The Jungle

Discover a whole new world of unique flora and fauna by visiting one of the world's most famous jungles or rainforests by boat.

A jungle cruise promises an unforgettable experience, whether you're travelling down the river by boat or trekking on foot during a day excursion. Amazon and Borneo river cruises offer exciting itineraries for adventure seekers and luxury travellers alike.

Best Places to See the Jungle

Amazon river cruises generally start in the Amazonian city of Manaus and finish up in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil or Buenos Aires, Argentina. Other cruise itineraries featuring the Amazon River with ports of call in the Caribbean, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador and more. Shore excursions in the Amazon include visits to Amazon villages, canoe trips and guided jungle treks with an expert on the local flora and fauna. When it comes to shore excursions, you can't get much better than a beautiful, slightly surreal boat journey into a flooded rainforest during the Amazon's high water season.

Get an enchanting jungle experience in the pristine rainforests of equatorial Borneo, the world's third biggest island and home to the largest untouched rainforests on the planet. Borneo is in Indonesia and Malaysia. Also home to orangutans, pygmy elephants and native monkeys, shore expeditions in Borneo include visits to wildlife sanctuaries and guided jungle treks through one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. Expedition cruises along the Kinabatangan River are an incredible way to discover this region.

When to Go

Rainforest cruises go year round, though arguably the best times to go on a jungle cruise is the end of the wet season. The Amazon's low water season (June to November) is the drier season, though with 12 feet annual rainfall, you can expect rain in at any time. During the high water season (December to May), the Amazon River rises by up to 23 feet, enabling small boats to travel far inland into the rainforest. Visit Borneo between March and October for the driest, most pleasant weather. Again, it's going to be wet at some point, they are called rainforests for a reason.

Who Goes There?

Enjoy a luxury Amazon cruise with Azamara, Silversea and more or go on a jungle adventure on an expedition cruise with the likes of Peregrine Adventures or Orion Expedition. There are many South America cruise itineraries which include the Amazon River. These tend to be longer voyages that may include ports of call in the USA, Panama Canal, Caribbean and various ports in Central America and South America. Crystal, Holland America, Princess, Oceania and others offer longer cruise itineraries that include the majestic Amazon River. Luxury Borneo river cruises are offered Pandaw Cruises and Oceania among others, and expedition cruisers are well catered for by Orion Expedition, Peregrine Adventures and more.

To book your Northern Lights cruise or find out more, call one of our Travel Consultants on 133 133. Don't forget to ask about great deals on flights, transfers, travel insurance and more.