Small ship cruising guide
Small ship cruises take you to another world. To little bits of littoral loveliness you hardly knew existed. Places with names like the Kyles of Bute, or an island called Wolf. Find out more.
Top 6 river cruises
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.
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 holiday in Egypt
When to go: October to May
Our top selling trip: Nile cruise holiday 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: China holiday and Yangtze River cruise
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 holiday
When to go: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Kerala houseboat holiday
4. Amazon River
Running almost the width of South America from Peru to the Atlantic, the Amazon is the world’s largest river and certainly the most magical and mysterious. As you travel to lesser visited stretches, visit remote settler communities where you’ll join nocturnal walks through the rainforest, and watch for pink dolphins from an observation deck, you can relive the fascination of early explorers at the beautiful and complex ecosystems at play here.When to go: All year round
Our top selling trip: Amazon river cruise - small group
5. Mekong River
Follow the course of the Mekong through three historic cities: Vientiane, capital of Laos; beautiful and UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang, and finally Thailand’s Chiang Mai with its famous night market. You’ll traverse rapids and gorges in powerful colonial cruise vessels, sip sundowners on a sandbank, enjoy onboard cookery demonstrations and tuk-tuk excursions on land, exploring Buddhist monasteries, ancient caves and the Golden Triangle.
When to go: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Mekong River cruise in South East Asia
When to go: All year-round
Our top selling trip: Mekong River cruise in South East Asia
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 holiday
More about River cruising
The perfect antidote to overcrowded, overheated tourist destinations, a river cruise is a relaxing, culturally immersive way to travel - our river cruising holidays guide will float your imagination.
The classic song ‘On a slow boat to China’ originated from an old poker term - get Lady Luck on your side with our rundown of what to expect on Yangtze River cruises, from when to go to what to life aboard ship.
It’s hard to put the romance and glamour of Nile River cruises into words, so let’s just say that even today, with this iconic river busier than ever, it still feels like stepping back into a more genteel era.
A Kerala backwaters cruise immerses you in a unique landscape, delightfully scenic and tranquil, with smaller vessels enabling you to visit remote areas that most tourist boats cannot.
West Africa river cruises explore the Gambia River and the Saloum Delta by land, motor cruiser and pirogue, encountering a host of wildlife, beautiful colonial architecture and a riverside landscape as mysterious as it is scenic.
Many consider the Ganges to be the lifeblood of India, and certainly its depth can also be measured in symbolism and spirituality.
An inspiration for Kipling and Orwell among many others, often known as ‘The Road to Mandalay’ and a source of hope for many in a country so long torn with strife, the Irrawaddy is as serene as it is beautiful.
The most enjoyable way to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, or for a longer journey through Thailand and Laos, Mekong river cruises are a combination of laidback, colonial-style elegance and culturally rich shore excursions.
Don’t get stuck up the creek without a paddle, instead take onboard some watertight river cruising holidays advice from our suppliers, as well as priceless tips from previous passengers.
River cruising holidays are not always as sensitive as they could be towards local cultures and the environment, which is why you’ll only ever find us promoting trips we feel are genuinely beneficial.
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