Brazil: Heart of the Amazon Expedition

Arrive in Manaus, the historic gateway to the Brazilian Amazon. Once enriched by the rubber boom of the late 19th century, the city still reflects that era of prosperity in its architecture and riverfront landmarks. A guided introduction explores the historic centre, including the grand Teatro Amazonas, whose ornate façade stands as a reminder of Manaus’ unexpected European influences deep within the rainforest. Wander through the bustling Adolpho Lisboa Market on the banks of the Rio Negro, where stalls overflow with tropical fruits, spices, freshwater fish and traditional remedies drawn from the surrounding forest. The market offers an immediate sense of place — vibrant, humid and alive with colour and scent. A short journey on the water leads to Vila Paraíso for insight into the region’s rubber heritage, where the rise and decline of the latex trade shaped both the city and the wider Amazon basin. By late afternoon, embark your expedition vessel and begin cruising along the Rio Negro. As the city skyline fades and forest replaces concrete, meet your crew and settle into the rhythm of the river ahead.

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At first light, head out by small boat onto the still waters of the Rio Negro as the forest awakens. Macaws and parrots cross the sky, birds of prey circle above the canopy and, with luck, grey tucuxi or pink river dolphins surface briefly in the dark water before disappearing again. After breakfast onboard, step ashore for a guided walk through primary rainforest. Towering hardwoods, palms and tangled vines form a layered ecosystem shaped by seasonal flooding. Your naturalist explains how local communities draw on forest plants for food, fibres and traditional remedies, highlighting the deep connection between river and forest life. In the afternoon, continue cruising toward Três Bocas before another small-boat excursion around Lago da Pescada. As temperatures ease, wildlife activity increases and the river reflects the changing light. By evening, you are en route to the Anavilhanas Archipelago.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, venture ashore for a guided hike through primary rainforest toward the Madada Caves. Along forest trails, your naturalist interprets the extraordinary plant diversity of the region — from towering trees to medicinal vines long used in indigenous healing traditions. At the caves, discover ancient rock engravings believed to date back more than 3,000 years, offering a rare glimpse into the Amazon’s deep human history. In the afternoon, explore once more by small motorised boat, navigating quiet waterways in search of birdlife and riverbank activity. Snowy egrets, macaws and birds of prey are often seen scanning the shallows. As the day softens, continue cruising toward the Meduini River, entering an increasingly remote stretch of the Rio Negro system.

Meals:  B,L,D

At dawn, explore the waterways of the Meduini River by small boat, an area renowned for its remarkable biodiversity. As you continue toward Jaú National Park, watch for movement in the water — pink river dolphins and grey tucuxis are sometimes seen travelling alongside the vessel. Jaú is one of the largest protected rainforest reserves in South America, a vast expanse of primary forest recognised for its ecological significance. During a guided walk, gain a deeper understanding of this complex ecosystem and seek out some of the Amazon’s most iconic trees, including the immense samaúma, which towers above the surrounding canopy. In the afternoon, cruise onward toward the Carabineni River before setting out again by small boat to explore its quieter channels. The day closes surrounded by uninterrupted forest, far from settlement and entirely shaped by river and wilderness.

Meals:  B,L,D

At sunrise, set out by small boat to explore the quiet stretches of the Rio Jaú, scanning the riverbanks for early wildlife activity. The morning light reveals subtle movement — monkeys in the canopy, birds lifting from the shoreline and life unfolding at water level. Later, visit a nearby riverside community for insight into daily life in this remote region. Travelling by canoe offers a slower perspective of the forest and waterways, guided by those who know them intimately. A visit to the village and local school provides context to life shaped by seasonal water levels, fishing traditions and close ties to the surrounding rainforest. The afternoon is spent cruising the Rio Jaú, an unhurried stretch of river where forest extends unbroken to the horizon. After dark, and conditions permitting, a nocturnal boat excursion offers a different perspective. With only torchlight cutting through the blackness, the reflective eyes of caimans often appear along the banks — a reminder that the Amazon never truly sleeps.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, set out on a guided hike along the Itaobal Trail, a forest walk of approximately three hours through dense primary rainforest. The trail leads to a secluded waterfall and clear freshwater pool, offering a quiet pause within the vastness of the jungle. Along the way, keep watch for birdlife and riverbank wildlife — including the occasional caiman resting motionless in the shallows. Later, visit the overgrown remains of Airão Velho, once a thriving settlement during the height of the Amazon rubber era. In the early 20th century, this region prospered through cacao, coffee and rubber production before its gradual decline. By the mid-1950s, residents relocated downstream to establish what is now Novo Airão. Today, the forest has largely reclaimed the site; crumbling structures sit entwined with roots and vines, a quiet testament to the Amazon’s resilience and the transient nature of human enterprise here.

Meals:  B,L,D

Arrive in Novo Airão this morning, a small riverside town on the banks of the Rio Negro and gateway to the remarkable Anavilhanas Archipelago. Here, river and community life are closely intertwined. Time ashore offers a glimpse into the town’s character, from local handicrafts to small-scale enterprises shaped by the surrounding waterways. In the afternoon, continue cruising toward Acajatuba. From here, explore once more by small boat, navigating close to the riverbanks where birdlife gathers and forest meets water. As the day draws to a close, the channels grow quieter and the vastness of the archipelago begins to unfold around you.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, explore the village of Acajatuba, where colourful wooden houses on stilts line the river’s edge — a practical response to the Amazon’s shifting water levels. Life here follows the rhythm of the river, with fishing, small-scale farming and boat travel central to daily routine. Later, set out by small boat along the Ariaú Canal, a natural waterway linking the Rio Negro and the Amazon River systems. These narrow channels are ideal for wildlife observation, with forest pressing close to the waterline. Keep watch in the canopy for the distinctive mão-amarela (yellow-handed) monkey, along with birdlife moving between the trees as you navigate this richly biodiverse corridor.

Meals:  B,L,D

At sunrise, the river is calm and reflective, mirroring sky and forest as birdlife lifts noisily from the treetops and small canoes begin their daily crossings. The scale of the Amazon system becomes unmistakable today as you approach one of its most remarkable natural phenomena — the Meeting of the Waters. Here, the pale, sediment-rich Solimões River runs alongside the dark, tannin-stained waters of the Rio Negro. Due to differences in temperature, speed and density, the two rivers flow side by side for many kilometres without immediately blending, creating a striking visual contrast that defines this stretch of waterway. It is a powerful moment in the journey — a reminder that the Amazon is not a single river, but a vast and interconnected network shaping landscapes, ecosystems and communities across a continent.

Meals:  B,L,D

At first light, explore Janauacá Lake by small boat as the floodplain begins its daily rhythm. Birdlife forages along the shoreline, dolphins surface in the silty water and local fishermen navigate narrow channels in wooden canoes. This is a varzea region — a fertile floodplain shaped by seasonal rises and falls of the river, where nutrient-rich sediments sustain small-scale farming, fishing and livestock. After breakfast onboard, continue cruising along the Manaquiri River, observing the shifting landscape where forest, wetland and settlement intersect. Wildlife may still reveal itself along the banks as the day progresses. By late afternoon, rejoin the broad waters of the Solimões and begin the return journey toward Manaus, reflecting on the scale and diversity of the river system you have explored.

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Disembark in Manaus after breakfast, concluding your journey into the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. NB* Navigation is subject to weather conditions, which may impact the planned itinerary. In certain cases, intermediate stops may be cancelled. Should this occur, we will make every effort to offer an alternative that meets passengers’ expectations. For safety reasons, the company and the ship’s captain reserve the right to alter the cruise itinerary at any time.

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