2 min summary Best rivers to cruise Brahmaputra Gambia Ganges Irrawaddy Kerala backwaters Mekong Nile Yangtze Responsible tourism

The best rivers to cruise

Our top six river cruises take you down some of the world’s best-known rivers: the Amazon, the Yangtze, and the Nile. They take you around the idyllic backwaters of Kerala, to ancient jungle-clad ruins, through national parks and nature sanctuaries full of stunning wildlife. Pink dolphins, floating village, crocodiles and crocodile gods: cast off your preconceptions about river cruises, they’re a wonderfully exciting way to travel.

Home\Small ship cruising\River cruising

The best rivers to cruise

Some people think that river cruises are a rather tame way to travel. We respectfully disagree. So far as we’re concerned, these are voyages of romance, adventure and discovery.

River cruises may be slow but they’re hardly short on action. From exploring ancient temples guarded by fearsome statues or buried deep in the jungle, to trekking through the rainforest by night, or keeping an eye out for wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, chimpanzees and rare pink dolphins, our top six river cruises are your passport to adventure. But shore excursions are only half the fun. Whether you’re aboard a gorgeous old houseboat in Kerala, a modern vessel on the Yangtze, or a tiny, white-sailed felucca on the Nile, there is always one constant: the beguiling scenery as it drifts gently by.

See all our River cruising Vacations

Give us a call

1. The River Nile, Egypt

Travel between Luxor and Aswan in time-honoured fashion with a classic Nile river cruise. You might board a luxurious small ship, with a raised viewing deck and guided shore excursions led by trained Egyptologists, or put your faith in the wind with a sail-powered felucca, sleeping on deck each night beneath a canopy. There is no more tranquil way to see such legendary sites as Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel and the temples of Luxor.

When to go: October to May
Our top selling trip: Nile cruise vacation in Egypt

2. Yangtze River, China

Yangtze River cruises take you through one of China’s great natural spectacles, the Three Gorges. Running through this area of immense cultural and historical significance, the Yangtze is often called the ‘lifeblood of China’, and a short cruise along through the lush scenery and dramatic valleys of the Three Gorges can be a highlight of longer overland itineraries.

When to go: March to October
Our top selling trip: Guilin & Yangtze river cruise vacation, China

3. Kerala backwaters, India

A backwaters cruise of Kerala introduces you to a birdwatchers’ paradise. Sail tranquilly aboard a traditional rice barge past terns, cormorants and kingfishers, through a region known as the ‘Venice of the East’ for its vast canal network. Bask in the sense of remoteness here, the luxury of having a boat to yourself accompanied by a small but professional crew, and the freedom to craft your own itinerary.

When to go: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Kerala houseboat vacation

4. Amazon River

River cruising is the best way to explore the Amazon Rainforest. On foot, the vegetation is so dense and dark that it can be near-impossible to see the wildlife, only hear it. But on the river, particularly during the dry season, you can often see animals on the riverbanks, undisturbed by the quiet chug of a boat engine. Our Amazon River cruises will often use public boats, which call in at many ports, offering a fascinating look at the culture of different communities along the river.

When to go: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Brazilian Amazon by boat vacation

5. Mekong River

This vacation gives you the chance to add a three-day cruise along the Cambodian segment of the Mekong River to your Southeast Asia vacation. It’s far better than day-tripping: by spending a good stint of time on-board, you'll get the chance to visit Cambodia’s lesser-visited treasures, such as riverside Buddhist temples and floating villages.

When to go: All year round
Our top selling trip: Mekong River cruise to Angkor Wat

6. Senegal & Gambia

River cruises in West Africa see you exploring wetlands, bird sanctuaries and national parks teeming with wildlife, aboard a combination of converted groundnut boat, ferries and motorised pirogues. They’re a great opportunity to taste, and possibly learn, some Gambian cookery, see crocodiles, hippos, chimpanzees and river dolphins and discover the fascinating colonial footprints left in this region.

When to go: October to May
Our top selling trip: Senegal and Gambia river cruise vacation