Amazon River Cruise

Experience the slow river travel in the Amazon in this07-day river cruise program, sailing in a small boat along the beautiful rainforest of the Brazilian Amazon. The cruise starts in the city of Manaus. Discover the UNESCO Heritage sites of Anavilhanas Archipelago and Jau National Park, as well as Rio Solimões. This area of the river has almost no mosquitoes due to the natural insecticide found in its waters, being one of the most wild and preserved portion of the Amazon. The paths, waterfalls, and creeks will not be crowded by tourists – you will have an intimate experience with the forest and the giant river. Climb the giant trees, swim with the pink dolphins, visit indigenous communities, observe monkeys, sloths, dolphins, and birds at nights and at sunrise/sunset time. Meet the warm-hearted riverside communities from northern Brazil, which live hand in hand with the nature. Marvel at the greatness of samaúma and macucu trees – the lungs of the forest. This tour is recommended for those looking for adventure, and greater contact with nature.

09 Days – From £2,150 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Manaus, Anavilhanas Archipelago, Velho Airao, Manaus

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin cabin
Accommodation onboard a luxury eco boat (More Info)
Full board on the boat
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers by car on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees to all the mentioned national Parks
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description.

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. Fly to Manaus Airport (MAO).

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the other places in the Amazon, the fascinating Pantanal, the culture of Bahia or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

When to Visit

It is good to visit year round.

There are two season: the dry season from September to March and the flood season from April to August.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Manaus to Anavilhanas

Today, at the pier in Manaus, board the boat and meet the crew for a short briefing about the next days. On the way, Visit the Seringal rubber museum in Vila Paraiso, on the banks of Taruman lake. Stop for swimming on a beach of Praia Grande. Later, navigate to AnavilhanasArchipelago, upstream of Rio Negro (3 hours?). From the upper deck, observe the black waters of the mirror-like river. From time to time you can spot a jump of pink dolphins and colourful Amazonian birds flying over. If you are lucky, you can also spot the cute sloths in the trees. You will even get closer to them during a kayak ride or while swimming in the river. Depending on the season, the boat will stop overnight in a safe area, a white-sand beach or a peaceful bay, for a beautiful evening adorned with a starry sky. Overnight onboard.

Day 2 - Anavilhanas Archipelago

Wake up to the sounds of nature. What a spectacle! After a lovely breakfast listening to the bird songs, head out for a canoe trip for a more intimate encounter with the Amazon, exploring aquatic trails, igapós, lakes and islands. Swim in the beautiful waters of Rio Negro, spending relaxing moments. Continue navigation to Saraca community and visit the manioc house. Learn about the process of making manioc flour, the precious Brazilian food. Later, go trekking (2 hours) in the wonderful forest with a local guide, to see the fauna and flora. Return to the boat and continue sailing in Anavilhanas National Park area. At night, go on an aquatic trail to spot nocturnal wildlife.Overnight onboard.

Day 3 - Madada Caves & Airao Velho

Today, discover Grutas do Madadá, giant rock formations in the middle of the forest, located in the remote region, up the Rio Negro. Visit the petroglyphs dating from 800 BC and the ruins of Airão Velho, a ghost city and a true open air museum. Continue to the wild waterfall formed during the flood season. Have lunch in the forest. After breakfast, depart by motorboat to Casa Rosa (1 hour), a place with a mini-museum about riverside life and old photos, which is the starting point of the trail (3 hours round trip) on flat terrain. After the walk, you will have a traditional lunch with roasted fish. During the dry season, on the way back, stop at the beautiful white sand beaches in contrast to the dark waters of the river, for bathing and contemplation. During the flood season, go piranha fishing. Return by boat (1 hour), through the islands of the Anavilhanas National Park. Anchor at beach or igarapé for the night. For dinner, gather around the bonfire (in dry season), with native folklore storytelling. Overnight onboard.

Day 4 - Jáu National Park

During the dry season, board a speedy canoe incursion through inland lakes, seeking packs of Giant Otters, Bicoh monkeys and other animals. The biggest samauma trees and Carabinani amazon rapid waters are here. Take a refreshing swim in the waterfalls (until May and after September), surrounded by lush greenery. Later visit the indigenous community and go a forest trail.Visit the giant trees around the community. During the night take a canoe ride to spot alligators and nocturnal animals. Overnight onboard.

Day 5 - Acajatuba

After Ariaú, the boat will set course to the other side of Rio Negro, toward Rio Solimões.

Today discover aquatic trails of the archipelago before returning to Novo Airão. After a short city-tour in Novo Airão to see the artisan workshop of Almerinda Malaquias Fundacao and local attractions, have a farewell lunch at Flor do Luar, a floating restaurant at Anavilhanas National Park. Relax and swim in Rio Negro.

Visit Lago Acajatuba, the home of the pink dolphin, a unique species of the Amazon. The experience of meeting and swimming with this playful animal is truly amazing. Later, visit the riverside community and share enjoyable moments with the local people. Overnight onboard.

Day 6 - Rio Ariau

After a beautiful sunrise on the beach, navigate up the Rio Ariaú, a beautiful black water course with lots of vegetation, monkeys and sloths. You will see the giant samauma trees which you can even climbing the tower. Native guides will guide you through the jungle for an educational trekking (1,5 hours). Learn about the healing plants of the Amazonian rainforest. At night, after dinner, search for alligators and other nocturnal animals. Overnight onboard.

Day 7 - Return to Manaus

With the break of the day, the forest wakes up too, and the sounds of nature are magical. Transfer to Manaus around late afternoon.On the way stop at Tuiuka community.