Into the Wild Amazon
5 Days/4 Nights
From $2,000 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Select Monday Departures Throughout the Year
Overview
Venture to the Amazon rainforest on this four-day expedition cruise. Beginning in Manaus, you will head upstream along the Rio Negro to the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the world’s largest system of river islands. You will walk in the rainforest, kayak in remote streams, and scout out small rivers deep in the wilderness on the ship’s launches. Highlights include observing colorful birds, caiman, and other wildlife, visiting a native settlement, and witnessing the meeting of the waters.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 4 nights (4 nights aboard the Tucano), and 11 meals (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners).
Best Time to Go: October-April.
Destinations: South America, Amazon, and Brazil.
Interests: Adventure, Culture & History, Expedition Cruising, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Manaus & the Amazon.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 (Mon): Manaus-Embarkation-Tucano-Rio Negro.
This afternoon (12:00pm) we embark on the M/Y Tucano in Manaus, Brazil. We depart on the Rio Negro and as the vessel glides upstream we will have our first talk about Amazon environments. By late afternoon we enter one of the world’s largest river island systems, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. The boat will weave along a winding channel with rainforest on both sides in a riot of brilliant vegetation. Weather permitting, we will go for a launch excursion in the gnarled and dense flooded forest known as the igapó. Along the riverbank we may see some Squirrel Monkeys and we may hear the other-worldly growls of Howler Monkeys echoing through the primitive rainforest. The Amazon has one of the greatest collection of birds in the world and we are sure to see some of these brightly colored jewels perched in the treetops.
We return to the ship for hors d’oeuvres on the observation deck and a toast to the rainforest sunset. Following dinner, we will embark in our launches in search of nocturnal creatures such as the Caiman, the Amazon’s crocodilians. We may also see one of the large night birds such as a Potoo with its bulging eyes and large mouth adapted to swallow the huge Mariposa Moths. Overnight aboard the ship. (D)
Day 2 (Tue): Tucano-Anavilhanas Archipelago.
Shortly after sunrise this morning we explore the Anavilhanas Archipelago, a reserve that includes the world’s largest system of river islands and also areas of tall dense rainforest. Here we will see the strange environment called the igapó, the black water flooded forest where dense forests grow right out of the dark water of the Rio Negro. Mid-morning, we return to the vessel for a hearty Brazilian breakfast. After some time to relax, weather permitting we will disembark at mid-morning and will go for a walk in the type of rainforest known as the terra firme. Here we have a good chance to see the markings, if not the animals themselves, of some of the Amazon’s great mammals like peccaries (wild pigs) or even a jaguar.
Around mid-day return to the vessel for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon we will have an excursion in our launches along the edges of the dense forest and listen to the sunset chorus of birds, howler monkeys, and frogs. Weather permitting, tonight we will have an excursion to spot caiman (the Amazon’s crocodiles) and other nocturnal creatures. We very often see arboreal porcupines or sloths scrambling high in the limbs. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 3 (Wed): Tucano-West Bank Rio Negro.
Today we will voyage to the west side of the Rio Negro and continue to scout in our launches and walk in the forest. We will explore according to the weather and water depth areas rarely visited by anyone else. Tonight, the ship goes downstream and river depth permitting, will enter an east bank affluent of the Rio Negro and explore on deep into the rainforest on this small river. After our nocturnal exploration of the rainforest in our launches, we return to the ship for “Caipirinha Night” and perhaps try a bit of samba on the top deck. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 4 (Thu): Tucano-Encontra das Aguas.
We begin the day with a dawn excursion hunting for wakening wildlife followed by a full Brazilian breakfast. We will then go one last time into the forest. In the mid-afternoon we will begin to journey downstream to arrive late in the day at the “Encontra das Aguas” a stark several mile-long line where two of the world’s largest rivers, the Amazon and the Rio Negro join in a turbulent maelstrom. Here the dark water of the Negro runs beside the opaque brown water of the Amazon. At sunset the ship will once again turn her bows upstream on the Rio Negro and journey to our overnight anchorage north of the City of Manaus. As we pass in front of Manaus, we will marvel at the scale of one of the world’s largest and most vibrant port cities, that is over one thousand miles from the sea. Tonight, we will have a farewell dinner and prepare for an early departure in the morning. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 5 (Fri): Tucano-Disembarkation-Manaus.
Early this morning (7:30am), after a hearty breakfast, all guests disembark from the ship. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Itinerary Map
Prices & Dates
Price per Person
| Category | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Category Cabins (Bunk Beds) | $2,000 | $2,000 | n/a |
| Blue Category Cabins (Single Cabins) |
$2,750 | n/a | n/a |
| Yellow Category Cabins | $5,500 | $2,750 | $2,000 |
Notes:
- The above prices are valid until December 31, 2023.
- There is one triple cabin available on the ship (Yellow Category, Stateroom “0”).
- There are two dedicated single cabins (Blue Category, Stateroom #1 & 8).
- The minimum age for this cruise is 7 years old.
Departure Dates:
Call for departure dates and availability.
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Pre- and post cruise transfers from/to Manaus Hoteis Millennium or Hotel Villa Amazonia including baggage handling.
- Accommodations aboard the M/Y Tucano.
- All meals during the cruise and bottled water.
- Complementary water bottle and straw hat.
- Guided excursions as indicated on the itinerary.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during the cruise.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
- Gratuities, gifts, and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Amazon
Additional Details
Group Private: All transfers are private, and all other services are operated on a group basis.
Elevations: N/a.
Passport/Visa: U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of their stay) and visa (effective October 1, 2023), sufficient funds, and a return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. EU Citizens are only required to have a valid passport (for the duration of their stay), sufficient funds, and a return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months of valid term beyond your departure date. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Brazilian embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $800 per person plus the cost of the international airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
