Community tour of Brazil's Amazon Rainforest

Manaus Airport (Mao) - Manaus

Day 1: Manaus

Transfer from Manaus Airport (MAO) to your hotel
Car Transfer: You will be met at Manaus airport by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Estimated transfer length: 25 minutes

Amazon Jungle

Day 2: Manaus

Amazon Jungle: Full day tour of the Manaus region
Excursion: The Manaus region is diverse, vibrant and entirely unique. Today you will have the chance to experience its highlights and find out why it draws visitors from across the globe. Your journey begins at Manaus Harbour where you will board your boat for the day. You will travel along the Rio Negro, passing under the iconic Rio Negro bridge and seeing white sand river beaches on all sides. You will then sail on to the 'Meeting of the Waters' - the point where the Negro and Solimoes rivers meet to form the source of the Amazon River. The sand-coloured Solimões River carries rich sediment from the Andes Mountains whereas the dark Rio Negro carries no sediment and is considered one of the cleanest natural waters in the world. Make sure you have your camera at the ready for this unique spectacle. Crossing over to the Rio Negro side, you enter the lake of Catalan and its floating village. You will have a chance to explore the village and chat with the locals, as well as trying your hand at fishing. It is a huge industry in this region and has contributed to local livelihood for centuries. Your rod won't have a hook so that you can release any fish that you catch. You may even chance upon the notorious Arapaima, the largest freshwater fish in the world. From Catalan, you will make your way to the Ecological Janauari Park. On the way you will pass by more floating villages with quaint stilted houses. In the heart of the park, you will disembark onto a wooden walkway that loops around the side of the river. Observe the Regal, a giant aquatic plant, and spot animals such as sloth, monkeys and birds. Porpoises are also often found in this area. They play an important part in Amazonian folklore and are docile and playful animals. Great efforts have been made to protect this species and you will be able to observe them from a respectful distance. You will also get to attend demonstrations of music and dance in one of the indigenous villages at the water's edge. Chat to the locals about their way of life, admire their handicrafts and learn more about the myths and legends that surround this unique part of the world. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to Manaus - enjoying a beautiful sunset and ever-changing landscapes along the way.

Manaus - President Figueiredo

Day 3: Presidente Figueiredo

Transfer from Manaus to President Figueiredo
Car Transfer: You will be collected from your hotel in Manaus and transferred to President Figueiredo. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes


Amazon Emotions - Hike to a rainforest waterfall
Excursion: Today you will have the chance to observe a true natural spectacle - a waterfall tucked away in the heart of the rainforest. Having driven to the trailhead, the hike to the waterfall itself takes around ten minutes. Make sure you wear sturdy shoes as the path can be slippery and have your camera at the ready to capture the surrounding landscapes. Moss-covered trees, bromelias and orchids are everywhere, and your local guide cna talk you through the unique flora and fauna of this region as you walk. Having weaved its way through the jungle, the trail opens up into a large clearing. Here is the waterfall - over ten metres high and surrounded by jungle vegetation.


Amazon Emotions - Shop for local handicrafts
Excursion: Travel into the town of Presidente Figueiredo to learn more about local handicrafts. Stop into Waimiri Atrorari's indigenous store. This local initiative offers the most comprehensive collection of artisanal products including local art, tapestries, books, bows and arrows and other one-of-a-kind souvenirs. You can chat to your guide about how different products are made and learn more about the thriving crafts scene in this rural portion of the Amazon.

Amazon Jungle

Day 4: Presidente Figueiredo

Amazon Emotions - Tree climbing experience
Excursion: Today you will have the chance to see the Amazon rainforest from a whole new perspective by taking part in a tree climbing experience. You will embark on a guided walk along a trail that meanders underneath the Amazon rainforest’s thick canopy. Our tree climbing adventure begins with an Angelim Tree (Dinizia excelsa). These trees can be up to two hundred foot tall and are specially selected for this type of activity. You’ll receive thorough instructions in tree climbing techniques and will have the chance to practice on smaller trees before ascending the Angelim. Your guide will be alongside you as you climb into the canopy. Once high up in the tree, there will be a canvas hammock waiting for you. You can rest there and observe the stunning natural views of the Amazon from a bird’s eye view. Don't worry - the canvas hammock is securely tied to the tree and your safety rope remains locked and secured. At dusk, you will begin your descent. The forest is transformed completely during the night; sounds and smells are intensified and other senses are awakened. On this night experience, in particular, you will find the beauty in the small details; the croaking of frogs, the hum of insects and flutter of bats. If you turn off your flashlight you can observe the sparkling of fireflies or the faint glow of bio-luminescent fungi surrounding you. As you come down from the tree and make your way back to your accommodation, you can hear the call of cicadas, owls and other night birds. Your guide will be with you every step of the way to guarantee your safety and to talk you through the mysteries of the forest.

