How many of the world's longest rivers* have you even heard of? Here's where they are - and how best to see them
10. Amur, China and Russia
1,755 miles/2,824km
The 10th longest river in the world rises in the hills of western Manchuria, China, from the confluence of its two major affluents, the Shika and the Ergune and it flows east forming the border between China and Russia. The cities along the Amur offer a rare insight into the lives of inhabitants of border regions: orthodox churches stand a mere bridge away from the coiled incense sticks of Chinese temples. A handful of local companies in towns including Khabarovsk operate tours.
*Length is defined as the distance between the furthest tributary and the mouth of the river
Credit: © John White Photos / Alamy
9. The Congo, Africa
2,900 miles/ 4,700km
This river begins in the highlands of northeast Zambia, and continues in a counter-clockwise curve, meandering through the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Angola, Tanzania, Cameroon, Zambia, Burundi and Rwanda. Highlights include the Boyoma Falls in Kisangani, Congo (CDR) and the old port of Matadi, founded by Welsh journalist and explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley in 1879. The river eventually feeds into the South Atlantic Ocean, to the north of Angola. It is best seen in combination with a stay in a safari-style lodge. Wild Frontiers offers a 30-day Congo: In The Footsteps of Stanley tour.
Credit: © Daphne Ouwersloot / Alamy
8. Paraná, South America
3,032 miles/ 4,880 km
The eighth longest river in the world forms a natural border between both Paraguay and Brazil and Paraguay and Argentina. From the small town of Encarnacion, on the Paraguayan side of the river, you can see the bright-coloured wooden houses of Posadas, in Argentina, and from Posadas, look back to Encarnacion, and marvel at the pristinely preserved ruins of the old Jewish settlement. Drive from Buenos Aires to the small river-port town of Tigre from where you can board a small vessel for a full-day tour. Some will even take you to restaurants in hidden islands.
Credit: © Jason Rothe / Alamy
7. The Ob-Irtysh, Russia
3,032 miles/ 5,414km
This river flows across western Siberia from its source in the Altai Mountains to its end at Gulf of Ob. The first city on its course is Barnaul, a hidden gem in Siberia from where you can explore the mountains a two-hour drive away. Also of note is Novosibirsk, Russia's third largest city and a great showroom for industrial Soviet architecture. River cruise options are hard to come by for this region. However, specialist Into Russia (formerly InTourist) offers itineraries incorporating the city of Omsk on the banks of the Ob. Also read Telegraph Travel's Russia river cruise guide
Credit: © DPK-Photo / Alamy
6. Yellow River, China
3,395 miles/ 5,464 km
With its source in the Bayan Mountains, a south-central range in the northern province of Qinghai in China, the Yellow River flows through nine Chinese provinces. These regions were among China's most prosperous and the Chinese regard the Yellow River as the cradle of the nation. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts and those in search of culture will find plenty to enjoy, while cities along the route include Lanzhou, Zhongwei, Yinchuan, Baotou, Yan'an, Luoyang, Zhengzhou and Kaifeng. The ancient cities of Yinchuan and Kaifeng are previous capitals and both bear dynastic imprints. Local boat companies operate from many of these cities.
Credit: © Hemis / Alamy
5. Yenisei River, Mongolia and Russia
3,442 miles / 5,539 km
The Yenisei flows north from Mongolia to the Yenisei Gulf and finally into the Arctic Ocean. Most of its course is through the white, landscapes of Siberia but in Krasnoyarsk you might be able to enjoy something of a summer - temperatures sometimes reach 30C in summer (before dropping to -30C in winter). Short cruises are available on local passenger vessels - should you happen to drop by. Read Telegraph Travel's full Russian river cruise guide
Credit: © Pavel Filatov / Alamy
4. The Mississippi, US
2,340 miles / 3 766 km
North America's longest river touches an impressive number of states: with a distant tributary in Montana, it rises in northern Minnesota, then flows through Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi state and Louisiana, showcasing some of the most dramatic scenery in the US. With visits to antebellum plantations, historic battlefields, quaint southern towns and iconic cities like Baton Rouge the route between New Orleans and Memphis, it offers plenty in the way of history and culture too. The American Queen Steamboat Company offers sailings on both the lower and upper sections of the great river.
North America river cruise guide
Credit: © Tetra Images / Alamy
3. Yangtze, China
3,988 miles / 6,418 km
"If you haven't been up the Yangtze, then you haven't been anywhere", goes an old Chinese saying. The longest river in Asia rises from the glaciers of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau eastwards across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea north of Shanghai. It touches 10 Chinese provinces and, if these days the riches of the Yangtze come mostly from its mammoth hydroelectric potential, it has served China for much longer as a source of food and water for the irrigation of its rice fields. Bucolic sights to be enjoyed from the ship include Nanjing's Purple Mountain. Wendy Wu Tours offers a range of itineraries that include sailing on the Yangtze.
Credit: © IMAGEMORE Co., Ltd. / Alamy
2. Amazon, South America
4,049 miles / 6,516 km
Rising in the Peruvian Andres, the Amazon is the largest river in the world by volume: with a discharge of around 209,000 cubic meters per second, it holds one fifth of the world's fresh water supply. Its most celebrated stretch goes deep into the Amazon rainforest where dense and tropical flora are the main attraction. The most immersive tours will also take you to see villages lost in time and the colourful fauna and some of South America's best preserved colonial heritage. Sunvil Latin America offers a nine-night itinerary including two nights' bed and breakfast in Quito, Ecuador, and a four-night Amazon cruise.
Credit: © Martin Harvey / Alamy
1. The Nile, Africa
4,160 miles / 6,695km
Coursing through a dozen countries, the Nile is the world's longest river. From the windows of your ship you'll see landscapes unchanged since Cleopatra walked these banks. The most important monuments are all located close to the Nile as it is, and has been for millennia, the country's primary water source. Most Nile cruises sail between Aswan and Luxor, stopping off to see the temples at Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna - a 200-km (120-mile) journey full of archaeological riches. Although visitor numbers have been affected by unrest and security fears, there are still plenty of options. See Telegraph Travel's Nile river cruise guide for ideas.
Credit: © eye35.pix / Alamy
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét