4 days Amazon cruise Amazon ecological cruise
Desafio Riverboat - program, 4 days sample itinerary, Brazil river cruise in the Amazon basin from Manaus
Day 1 - Thursday - Manaus Amazon river expedition cruise
At
2:30 PM, meeting on board of Desafio boats at the docks of the hotel by
the Amazon River for the beginning of your Jungle Adventure. After
departure, a briefing with the details of your trip takes place at the
Salon Bar, while we navigate along the Rio Negro towards the borders of
the Amazon River, right where it meets the dark waters of the Rio Negro
to see the famous “meeting of the waters” that runs down the Amazon
River for about 4 km without mixing. Navigating towards Lake January,
where we will see the huge Victoria Regia water plant, we will take our
first canoe hiding to visit the Igarapés. A stop at an indigenous house
to see their way of living is a must. After enjoying the beauty and the
lavish green of the Amazon Forest from the deck, we will anchor at
Praia do Tatú to stay overnight. Dinner is served during the navigation.
(D)
Day 2 - Friday - On board Amazon river expedition cruise
Early
breakfast and we will leave for a trekking tour to observe the local
flora, one of the richest worldwide. Returning to the boat, 01 hour for
swimming. Lunch is served on board while we start navigating to Samauma
Island, located in the
Anavilhanas Archipelago, the largest river
archipelago in the world In the afternoon, reconnaissance tour around
the islands, lakes and Igarapés. After dinner, we will experience the
night sounds of the forest in the canoes around the dark waters of Rio
Negro. Return to the boat around 10:30 PM.
(B, L, D)
Day 3 - Saturday - On board Amazon river expedition cruise
Leaving
early morning the Anavilhanas Archipelago and going towards Santa
Maria, a typical “Caboclo” village where we will have the opportunity
to see the “Ribeirinho” way of living, we will serve. breakfast.
Continuing navigating, we will reach “furo do Meio”. Lunch is served
during navigation. In the afternoon, we will began our Fishing Contest:
the Piranha Fishing, the aggressive fish of the Amazon. Return to the
boat for beach swimming. After dinner, we will experience the searching
and spotting of alligators during a canoe excursion. Return to the boat
at 11:00 PM.
(B, L, D)
Day 4 - Sunday - On board - end of the cruise in Manaus
Wake
up call at 5:30 am for a morning tour to admire the concert of the
birds coming out of their night places, returning to the boat at 7:30,
when breakfast is served and we start our return to Manaus, arriving
around 11:00 am at the Tropical docks. End of our services.
(B)
Includes
All meals and accommodation
Naturalist Guides
Guided Hikes and other excursions
Not Included
International or local flights
Transfers from hotel or airport in Manaus to docks
Additional transfers, tours or meals in the cities
Laundry, liquor, tips
Personal Items
Items not mentioned
Climate
Over
most of this vast region the climate is very warm and humid. Rain falls
about 200 days each year, and total rainfall exceeds 80 inches per
year. One result of so much rain is that Amazonia is covered by the
largest tropical rain forest in the world.
Luggage:
One bag
up to 30 pounds (waterproof duffel bags are great, instead suitcases),
plus a carryon day pack. Guests may leave additional luggage at their
hotels in Manaus.
What to bring
Passport
Comfortable walking shoes or tennis
Long pants, 3 or 4 lightweight (not jeans)
Long and short sleeved cotton shirts of blouses, 3 or 4
Windbreaker or sweater
Cotton socks, a pair per day
Shorts, 2 or 3
T-shirts, 3 or 4
Bathing suit
Cotton underwear
Hat or cap
Plastic water bottle
Suntan lotion
Sunglasses
Flashlight with extra batteries
Binoculars (available of rent)
Waterproof small backpack
Insect repellent
Cameras with high speed film
Personal first aid kit
Plastic bags for wet clothe
Currency:
U.S. dollars or Nuevos Soles are needed for
bar or handicraft shopping. Prices do not include any transfers, tips,
soft drinks nor alcoholic beverages.
Tipping:
As in many places, gratuities are customary, but entirely at guest's discretion.
Special Conditions:
The
cruise reserves the right to vary itineraries in accordance with
operating requirements and cancel departures without any previous
notice. The Captain reserves the right to add or omit portions of the
cruise due to weather or technical or operational reasons without any
previous advance notice to passengers. After commencement of the
cruise, should the yacht
sustain any breakdown of machinery or be
disabled by fire, grounding or collision for more than 24 consecutive
hours, which prevents the further operation of the cruise itinerary and
if no alternative arrangement or substitute vessel is offered by the
cruise operator, then the passengers will be given a proportional
refund “per diem” on paid cruise fare. No further claims will be
accepted. Because no lifeguard security is provided, swimming off the
vessel is at passenger's own risk. Passengers are insured against
personal accidents while cruising with M/S Desafio, but those who wish
may have own insurance arrangements. We also suggest purchasing a “trip
cancellation” insurance in case of any unexpected contingencies.
Changes in the itinerary occurred due to technical reasons does not
entitle passengers for any claims or refunds.
Desafio Riverboat - program, 4 days sample itinerary, Brazil Amazon river cruise in Jau national park.
Day 1 - THURSDAY - Manaus/ Novo Airão
AM - Transfer from
Manaus to Novo Airão, located upstream on the Negro River, by boat,
navigating along the Anavilhanas Archipelago, or by unpaved dirt road
through the forest. Approx. around 3 hrs. There is also the possibility
of a low height flying over the Anavilhanas, an unforgettable
experience by hydroplane. Approx. 45` (upon request).