Amazon Jungle

Day 5: Presidente Figueiredo

Amazon Emotions - Following the Footprints of Wild Cats
Excursion: Venture out into the jungle with your guide for a great opportunity to spot unusual insects and animals. You will be joined by a group of local ecologists who will help you tune in your senses to the sounds and rhythms of the forest. As you walk, they will show you how to climb a palm tree without ropes and how to identify different types of fruit. You will harvest açai berries - one of the sweetest and most delicious products of this ecosystem. Eventually, you will reach your true destination- the Amazon Jaguar Vision Project. This local ecological initiative aims to shed light on the behaviour of the Amazon's wildlife while infringing on their environment as little as possible. You will help the ecologists set up cameras to capture the animals - subtly placing them to mimimise disturbance. Cameras like this have been responsible for capturing many rare animals and helping scientists to collect data on population growth and behaviour. You will also help the naturalists to collect the old footage and will have the chance to watch it back - perhaps even seeing animals that have never been recorded before.

Presidente Figueiredo - Manaus - Tefé

Day 6: Manaus

Transfer from Presidente Figueiredo to Manaus
Car Transfer: After breakfast, you will leave the rainforests and waterfalls of Presidente Figuerido behind and travel south to Manaus, a bustling city on the banks of the Rio Negro. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes


Flight from Manaus (MAO) to Tefé (TFF)
Shared Scheduled flight Transfer: You will board your flight at Manaus airport and travel west across the country to Tefé. Estimated flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes


Transfer from Tefé Airport (TFF) to Uacari Lodge by car and boat
Mixed Transfer: You will be met by our representative at Tefe airport and transferred to Uacari, a floating ecolodge on a channel of the Japura River. Due to its location, you cannot drive to Uacari Lodge. As a result, you will be driven to Tefe Lake harbour to board a boat that will take you across the waters. Estimated travel time - 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Amazon Jungle

Day 7: Tefé - Manaus

Uacari Lodge Day 1 - Community Trails and Night Walk
Excursion: Today you will have the chance to learn about the rhythms of daily life in this unique and remote part of the world. Your local guide will take you on a tour of their home village and share their experiences of life in a floodplain forest. The water levels change by up to 12 metres over the course of the year so making a home here requires a degree of adaptability! You will learn about how the community responds to food supply demands and how they are sustainably developing tourism to improve their quality of life. You will return to the lodge for lunch and a rest before heading out on either a canoeing or hiking trip in the late afternoon. If the river is in full flood, you will canoe through the marshes and observe wildlife on the surrounding river banks. If the water level is low, you will explore the lodge surroundings on foot. In the evening, you will head into the forest with a local guide on a night trail or boat trip. Listen to the sounds of the forest and keep an eye out for nocturnal wildlife.

Amazon Jungle

Day 8: Tefé - Manaus

Uacari Lodge Day 2: Hiking trail and Lake Mamiraua boat trip
Excursion: On your second full day at Uacari Lodge you will have the chance to get to know the surrounding area in more detail. You will hike through the forest with a local guide who can talk you through the unique flora and fauna of the region. Two endemic primates are found here - the black-head squirrel monkey and the white uakari. Other mammals include sloth, coati, anteater and even jaguar, and there are believed to be over 400 species of bird residing in the region. Ancient trees with branches reaching as far as the eye can see define the landscape, and your guide can tell you about their medicinal uses, their importance in local culture and the ongoing battle to protect them. In the afternoon, you will go on a boat tour of Lake Mamiraua. You will get to watch the sunset over the water so make sure you have your camera at the ready.

Amazon Jungle

Day 9: Tefé - Manaus

Uacari Lodge Day 3: Piranha fishing and presentation from local scientists
Excursion: Today, you will head out onto the water with a local guide to learn more about one of the region's most iconic residents - the piranha. With their razor-sharp teeth and fearsome reputation, these freshwater fish need no introduction. They are abundant in the region and relatively easy to catch. Spend the morning with a local fisherman who can teach you the best techniques. In the afternoon, you can either join another canoeing trip or you can spend some time relaxing at the lodge. In the evening, you will be joined by a group of local ecologists and scientists. They will give a talk on the struggles of conservation in this unique ecosystem and how scientific research contributes to safeguarding strategies. They will give you more detail on the flora and fauna that call this area home and you will have the chance to chat to them about their pioneering work.

Amazon Jungle - Tefé - Santarém

Day 10: Santarém

Transfer from Uacari Lodge to Tefé Airport (TFF) by boat and car
Mixed Transfer: A quick speedboat ride will take you across to Tefe Lake harbour. From there, you will be collected by our representative and transferred to Tefe airport. Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes.


