Heart of the Amazon Voyage

Heart of the Amazon Voyage Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Board your river cruise boat, the Tucano, and begin your Amazon voyage along the Rio Negro in search of amazing wildlife.

  You meet today at 7:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Hotel Tropical in Manaus, Brazil. After introductions to the guides and fellow passengers we walk to the dock to board the launches that will take us to the Motor Yacht Tucano. Onboard our guides will give us a briefing while the Tucano departs upstream on the Rio Negro. Through the morning we will cruise through the world’s largest river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. From the observation deck we scan the magnificent tangle of vegetation at the water’s edge. By mid-afternoon the vessel has gone beyond the frontier of settlement and entered a wilderness area. Both shores are covered by dense rainforest. Though we never know what we will see, we have a good chance of observing pink river dolphins and a large collection of exotic birds. Most certainly we will be treated to magnificent forest vistas and the spectacular trees themselves. In the late afternoon we embark in the launches and hunt for wildlife. We may also go for a swim in some of the world’s most clean and refreshing water. (LD)

• Day 2 There's no mistaking a howler monkey's call. Hearing them is easier than spotting them.

  Early this morning we explore the rainforest along the water's edge in our launches. We should hear and perhaps see howler monkeys along with a morning serenade of toucans. After breakfast we go for a walk in the forest where we will get a good start on understanding Amazon ecology. Around midday we return for lunch and the vessel will get underway, perhaps stopping at a place to swim. In the late afternoon we will explore the forest in our launches and listen to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs. (BLD)

• Day 3 The morning is a perfect time to scout for wildlife and during the heat of the day the Tucano will travel up river.

  This morning there will be an early exploration of the waking forest. We will keep our eyes open for monkeys—on most trips we see them often. We return for breakfast followed by either a walk in the forest or an excursion in the launches. The Tucano will travel during the middle of the day and we stop in the afternoon for an excursion. Tonight the vessel may travel a bit more as we marvel at the night sky crowded with stars. (BLD)

• Days 4 We'll set foot in a new forest setting and see a large concentration of birds, mammals and plant life all due to the rich soil.

  After our two morning excursions, the M/Y Tucano will navigate along the heavily forested shore, scouting for wildlife. We may stop for a visit at a settler’s home carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon we will be near an extraordinary river called the Rio Jauaperi. Here we will see a kind of forest known as the varzea. We will scout along the shoreline for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this unique environment. Weather permitting we will do a night excursion to observe nocturnal creatures. (BLD)

• Days 5 Discover how plants and animals have evolved in the rainforest and how dependent they can be on their environment.

  Today we depart the Rio Jauaperi and for the next two days proceed downstream on the Rio Negro exploring a new collection of rainforest habitats. In the daytime we will continue to scout in our launches, walk in the forest, and at night hunt for nocturnal wildlife. (BLD)

• Days 6 It’s a jungle walk in the morning, strolling the streets of the small town of Novo Airão at midday and a Caipirinha party at night—it can only be done on the Rio Negro!

  After a walk in the forest we cross to the West bank of the Rio Negro, exploring as we go. We will stop at the substantial boat building village of Novo Airão. As we walk through the streets we’ll marvel at how the 19th Century thrives in this remote corner of the globe. Tonight the Tucano goes downstream to arrive at daybreak near the confluence with the Amazon River. As we glide through the starry darkness this is a good night to sip the national drink of Brazil, the “Caipirinha” and perhaps try a bit of samba on the top deck. (BLD)

• Day 7 See the meeting of two great rivers today - the mighty Amazon and Nego and explore this fabulously rich environment.

  This morning we explore the Lago Janauari Ecological Park where seasonally the thick brown water of the Amazon flows swiftly through the forest. This area is usually a very good place to observe wildlife. Around midday the vessel will travel to the “Encontra das Aguas” a stark several mile long line where the world’s two largest rivers, the Amazon and the Negro, join in a turbulent maelstrom. Here the dark water of the Negro runs beside the opaque brown water of the Amazon. In the afternoon we scout one of the hidden streams in the area to try to see more of the Amazon’s beautiful and bizarre creatures. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner and prepare for an early departure in the morning. (BLD)

• Day 8 Disembarkation today.

  In the morning all guests disembark from the Tucano to the Hotel Tropical at 8:00a.m. (B)
  
  Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Please note that the day to day schedule must be considered approximate. The exact order of the days and specific features may be altered due to navigational and other scheduling considerations. If guests are interested in a city tour of Manaus, it can be arranged on the last day of the cruise after disembarkation as an optional add-on.

If you are traveling alone and are willing to share a cabin, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If we are unable to assign a roommate, you will not be required to pay an additional fee. Passengers that request single accommodations pay a single supplement for the Green category cabin. Single accommodations are limited. The single cabins are the smallest on the vessel.

All accommodations; guided excursions; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary and bottled water.

Airfare to Brazil, airport transfers; visa fees; soft drinks or alcoholic beverages; guide gratuities; items of a personal nature; excess baggage charges or insurance of any kind.

There are two cabin categories on the M/Y Tucano. Green category cabins have bunk beds with upper and lower berths. Yellow category cabins are larger and have beds side by side.

A special cancellation policy applies to this cruise. Please note that this policy is stricter than REI Adventures’ standard policy. A non-refundable deposit of $400 is required to confirm your berth. Full payment is due 90 days prior to your departure. When a trip cancellation is received between 90-61 days prior to the cruise, 50% of the trip cost will be refunded. For cancellations made within 60 days of the cruise all trip costs are 100% non-refundable.

The Amazon Basin, or better known as Amazonia, receives the most rain in all of Brazil, but the refreshing showers are usually seen as a godsend. Amazonia is not nearly as hot as most people imagine. The average temperature is 81°F, but it is humid. The average daytime temperature in the rainy season is in the mid 80’s with nighttime lows in the mid 70’s to high 60’s. The rainy season roughly runs from mid-December to mid-May, the temperature is a bit cooler than the June-December dry season, though overall there is only a five degree average temperature difference between months. The wet season is a time when plants fruit and flower which attracts birds and primates to the water’s edge. The dry season brings lower waters that expose sandy beaches and is the time for beach birds and caimans to nest. It is also when migratory fish lay eggs in the shallow waters that attract the tropical fishing birds.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. Passengers must be able to step from the launch to the boat or shore (helping hands are always available). While guests can have a quite enjoyable trip by simply staying on board TUCANO and participating in launch excursions, participants in the walks in the forest must be able to comfortably walk for two or more hours at a time in very hot and humid conditions. Participants should be in good physical condition and consider beginning a regular exercise regimen 1-2 months prior to departure consisting of walking/hiking, running and/or swimming to prepare for this adventure. The better shape you're in, the more you'll be able to take advantage of all the excursions off the boat.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, hiking boots, a pair of shorts/shirt/fleece top/sandals and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, due to the humidity in the Amazon, quick-dry synthetic materials, such as such as Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®, will hold up to humid conditions.
• Bring clothing that is lightweight and protects you from the sun. It is always good to have a lightweight, long-sleeve jacket, especially for the evenings. Muted earthtone colors are best for wildlife viewing.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Plastic bags are great for keeping clothing and gear dry. Use Ziploc bags to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes.
• If you wear prescription glasses, use a safety cord and bring an extra pair if possible. Contact lens wearers should also bring an extra set, or bring eyeglasses for a backup.
• Space for luggage is limited. Pack light, fitting all clothing into one duffel bag. During the day, plan on carrying a small daypack with sunscreen, raingear, water bottle/hydration system and camera.