PM - Arrival
in the small city of Novo Airão. Embark on the M/V Desafio. Welcome
drink and cabin distribution. After lunch on board visit to a hand
craft workshop where locals produce typical Folk Art. This workshop was
founded and maintained by a Swiss NGO. There is the possibility to
purchase art pieces. If time permits, we can observe a curious fact!
The wild river dolphins are being fed by locals, they accept food
directly from the hand! We can try finding out if they also accept food
from foreign travelers! Embark on the M/V Desafio. After dinner we have
the opportunity for a motor boat trip exploring the river shores for
night fauna. L, D.
Day 2 - FRIDAY - on board M/V Desafio
We
continue our navigation for approx. 02 hrs. upriver. Arrival at Madadá,
a small settlement on the Negro River. Here we will visit the homes of
some forest settlers and marvel at their tremendous pioneering skills.
Watch the production of manioc flour called “farinha”, a basic element
of the Caboclo's diet. After lunch we go for a jungle trekking to enjoy
the Flora and Fauna, visit caves with ancient petroglyphs. This
afternoon we also try our fishing skills. Navigation upriver until
another tiny settlement where we disembark. Tonight we are the guests
of the Sateré Maué Indians. Dinner. No plates, but calabashes called
“cuias”, will be used to eat! We will taste typical local cuisine
followed by dance and purification rituals: Tucandeira - adolescent
males initiation; Curumim - young girls perform the Manioc dance.
Guests can participate in the ritual, once they are duly “purified” and
prepared with their faces painted in ritual colors and magic signs. The
adventurous guests can sleep in hammocks in the jungle, close to the
settlement. B, L, D.
Day 3 - SATURDAY - on board M/V Desafio
Navigation
upriver. Possibility of watching playful pink or grey freshwater
Dolphins playing in the river. Visit the ghost village of Airão Velho
(Old Airão). Founded in 1668 by the Portuguese “mercedarios” order,
older than Manaus (1856), Airão Velho used to be the trading center of
the Jaú River valley and the Negro River region.
Depart by motor
launches towards the Jaú River. Depending on the water level of the
river we will choose the anchor location of the M/V Desafio and lunch
will be served ashore. Departure by motor launch passing by the main
settlement inside the Park, Serringalzinho, with 90 inhabitants. From
now on, we are in no-man's-land! The further we navigate, the narrower
and wilder gets the scenery, until we reach the end of our journey, the
Jaú rapids. Depending on the water level, they become waterfalls!
Following dinner on board, we take a launch trip in search of
alligators, catching a small one for having a close-up look before
releasing it back to its home among the reeds. B, L, D.
Day 4 - SUNDAY - Jaú/ Novo Airão / Manaus
While
the M/V Desafio navigates down river, we scout the wilderness of the
northwestern shore of the Anavilhanas Arquipelago, established as a
reserve in protection of the worlds largest chain of river islands,
with our motorized launch. Jacques Cousteau and his Calypso, as well as
the New Zealander Sir Peter Blake spent months in this region studying
the local fauna and flora. Early afternoon arrival in Novo Airão,
disembark and transfer back to Manaus. B,L.
Includes
All meals and accommodation
Naturalist Guides
Guided Hikes and other excursions
Not Included
International or local flights
Transfers from hotel or airport in Manaus to docks
Additional transfers, tours or meals in the cities
Laundry, liquor, tips
Personal Items
Items not mentioned
Note:
Due to that most flights arrive and depart Manaus around midday, an
overnight in Manaus before and after the cruise is imperative.
Climate
Over
most of this vast region the climate is very warm and humid. Rain falls
about 200 days each year, and total rainfall exceeds 80 inches per
year. One result of so much rain is that Amazonia is covered by the
largest tropical rain forest in the world.
Luggage:
One bag up to 30 pounds (waterproof duffel
bags are great, instead suitcases), plus a carryon day pack. Guests may
leave additional luggage at their hotels in Manaus.
What to bring
Passport
Comfortable walking shoes or tennis
Long pants, 3 or 4 lightweight (not jeans)
Long and short sleeved cotton shirts of blouses, 3 or 4
Windbreaker or sweater
Cotton socks, a pair per day
Shorts, 2 or 3
T-shirts, 3 or 4
Bathing suit
Cotton underwear
Hat or cap
Plastic water bottle
Suntan lotion
Sunglasses
Flashlight with extra batteries
Binoculars (available of rent)
Waterproof small backpack
Insect repellent
Cameras with high speed film
Personal first aid kit
Plastic bags for wet clothes
Currency:
U.S.
dollars or Nuevos Soles are needed for bar or handicraft shopping.
Prices do not include any transfers, tips, soft drinks nor alcoholic
beverages.
Tipping:
As in many places, gratuities are customary, but entirely at guest's discretion.
Special Conditions:
The cruise reserves the right to vary itineraries in accordance with operating requirements and cancel departures without any previous notice. The Captain reserves the right to add or omit portions of the cruise due to weather or technical or operational reasons without any previous advance notice to passengers. After commencement of the cruise, should the yachtsustain any breakdown of machinery or be disabled by fire, grounding or collision for more than 24 consecutive hours, which prevents the further operation of the cruise itinerary and if no alternative arrangement or substitute vessel is offered by the cruise operator, then the passengers will be given a proportional refund “per diem” on paid cruise fare. No further claims will be accepted. Because no lifeguard security is provided, swimming off the vessel is at passenger's own risk. Passengers are insured against personal accidents while cruising with M/S Desafio, but those who wish may have own insurance arrangements. We also suggest purchasing a “trip cancellation” insurance in case of any unexpected contingencies. Changes in the itinerary occurred due to technical reasons does not entitle passengers for any claims or refunds.