Amazon River Cruise from Alter do Chão

Our Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão actually begins at Santarém International Airport (STM). Kaiara’s staff you pick you up at the airport and take you straight to where the ship is docked. This drive usually lasts about 30 minutes.

In Alter do Chão, Kaiara departs at 12 a.m., but the first stop happens shortly after. As a way to welcome guests and give them a little taste of what’s to come in the next few days, everyone will enjoy amazing moments at one of Tapajós River beaches. Don’t hesitate to relax on the clear sand, swim in the green waters – a rare coloring for Amazonian rivers – and just appreciate the experience of being in one of the most beautiful places in Brazil.

After that, Kaiara will sail to Jari Channel, in the Amazon River. The water has a brownish tone due to the high level of nutrients, which makes aquatic animals and plants thrive in this environment. That’s why this is a great spot to observe birds, piranhas and small mammals. Get your camera ready!

When afternoon comes, guests will savor delicious fruity drinks – made with local ingredients – and watch the sunset. As the last rays of sunshine paint the sky orange and pink, the vessel will float to Arapiuns River.

Morning starts with a delicious breakfast made by Kaiara’s talented kitchen staff. After everyone’s got their bellies full, we’ll dock on a small beach near Aldeia Atodi, a female-lead indigenous village whose guardians will guide us through the forest.

These experienced, powerful women will share fascinating stories about the Amazon Rainforest and their own culture, but the theme of this tour is the medicinal properties of the forest. You’ll learn how to use different plants and even tree barks to make natural medication. The activity ends with a refreshing dip in the area’s igarapés (water courses).

Back to the vessel, it’s time for lunch. Guests will have a free afternoon to enjoy the Arapiuns River or Kaiara’s facilities. In the late afternoon, we’ll canoe through the nearby lake. Make sure to breathe the fresh air, listen to the sounds of nature, admire the view and relax.

To the sound of Para’s energetic traditional music, dinner will be served at the beach.

Right after breakfast, our group will visit São Marcos, a local community that makes a living with cassava products. Their specialty is the cassava flour, which Amazonian people eat with almost every meal. This same flour is the main ingredient of farofa, the savory sand-like garnish typically eaten with Brazil’s national dish, feijoada.

Next stop is one of the region’s gorgeous freshwater beaches. Kaiara’s crew will be ready to serve you with authentic caipirinhas – expect the classic drink with lime and other versions made with regional fruits –, mouthwatering snacks or even to set up a hammock under a tree so you can take a nap.

The last activity for day 3 is visiting another Amazonian village. Coroca riverside people make a huge difference in the local flora by tending to a breeding center of Amazon turtles. In partnership with Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), the initiative is crucial to remove the turtles from the endangered species list – and a great way for the community to make a living while also preserving nature.

We’ll be introduced to the lake where adult and baby turtles live. Coroca guides will tell you all about these beautiful animals and how the process of species recovery works.

Before we get back to Kaiara, make sure to browse through Galeria Aripó, the community’s gift shop, to buy some locally-made souvenirs for your friends and family at home.

Kaiara will sail during the night to arrive at Tapajós National Forest when dawn breaks. This is a very important conservation unit that helps with climate regulation, soil preservation, water quality and overall Amazon biodiversity.

After docking near the Jamaraquá village, we’ll go jungle hiking until we find the almighty Samaúma, a giant tree that can grow to 70 meters tall and live hundreds of years. One in particular is believed to be older than 900 years old! Locals call it Queen of the Amazon or vovózona (big grandma).

The hike to the Samaúma tree is fully customizable. Depending on the group’s preferences, we can take a longer or shorter route.

You’ll go back to the vessel to rest or enjoy the beach until it’s time for an exciting canoeing tour at night. Stargazing and spotting nocturnal animals is one of the best experiences in the Amazon Rainforest. Enjoy it!

On the last day, we recommend that guests wake up earlier so they can witness the daybreak. Watching the sunrise slowly light up the sky, while the trees adorn the horizon and the birds sing their sweet melodies, is a sight you’ll keep forever in your heart.

Breakfast will be served, and then we’ll have a final stop in one of Tapajós beaches so you can swim, take pictures and say your goodbyes to this fantastic place.

You should arrive in Alter do Chão by 12 a.m. or earlier, according to your flight schedule. For your convenience, Kaiara’s staff will also safely drive you to Santarém Airport.