Flight from Tefé (TFF) to Santarém (STM) via Manaus (MAO)
Shared Scheduled flight Transfer: You will check in at Tefe airport to board your flight to Manaus. Estimated flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes Upon arrival in Manaus, you will then transfer within the airport to your next flight from Manaus to Santarem. Estimated flight time: 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Alter Do Chão

Day 11: Alter do Chão - Santarém

Transfer from Santarém to Alter do Chao
Car Transfer: You will leave the bustle of Santarem behind and travel west along the coast towards Alter do Chao, a quaint riverside town. Estimated travel time: 45 minutes.


Alter do Chão River Cruise - Day 1 - Exploring the Village
Shared Excursion: Having arrived in Alter do Chao, you will board the Belle Amazon - your home for the next few days. The Belle Amazon is a luxury cruise boat equipped with private cabins and full board. Once you are settled in your cabin, you will have the chance to explore the town of Alter do Chao prior to departure. Most notable is Ilha do Amor, a white sandy peninsula that stretches towards the town. To get here, you can either swim from the town or ask a local fisherman for a lift across. Thatched roof restaurants dot the shoreline and serve fresh fish with local vegetables. Within the town itself, there are several indigenous art stores that sell local handicrafts at reasonable prices. In the late afternoon, return to the boat to spend the evening at leisure. Watch the sunset over the water and chat to your fellow travellers about the adventures that the coming days may hold.

Amazon Cruise

Day 12: Santarém

Cruising the Amazon day two - birdwatching and a community visit to Urucurea
Shared Excursion: Having cruised through the night, you will arrive at Canal do Jari. This narrow stream of the Amazon River is a hotbed of biodiversity and holds a high density of exotic bird species. Your guide will point out different species to you and you may even spot alligators and iguanas moving along the river beds. Enjoy exquisite scenery as you cruise and make sure you have your camera at the ready. As you continue, the waterway will widen into the Arapiuns River, a tributary of the Tapajos. Here, you will find the community of Urucurea. These open and friendly people will demonstrate their artisanal crafts, many of which feature tucuma - a typical fruit of the region. In the shade of a rubber tree, you will take part in a wickerwork workshop and learn basketry. Learn how different straw colours, types and shapes can subtly alter the final product. This is also a great time to exchange stories and your guide will be able to translate all the local folklore and legends for you. From there, return to the boat to spend some time at leisure. You will continue to float along the Amazon until sunset when you will disembark onto a small beach to enjoy dinner on the sand.

Amazon Cruise

Day 13: Santarém

Cruising the Amazon day three - hiking the Chestnut Trail and visiting a community library
Shared Excursion: Your day will begin with a beautiful trail through the Amazon jungle, accompanied by a guide who will introduce you the diverse species of plants and trees that the Amazon contains. Known as the chestnut trail, the trek last 4-5 hours and is led at a leisurely pace so that you can take in the rich surroundings. Another trail through the jungle's crystalline water streams is a less strenuous option if you have young children or simply want to take it easy. Enjoy a lunch on board after which you will visit the Associação Vagalume community library project. Associação Vagalume is an organisation which has implemented projects to encourage reading in the riverside communities of the Amazon for over 10 years. Associação Vagalume also aids the production of cassava, a starchy root vegetable, which is a significant part of the region's staple diet. Understand the complex preparation of the yellow Amazonian sauce, Tucupi, and how starchy Tapioca is extracted from the cassava plant. You will then return to the boat to spend the evening at your leisure.

Amazon Cruise - Alter Do Chao - Santarém

Day 14: Santarém

Cruising the Amazon day four - departure
Shared Excursion: Having cruised through the early morning hours, your boat will dock at Alter do Chão. Make sure that your bags are fully packed and ready to be transferred off the boat. On arrival in Alter do Chao, you can take advantage of the tranquil Ilha do Amor beach, known as the 'Island of Love'. It is also worth canoeing around the Green Lake which is made up of 14 natural springs and lined with the enchanted forest. Here you can take a dip in crystal fresh waters amongst colourful fish. Bird-watching opportunities here are spectacular and you may spot some monkeys and sloths on the island shorelines.


Transfer from Alter do Chão to Santarém Airport (STM)
Car Transfer: You will be collected from Alter do Chão and transferred to Santarem airport with plenty of time for your onward flight. Estimated travel time: 45 minutes


Flight from Santarém (STM) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
Shared Scheduled flight Transfer: You will board your flight at Santarem airport and travel south across the country to Rio. Estimated flight time: 5 hours 5 minutes