Journey to the beating heart of nature itself: The Amazon
For millennia, the Amazon has been reluctant to reveal its secrets to outsiders; to this day, science still can’t fully explain the staggering biodiversity of this lush tropical forest and the vast network of tributaries that feeds it. Curious? Step aboard the Queen Violet, our brand-new purpose-built riverboat, and journey from the source of the mighty Peruvian Amazon to Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in search of answers. Prepare to be astounded.
The G Adventures Difference for Amazon Cruises:
Affordable, authentic wildlife cruises in the Amazon are what we offer. This is one of the world's most diverse ecosystems where new species are always being discovered. A G Adventures riverboat cruise to the Amazon offers:
- Brand-new Riverboat - The 32-passenger Queen Violet offers travellers the ability to explore the Amazon in freedom and comfort. Great sightlines, air-conditioned cabins (all with river views) and a pair of skiffs for shore excursions ensure you never miss a thing.
- Remote Encounters - Voyage deep into the protected jungles of Peru, including Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the country’s largest national park. Seek out rare wildlife—including piranhas and pink dolphins—via guided skiff excursions.
- Village Encounters - The Amazon basin is home to some of the most isolated communities in the world. Discover how civilizations survive and thrive here through shamanic ceremonies and visits to local markets.
- Stellar CEOs - Each Amazon riverboat expedition features two locally-trained G Adventures CEOs dedicated to educating travellers on the region’s wildlife, cultures and diverse ecosystems. Best of all, our CEOs are empowered to mix things up when necessary to ensure your trip is the best it can possibly be.
- Everything up Front - All of our Amazon riverboat itineraries include pre- and post-trip hotel stays in Lima as well as a return flight to Iquitos and all of your transfers. You arrive in Lima and we will take care of the rest.
All aboard the Queen Violet
- Capacity: 32 passengers.
- Cabins: 10 comfortable main deck cabins with side-by-side twin beds; river-facing with private facilities and A/C. 6 spacious second-deck cabins with queen size beds; river-facing with private facilities and A/C
- Crew: 16 crew plus 1 bilingual local Amazon naturalist guide.
- Boat Layout: Large open upper deck with bar area for briefings and lounging with deck chairs and hammocks. Aft dining room on the second deck accommodates all passengers in one sitting.
- Special amenities: Best-in-field naturalist guides ready to share with you the wildlife, people and history of the Amazon. Equipped with an open skiff to explore smaller tributaries and remote arteries; skiffs feature ecologically-friendly four-stroke engines and safety equipment. Regional and international flavours prepared from the freshest locally sourced ingredients offering another window into local culture.
Amazon Riverboat Q&A
What’s life like on board?
Exclusively designed for life on the Amazon, the Queen Violet offers travellers a comfortable floating-home-away-from-home. Blessed with great sightlines, spacious dining facilities, a roomy observation deck and river views in each cabin, she’ll get you where you need to go swiftly and smoothly.
Who’s running the show?
The crew of the Queen Violet is handpicked for their knowledge of the Amazon River system and personal understanding of the region’s people and wildlife. Formal lectures and briefings give you the daily illumination, while informal chats open up the conversation about the amazingly diverse and fragile ecosystem that surrounds you.
What’s a typical day like?
Most excursions take place in the mornings and late afternoons when the wildlife most active. During the hotter midday hours, your naturalists will host informative presentations on human, plant and animal life in the Amazon. Our two days in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve will put you in close contact with the rainforest and its inhabitants.
What’s the food like?
Meals are served buffet-style and offer a healthy mix of international cuisine and Peruvian fare prepared from fresh local ingredients. The Queen Violet’s dining room seats all passengers at once at tables of four to six. Complimentary tea and coffee are served throughout the day, and bottled water, juice and snacks are available all day at no extra charge.
Deck Plan for Amazon Cruises
Amazon Wildlife
The Amazon Region contains the greatest diversity of wildlife to be found anywhere. More than 4000 species of birds, 2000 species of fish (more species than are found in the Atlantic Ocean), 60 species of reptiles, including the caiman and anaconda, plus a great variety mammals such as the jaguar, pecary, anteater, tapir, capybara and pink dolphin.
- Toucan - these colourful birds come in a variety of species but don't let their looks fool you, they're known to be agressive hunters, eating the eggs of other bird species!
- Macaw - visiting a natural feeding site, known as a Macaw lick is popular in the Amazon, where hundreds of these birds can congregate at once.
- Caiman - Generally smaller than a crocodile, the caiman is the most accessible reptile you'll spot in the Amazon, especially at night when using a flashlight to look for animals in the water.
- Anaconda - the world's largest non-venomous snake!
- Amazon River Dolphin - these freshwater dolphins are also called pink boto dolphins and are a special treat to spot in the waters of the Amazon River.
- Sloth - these slow-moving creatures sometimes are so lethargic that moss can grow on their fur! The epitome of laziness, they also sport some very impressive claws.
- Capybara - these are the largest rodents in the world, the size of some dogs, and generally hang out in small family packs.
- Tapir - somewhat pig-like these mammals are sometimes heard, but not often seen. Keep an eye on the edges of the jungle and you may get lucky!
- Jaguar - the king of the jungle for the Amazon, jaguars are ferocious hunters and only out-sized by lions and tigers in the feline world.
- Monkeys - squirrel, capuchin and howler monkeys are most commonly seen in the Amazon, however many new Amazon monkey species have been discovered in just the last 10 years!
- Creepy Crawlies - spiders, bugs, ants, insects and plenty of odd little creatures also call the Amazon home. Guides will point some out to you, but for the most part they go unnoticed and leave you alone.
