small boats to reach areas inaccessible at other times of year. Launches often can transport people at treetop level for close encounters with monkeys, birds and other wildlife concentrated there!
  • Prepare accordingly for the time of year you choose to visit, but know that the weather can be unpredictable. Bring layers!
  • The Amazon covers a lot of ground, and different trips will usually focus in specific areas, such as Brazil or Ecuador.
  • The Amazon is a massive rainforest spanning dozens of countries, each with different wildlife species and differing cultures. It is impossible to see them all on a single trip, so research ahead of time what section you want to visit. 

Additional details

Since many of Amazon cruises are Peru based, most of this section will focus on Peru itineraries, but much of the information is applicable to all Amazon tours. Regardless of which port you enter through, you’ll be met with beautiful scenery.

How to get to the Amazon River

Peru is a popular country for people who want to visit the Amazon River. Many tours include a combination tour of cities and the Amazon. Tours often fly into either Lima or Iquitos airports, and then take a flight to Cusco (if flying into Lima). Once you arrive into Lima, most tours stay overnight, and fly into Cusco the following afternoon for a tour of Machu Picchu, or Iquitos to start your Amazon tour.

If you’re starting your Amazon River cruise from Iquitos, Peru, you’re starting from a popular section. Because this port is close to a city, you’ll have to travel further away from the city to see a lot of animal wildlife. Don’t let this discourage you, the sights are still incredible and worth seeing, they are just further in than if you entered from Coca, Ecuador.

If you’re starting your adventure from Manaus, Brazil, you’re starting at the largest city in the Amazon Rainforest. Because of this, you have to travel pretty far to see the various plants and animals found in the Amazon. This is a fun option for people who want to combine city and nature travel.

If you’re starting your Amazon River Adventure from Coca, Ecuador, you’ll experience a less popular entry point, meaning less degradation by human activity. You’ll commonly spend time in Yasuni National Park, where you can climb above the rainforest on the canopy towers to admire the colorful birds and butterflies. Hike through the protected areas to get a glimpse at various Amazon Rainforest species.

Wildlife in the Amazon

For those who have ever been on a safari, you know no two safaris will ever be the same. The time of day, the weather, and pure luck will play into what animals you see. Wildlife sightings along the Amazon are the same. That’s what makes multi-day adventures exciting. There is always a new opportunity to see different animals.

Being in one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the world, each day will bring new plants, new fish, and new mammals. That’s the fun of looking for wildlife: you never know what you’re going to see, so every spotting brings excitement, even if you’ve seen it before.

Top animal sightings in the Amazon River

  1. Anaconda
  2. Macaw parrots
  3. Pink River Dolphins
  4. Rainforest monkeys
  5. Toucans

Weather on the Amazon River

The weather for your Amazon river cruise will depend on the season. June through October is known as the “low water” season, you’ll be able to get out into the forest via walking. In the rainier season, November-May, most of the touring will be done via a skiff, which is a small boat. The amazon river is hot and humid. Being a tropical region, the temperature doesn’t vary much between months.

What should I pack for the Amazon River?

Despite the hot and humid weather, it’s smart to bring long, breathable clothing that you can layer. Most of the time, long pants will be needed to protect the body from bug bites, so consider bringing zippable pants that can be turned into shorts when needed.

Sunburns and mosquito bites are some of the last things anyone wants to deal with while traveling. Protect yourself from that summer heat and bites with a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bug spray.

When you sign up for a trip to the Amazon, you’re more than likely to be active and on the go. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes, and even hiking boots. The rainforest is true to its name, so a lightweight rain jacket will help keep you dry.

Despite the overall warm temperatures year round, there is a chance it can get a bit cold at night, so a jacket can help keep you warm. Don’t forget your camera so you can photograph the amazing scenery!

What to see on the Amazon River

While the Amazon River itself is an incredible attraction, there are specific places/attractions that can be of interest, especially if you’re looking for a specific animal. Some things worth seeing:

1. Clay Licks are places where an animal can feed on the clay. The clay helps with the toxins in their diets. This is a great attraction to almost guarantee a wildlife spotting. Clay licks are most commonly found in Peru. If you’re entering the Amazon through Coca, there is a clay lick in Yasuni National Park, which many river cruises visit.

2. Primate Research Grid is a great destination for travelers hoping to see monkeys. Located near the Tahuayo River in Peru, this 1,000 acre grid is an awesome stop for travelers heading to Peru. Visitors can expect to see howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, titi monkeys, and other animals/plants.

3. Canopy Towers offer great views of the Amazon from a birds eye view. The green tree tops meeting blue skies with birds and butterflies floating through the air? Talk about a perfect view! Make sure to bring your camera. Every now and then, visitors see monkey families floating through the tree tops. Canopy towers are often found at Amazon Rainforest Lodges, with a couple along the Amazon River itself.

Outdoor activities on the Amazon River

1. Canopy zipline/canopy walking: Similar to the canopy towers, you get to see the Amazon from a different view. These options add a bit more of a thrill. If you’re in Ecuador, there is a canopy walk at the Sacha Lodge. For those in Peru, a stop at the Tahuayo Lodge allows visitors to zipline through the Amazon!

Other Tips for Amazon River Travel

When people hear Amazon, some think of rough conditions, camping, and being on an entirely outdoor adventure. This isn’t always the case. While of course you’ll be outside during the day, you’ll return back to your accommodation where you’ll sleep in a real bed. You’ll only get as rough as your outdoor daytime adventure, whether it be hiking through the national reserves or swimming with dolphins.

Be prepared for limited to no-cell service when you’re in the Amazon. If you’re visiting major cities, you’ll be able to connect, but out in the wilderness, you won’t be getting a signal. If you’re staying at a Rainforest lodge, that may be a different story. Since some lodges sit on the edge of the river rather than the middle of the jungle, the lodge may have an internet connection.

The mosquitos and other insects are the real deal in the Amazon. While some Amazon countries don’t require vaccinations (such as Peru), it’s important to check in with the CDC and see what they recommend. Staying aware of recommendations and potential health concerns can help keep you healthy.

Consider studying up the local language. It’s a sign of respect, even if your language skills aren’t the best! The locals appreciate the effort.

Visiting the Amazon river doesn’t mean you have to take a boat the entire time. There are some incredible Amazon river cruises, which allows you to see the river from a different viewpoint. If spending a week on a boat doesn’t sound desirable, there are also Rainforest lodges. Some time will be spent on the water, but this is mainly day time activities such as kayak tours.

Be skeptical of wildlife tourism that allows interacting/touching animals. Swimming with the dolphins is one thing, but industries that allow you to hold the monkeys likely aren’t ethical. Often, the animals are mistreated/abused to allow humans to hold them. Look for tours that feature ethical animal interactions.

Always Find the Best

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