Helpful Tips to Know Before You Go
- The Amazon is a fantastic destination year-round. January to June makes up the wet season, when temperatures will feel cooler and there will be better opportunities for swimming or canoeing. July to December marks the dry season, which makes it easier to explore the jungle on foot.
- When trying to spot wildlife in the Amazon, the early morning is often the best time of day. Be prepared to get up as early as 5am for the best chances of seeing rare animals.
- When you spend time in the Amazon, do your best to preserve the incredible ecosystems by following safe practices. Use reef-safe suncream to avoid affecting sensitive fish and other aquatic creatures, take all rubbish with you and dispose of it safely, and avoid creating any sources of flame or sparks in the dry season, which could cause forest fires.
- Much of your time in the Amazon will be spent exploring, so pack appropriately. Good walking shoes are essential, waterproof clothing is a good idea in case of showers, and sunhats and suncream will help protect against the sunshine. Bring organic, safe insect or mosquito repellent to ward against the bugs without damaging the ecosystem.
- The areas you travel in the Amazon may range across Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Bolivia. Consult your chosen itinerary to decide what denominations of currency to bring, and whatever you pick, be sure to pack small notes with lots of change. It will be very hard to ‘break’ most notes, especially in more modest settlements, so the smaller the better.
Things to Do
- Walk into the jungle to see its incredible animals. From iconic birds like wild toucans, hoatzins and macaws to fascinating arboreal wildlife like anacondas, sloths and monkeys, there’s plenty to spot in the trees. On the ground, you might catch sight of species like tapirs, capybaras, giant river otters, and – if you’re extremely lucky – the rare and beautiful jaguar.
- Take a canoe or kayak into the Amazon waters. Paddling across the Amazon river and its connected channels is an unmissable experience for those cruising in this area, not only giving you an incredible view of the rainforest and river itself, but also putting you in a good spot to see famous water-bound creatures. From pink river dolphins and several species of alligator to the arapaima – one of the largest freshwater fish in the world – there’s a wealth of incredible aquatic animals. You might even spot an Amazonian manatee.
- Learn how the locals live. The Amazon is home to a wide array of native tribes, some of whom avoid contact with outsiders to this day. The more gregarious tribes are incredible to meet, with their ways of life and careful husbandry of the lush Amazon rainforest providing plenty for visitors to learn about. Even in the larger towns and cities there’s no end of discoveries to make.
- Experience the rainforest views from a variety of angles. Hike through the trees or zipline above them, enjoying sedate or exhilarating experiences of the Amazon scenery as you prefer. No matter which approach you choose, be sure to pack a camera.
- Visit a local market. The vibrant towns in the Amazon such as Leticia enjoy the plenty of the rich, biodiverse climate surrounding them, and the markets here are overflowing with sweet and exotic fruits. From more familiar examples like mangoes to unusual specimens you may have never seen before, they’re all worth a try. Handcrafted items by local vendors make for excellent shopping too.
Why Book With Kenwood Travel
We want your Amazon cruise to be the unforgettable experience you deserve, and our dedicated team is on hand to make certain that’s exactly what will happen. Our cruise experts have decades of experience behind them, putting them in the perfect place to help you decide on an itinerary, arrange every detail to perfection, and plan you a cruise to the Amazon that you’ll treasure for a lifetime. With ATOL and ABTOT protection on your Amazon cruise, you can rest easy and enjoy your getaway to the fullest.
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