Heart of the Amazon Voyage
Amazon Nature Tours takes you by river boat into some of the most remote, untouched rainforest in the Amazon. You’ll venture far up the Rio Negro, the least-inhabited river in the Amazon Basin, and explore areas rarely visited by outsiders. Led by accomplished naturalist guides you’ll see creatures almost never seen by other visitors—in fact, the experience is something like being in a time machine, as you are able to explore places that have not changed for millions of years. Your Amazon cruise vessel Tucano (Toucan in Portuguese) has comfortable cabins with large beds and private baths and is air conditioned throughout. Small groups (a maximum of 18 passengers), trained naturalist guides and a thoughtful itinerary allow for a genuine, thrilling experience of the Amazon rainforest. It’s truly the trip of a lifetime.
Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
Heart of the Amazon Voyage Itinerary:
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Day 1
Your trip begins today in Manaus, Brazil. This morning all guests board the vessel the Motor Yacht Tucano and depart 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)
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Day 2
Early this morning we explore the rainforest along the waters 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)
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Day 3
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)
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Days 4
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. 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)
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Days 5
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)
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Days 6
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”. (BLD)
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Day 7
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 there may be one last excursion looking for nocturnal life. (BLD)
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Day 8
In the morning all guests disembark from the Tucano. (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. For guests interested in a city tour of Manaus, this can be arranged prior to the first day of the cruise.
Cruise accommodations, transfers, and meals as indicated in the itinerary. Bottled water served free of charge.
Airfare, departure taxes, gratuities, visa fees, items of a personal nature, hotel accommodations in Manaus.
A non-refundable $400 deposit is required at time of sign-up. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
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 within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, 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.
Heart of the Amazon Voyage
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.
Weather
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 temperatur is 81°F, but it is humid. From June to August, the heat tends to decrease a bit. In some parts of the North the period from January to March is known as winter because that’s when the most rain falls.
Gear Checklist
- Valid passport
- Airline tickets
- Duffel bag (wheels and retractable handle are fine) sturdy and large enough to hold clothing and gear
- Passport security pouch or belt
- Daypack to carry raingear, camera, water and snacks
- Luggage tags and luggage locks
- Rain jacket (or poncho) - waterproof and breathable
- Lightweight windbreaker
- T-shirts
- Lightweight long-sleeve shirt(s) for sun / insect protection, quick-dry
- Hiking shorts - synthetic, quick-dry
- Hiking pants - synthetic, quick-dry
- Hiking socks and liners
- Swimsuit
- Lightweight hiking boots or trail shoes, broken in
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
- Water sandals or booties
- Sun hat
- Bandana
- Lightweight, easily washable items for evening wear or when traveling
- One water bottle (1-quart size) or hydration pack
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars (a must have)
- Personal first aid kit
- Handi-wipes
- Toiletry kit
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Watch with alarm or travel alarm
- Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries/bulb
- Camera, film and spare batteries
- Reading and writing materials
- Field guides
- Ziploc bags – an assortment of different sizes for storing wet/soiled clothing
- Travel pillow
- Earplugs
- Mosquito headnet
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.
- Feel free to give us a call at (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staffs at our stores or Direct Sales (800-426-4840) are happy to help you with gear questions. Or visit REI's website at www.rei.com. The Expert Advice section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.
