The Amazon river cruise is one of the most rewarding nature excursions in the world. The explorer travels into the largest rainforest on Earth and is then ushered into Mother Nature’s Cradle of Life. It covers approximately 40% of South America, in nine countries. The only way to travel into the selva “jungle” is by boat on the mythical Amazon River. This great waterway, also known as Rio Amazonas in Peru, originates at the foothills the Andes Mountains and flows east along a 4,000-mile (6,400 km) route towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The Amazon rainforest is home to the largest and most varied collection of animal and plant life in the world. More than a third of all animal species worldwide are recorded in this rainforest, which also includes 20% of all bird species. This giant cradle is home to at least 40,000 plant species and 427 mammals, 1300 birds and 378 reptiles. There are also approximately 3,000 freshwater fishes.