Best Life-Changing Trips

Mysteries Deep in the Amazon

Small-ship Amazon cruises allow for a closer look at the diverse ecology of the world’s second-largest river, which winds its way through parts of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Many offer the chance to kayak, hike in the jungle, and spot wildlife, and some are even staffed by naturalists and environmental experts. Aqua Expeditions offers three-, four-, and seven-night sailings that include visits to estuaries, backwater lakes, and hidden villages.