The Magdalena River in Colombia. AmaWaterways will offer eco-friendly voyages here on a new ship beginning in late 2023.
By John Roberts
In keeping with an incredible reputation of continuously delivering immersive and innovative river cruise experiences, AmaWaterways has added the colorful South American country of Colombia to its offerings.
AmaWaterways has forged a groundbreaking partnership with Metropolitan Touring, South America's leading tour operator, to introduce a new river cruise experience in the culturally rich and historically fascinating country.
Becoming the first luxury line to sail the Magdalena River, the partnership brings together the destination expertise of Metropolitan Touring and one of the river cruise industry's leading brands in AmaWaterways.
Starting in December 2023, adventurous travelers can dive right into new experiences on shore as well as onboard a new custom-built, all-suite, eco-friendly river cruise ship. The new ship and cruise program will incorporate years of design experience from Rudi Schreiner, AmaWaterways' president and co-founder. Metropolitan Touring owns a stellar reputation for decades of expertise in expedition cruising in the Galapagos Islands.
"Not since my early university days of exploring the Amazon River, have I felt the excitement of discovering a new destination that is so rich in biodiversity and culture, as I found on the Magdalena River in Colombia," Schreiner says, president. "I'm absolutely captivated by the rich history, wildlife and friendly welcome that awaits our guests when our intimate, all-suite ship sets sail in December 2023."
The Magdalena stretches 949 miles, traversing north in the western part of Colombia and touching a number of cities and towns along the way, many undergoing conservation and restoration efforts. It's a vibrant corridor full of animals and opportunities for active pursuits.
Passengers will be able to choose between two seven-night itineraries with pre- and post-cruise land programs exploring the magnificent Magdalena River and delving into Colombia's vibrant cultural and natural heritage. Accompanied by a skilled team, which will include a wellness manager onboard, river cruise travelers on the Magdalena River will enjoy in-depth connections with nature, wildlife, culture, flavors and people, as well as activities such as kayaking, hiking and birdwatching.
"Colombia has always been a country close to my heart, and every trip I've made to the Magdalena over many years has been full of amazing, life-affirming experiences that touched my soul," said Paulina Burbano de Lara, chief executive officer of Metropolitan Touring. "Finding the right partner to develop the first-ever eco-friendly river cruise experience for Colombia was therefore of utmost importance to me and our company.
"We know that Rudi, Kristin (Karst) and all the AmaWaterways team share our passion for the River Magdalena, and we're delighted that together we will create innovative and enriching experiences for guests."
The historic waterway is home to hundreds of fish species, as well as other biologically interesting creatures like river turtles, tortoises, manatees, caiman, iguanas, crocodiles and pelicans.
"It is incredibly exciting to be able to launch a new river cruise destination like Colombia, with such a colorful history and artistic background," said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. "We are celebrating 19 years of creating authentic river cruise experiences in Europe, Asia and Africa and now, with our world-recognized destination partner, Metropolitan Touring, we will be able to offer our guests an opportunity to explore a fourth continent while discovering the hidden gems of Colombia along the majestic Magdalena River."
We're excitedly waiting to book our spot on one of these new cruises!
How about you?
Thanks for reading,
JR
In keeping with an incredible reputation of continuously delivering immersive and innovative river cruise experiences, AmaWaterways has added the colorful South American country of Colombia to its offerings.
AmaWaterways has forged a groundbreaking partnership with Metropolitan Touring, South America's leading tour operator, to introduce a new river cruise experience in the culturally rich and historically fascinating country.
Becoming the first luxury line to sail the Magdalena River, the partnership brings together the destination expertise of Metropolitan Touring and one of the river cruise industry's leading brands in AmaWaterways.
Starting in December 2023, adventurous travelers can dive right into new experiences on shore as well as onboard a new custom-built, all-suite, eco-friendly river cruise ship. The new ship and cruise program will incorporate years of design experience from Rudi Schreiner, AmaWaterways' president and co-founder. Metropolitan Touring owns a stellar reputation for decades of expertise in expedition cruising in the Galapagos Islands.
"Not since my early university days of exploring the Amazon River, have I felt the excitement of discovering a new destination that is so rich in biodiversity and culture, as I found on the Magdalena River in Colombia," Schreiner says, president. "I'm absolutely captivated by the rich history, wildlife and friendly welcome that awaits our guests when our intimate, all-suite ship sets sail in December 2023."
The Magdalena stretches 949 miles, traversing north in the western part of Colombia and touching a number of cities and towns along the way, many undergoing conservation and restoration efforts. It's a vibrant corridor full of animals and opportunities for active pursuits.
Passengers will be able to choose between two seven-night itineraries with pre- and post-cruise land programs exploring the magnificent Magdalena River and delving into Colombia's vibrant cultural and natural heritage. Accompanied by a skilled team, which will include a wellness manager onboard, river cruise travelers on the Magdalena River will enjoy in-depth connections with nature, wildlife, culture, flavors and people, as well as activities such as kayaking, hiking and birdwatching.
"Colombia has always been a country close to my heart, and every trip I've made to the Magdalena over many years has been full of amazing, life-affirming experiences that touched my soul," said Paulina Burbano de Lara, chief executive officer of Metropolitan Touring. "Finding the right partner to develop the first-ever eco-friendly river cruise experience for Colombia was therefore of utmost importance to me and our company.
"We know that Rudi, Kristin (Karst) and all the AmaWaterways team share our passion for the River Magdalena, and we're delighted that together we will create innovative and enriching experiences for guests."
The historic waterway is home to hundreds of fish species, as well as other biologically interesting creatures like river turtles, tortoises, manatees, caiman, iguanas, crocodiles and pelicans.
"It is incredibly exciting to be able to launch a new river cruise destination like Colombia, with such a colorful history and artistic background," said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. "We are celebrating 19 years of creating authentic river cruise experiences in Europe, Asia and Africa and now, with our world-recognized destination partner, Metropolitan Touring, we will be able to offer our guests an opportunity to explore a fourth continent while discovering the hidden gems of Colombia along the majestic Magdalena River."
We're excitedly waiting to book our spot on one of these new cruises!
How about you?
Thanks for reading,
JR
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