From the mighty Colorado in the American Southwest to the Amazon in South America, the Zambezi in Southern Africa to the Mekong in Southeast Asia, rivers have long served as the lifeblood of civilization. What’s more, some rivers – such as the sacred Ganges in Northern India and the Nile in Northeast Africa – feature prominently in ancient mythology and local folklore.
We’ve put together a list highlighting the six rivers mentioned above, each of which you can see up close on an Odysseys tour. Read on to learn more about each one.
Stretching over 4,000 miles and passing through 11 countries from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile reigns supreme as the longest river on the planet, and it has long been a critical resource for civilizations throughout Northern Africa. Virtually every aspect of life in ancient Egypt revolved around the Nile, as it provided food, water, and a means of travel and trade – much as it does today. It’s no wonder, then, that the ancient Egyptians believed the Nile to be a gift from the gods.
We cruise up the Nile River from Aswan to Luxor on our Treasures of Egypt and Egypt & the Eternal Nile small group tours.
While the Nile may be the longest river in the world, most experts consider the Amazon the most important, thanks to its impressive biodiversity and the outsized role it plays in regulating the global climate system. The Amazon River produces more than 50% of the rain that falls in the greater Amazon region, which is home to approximately 10% of the world’s known wildlife species. Additionally, the Amazon drives much of South America’s economy, with an estimated 70% of the continent’s GDP dependent on the river and rainforest.
We travel by boat on the Amazon during the Machu Picchu to the Galapagos pre-tour option and the Treasures of Peru post-tour extension.
The Ganges isn’t just the largest river in India – it’s also the holiest. Hindus have long worshipped the Ganges River as Ganga, the goddess of purification and forgiveness believed to ride a divine crocodile-like creature called the makara. Today, many Hindus see bathing in the Ganges at least once as a duty and a privilege that can help lead to forgiveness and salvation. While cruising along the Ganges in Varanasi, you will often see devout pilgrims performing time-honored Hindu ceremonies along the ghats, or steps leading down to the river.
We explore the Ganges River by boat on Mystical India, visiting some of the many ghats along the way.
We’ve all seen pictures of the Colorado River snaking along the Grand Canyon floor, but did you know that the river actually helped create the canyon itself? Roughly 5–6 million years ago, the Colorado River began slowly carving a path through the landscape of what is now the Southwestern United States to form what became one of the most instantly recognizable natural landmarks on earth. Today, the Grand Canyon draws approximately 5 million visitors annually, while the Colorado River provides hydroelectric power, irrigation, and fresh water to nearly 40 million people in the Western United Stated and northern Mexico.
We enjoy a motorized rafting excursion on the Colorado River during our National Parks of the Southwest small group tour.
As home to countless plant and animal species – including the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, Mekong giant catfish, Siamese crocodile, and giant freshwater stingray – the Mekong River is second only to the Amazon in terms of biodiversity. The Mekong’s tributaries cover some 15,600 square miles of Vietnam, producing half of the county’s rice and fish. And much like the Amazon, the Mekong plays a vital role in the economy of southern Vietnam, with millions of people living within the river’s vast basin.
We embark on a half-day cruise on the Mekong River on our Southeast Asia Odyssey small group tour, and we spend two days in the Mekong Delta – even visiting one of the region’s floating vegetable markets – on Journey through Vietnam.
Like all the other rivers on this list, the Zambezi stands as an invaluable economic and environmental resource to the region – and the greater world at large. The river not only provides essential fresh water to many African countries, but also to much of Southern Africa’s legendary wildlife, including hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. But that’s not all – the Zambezi River also flows over the spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
We enjoy a late afternoon “Sundowner” cruise on the Zambezi on our Africa’s Wildlife and Southern Africa Odyssey small group tours – all the while keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife along the river’s banks.
Ready to explore some of the world’s great rivers with Odysseys Unlimited? Call us today at (888)-370-6765 to start planning your next adventure.
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