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Your Amazon River Boat, Selva Viva

The Selva Viva, docked in Iquitos Peru

Ever since the world wide economic downturn became obvious in September 2008, you have been asking me for a more affordable Amazon River boat with private cabins. I listen to you. I really do. I have been trying to find the best boat for the price, and now it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the Selva Viva, the newest addition to our small fleet of chartered Amazon River boats.

The Selva Viva is an attractive 22 meters long, 5.90 meters wide, wooden Amazon riverboat with a shallow draft of around one and a half meters. She is powered by a 125 hp caterpillar engine, and has plenty of fuel capacity to “get there and back, twice.” The five person crew keeps everything shipshape.

The Selva Viva has three features unusual in the upper Amazon that provide you with valuable benefits.

1. Eight solar panels store power in a bank of batteries. When the sun shines all day, there is enough stored energy to last all night, depending on use. There is an electrical generator for back up power when necessary.

The benefit to you is when the crew ties up the boat for the night, and shuts off the motor, you get to listen to the sounds of the jungle, instead of the rumble of the generator. You can appreciate this more if you have spent time on a boat where the generator runs 24 hours per day.

2. The GPS-Sonar unit makes navigation safer.

3. A combination filtering system and osmosis provides unlimited potable water.

The 8 solar panels provide power all night when the sun shines all day.

The Selva Viva fills the family adventure vacation niche, and is great for small groups of friends. With four cabins, two to a cabin, 6 to 8 guests make the perfect size group.

When we have at least 6 guests, the perfect price is $267 per person per day for a private cabin on a comfortable Amazon River Boat. Four is the minimum number of passengers we can cruise with. The price for four will be $310 per person per day.

One of the best features of the Selva Viva is the shaded observation deck with hammocks. That is where you will spend most of your time. It is pleasant up there. The observation deck can also double as the outdoor dining room when conditions make it practical.

The observation deck is where you will spend most of your time

We offer several interesting, fun, itineraries including 8 days up the Rio Tigre, 7 days to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, 5, 6, or 7 days into Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, 4 days to the Yarapa River, 3 days to Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve, and 2 days to Monkey Island and up the Yana-Yacu River. Or you tell me where you want to go and for how long, and if I determine it is safe and practical in terms of distance and time, I will customize a special amazon adventure for you.

When you are planning your Amazon cruise I hope you will consider the Selva Viva. You won’t find a better boat with a private cabin for less money.

There are two shared bathrooms on board

You can book your Amazon Cruise on the Selva Viva today by emailing me at;

contact-bill@dawnontheamazon.com.

Unless I am on the river or in the rainforest I will respond within 24 hours. I look forward to receiving your email. You probably have questions. Part of my job is to provide good answers. I know these photos do not do show the the Selva Viva at it’s best. A few young scientific researchers were living on board when we were there to photograph. I will get better photos in the near future with the kitchen stocked, the cabins empty, and the boat prepared to travel. I think you can see it has potential to be a good affordable Amazon riverboat for you.

The Selva Viva galley

Your Amazon River Boat, Selva Viva

Bill Grimes is the Captain of Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises.

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