Exotic River Cruising
Five Rivers to Explore Beyond Europe
Written By: Travel Advisor, Leslie Kasper
There is just something marvelous about river cruising – visiting a new place every day while your luxury hotel travels with you, so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the journey between stops!
But what if you are craving something just a bit different? Maybe you have sailed the European rivers and want to explore somewhere new? Or you crave more adventure, want a small ship experience, or desire more in-depth knowledge in association with your travels? Many less experienced world-travelers may be hesitant to visit destinations in Asia, Africa, or South America due to language barriers, concern with safety, or even simply overwhelmed with what to see or do.
Don’t worry – River Cruising still has you covered! With English-speaking guides, long-standing local relationships, and proven itineraries, seeing the world by river cruise makes adding destinations to your Must-See list easy!
Let’s look at 5 Exotic Rivers from around the World that will take your cruising experience to the next level.
1) Nile River in Egypt: You are probably aware of this popular sailing destination – the most common outside of Europe – as several companies sail here. Viking has 10 ships sailing the Nile with guest capacity from 52 to 82 passengers. A 12 Day round-trip itinerary from Cairo includes 4 days of land touring along with 8 days on the river. During your adventures you will not only see the Great Pyramids and Great Sphinx, but the Library of Luxor, Valleys of the Kings and Queens, several tombs of famous pharaohs, and explore the spice market of Aswan.
2) Chobe River in Africa: Dreaming of going on safari? Why go out and find the animals when you can drift along the river and they come to you! AmaWaterways offers a multitude of African itineraries visiting South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe from 9 to 16 Nights, each including 4 Nights on the Chobe River. On every departure, guests experience Victoria Falls, African Village hosted interactions, full day safaris in open-air 4x4 vehicles, and more. Extended itineraries could include rail tours, Greater Kruger National Park, or even additional countries like Zambia and Tanzania. The Zambezi Queen itself hosts only 28 guests, all in twin-balcony staterooms so you can take in the animal sights day or night.
3) Ganges River in India: This 12 Night combination of land and river itinerary by UniWorld explores the Golden Triangle of India and beyond, from New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur to Kolkata and back. Enjoy sights like the Taj Mahal at both sunset and sunrise, master brass craftsman in Matiari, former British and French outposts, and Mother Theresa’s home, along with all the cultural and religious aspects of the region. Your ship, Ganges Voyager II offers only 28 all-suites accommodations, each with a French balcony and beds facing the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
4) Amazon River in Peru: From the Ancient Incas to the origin-waters of the great Amazon, this 11 Day itinerary with Avalon Waterways is a guest favorite. Offering a balance of modern Lima with the historic Sacred Valley of the Incas, guests will explore ancient sights like Machu Picchu and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, while sipping Peruvian wine, watching the antics of the pink river dolphins, and enjoying panga rides through the life-giving tributaries of this exotic rainforest. Best part? The Delfin III only offers 22 staterooms, so you won’t have to compete with large groups of people wherever you go.
5) Magdalena River in Columbia: AmaWaterways is very pleased to introduce this newest river to the cruising market. Offering 7-Night sailings both directions between Cartagena and Barranquilla, both the AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia sail with just 60 and 64 passengers – including a small handful of triple occupancy rooms! Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors, rhythms, and tastes of Columbia as you engage with communities of welcoming people. Get up and dance Carnaval in Barranquilla or enjoy a cumbia performance in El Banco. Do you enjoy birdwatching? The Magdalena delta offers some of the most diverse population of birds in the world. Any way you look at it, there is plenty to enjoy during your visit.
So, where do you see yourself sailing? Can’t make up your mind? Contact Leslie today and she will help you design a trip of a lifetime!