Highlights
- See Manaus' key monuments before witnessing the "Meeting of the Waters"
- Travel to your Amazon lodge by motorized canoe
- Sleep in the rainforest in a hammock as you stargaze and hear jungle sounds
- Visit the Museu de Amazônia and learn about the Amazon's endemic species
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Manaus, Afternoon City Tour | Manaus |
| Day 2 | Transfer to an Amazon Jungle Lodge, Nocturnal Safari | The Amazon |
| Day 3 | Discover the Flora & Fauna of the Amazon | The Amazon |
| Day 4 | Amazon Canoe Tour, Optional Overnight Jungle Adventure | The Amazon |
| Day 5 | Explore the Igapós & Igarapés Ecosystems by Canoe | The Amazon |
| Day 6 | Return to Manaus, Visit Museu da Amazônia & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Manaus, Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Brazil! Upon arrival at the airport in Manaus, a driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall to take you to your hotel. Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, sits at the meeting point of the Rio Negro and the Rio Amazonas and is a popular base for trips into the surrounding rainforests. Once you've settled in, you'll head out on a guided city tour. Your first stop will be the stunning Black River Palace, a 20th-century opulent manor constructed during the country's booming rubber baron era. Here, marvel at the intricate architectural details and learn about the significance of the rubber industry in the region's development.
Next, immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Brazil's Indigenous population at the Museu do Índio (Indian Museum). Explore the museum's captivating exhibits showcasing the history, traditions, and artwork of the country's native peoples. Continue to the 19th-century Customs House, a neoclassical building that once played a crucial role in controlling the flow of goods in and out of the Amazonas region. Nearby, the Palace of Justice is an impressive testament to the region's judicial system, with its elegant columns and intricate stonework.
Finally, your tour will conclude with a visit to the breathtaking Amazon Theater. This magnificent opera house, adorned with a beautiful pink facade and colorful dome, was built in 1896 during the height of the rubber boom. Discover the fascinating history behind this iconic structure, which continues to serve as a vital cultural center for the city.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 2: Transfer to an Amazon Jungle Lodge, Nocturnal Safari
Rise early today for the transfer to Ceasa Port, where you'll board a speedboat for the first leg of your journey. Along the way, stop to observe the "Meeting of the Waters," the natural phenomenon where the muddy waters of the Rio Solimões meet the black waters of the Rio Negro. At this crucial junction, the two rivers run side by side for several miles without actually mixing due to the differences in temperature, speed, and density. Ultimately they join to form the Rio Amazonas (Amazon River).
From here, continue to the village of Careiro, where you'll disembark and transfer to the Rio Tupana. A guide will be waiting to take you the rest of the way via a motorized canoe, eventually arriving at the small jungle lodge that serves as your base for the next four nights. Get settled into your charmingly rustic accommodations, rest up after your journey, and enjoy a relaxed dinner. As darkness falls, you'll join a guide on an atmospheric canoe ride to enjoy the night sounds of the jungle and spot its many nocturnal animals. With the aid of a flashlight, you'll keep an eye out for frogs, sloths, armadillos, and caimans.
Day 3: Discover the Flora & Fauna of the Amazon
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle this morning. After a hearty breakfast, you'll spend the entire day exploring your rainforest surroundings, with the incredible opportunity to observe its diverse ecosystems up close. Learn about the local flora and fauna as you trek into the depths of the forest, accompanied by a specialized guide. Later, hop in a motorized canoe to fish for piranhas and end the day gazing at a spectacular Amazon sunset.
Day 4: Amazon Canoe Tour, Optional Overnight Jungle Adventure
Start your morning with a peaceful paddle along the Amazon in a canoe, spotting exotic birds, rare pink dolphins, and many other species along the way. Afterward, you'll be welcomed into the home of one of the area's local Indigenous residents, where they'll share stories about their culture and customs as you learn more about life in the rainforest.
If you're craving more adventure, this afternoon you have the option to leave the lodge and spend the night in a jungle camp deeper in the wilds of the Amazon. Your guide will lead you on a trek to reach the campsite, where you'll enjoy dinner around the campfire as you learn about survival techniques like finding water and food, identifying medicinal plants, and first aid. When it's time to turn in, a hammock and mosquito net await, and you'll fall asleep to the ever-present soundtrack of the rainforest.
Day 5: Explore the Igapós & Igarapés Ecosystems by Canoe
After breakfast, you'll set out in a type of traditional dugout canoe used by the Indigenous Ribeirinhos people. Savor your last day in the jungle as you observe the plentiful wildlife and nature on display while navigating between the rainforest's igapós (flooded forests) and igarapés (seasonal streams). This form of canoe is perfect for spotting wildlife since you'll make little noise, so keep your eyes peeled for exotic mammals like monkeys, otters, anteaters, and, if you're very lucky, a tapir or an ocelot.
After lunch, you'll learn how to make Indigenous crafts using palm tree leaves, and dinner will be served soon after. Tonight before falling asleep, be sure to gaze at the stars in the light pollution-free skies one last time.
Day 6: Return to Manaus, Visit Museu da Amazônia & Depart
Say goodbye to the rainforest as you make the return journey to Manaus today. As soon as you reach the city, head directly to the Museu da Amazônia, a living museum within the Adolpho Ducke Reserve. Explore its Botanical Garden, home to a rich variety of fauna and flora studied by the National Institute of Amazonian Research, wander through 1 mile (3 km) of trails, and visit the library, laboratories, aquariums, orchidarium, and butterfly garden. Finally, climb the 137-foot (42 m) tower for a panoramic view of the rainforest—the perfect end to your rainforest adventure.
After your visit, you'll be transferred to the Manaus airport for your international flight back home. Safe travels!
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