Day 1. Welcome to Manaus, Brazil
In the early afternoon, you board the MS Jangada in Manaus, the capital city of Brazil’s Amazonas state. For the next five nights, this floating hotel is your home throughout the lush riverscapes of Brazil. After a tasty welcome drink, your tour director gives an introduction to your journey. Your boutique ship heads downstream to the Encontro das Águas, where the Rio Negro joins the Rio Solimões, the former a blackwater river and the latter, whitewater. The two different types of water—one black like coffee, the other tan like sand—don’t mix until farther downstream, creating a stunning sight popular with visitors. Soon after the waters mix, you continue down the Rio Solimões, surrounded by the voluptuous hues of the rain forest. Overnight: On board (D)
Day 2. Into Amazonia—Lago Janauacá, Sunrise to Sunset
The longest river on Earth is a tempestuous diva. Its river basin is almost 20 times the size of the US state of Montana. Today you wake up on Lago Janauacá. The most exciting parts of any Amazon River cruise are the rain forest excursions. The MS Jangada, a small ship with a low draft, can navigate shallow waters and drop anchor along the banks of the river—perfect for exploring the Amazon. Just before breakfast, you go on an excursion as the sun comes up—the best time to watch the Amazon’s wild diversity of birds. With a little luck, you might witness colorful parrots of all shapes and sizes screech as they fly through the trees. Perhaps you’ll see a toucan sitting high up in the branches or the enigmatic hoatzin, a tropical bird also known as the stinkbird, lounging in the thicket. The area is also home to the Amazon river dolphin, a unique type of dolphin specially adapted to warm waters. After a big breakfast, you go on a jungle hike to observe native flora and fauna. In the afternoon, you enjoy an excursion via motorized canoe, where you can fish for piranhas and take a look at their sharp teeth. After nightfall, you go on another excursion, this time to see nocturnal creatures as they awake. Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 3. Village Life in the Rain Forest, Terra Preta
On a shore excursion in the early morning, you’ll have the chance to see the Victoria amazonica, a water lily named after Queen Victoria. Often in this area, you can also catch a glimpse of the world-renowned capuchin monkeys. Later your river cruise heads back upstream, and you pass by Manaus, where you have an excellent view of the hustle and bustle of the forest city from the comfort of your ship. In the afternoon, you visit the village of Terra Preta, where you get insight into the daily life of the village. In the early evening, you take a boat trip to observe forest animals in their natural habitat. The sounds of the rain forest at twilight are an unforgettable way to experience sundown! Overnight: On board (BLD)