THE Amazon. Ask anyone and they'll tell you those two words evoke visions of adventure and Mother Nature at her very best. And you can be there to see for yourself when The Senior teams with Travelrite International for the fully escorted Amazon River Adventure Cruise early next year.
Our amazing 21-day tour features two days cruising the Amazon, as well as visits to Brazil, Granada, Dominica and Barbados.
Flying to Miami in the US, travellers will spend a day taking in the city's futuristic high-rises and golden beaches. There will also be an afternoon at the Everglades National Park with an airboat ride to find out more about this fascinating ecosystem.
After a flight to Manaus, deep in the Amazon jungle 1450km from the Atlantic coast, the group will board the Fred Olsen cruiser Braemar.
From Manaus, the vessel cruises down the Rio Negro to view the "Meeting of the Waters", where the black Rio Negro and Muddy-brown Amazon converge. The stretch of water where the two rivers flow separately makes for spectacular photographs.
There's also the chance to hop aboard a motorised canoe to explore some of the Rio Negro's smaller tributaries searching for wildlife such as anacondas, sloths and the pink Amazon River dolphin.
Departing Manaus, day 6 cruises to Anavilhanas National Park, a UNESCO-listed archipelago made up of some 400 lush-green islands.
After a day taking in the natural sights on boat tours and treks, it's off to Parintins on Tupinambarana Island, part of a large river archipelago in the mid-Amazon, for a chance to experience the carnival atmosphere of the Boi Bumba, Brazil's second-largest folklore festival.
Although the annual festival takes place in June, the group will enjoy a special private performance.
On day 8, there's time to check out the small city of Santarem where the Tapajos River meets the Amazon, and later to explore the jungle village of Alter do Chao.
Then follow two days of Amazon cruising - plenty of time to wonder at the dense tropical rainforest from the comfort of the ship as it sails slowly along the winding waters. Be on the lookout for vibrant tree frogs, tiny hummingbirds, electric eels, howler monkeys and the elusive caiman and big cats, including the jaguar.
Leaving the Amazon behind, there are two leisurely days cruising the Atlantic before arriving in St George, Grenada, a tiny Caribbean island with a history of British and French rule.
Sightseeing tours include Fort George, the Laura Herb and Spice Garden, Grenada Distillers and the Grand Anse Valley.
Other ports of call are the small volcanic island of Castries, St Lucia, and the Dominica capital Roseau.
The final port is Bridgetown, Barbados, where travellers have three days to take in the sights before returning to Australia.
The Amazon River Adventure Cruise, January 29-February 18, 2019.
Included are:
- Flights from Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney to Miami; Miami to Manaus; and return from Bridgetown to Australia
- Travel on Fred Olsen Braemar
- Accommodation in Miami and Bridgetown
- Sightseeing tours as per itinerary
- Cruise taxes and port and handling charges
- Cruise gratuities
- The services of a professional tour manager.
The final price will be available by the end of March. For more details and a colour brochure, call Travelrite on 1800-630-343.
