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Peregrine Travel Centre

Amazon River Expedition: A Cultural Cruise from Barbados to the Heart of Brazil

Amazon River Expedition: A Cultural Cruise from Barbados to the Heart of Brazil

From AUD $16,375

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Description

This voyage links the Caribbean and the northern reaches of South America, blending colonial history, equatorial wilderness and life along the Amazon’s vast waterways. From the heritage streets and beaches of Bridgetown, the route crosses to Paramaribo before reaching the haunting former penal colony of the Îles du Salut. Entering the Amazon basin via Macapá, the journey navigates remote channels such as the Rio Cajari and Furo do Cujubá, where dense rainforest, river communities and prolific wildlife define daily life. Calls in stilt-built Afuá and through the Breves Narrows reveal the rhythm of the river before concluding in Belém, gateway to the Amazon and a city shaped by its trading past and vibrant markets.

Trip Name
Amazon River Expedition: A Cultural Cruise from Barbados to the Heart of Brazil
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 115 metres Passenger Capacity: 158 Built: 2020/2021/2022 The SH Vega is a boutique, ice-strengthened expedition ship designed for exploring the world’s most remote destinations in refined comfort. Built in Finland’s renowned Helsinki Shipyard, she combines sleek Scandinavian design with advanced cruising technology, including a Polar Class PC5 hull and extra-large stabilisers for smooth sailing in challenging waters. With space for just 158 guests and 122 crew, she offers an intimate and personalised experience, where every detail is considered – from elegant observation lounges and stargazing decks to fine dining venues and a spa with panoramic views. Her facilities include a heated outdoor pool, open deck jacuzzi, gym, and library, ensuring the journey is as rewarding on board as it is ashore. Accommodation ranges from stylish oceanview staterooms to expansive premium suites, all appointed with contemporary comforts such as a flame-effect fireplace, Illy espresso machine, luxury toiletries, and even complimentary binoculars for wildlife spotting. Private balconies in many cabins provide a front-row seat to breathtaking landscapes, while world-class dining, attentive service, and thoughtful touches like a welcome bottle of Champagne enhance the sense of occasion. Whether navigating polar ice or sailing into sunlit harbours, the SH Vega offers a blend of adventure, elegance, and home-like warmth.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 1 - 2 Bridgetown (Barbados)
Bridgetown, the vibrant capital of Barbados, is a dynamic Caribbean city that merges historical charm with modern energy and a warm island welcome. Its UNESCO-listed historic district showcases colonial-era architecture, including the 1870s’-built Parliament Buildings. The bustling city offers colourful markets, duty-free shopping and Bajan restaurants. Bridgetown also has pristine beaches with crystal clear waters, such as Carlisle Bay.
Day 2 - Day 2 Day at sea (At Sea)
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Day 3 - Days 3 - 4 Paramaribo (Suriname)
At the heart of Paramaribo, Suriname's capital, is the UNESCO World Heritage historical centre blending Dutch architecture with local craftsmanship. Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral-Basilica is one of the Western Hemisphere's largest wooden structures. Notable sites include Fort Zeelandia, a 17th-century fortress, the Garden of Palms and broad streets. The central square is encircled by impressive buildings including the Presidential Palace (1730).
Day 4 - Day 5 Iles du Salut (French Guiana)
The Iles du Salut (Salvation Islands) are a tiny archipelago off French Guiana's coast, with three main islands: Royale, St-Joseph and Diable - or Devil's Island, a penal colony. Serious offenders and political prisoners, such as Captain Alfred Dreyfus, were held here and dead prisoners were fed to the sharks. The prison buildings are now overgrown, and the islands are now home to green-winged macaws, capuchin monkeys, iguanas and sea turtles.
Day 5 - Day 6 Day at sea (At Sea)
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Day 6 - Day 7 Macapa (Brazil)
The most remote of Brazil’s 26 state capitals, Macapá, the capital of and the largest city in the Amapá State, sits on the north bank of the Amazon Delta. Founded by the Portuguese as an outpost, this city's foremost attraction is the Marco Zero monument, a 113-centimetre concrete sundial which symbolises the centre of the metropolis. Other sights include the Fortaleza de São José and the Museu Sacaca.
Day 7 - Day 7 Rio Cajari (Brazil)
The Rio Cajari Extractive Reserve in Amapá highlights remarkable ecological diversity while balancing conservation with sustainable use by local communities. Encompassing rainforests, cerrado grasslands, and flooded riparian zones, the reserve is home to valuable tree species like Brazil nuts and açaí palms. It supports a wide range of wildlife, including tapirs, monkeys, cats, alligators, turtles and numerous bird and fish species.
Day 8 - Day 8 Gurupa (Brazil) & Furo do Cujuba (Brazil)
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Day 9 - Day 9 Afuá (Brazil)
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Day 10 - Day 10 Cruising Breves Narrows (Brazil)
Navigating Brazil's Breves Narrows, upriver from Belem in the Thousand Islands region, is a mesmerising Amazonian journey. This natural passage, surrounded by towering walls of lush vegetation, creates a secluded green canyon in the heart of the jungle. Enigmatic wildlife such as scarlet macaws, and equatorial flora such as giant Victoria water lilies flourish. The welcoming locals, known as ribeirinhos, offer warm hospitality.
Day 11 - Day 11 Belem (Brazil)
Once one of South America's most prosperous cities, known as ‘tropical Paris’, today Belém remains a thriving port and is the gateway to the Amazon. The opulence of Belém’s golden era is showcased at the neoclassical-style 1874 Theatro da Paz on the Praça de República. Pretty green spaces are shaded by mango trees and the historical centre has plenty of wonderful museums. The bustling Ver-o-Peso market is Latin America's largest open-air market.
Day 12 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
05-10-202716-10-2027AUD $16,375Oceanview D4
05-10-202716-10-2027AUD $17,175Oceanview M4
05-10-202716-10-2027AUD $18,000Balcony D5
05-10-202716-10-2027AUD $18,825Balcony M5
05-10-202716-10-2027AUD $28,650Suite
05-10-202716-10-2027AUD $32,750Premium Suite

Inclusions

    • Discover Îles du Salut's haunting prison ruins, where dark colonial history meets lush tropical paradise.
    • Navigate the Amazon waterways Rio Cajari and Furo do Cujubá's narrow channels where pink dolphins and rare Amazonian wildlife thrive.
    • Wander car-free Afuá, the "Venice of the Tropics," where stilt houses rise above water and bicycles rule boardwalks.

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