Itinerary
Active Amazon, Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour
A multigenerational adventure through wild landscapes and ancient cities
A vast natural wonder visible from space, the Amazon Delta needs no introduction. Shared by eight countries, Brazil claims the lion’s share and contains pockets so remote they’ve never been explored.
A wild world of verdant tropical forest threaded by ancient, curlicue rivers and webbed by lakes, tributaries, and islands, the Amazon calls out to intrepid travelers. It’s an invitation to canoe through flooded forests and hike jungle trails. After dark, walk the rainforest, with your senses firing as a cast of night creatures begin to stir.
Amazon Rainforest trip itineraries
Use these itineraries as a starting point, or as inspiration to create your own journey.
The best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest
The best time to visit the Amazon rainforest depends on what you want to see, do, and experience.
Rainy season: January to June is the highwater mark for seasonal flooding in the Amazon which may reduce dryland adventures like hiking and walking in low-lying areas. It’s a great time for boating and canoeing, and spotting marine life.
Dry season: Running July through December, travelers experience less humidity and rain, maneuvering in greater comfort. Lower water levels expose more dry land for excursions on foot.
Best
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
July - December
Good
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
January - December
Highlights of an Amazon Rainforest trip
Enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest, stopping to inspect everything and anything that invites curiosity.
Set out at dawn for a sunrise paddle through braided channels or flooded forests (depending on the place and time of year).
Venture out with a flashlight after dark to experience the Amazon and its nocturnal cast of creatures.
Cruise a labyrinth of canals, lakes, and islands that make up one of the largest river archipelagos, keeping an eye out for pink dolphins.
Cast a line for some catch-and-release fishing, perhaps hooking a piranha.
Cruise the Rio Negro, stopping to swim, and enjoying a barbecued lunch in a scenic spot.
Visit a riverside community to learn about local life in the Amazon, from fishing to agriculture to handicrafts.
During the dry season, stake out a spot at a “birdwatching pool” to—fingers crossed—spy rare avian species.
Soak up the luxe treehouse vibes at an eco-lodge ensconced entirely by rainforest.
Staying at a lodge with an observation tower offers a novel perspective of the forest canopy.
Bite into gourmet Brazilian fare infused with Amazon-sourced ingredients such as puxuri (Amazonian nutmeg), açaí berries, and tambaqui (pacu fish).
Other areas to explore
A visit to the Amazon puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of South America.
Galápagos
Endemic species, both weird and wonderful, reawaken wonder for the natural world
Rio de Janeiro
Blessed with long stretches of golden shore skirted by Atlantic Coast and braced by mountains blanketed with lush tropical forest, vibrant Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most splendid cities.
Machu Picchu
Perched within a misty, orchid-filled tropical forest high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is one of the most alluring archaeological sites in the world.
Pantanal
The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland and an area of incredible biodiversity that shelters some of the most extraordinary wildlife on Earth.