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(CNN) —Rivers are the life-giving blood vessels of our planet. They irrigate our farms, are an important means of transport and a source of eco-friendly power. They can be a whole lot of fun for travelers, too.
From strikingly strange and unusual wildlife centers to whitewater rafting hotspots and the most scenic stretches for cruising, we've highlighted 3 rivers worth basing your next trip around. Rankings are made on five travel criteria.
Scenic beauty —the physical beauty of the river; waterfalls, color, drama of the landscape.
Nature and wildlife —diversity and popularity of flora and fauna.
Culture —depth, diversity and accessibility of local culture; tribal/medieval villages etc.
Adventure —thrill factor of the river's topography and location.
Activity options —rafting, wildlife watching, hiking, biking etc.
We've debated among ourselves, researched expert views and polled our colleagues and fellow travelers around the world, to score each river for these qualities.
3. Rio Cahabon (Guatemala)
Scenic beauty: 4 | Nature and wildlife: 3 | Culture: 2 | Adventure: 5 | Activity options: 5
Never heard of it? Few had, until a few years back, when a section of the Rio Cahabon's densely forested pathway through central Guatemala was built as a key stop on the Central American backpacker trail.
Known as Semuc Champey, the series of spectacular steeped limestone pools bridging over the river are accessed via a hiking trail near the village of Lanquin.
Local hostels also offer candlelight tours of a cave system carved out by the water and year-round grade Ⅲ and IV rafting.
2. Zambezi (Africa)
Scenic beauty: 5 | Nature and wildlife: 4 | Culture: 4 | Adventure: 5 | Activity options: 4
Boasting superb wildlife watching, some of the best white-water rafting on the planet and the thundering beauty of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi is a showstopper.
In the Middle Zambezi, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe, you can bungee jump off Africa's largest waterfall, or tackle the grade IV rapids just below.
Most wildlife —from hippo pods to big cats and sly Nile crocodiles —is spotted on jeep safaris and kayaking trips around the Lower Zambezi, where the swampy delta funnels down through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean.
1. Amazon River (South America)
Scenic beauty: 5 | Nature and wildlife: 5 | Culture: 4 | Adventure: 5 | Activity options: 5
Topping our list by an aquatic mile, the mighty Amazon snakes through the jungles of nine South American nations, providing a shelter for more than 400 native Indian tribes and one in ten of the known species on earth.
For travelers, the possibilities are huge —from wildlife spotting safaris to kayaking trips and gnarly jungle treks.
Backpacker-friendly Bolivia is a popular place to explore the pampas by lancha (long-tail boat), stopping off along Amazon tributaries to swim with pink dolphins, fish for piranha and track elusive anaconda.