Serene & Immersive Exploration in the Amazon Rainforest
Cruise up the Rio Negro on the Motor Yacht Tucano through the Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, the world's largest rainforest preserve. Observe pink river dolphins, a kaleidoscope of colorful birds, and monkeys cavorting in the magnificent trees draped with vines and carpeted with orchids. Float over submerged forests and take a dip at one of the sandy beaches, hike through jungle where the only tracks are your own, and explore the river's edge from our launches, including morning excursions to hear the wakening forest and evening excursions to see nocturnal species. Delight in varied ecosystems from your river-facing cabin on this popular Amazon adventure.
Cruise up the Rio Negro on the Motor Yacht Tucano through the Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, the world's largest rainforest preserve. Observe pink river dolphins, a kaleidoscope of colorful birds, and monkeys cavorting in the magnificent trees draped with vines and carpeted with orchids. Float over submerged forests and take a dip at one of the sandy beaches, hike through jungle where the only tracks are your own, and explore the river's edge from our launches, including morning excursions to hear the wakening forest and evening excursions to see nocturnal species. Delight in varied ecosystems from your river-facing cabin on this popular Amazon adventure.
Listen to the sounds of toucans and howler monkeys as the forest awakens
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Explore the Anavilhanas Archipelago's flooded forests and remote villages by kayak and on foot
[Description] => Explore the Anavilhanas Archipelago's flooded forests and remote villages by kayak and on foot
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Visit the confluence of the Amazon and Rio Negro waters - an impressive sight to behold!
Board the Motor Yacht Tucano and Voyage North on the Rio Negro
Day 1
Board the M/Y 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. 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: 3-4 excursions by launch, kayak, and on foot
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
Weather permitting, voyage to the west side of the Rio Negro and 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, glide through the starry darkness towards the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Amazon River.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Activity: 3-4 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, perhaps stopping at a place to swim. 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, sip the national drink of Brazil, the Caipirinha, and perhaps try a bit of samba on the top deck, then join the group for a farewell dinner and prepare for an early departure in the morning.
Accommodation: M/Y Tucano – Brazil
Activity: 3 excursions by launch and on foot; possible swimming opportunity
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark from the M/Y Tucano
Day 7
After a hearty breakfast, disembark from the M/Y Tucano in Manaus for homebound or onward flights.
MT Sobek has sent guests on adventure cruises since 1969, working with local operators of small yachts and ships to create water-based dream adventures.
Explore farther into wilderness rainforest than any other tour vessel, with skilled naturalist guides and 3-5 excursions into the forest every day.
Enjoy the flexibility of frequent departures year-round, all with a max of just 16 guests and dividing into even smaller groups for daily excursions. Small is the new luxury!
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.
Dates & Prices
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 d.
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.
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[ActivityHighlight] => 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.
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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
3-4 excursions by launch, kayak, and on foot
Day 3
3 excursions by launch and on foot
Day 4
3-4 excursions by launch and on foot
Day 5
3-4 excursions by launch and on foot
Day 6
3 excursions by launch and on foot; possible swimming opportunity
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Six nights aboard a comfortable, traditionally designed expedition vessel, the Motor Yacht Tucano.
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.
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Amazon Rainforest
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Amazon Rainforest
89
70
89
72
89
72
87
64
84
57
86
63
Manaus
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Manaus
87
75
87
75
87
75
88
75
91
76
90
76
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.