Exclusive Amazon River Cruise Brazil | 5 days

The Zaltana crew will welcome you onboard for the start of this great adventure. During navigation in Amazonian waters, a meeting will be held, giving instructions, clarifying doubts, and demonstrating practices of minimal impact during the trip. Contemplating its water we will visit Encontro das Águas (Meeting of the Waters), where Rio Negro (black waters) and Rio Solimões (brown waters) run side by side for more than 9 km. You will be able to appreciate this rare phenomenon of nature and understand why these waters do not mix.

We will enjoy a delicious lunch onboard. In the afternoon, we will go on a speedboat ride to explore Lake Janauari, an ecological Park that has more than 9 thousand hectares, a region full of Amazonian species, such as mucuris, bromeliads, orchids, and the famous water lily (Victoria amazonica), one of the largest aquatic plants in the world.

Later in the day, we will visit an indigenous community where a wealth of Brazilian cultural diversity is concentrated. Here, we will have the opportunity to witness a captivating performance of traditional singing and dancing.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of opening your room’s curtains and being surrounded by nature. During our excursion, we’ll journey to the Nova Esperança community, situated along the banks of the Cuieiras River, an ecological haven that’s home to a diverse range of animal species and ancient trees. This visit will provide us with a unique chance to immerse ourselves in the local culture, discover their customs, and exchange knowledge.

While we’re there, we’ll have the chance to hike through the forest and discover the natural treasures hidden amongst the trees, learning about their medicinal benefits along the way. Later, we’ll explore the Anavilhanas islands by speedboat and venture to 3 Bocas, where the island’s lush vegetation is mirrored in the dark waters, creating a surreal environmental scene. To cap off the day, we’ll participate in the traditional activity of piranha fishing, where we’ll learn how to catch this famous fish that’s a staple of Amazonian cuisine.

Today, we’ll enjoy a full day of leisurely navigation, taking in the various landscapes formed by the islands. We’ll pass by the city of Novo Airão, which is the nearest city to the Anavilhanas National Park, and continue sailing until we reach Acajatuba. This area boasts several igarapés and canals that connect the Negro River to its neighboring Solimões River, making it an ideal location for eco-tourism activities.

In the evening, we’ll embark on a search for caimans and other nocturnal animals along the river banks. Our knowledgeable native guide will teach us how to use our flashlights to spot the distinct yellow eyes of these creatures.

Today, we’ll delve into the highlights of Acajatuba! We’ll kick off the day by visiting the Amazon river dolphins, the ‘botos’, one of the most beloved and docile mammals in the Amazon. Unfortunately, these creatures are at risk of extinction and are only found in the Amazon, making this a truly special and exciting experience!

Next, we’ll take a thrilling speedboat ride along the Ariaú River, which is renowned for being the filming location of the movie ‘Anaconda’. As the Ariaú River is formed by the union of the Solimões and Negro Rivers, it boasts a unique blend of fauna and flora from both environments. It’s not uncommon to spot a variety of wild animals, including sloths, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, as well as various bird species such as jaçanã, parrots, herons, and gypsy ancestors.

We’ll also embark on a forest hike that will lead us to the giant Samaúma tree, which is considered the mother of Amazonian trees and a significant part of Brazilian folklore. For the more adventurous among us, there’s an optional activity to climb one of these trees and reach its top to get a broader view of the vastness of the forest.

As the day draws to a close, we’ll begin preparations for our luau on Praia Grande beach, surrounded by the lush Amazon vegetation. We’ll start a bonfire and indulge in some excellent local food, including various types of hot fish. We’ll spend the evening sharing our experiences and perceptions of the Amazon before settling in for the night aboard the boat, which will be moored in Praia Grande.

The waters that welcomed us at the start of our journey will now bid us farewell as we make our way back to Manaus, marking the end of this incredible Amazon River Cruise expedition in Brazil.

We will enjoy a delicious farewell lunch while enjoy navigating through the waters of Rio Negrio, enjoying the last moments of this great adventure.

With renewed energy, we return home with the certainty that traveling through the Amazon on the Zaltana Boat is a unique adventure, which will make us reflect on how much we must protect the greatest natural heritage in the world. Join us in this exclusive Amazon River Cruise in Brazil, a lifetime experience!