Pico da Neblina National Park Expedition

Departure from São Gabriel da Cachoeira airport at 1.40 pm

Our Pico da Neblina expedition begins in the remote and vibrant town of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, nestled deep in the Amazon and known as the most Indigenous municipality in Brazil. The town is located 850 km from Manaus, and there are three options to get there: by plane (approximately 2 hours), by conventional boat (3 days), or by speedboat (24 hours).

If you choose to travel to São Gabriel da Cachoeira by plane, make sure to arrive by 1:40 pm, as a transfer will be waiting to take you to a cozy guesthouse near the Rio Negro. Check-in is available from 2 pm.

The afternoon is free to explore the riverfront, take in the atmosphere, and mentally prepare for the days ahead. In the evening, the group meets for a brief introduction and orientation.

• Manaus → São Gabriel da Cachoeira: 850 km, approximately 2 hours by plane

After breakfast, we visit the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), where we learn about Yanomami culture, conservation efforts, and sustainable travel in the region. This deepens our understanding of the journey ahead.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a swim in the black waters of the Rio Negro and finalize our gear and backpacks. A calm, grounding day before entering the forest.

The expedition officially begins! We leave São Gabriel by 4×4, heading 80 km to the South Port where the road ends and the Amazon rivers begin. From there, we board motorized canoes and begin a 150 km journey upriver, passing through the Ya-Mirim, Ya-Grande, Cauaburis, and Maturacá rivers.

The 150 km journey by water is a sensory immersion: giant trees, mirrored waters, and the distant echo of howler monkeys. We arrive in Maturacá at sunset, warmly received by the local Yanomami association AYRCA.

• São Gabriel da Cachoeira → Maturacá: Approximately 230 km, around 7 hours (car + canoes)

The day begins with a spiritual ceremony: Yanomami elders perform a traditional ritual to bless our Pico da Neblina trek. It’s a sacred moment that connects us to the land and the people who protect it.

We then continue upriver and disembark at the trailhead. From here, the forest closes in. We hike 8 km through dense vegetation to Camp Irokae, where hammocks await under a canopy of stars.

• Total hiking distance: 8 km

Today, we leave the lowlands behind on our Pico da Neblina expedition. A 6 km trek takes us up toward Camp Gavião, rising gradually through humid jungle, slippery roots, and thick vines.

At 420m, we reach a shaded camp beside a clearwater stream. The forest here is alive with sounds of frogs, birds, and rustling leaves lull us into rest.

• Total hiking distance: 6 km

The path winds further into solitude on our Pico da Neblina adventure. We trek 9 km through untouched rainforest, where every step is accompanied by the scent of wet earth and the sight of towering trees wrapped in moss.

Camp Bebedouro Novo awaits at 850m altitude. We cool off in a river, share stories over dinner, and fall asleep to the rhythm of the forest.

• Total hiking distance: 9 km

This is a day of challenge on this Pico da Neblina expedition. We climb 800 meters over just 5 km, ascending into the cloud forest where light filters in dappled patches through the mist.

After about 6 hours, we arrive at Camp Laje (1,600 m). From here, Yaripo appears on the horizon: mysterious, sacred, and majestic.

• Total hiking distance: 5 km

The Pico da Neblina trek continues with a steep, technical ascent. We hike 2 km to Base Velha, then another 2 km over muddy and exposed terrain to reach Camp Base at 2,030m.

The vegetation becomes alpine and the temperatures drop. We gather around a fire, eat a hot meal, and prepare for summit day.

• Total hiking distance: 4 km

The big day has finally arrived! We’ll set off early from Base Camp, leaving our heavy backpacks behind and carrying only our daypacks. Ahead lies a demanding trail, with sections equipped with iron rungs and ropes. As we gain altitude, the surrounding mountain ranges begin to reveal themselves in spectacular fashion.

At the top, the Montanha dos Ventos (Mountain of Winds) emerges shrouded in mist, creating a magical atmosphere. After a steep 4 km ascent, we’ll reach 2,995 meters above sea level, the highest point in Brazil!

Here, the world opens — endless forest below, clouds at eye level. It’s the ultimate moment of this Pico da Neblina expedition, a triumph of body, spirit, and connection.

• Total hiking distance: 4 km

On our Pico da Neblina expedition, we begin the long descent, retracing steps through mud, forest and fatigue. From Camp Base, we pass Base Velha and Laje, finally arriving at Bebedouro Novo.

It’s a 9 km walk that demands patience and care. At the end, the river soothes our tired bodies.

• Total hiking distance: 9 km

The forest feels different on the way down — familiar, yet transformed by our experience on this Pico da Neblina adventure. We hike 14 km to Camp Irokae, pausing again at Gavião.

That night, the Yanomami host a celebration. Each of us receives a symbolic Yanomami name, an honor that reflects the bond built over days of shared effort.

• Total hiking distance: 14 km

Our last day of hiking! After breakfast, we set off on the final 8 km stretch towards the riverbank, where the boats are waiting to take us back. The physical tiredness is evident, but so is the pride of completing the Pico da Neblina expedition.

We board the boats for a 2-hour ride to Maturacá, where a delicious lunch awaits us.

At the Yaripo Project headquarters, we share one last evening together, filled with joy, stories of the journey, reflections on all we’ve overcome, and the strong friendships we’ve built along the way. The trek may be ending, but the bond remains.

• Total hiking distance: 8 km
• Gavião → Maturacá: Approximately 2 hours (boat)

On our last day in Maturacá, we took time to visit the local handicraft stalls and say goodbye to the Yanomami community that made our journey so meaningful. We then begin our return, traveling 150 km by boat along the Maturacá, Cauaburis, Ya-Grande, and Ya-Mirim rivers.

This stretch gives us time to absorb everything we’ve experienced. After disembarking, we continue by car for another 80 km (about 2 hours) until we reach São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Back in town, we check into the guesthouse, where a snack, a warm shower, and the comfort of a real bed await us.

• Maturacá → São Gabriel da Cachoeira: Approximately 230 km, around 7 hours (boat + car)

A free day to rest, visit the artisan shop Wariró, book a massage, or walk around town. Many use this moment to integrate the experience.

In the evening, we celebrate with a farewell dinner and toast to the peak we reached, and everything we learned along the way.

On the final day of the adventure, travelers will enjoy breakfast before packing up. The group will then be taken to the São Gabriel airport, marking the end of this Pico da Neblina expedition.

You’ll return not only with photographs but with a renewed perspective, a deeper understanding of the Amazon, the Yanomami, and the transformative power of being immersed in nature.

• São Gabriel da Cachoeira → Manaus: 850 km, approximately 2 hours by plane

Departure is arranged according to the flight schedule, ensuring all travellers arrive on time for boarding.