Join Manaus, Brazil

Welcome to Manaus! On arrival you will be met by a representative of Adventure Associates and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Manaus is located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest along the banks of the Rio Negro – it is the capital of the vast state of Amazonas and is a major departure point for the surrounding area. Access to the city is primarily by aeroplane or boat and it is this isolation that has helped preserve both the surrounding natural environment and the culture of Manaus. D

Embark Manaus

Around mid-morning today we will be welcomed aboard our cosy floating home M/SDorinha by Captain Mo and his crew. After settling into our cabins we will enjoy commanding views of our departure from Manaus as we head downstream about 10 kilometres to see the striking visual phenomenon called “Wedding of the Waters”. Once underway we will have our intro briefing before starting our informative lecture programme that will help us unravel the mysteries of the Amazon.

The “Wedding of the Waters” is where the tea-coloured waters of the Rio Negro share the same channel with the brownish waters of the Rio Solimões. This meeting is due to the different speed, temperature and density of the two tributaries as they run side by side without mixing for more than 6 kilometres, forming the main Amazon River.

Eventually we will make our way upstream on the Solimões and will be cruising all afternoon and during the night to arrive in the area of the Rio Badajos. B,L,D

Rio Badajos

The Rio Badajos area has one of the largest rubber plantations. We will learn how the rubber trees are tapped and smoked to extract the latex. The splendour of Manaus’s past was built on the backs of slaves and indiginous Indians who worked under dreadful conditions. We hope to visit local villages today and meet the people who eke out their existence on the banks of the river. B,L,D

Ega Village

Tefé town was once known as the old village of Ega, where the famous English naturalist, Henry W. Bates lived for many years in the mid 1800’s. Bates was most famous for his expeditions to the rainforests of the Amazon with Alfred Russel Wallace, starting in 1848. Wallace returned to England in 1852, but lost his entire collection of specimens on the return voyage when his ship caught fire and sank. When Bates arrived home in 1859 after a full eleven years, he had sent back over 14,712 specimens on three seperate ships. Most of them were insects, of which 8,000 were believed new to science. Bates recorded his findings in his best-known work,The Naturalist on the River Amazons.

Today we are anchored near some islands which is one of the best locations on the Solimões for spotting sloths and monkeys. B,L,D

Coari

During the next two days we will visit the area around Coari, which happens to be the brithplace of our Captain Mo! Coari is one of the most interesting and largest towns in the region. We will head to the lake behind town and enjoy some time on Jurupari beach.

After our refreshing visit to the beach we will sail downstream to the village of Anori. We hope to see beautiful water lilies and other aquatic plants and will take time to visit the floating town of Anamã.

On our way down the Solimõesthere will be time for talks with our Captain & naturalist, who will introduce us to life on the Amazon River and share some of their endless, fascinating stories. B,L,D

Manaus

Back in the bustling harbour of Manaus, we will be treated to a guided city tour, visiting its most important landmarks. The opulent pink Opera House – more than 120 years old and representing the city’s heyday during the rubber boom. It was chosen by Vogue magazine as one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world!

Fossick through the delights of the famous fresh food market, then admire The Cathedral of Our Lady of Conception in Manaus, that was officially opened in 1878 and elevated to cathedral status in 1946.

After our tour we will set sail upstream towards the mouth of the Rio Cuieras, leaving the busy metropolis of Manaus behind. B,L,D

Rio Cuieras

We plan to take an early morning birding tour along the small river of Pagodao where we will experience a true sense of being deep in an Amazonian jungle. Here we hope to catch glimpses of exotic birds in the canopy. It will be luxurious to have a cool, refreshing swim in the safe waters of the Rio Negro. While we are in the black waters of the Rio Negro we will keep our eyes peeled for a view of the pink Amazon river dolphin. It is the largest of the river dolphins with males reaching a maximum length of around 2.55 metres (8.4ft). The grey estuarine dolphin is about half the length with a smaller head and shorter beak.

Later in the day we will motor further up the Rio Cuieras to observe another kind of forest – the campinha! This forest has scrubby trees, terrestrial orchids, bromelias and lichens growing on white sand.

In the evening we will enjoy a specially arranged BBQ on one of the sandy beaches, by a large fire. Tonight, you have the option of sleeping in a typical traditional hammock in a covered shelter on shore. B,L,D

Rio Cuieras

Today we continue to travel further up the Rio Cuieras, passing a small side stream and waterfalls. During the day we will visit some local caboclo families and get a better understanding of what it is like to actually live in the Amazon jungle. Depending on the weather tonight, we will look out for the Southern Cross and other constellations of the southern hemisphere. B,L,D

Anavilhanas

We spend the next 2 days exploring the four hundred island district of Anavilhanas. This is one of the largest fluvial archipelagos in the world. The area is known for it’s abundance of birdlife such as toucans, parrots and macaws.

Our canoe rides will take us between the islands in search of birdlife and other animals. An evening canoe exploration will give us an idea of the ever active nocturnal life. We will also visit Novo Airao, where traditional Amazon riverboats are built. B,L,D

Manaus – Aldeia Tupé

On our return to Manaus, we will visit the rubber tree museum Serengau Villa Paraiso which will give us a glimpse into the life of the rubber barons of the 19th century. We continue to Aldeia Tupé, visiting the indigenous Dessana tribe, who will perform a traditional dance celebration for us!

Back to Manaus, we enjoy our final dinner at a very typical Brazilian restaurant, the Churrascaria Buffalo and then spend our final night aboard our floating home. B,L,D

Manaus, expedition concludes

Disembark in Manaus and transfer to the airport for your onward flights home. B