Tapajos River Tour

The Tapajos River Tour is a 9-day guided program, sailing in a small boat along beautiful white-sand beaches and the dense protected rainforest of the Brazilian Amazon. Departures are from the picturesque village of Alter do Chao in the state of Para. Take a deep immersion and connect with extraordinary nature, slowly sailing away past beauty and tranquility. Enjoy the recharging energy of remote rivers, go swimming, take canoe trips, hug a giant samauma tree in the jungle, watch mesmerizing sunsets and daydream. The picturesque views, the preserved forest, the clear rivers will enchant every visitor. You will also meet the local communities and learn more about their culture, history and art. The program includes accommodation onboard the boat and at boutique hotels while not sailing. It is an excellent choice for a group of friends, adventure seekers, families and everybody who are seeking an inspirational break from the everyday buzz. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities.

09 Days – From £2,150 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Santarem, Alter do Chao, Flona, Canal do Jari, Arapiuns, Urucucea, Ponta Grande, Alter do Chao, Santarem

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin cabin
Accommodation in luxury boutique hotels with breakfast in Alter do Chao (more hotels HERE)
Accommodation with 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 Santarem Airport (STM).

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, but best to visit from August to December when the water is low, allowing the beaches to come up.

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 - Santarem

Today you will arrive in the northern Brazilian state of Para. You will be met at the airport and escorted to the hotel. On the way to Alter do Chao, take a guided city tour of Santarem. It is one of the oldest cities in the Brazilian Amazon. Spend the rest of the day in the village and visit Ilha do Amor with its beautiful white-sand beaches and relaxing atmosphere. Known as the “Caribbean in Brazil”, the picturesque beach has been ranked as one of the most beautiful in Brazil. Time permitting, visit the stunning Mureta beach, passing by Jacundá lake. There are often live saxophone performances on the beach at sunset. Overnight at Vila de Alter.

Day 2 - Amazon beaches

Today you will start the Amazon cruise adventure on the Tapajos River aboard a small boat. The first stop will be on lovely sands of Praia do Cajutuba and Praia do Aramanaí for a refreshing swim. Continue to the Santo Domingo coves and the beautiful dunes of Maguari. In the protected forest of Flona Jamaraqua enjoy crystal clear waters with an abundance of fish. Stop for a delicious picnic of fresh tropical fruits. Later enjoy a canon ride in a beautiful creek. In the evening, spend an unforgettable night on the beach with fire drinks and appetizers, watching the milky way and shooting stars. Overnight on the boat.

Day 3 - Amazon jungle trek

After breakfast, go on a jungle hike along the famous Jamaraqua Trail (9.1 km in 3-4 hours) with local guides. On this trek you will see the impressive Samauma trees, which is considered sacred by the indigenous people. During the hike you will also visit a crystal clear water creek in the middle of the forest. From the top of a mountain enjoy unforgettable views over the Tapajos River and the Amazon rainforest. Stop for a delicious lunch made of local Amazonian dishes. Finish the day at Ponta do Cururu, a wonderful beach with sand dunes, where local boats anchor to watch a fabulous sunset over the river. Overnight on the boat.

Day 4 - More gorgeous beaches

Today explore the wonderful Lago Verde which is composed of 14 springs and Floresta Encantada forest, where you will stop for swimming in crystal-clear waters and a canoe ride. With a little luck, you will see monkeys and sloths on the island of Tilheiro. Sailing past the scenic Ilha do Amor, continue to Praia do Pindobal where you will learn about the rubber era. Continue to Lago do Piranha, Piraoca mountain and the beautiful Praia da Moça. Stop for a tropical picnic with fresh fruits. The place is an ideal spot for relaxation, walks on white sand dunes, swimming in the crystal clear ocean-like river. Settle for the night. Overnight on the boat.

Day 5 - Like in a movie

Today sail to Praia do Jacare and Lago do Jacare, one of the most beautiful places in the region. Expect to meet an abundant wildlife and a lot of natural beauty. Otters, alligators, turtles and birds live in harmony here. This sensational place is great for reflection and meditation, while contemplating the wild actors. The children’s movie Taina 3 was actually filmed here, on the banks of Lago do Jacare! Continue sailing to the wonderful sites of Ponta das Pedras, Lago Tapari and Lago Preto. Camp on the beach for a relaxing stop, before crossing the Tapajos River for more attractions. Overnight on the boat.

Day 6 - Jari Channel

Today visit the extraordinary Jari Channel with incredible landscapes. It is possibly to see alligators on the river’s edge, Iguanas climbing trees, dozens of parrots flying over and fish jumping out of the water. Stop at Mr. Ederval´s property to observe monkeys and sloths and learn about the channel’s fauna and flora. Continue to the site of giant water lilies and try local specialties. Witness the sunset in this wonderful natural paradise and continue sailing to the Arapiuns River. Stop overnight in the Urucurea community with the campfire and howler monkeys singing in the night. Overnight on the boat.

Day 7 - Into the wild

Today visit Urucurea, a wonderful cove divided into 3 arms of water with wonderful views. Visit the picturesque church on top of a hill and a local handcrafts shop to learn about the arts and history of the indigenous people. Take a wild jungle trail (1,5h-2,5km) or a canoe trip exploring the jungle and beaches. Continue to the fascinating Toronó dunes and the Great lake, a truly majestic place. Walk through sand dunes, with dozens of birds flying over and porpoises showing their fins. Stop for a tropical picnic and swimming in crystal clear waters. Continue to Ponta Grande, a perfect beach to meditate and settle for the night. Fire by the beach, roasted fish and good company! Overnight on the boat.

Day 8 - Return to Alter do Chao

Today is the last sailing day passing by local communities and beautiful beaches. While leaving Ponta Grande, on the way, visit the community of Coroca, to learn about conservation of turtles and bees. After a delicious Amazonian lunch, sail back to Alter do Chão. You will make one last stop on the way at Ucuxi beach, a beautiful white-sand beach. At sunset the boat will arrive at Cururu beach. It is time to say good bye to the crew. You will be picked up and transferred to the beautiful jungle lodge, a small oasis of tranquility, surrounded by pure nature. Overnight at Casa da Arvore.

Day 9 - Departure to Santarem

After breakfast, enjoy a nice walk around the village of Alter do Chao. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey. In Santarem, the meeting of the waters of the Amazon and Tapajos rivers is a contemplative phenomenon which can be seen from various parts of the city front. Tapajos waters are emerald green while the Amazon waters are a muddy brown. It takes quite a distance for the two shades to mix into one. The two rivers have different temperature, speed and composition. Swimming at the confluence is truly sensational, as one can feel the differences of the waters on the skin. We also recommend heading to Manaus and exploring the other side of the Amazon rainforst, on Rio Negro.

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