Amazon Cruise Anavilhanas Archipelago 4 days/3 nights

After breakfast transfer to the Pier.

Embarking at 9:00, we welcome you aboard the Jacaré-Açu, and give you an introductory briefing about the itinerary and the background to some of the incredible things you will witness.

Our first excursion is in our expedition canoes at Lago Janauary, a rich ecosystem fed by the waters of the Rio Solimões, which is abundant in organic nutrients, and therefore supports an abundance of Amazon birds, reptiles, exotic plants, and giant trees. You are likely to see Tucuxi River Dolphins, Pink River Dolphin, Cocoi Heron, Great Egret, Blue-Yellow Macaw, Festive Parrot, Rufescent Tiger-herons, Yellow-rumped Caciques, Crested Oropendola, and Jacamars, among many others.

Once back on board, we sail along the Paraná do Paracuuba to the Rio Solimões, enjoying our first lunch on board as we do so. In the afternoon, we arrive at the famous Meeting of the Waters, where the black Rio Negro meets the clearer water of the Solimões and they run parallel for more than nine miles. Then it’s time to search for pirarucu, the largest scaled fish in the world, nicknamed the Lion of the Amazon.

While we have dinner on board, the boat sails up the Rio Negro towards the Anavilhanas Archipelago.

At daybreak, we can watch the sunrise over the Tupé Beach settlement, beside the high Rio Negro. After breakfast on board, we visit the village where we will have the opportunity to witness their well-preserved history, customs, dance, and handicrafts. The villagers communicate in two indigenous languages, Tuiuka and Tukano.

Once back on board the Jacaré-Açu, we have lunch and then sail to the Rio Ariaú, a beautiful blackwater river enclosed by giant trees and dense vegetation. Here we have the option of climbing one of the trees - or at least, some of it - using ropes. We continue to Lago Acajatuba to see the iconic pink Amazon river dolphin up close, in an area where the locals live in floating houses region.

After dinner on board, we set out in our expedition canoes to search for caiman and other nocturnal animals.

Upon waking up, we are in the heart of the Anavilhanas River Archipelago - 100,000 hectares of islands and canals within the Rio Negro and a further 260,000 hectares of the riverside forest. So, after breakfast, we take to the canoes to explore this stunning region of creeks, lagoons, and river beaches. Under the shadow of a Macacarecuia tree, we swim with inflatable tubes in the refreshing waters of the Rio Negro. Later we'll try our hand at fishing for piranha in the Igarapé of Jaraqui. How many can you catch?

After lunch on board, we visit an Amazon farmhouse in the Santo Antonio community, where the owner will explain his way of life, his ancestry, and the crops he raises, such as manioc and fruit. We then make a 2-hour guided trek through the rainforest, to spot and learn about the flora and fauna.

Finally, this evening, we set sail through the heart of Anavilhanas National Park and after dinner embark on a night-time aquatic trail full of wildlife.

The day starts with the sound of the jungle - and especially its birdlife and primates - waking up. After breakfast onboard we will spend the morning on another aquatic trail looking out for the wildlife, especially monkeys, along our way through the archipelago. We return to civilization and a city tour of Novo Airão, famous for its crafts, artisan workshops, shipyards, and pink river dolphins.

After a farewell lunch at the 'Flor do Luar', a floating restaurant in the national park we are transferred by road back to Manaus, arriving mid-afternoon.