WWF Travel Blog

During the low-water season, temporary structures like these are far from the water's edge; in March, when this photo was taken, the waters are much closer. © WWF-US/Marsea Nelson

There is no bad time of year to visit the Amazon. Temperatures remain rather constant year round, and rain should be expected nearly every day. However, your personal preferences and activities will play a big part in choosing which time of the year you should take an Amazon cruise.

While the Peruvian Amazon has consistent weather conditions, its water levels do change throughout the year. It rains approximately 250 days annually along the Amazon, but the water-level fluctuation is mostly a result of seasonal rains and snow in the Andes Mountains and along the river’s 2.28-million square-mile drainage basin.

In fact, the water level of the Amazon may fluctuate more than 40 feet throughout the year.

The dark line across the trees shows just how high the water gets during the high-water season -- approximately 30 feet above the water line in November, when this photo was taken. © WWF-US/Elissa Poma

High-Water Season (December-May)
As the name implies, during this time of year the river is at its highest. Forests in the vast Amazon Basin are flooded, so you can go deeper into the forest on excursions boats and get into smaller tributaries. This allows you to see some of the wildlife that may shun the main course of the river. This is also a great time to try swimming in the blackwater creeks.

Low Water Season (June-November)
As water recedes from the forest, animals that have been widely dispersed in tributaries and streams – including piranha, other fish species and pink and grey river dolphins – are more greatly concentrated. Water is draining from the wetlands, that also allows for more walks that go deeper into the rain forest.

Visit the Amazon during the high water season on The Amazon Voyage aboard La Amatista, November 11-20, 2011.

Join us for a low-water season tour of the Amazon — the Amazon & Machu Picchu Adventure aboard the Aqua, which runs June 13 – 21, 2011. We’ll also offer The Amazon Voyage on La Amatista in spring 2012 (dates to be announced).

Article © International Expeditions. Reprinted with permission