Fly into Manaus. There are direct flights from the USA as well as from elsewhere in Brazil and from Panama City, so it is easy to get here. You’ll be met at the airport by an English speaking guide and driven to your hotel in the city where you stay two nights.

You have a tour of Manaus today. Now a large city, Manaus grew massively during the Amazon rubber boom from the late 19th century. Visit interesting markets and the Rio Negro Palace. The highlight is a visit to the famous Teatro Amazonas – the world famous opera house. There is some free time today too, allowing you to rest a little or do some shopping in preparation for your trip into the rainforest.

Meet mid-morning today for a transfer to the port where you embark on your Amazon River cruise on the M/Y Tucano. As you glide upriver, you’ll have a talk on Amazonian environments and by late afternoon reach the Anavilhanas Archipelago which is one of the largest river island systems in the world. Travel along a meandering channel surrounded by the forest. Take an excursion by small motor boat (launch) through flooded forest known as igapó. Squirrel monkeys may be spotted along the banks and the growlings of howler monkeys may be heard reverberating through the forest. Return to your cruise vessel for dinner and sunset from the observation deck. After dark, head back out in the launches to seek out some nocturnal creatures such as caiman, night birds and moths.

Watch the sunrise over the Amazon then set off to explore the Anavilhanas Archipelago in the early hours when wildlife is most active before breakfast back on board. There is some time for relaxation then a mid-morning walk in terra firme rainforest. Look out for tracks of peccaries (wild pig) or even jaguar. Following lunch, there is an afternoon excursion by launch along the edges of the forest up until sunset when a chorus of birds, monkeys and frogs can be heard. Following dinner, another night excursion offers the possibility of spotting sloths or arboreal porcupines.

Cruise into the west side of the Rio Negro and continue exploring by launch with opportunities for walks in the forest. You’ll be exploring areas little visited by other tourists. The exact excursions will vary depending on weather and water levels. In the evening, cross to the east bank and travel along a small tributary of the Rio Negro getting you further into the rainforest. Take a night trip out in the launches then return to the ship for Caipirinha Night!

The day starts with a dawn excursion in search of wildlife, then back to the ship for breakfast. Next, a final tour into the forest. Mid-afternoon, the ship heads heads downstream arriving late in the day at the famous Meeting of the Waters where the Rivers Solimoes and Negro flow side by side for several miles with a clear difference in water color – where they meet is the point at which Brazilians call the river the Amazon. The Tucano will anchor overnight to the north of Manaus and you have a farewell dinner and final night aboard.

Very early this morning, disembark the Tucano in Manaus and you’ll be driven to Manaus airport for your flight to Tefe and the start of the next part of your Amazon adventure!

Tefe is a small city on the River Amazon to the west of Manaus, further upriver. It’s roughly halfway between Manaus and the border with Peru and Colombia. You’ll be met at Tefe airport by your guide and travel by motorized canoe upriver along the Rio Solimoes – the upper Amazon River for about an hour and a half. Check into your floating lodge where you’ll stay for the next three nights. This is one of the most remote lodges in the Amazon. Take a guided walk or boat ride through the forest (depending on water levels). Following dinner, there is a presentation about the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve and the Mamiraua Institute – a community based program.

This morning, visit a local community where you can learn about local traditions and lifestyle. Following lunch and some rest time take a guided walk or canoe ride in the rainforest. In the evening there is the chance to go on a night walk or boat trip looking out for nocturnal animals.

The day begins with an early morning walk or boat trip. In the afternoon you’ll visit Mamiraua Lake where animals such as river dolphins and caiman can often be spotted. Listen to monkeys as they travel through the canopy and wait for spectacular views of sunset over the lake before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Return by boat to Tefe and from there fly back to Manaus where you’ll be met and driven to your hotel for your final night.

Alternatively, flight schedules permitting and at extra cost, if you wish to extend your Amazon adventure, fly from Tefe to Tabatinga on the Brazil-Colombia border and from there cross into Colombia and travel upriver by boat for a few nights stay in a beautiful lodge right on the banks of the river. Pink river dolphins can often be seen and there are many interesting river-side communities. Following a stay in the Colombian Amazon, head out by flying from Leticia to the Colombian capital, Bogota and then home or onwards to visit other parts of Colombia. Ask us for more information on this option.

Fly home or continue your tour, visiting other parts of Brazil.