Brazil Amazonas Wildlife River Cruise Tour
Serene & Immersive Exploration in the Amazon Rainforest
- Available: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Comfortable Small Ship
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Group Size:
1-16 Guests
Min Age: 7
Highlights
- Listen to the sounds of toucans and howler monkeys as the forest awakens
- Explore the Anavilhanas Archipelago's flooded forests and remote villages by kayak and on foot
- Visit the confluence of the Amazon and Rio Negro waters - an impressive sight to behold!
Itinerary
Board the Motor Yacht Tucano and Voyage North on the Rio Negro
Day 1
Board the Motor Yacht Tucano in Manaus early this morning and depart upstream on the Rio Negro. Cruise through the world's largest river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. Watch the magnificent tangle of vegetation as the boat enters a wilderness area beyond the frontier of settlement, with both shores covered by dense rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for pink river dolphins, primates and a large collection of exotic birds, while taking in magnificent forest vistas and the spectacular trees themselves. In the late afternoon, hop on a launch (a smaller boat made for exploring) to look for wildlife from the water's edge.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Amazon Rainforest
Day 2
Early this morning divide into small groups and explore the rainforest by your choice of launch or kayak, each group with a naturalist guide. Hear a morning serenade of toucans and howler monkeys, then, after breakfast back on board, go for a walk in the forest and get a good start on understanding Amazon ecology. Around midday, return for lunch as the vessel gets underway, perhaps stopping at a place to swim. In the late afternoon, explore the forest aboard the launches and listen to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs. Weather permitting, you may do a night excursion in the launches to marvel at nocturnal creatures of the Amazon.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Activity: 3-5 excursions by launch, kayak, and on foot; possible swimming opportunity
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Forest Walks & Wildlife Watching
Day 3
Explore the waking forest in the early morning light, keeping your eyes open for sloths, as well as the monkeys that are frequently seen along the shore. Return for breakfast, followed by either a walk in the forest or an excursion in the launches. M/Y Tucano will travel during the middle of the day and stop in the late afternoon for an excursion, when most animals come out to feed. As the vessel travels a bit farther, marvel at the night sky crowded with stars.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Activity: 3 excursions by launch and on foot
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Scout the Rio Jaueperi
Day 4
After morning excursions, scout for wildlife while the M/Y Tucano navigates along the heavily forested shore, where it's possible to stop for a visit at a settler's home carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon, cruise near an extraordinary river called Rio Jaueperi, where you'll see a kind of forest known as the "varzea." Scout along the shoreline for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this unique environment. This is often a good place to fish for the legendary scourge of the Amazon, Piranhas, which might just become hors d'oeuvres. Observe nocturnal creatures during a night excursion (weather permitting). The night shift of Amazon wildlife often includes Giant Potoo birds, with eyes glowing like coals in the headlamps; caiman cavorting in the shallows of the darkness; and Bulldog fishing bats.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Activity: 3-4 excursions by launch and on foot
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the West Bank of the Rio Negro
Day 5
Voyage to the west side of the Rio Negro and, weather and water depth permitting, set out to explore areas of the rainforest rarely visited by anyone else, scouting in the launches and walking in the forest. Tonight the M/Y Tucano goes downstream and enters an east bank affluent of the Rio Negro for a nocturnal exploration aboard the launches, deep into the rainforest. Afterwards, sip the national drink of Brazil, the Caipirinha, and perhaps try a bit of samba on the top deck as you glide through the starry darkness towards the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Amazon River.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Activity: 3-5 excursions by launch and on foot
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise the Amazon River and the Confluence of the Amazon and the Rio Negro
Day 6
Begin the day with a dawn excursion searching for wakening wildlife. Return for breakfast on board, then go one last time into the forest. In the mid-afternoon, begin to journey downstream. Arrive late in the day at the Encontro das Aguas, a stark, several-mile-long line where two of the world's largest rivers-the Amazon and the Negro-join in a turbulent maelstrom. At sunset the M/Y Tucano once again turns her bow upstream on the Rio Negro and journeys to an overnight anchorage. As you pass in front of Manaus, marvel at the scale of one of the world's largest and most vibrant port cities, over a thousand miles from the sea. In the evening, join the group for a farewell dinner and prepare for an early departure in the morning.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Activity: 2-3 excursions by launch and on foot
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark from the Motor Yacht Tucano
Day 7
After a hearty breakfast, disembark from the M/Y Tucano in Manaus.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
- 2023
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2023
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleCheck for Availability
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleAvailable
- $3,450 price per person dbl occ+$1,350 upgrade per person to yellow category dbl occ+$1,350 single supplement based on blue category singleWaitlistConfirmed
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- Accommodations in Manaus pre and post-cruise
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Edivam de Lima Regis
Edivam (known by travelers as "Edgy") is from the area of the left bank of the Amazon River called Manacapuru. From an early age Edivam developed a deep understanding of rainforest flora and fauna, and the lives of remote settlers whose lives are based on the bounty of the forest. During each trip, he shares his extensive expertise, describing the forest and its wildlife through scientific perspectives such as soil composition, species diversity, plant reproduction, and meteorological cycles.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. The aim is to deliberately observe rainforest wildlife. This tour is not strenuous. Travelers can choose activity options that suit their interests and can stay on the vessel at any time. Participants on forest walks should be able to comfortably walk for two or more hours at a time in a hot and humid climate on uneven ground.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
3-5 excursions by launch, kayak, and on foot; possible swimming opportunity
Day 3
3 excursions by launch and on foot
Day 4
3-4 excursions by launch and on foot
Day 5
3-5 excursions by launch and on foot
Day 6
2-3 excursions by launch and on foot
Accommodations
Six nights aboard a comfortable, newly renovated expedition vessel, the Motor Yacht Tucano. This is a true small-ship adventure with a max of 16 passengers.
