Brazilian Amazon by Boat

14 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to discover the Brazilian Amazon. Traverse the Amazon River between Belem and Manaus, as well as the tributaries along the Rio Negro, as we go back to basics, travelling like locals. Along the way, visit villages, reserves and islands, learning about local biodiversity, communities and culture. A true adventure, this two-week tr...
$5,572
From$4,530
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Discover the rich ecosystem of the Amazon by boat
    • See the white-sand beaches of Alter do Chao
    • Find the pink river dolphin and enormous waterlillies on the Rio Negro

What's this trip about?

    Take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to discover the Brazilian Amazon. Traverse the Amazon River between Belem and Manaus, as well as the tributaries along the Rio Negro, as we go back to basics, travelling like locals. Along the way, visit villages, reserves and islands, learning about local biodiversity, communities and culture. A true adventure, this two-week trip is designed for active travellers willing to trade home comforts for something extraordinary. Amazonian life - Watch local life drift by and sleep in a hammock on deck, beneath a sea of shimmering stars. FLONA Reserve - Walk on forest trails, visit the Jamaraqua community and learn about the history of rubber in the Amazon. Rio Negro - Sail around tiny islands, visit a caboclo community and find floating Victoria Regia waterlilies on this offshoot of the Amazon River.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityBelem, Brazil
End CityManaus

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Amazon River
  • Manaus
  • Rio de Janeiro

Activities

  • Hiking

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 20

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Belem

Our trip starts today in Belem, the Amazon's port city, situated at the Guaraja Bay in the eastern part of the vast Amazon delta. In the late 1800s, the city owed much of its wealth to the burgeoning rubber trade and its rich history is evident in the colonial-era bui...

Day 2 Walking tour of Belem; chance to visit the Goeldi Museum

This morning, a local guide will show us around the city's main sights, introducing us to the Portuguese-tiled houses and beautiful baroque churches of the city centre. One of the most noteworthy attractions is the Ver-o-Peso market on the docks of the city. This huge...

Day 3 Public boat to Marajo Island; explore the village and the beach

Rising early this morning, we'll drive out of the city to the ferry port to catch our public ferry across to Marajo Island, a land mass in the Amazon River Delta that's bigger than the Netherlands. The ferry journey takes approximately two-and-a-half to three hours, a...

Day 4 Full day discovering the farm life on Marajo Island

The open grasslands of Marajo Island flood during the rainy months, creating a year-round wetland habitat that's excellent for wildlife spotting. It's particularly well known for its water buffalo - the story goes that some 150 years ago, a ship heading for the West I...

Day 5 Return to Belem; begin 3 night boat trip from Belem to Santarem

We'll head back to Belem early this morning, taking a smaller boat direct to the hidrioviario in the centre in just under two hours. We'll hop off and have lunch before returning to the port to board our second boat of the trip for the journey to Santarem. This publ...

Day 6 On the boat; watch life on the Amazon pass by; stargazing

Our first day onboard takes us through narrow waterways with abundant rainforest, and typical 'caboclo' dwellings on stilts, built to cope with the fluctuating water levels. Caboclo communities are descended from the mixture of the indigenous populations and the white...

Day 7 On the boat; watch life on the Amazon pass by; stargazing

This morning, we'll wake up on the mighty Amazon proper, finding ourselves observing both banks at a distance and taking in the atmosphere. A highlight of this trip is the sky at night - away from city lights, we have excellent stargazing opportunities. This is slow travel, so bringing a book or activity for the boat is essential.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 Dock at Santarem; travel to the river beaches of Alter do Chao

We'll leave the boat this morning, departing in the port town of Santarem, and drive 35 kilometres south to the laid-back town of Alter do Chao. Best known for its white-sand beaches, more prominent in the low-water season from late June, and transparent waters (an un...

Day 9 Visit FLONA, the National Forest Reserve

Today, we have a full day trip to the FLONA (National Forest) nature reserve. A huge, protected area of primary rainforest, FLONA gives us the opportunity to learn about the delicate ecosystems that exist in the Amazon, as the local guides give an in-depth overview of...

Day 10 Fly to Manaus and board private boat

This morning is free to enjoy our final hours along the river at Alter do Chao. In the afternoon, we'll transfer to Santarem airport and fly to Manaus (taking into account the time zone change, this journey takes just 10 minutes), before heading to the port to board...

Day 11 Rio Negro boat trip; visit indigenous communities

During our three-day cruise, we'll thoroughly explore this region of the Amazon with a range of excursions. As we drift along, we'll spot huge Victoria Regia water lily, enjoy birdwatching and hopefully see pink Amazon River dolphins playing alongside us in the wate...

Day 12 Rio Negro boat trip; sail through the Anavilhanas archipelago of 1000 islands

Our final full day on the boat brings our Amazon exploration to an end. This journey is dedicated to discovering the incredible region and should debunk some of the myths whilst giving us a real understanding and appreciation for this amazing ecosystem. It's sure to be a truly unforgettable trip.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 Arrival in Manaus; visit the Opera House and the Meeting of the Waters

This afternoon, we'll disembark in Manaus, where we'll spend the rest of the day. Although Manaus is generally blown through by travellers who use it as the jumping off point for Amazon trips, it's worth staying for a look at one of the country's most impressive build...

Day 14 Trip ends in Manaus

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Manaus. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Manaus at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, and this is the perfect...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,530
Price per day$324
Last Updated: 3/30/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
17 May 2025
30 May 2025
$4,530
$5,350
20 Sep 2025
03 Oct 2025
$4,740
$5,540
16 May 2026
29 May 2026
$4,980
$5,890
19 Sep 2026
02 Oct 2026
$4,980
$5,890

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,531
Great
3,392
Average
533
Disappointing
160
Terrible
82
J

Jane

Oct 2024

Written on

Brazilian Amazon by Boat

It was a privalege to visit this part of the world with international tourism in its infancy. With the exception of one British and one German couple travelling solo...

R

Rebecca

Oct 2024

Written on

Brazilian Amazon by Boat

The most incredible trip travelling up the Amazon and its tributaries. So many incredible experiences from the river beaches of the Tapajos and buffalo farms of Mara...

A

Alan Reimer

Jun 2024

Written on

Brazilian Amazon by Boat

Blanca was a brilliant guide. A happy, jovial person. Kept us informed. Good with people. One of the strokes of genius was organising laundry @ Parnamirlm just a...

K

Karin

Jun 2024

Written on

Brazilian Amazon by Boat

Amazing trip. Thoroughly recommend this. Real exploring in the Amazon

R

Ruth

Dec 2023

Written on

Brazilian Amazon by Boat

Time on the charter boat at Manaus area.

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Anonymous

friendly, good communicator,

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Flight,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Flight
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Brazil: Visas are not required for UK or New Zealand citizens. They are, however, required for Canadian, Australian and US citizens. Citizens from Canada, Australia and the US can now get their visa for Brazil online. Applications can be done here - https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/ Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Also on the NaTHNaC site there is a list of Countries (and specific areas within a country) which are at risk of infection and a vaccination is therefore recommended. There is currently an outbreak of Yellow Fever in Brazil. Yellow fever is recommended for those travelling to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Bahia, Iguazu falls and inland cities such as Brasilia.Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 13
  • Dinner : 6
  • Lunch : 6
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-BAM

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