Metropolitan Touring & AmaWaterways To Launch 7-Day Cruises On Colombia’s Magdalena River

Quito, Ecuador based tour operator Metropolitan Touring, along with river cruise line AmaWaterways have announced a partnership to introduce a luxury river cruise experience on Colombia’s Magdalena River. Starting December 2023, guests will be able to choose between two seven-night itineraries with pre- and post-cruise land programs exploring the Magdalena River and experiencing Colombia’s vibrant cultural and natural heritage.

Accompanied by a professional crew including an onboard wellness manager, river cruise travelers on the Magdalena River will enjoy connections with local nature, wildlife, culture, flavors and people, as well as activities such as kayaking, hiking and birdwatching.  Metropolitan Touring says that guests will be immersed in unique experiences on shore as well as on board a new custom-built, all-suite, river cruise ship.

Launching December 2023, guests can explore the Magdalena River for the first time aboard a new all-suite, eco-friendly river cruise ship.

“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,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “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.”

Paulina Burbano de Lara, chief executive officer of Metropolitan Touring, commented “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 spectacular, life-affirming experiences that touched my soul. 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 and all the AmaWaterways team share our passion for the Magdalena River and we’re delighted that together we will create innovative and enriching experiences for guests.”

Above photo: Colombia’s historic city of Mompox sits on the banks of the Magdalena RIver

Camilo Calderon, General Manager of Metropolitan Touring Colombia, commented “Drawing on each company’s expertise, AmaWaterways and Metropolitan Touring have together created a unique river cruise and land program that will immerse travelers in the beauty of the “River of a Thousand Rhythms. Our guests will enjoy the modern comforts of an upscale river cruise ship, with exclusive experiences and unparalleled service, hallmarks of both companies, to the very heart of Colombia’s soul.”

“It is incredibly exciting to be able to launch a new river cruise destination like Colombia, with such a colourful 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.” 

Photos courtesy Metropolitan Touring