M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Though not a luxury craft, M/Y Tucano is a very comfortable expedition vessel. It has large, comfortable cabins lined with handsome, solid-wood paneling, and plentiful windows throughout the boat so you can always be on the lookout for the birds, mammals, and foliage of the rainforest. The Tucano is an ideal place to rest, read a good novel, and soak in splendid vistas.
Weather
This equatorial rainforest cruise is a year-round destination with a temperate climate, there isn't a bad season to visit.
Know Before You Book
This cruise is not privately chartered for MT Sobek travelers. In order to offer the widest selection of travel dates and flexibility for our guests, MT Sobek works directly with the ship owner to book MT Sobek travelers on scheduled departures throughout the year, and we are pleased to offer our in-house expertise and services to assist you every step of the way.
FAQs
How do I get to the Motor Yacht Tucano launch?
To join the cruise, all travelers will meet at the private Tucano Rendezvous lounge, located near the banks of the Rio Negro, in the city center of Manaus, Brazil on the day of embarkation. Complementary transfers to the Tucano Rendezvous lounge are provided for travelers staying at the Hotel Juma Opera and the Hotel Villa Amazonia.
Are the walks in the forest strenuous?
The forest walks are primarily to spot plants and animals and are not particularly strenuous. The best way to spot wildlife is a quiet stroll along the forest trail, not crashing through at a sprint.
Are we going to see many large animals?
The Amazon is the greatest collection of life on earth, but remember the Amazon is one of high diversity, low density. While there are lots of large mammals in the Amazon rainforest like jaguars and tapirs, they are very elusive and they have plenty of space to hide when they hear you. On our trip we will see lots of kinds of creatures but not very many of each kind. The beauty is in how the flora and fauna have evolved wonderful and bizarre adaptations to thrive in this wilderness.
What is the risk of catching a tropical disease?
We are in the wilderness far away from people and areas where diseases are mostly found, so there is little risk. For protection in the unlikely event of exposure to disease, most passengers ensure that their yellow fever and hepatitis inoculations are up to date, and take malaria prophylaxis pills. Prudent use of insect repellent on the trip is recommended. The standards of cleanliness on board M/Y Tucano are very high and the cuisine is adapted to visitors.
What is the best time of the year to go?
The best time to travel to the Amazon is really dependent on a traveler's personal considerations. M/Y Tucano cruises year-round and the trips are wonderful any time of year.
Rainy season spans late January through early May. It's rare to have a full day of rain, and advantages of traveling in this season are that most riverine plants fruit and flower during this period, so it's a great time to see birds and monkeys at the water's edge. Temperatures are also generally a bit cooler.
The dry season, with the lowest river levels and warmest temperatures, runs from September to November. As the rivers get shallower, broad beaches of fine white sand appear. Even in the dry season, it often rains a bit in the afternoons. This is an excellent time of year to see large fishing birds, marine mammals, and at night, reptiles like Caiman.
Do we spend much time in the rainforest?
Absolutely! The yacht cruises mostly in the middle of the day and at night, which leaves lots of time to explore off the vessel in the rainforest. There are usually 3-5 excursions off the vessel every day, including walks in the forest every morning, as well as exploring in launches with quiet electric motors, paddling by kayak, and visiting small villages or the homes of pioneer families. On several nights during the cruise, weather permitting, observe bizarre noctural creatures from the safety of the launches.
Is there air conditioning on M/Y Tucano?
The M/Y Tucano has an efficient air-conditioning system that functions in the heat of the day and at night. The yacht has a policy of "Solar Power Hours" for certain periods during the daytime, when all fuel-consuming machines are turned off and what energy is used comes from solar panels. This is generally in the morning and late afternoon when travelers are off the vessel on excursions. The vessel remains comfortable even without electricity due to the solar panel and thoughtful design features including thermal insulation. The stateroom windows open and close and have insect screens.
