9 of the Most Incredible River Journeys Around the World

Ireland’s longest river passes by ancient castles, charming villages, and endless green hills, and a canal boat trip along the River Shannon feels like a voyage through history. A popular route begins in the sweet town of Carrick-on-Shannon, with its pubs and tea shops. This river travel takes you south to spots including the peaceful ruins of Clonmacnoise monastery, the historic city of Athlone (home to Sean’s Bar, the oldest pub in Ireland), and past a landscape dotted with sacred wells and ancient fairy bridges. It’s one of the most scenic river routes across the world!

One of the 17th century’s most ambitious works of engineering, the Canal du Midi runs from Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea. The trip is a leisurely one, but the dozens of locks that your boat will pass through offer exciting breaks between lazy breakfasts of fresh croissants and long afternoons full of wine, cheese, olives, and baguettes. It’s an idyllic summer trip: Eat your way through the farmers markets of southern France, stroll the ramparts of Carcassonne Castle (Cité de Carcassonne), or explore the circular streets of Bram.

Sekonyer River—the color of milky tea—runs through southern Borneo, Indonesia, including Tanjung Puting National Park. You can travel via a klotok, a traditional Indonesian river boat, which offers open-air accommodation where you can hear the sounds of the jungle as you sleep. You’ll find ranger stations along the river where you can spot orangutans, and a visit to legendary Camp Leakey gives you a chance to learn about one of our closest animal relatives and the risks they face from deforestation.

The Bloodvein River cuts west through some of Canada’s most remote regions and offers one of the most epic river adventures worldwide. For thousands of years, Indigenous communities thrived on the banks by fishing, trapping, and using the river for transport. Today, intrepid travelers can make like the voyageurs of old by hopping in a canoe and setting off on a multi-day expedition. This Canadian Heritage River is mostly reached by floatplane, which drops you off in Ontario before you float west to Manitoba. Along the way, you’ll traverse rapids, pass through deep red canyons, and experience Canada as it’s always been.

Southern Africa’s longest river acts as a border between Namibia and South Africa, before passing into Lesotho, making it a bucket list river journey. Multi-day rafting trips let you camp on the banks of the Orange River and fall asleep to the sound of the water. Depending on where you start from, the landscape ranges from the vibrant desert of Namibia to the rugged scrubland of South Africa, with sudden bursts of greenery. No matter where you find yourself, you’re sure to have the trip of a lifetime.

Undoubtedly the Amazon River offers one of the best river journeys worldwide. You’ll travel through dense rainforest and diverse wildlife habitats. Embark from Iquitos, Peru or Manaus, Brazil aboard a riverboat, and keep your eyes peeled for pink dolphins, giant otters, and vibrant birdlife. Along the way, visit Indigenous villages, sample local cuisine like piranha, and navigate tributaries for sloths and caimans. Guided jungle hikes unveil rare flora and monkeys, while nights bring starlit skies from the deck. Pack light, wear mosquito repellent, and embrace the adventure.

Begin your journey in Chongqing and head down the Yangtze River to Yichang, home to the gigantic Three Gorges Dam. This river trip takes you through traditional villages and terraced hillsides before traveling through the dramatic, towering Three Gorges section. Highlights along the way include visiting the ghost city of Fengdu (a Taoist temple) and spotting the mysterious sky graveyards along Shennong Stream, where hanging coffins have puzzled historians for decades. Typically, the river trip takes three to four days—an opportunity to relax and learn about the region’s history.

The Nile River—a vital connector of people and place—evokes images of vivid sunsets, ancient temples, and incongruous greenery. A trip on the Nile lets you participate in a timeless tradition. Cruises often set off from Luxor or Aswan, and your accommodation options range from traditional riverboats to modern cruise ships. Along the way, visit sites including the Valley of the Queens, home to Nefertiti’s tomb, and the temple at Kom Ombo—dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the god Haroeris, a form of the falcon god Horus. For another side of the Nile, take a decadent afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie famously stayed while writing Death on the Nile.

Begin your journey in New Orleans or Memphis aboard an old-fashioned paddlewheeler steeped in Southern charm. Cruise past vibrant riverfront towns and towering bluffs, and explore the cultural richness of cities like St. Louis and Baton Rouge, with their blend of jazz music, Cajun cuisine, and historic architecture. Pack a fan and be ready to lounge on deck with a mint julep—the Mississippi River invites relaxation.