Expedition Cruise to the Amazon Rainforest – Southbound

Take a journey along the Brazilian coast that combines the Amazon rainforest, tropical beaches, and vibrant, metropolitan city life. Departing from Manaus, Brazil, we spend 17 glorious days traveling southbound along the Brazilian coastline to Montevideo, Uruguay, while learning about the stunning ecology, interesting history, and impressive culture all along the way.

Expedition Cruise to the Amazon Rainforest – Southbound

Manaus, Brazil – Montevideo, Uruguay

Take a journey along the Brazilian coast that combines the Amazon rainforest, tropical beaches, and vibrant, metropolitan city life. Departing from Manaus, Brazil, we spend 17 glorious days traveling southbound along the Brazilian coastline to Montevideo, Uruguay, while learning about the stunning ecology, interesting history, and impressive culture all along the way.

• Experience a diverse itinerary, venturing into the Amazon rainforest before exploring big cities and coastal ports
• See everyday life on the Amazon River, where you can see evidence of commerce and the forestry industry
• Choose from an exciting and varied excursion program that includes sightseeing and historical, and culinary excursions
• Join interesting lectures presented by our expert expedition team

Starting in Manaus, you’ll cruise the Amazon River and venture into the tropical jungle. Learn more about the ecology here, enjoy birdwatching, and see the unique wildlife on hikes or from a canoe. As you sail south along Brazil’s coastline you can enjoy spending time at sea, explore impressive nature, and see historic highlights in the cities, giving you a great opportunity to really get to know the country and the people living here. 

A Blend of Natural Wonders and Urban City Life

While you’re sailing along the Brazilian coastline, you’ll explore the rainforest, beaches, and endless rivers. Windsurfing and fishing are both popular activities and there are also excellent opportunities for rock climbing and hiking. You will also have plenty of time to explore some of the cities, with great museums, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, diverse architecture, the seductive sound of Bahian music, and the exotic and inviting scents and tastes of the local food. The mix of jaw-dropping nature, friendly people, diverse culture, and fascinating lectures makes this expedition even more enthralling.

Your Voyage Price Includes:

• Expedition Voyage on a full board basis
• Daily buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• One night in Manaus – pre-voyage
• One night in Montevideo post-voyage
• Hotel to ship transfer in Manaus
• Hotel to ship transfer in Montevideo
• Wind- and water-resistant jacket
• Activities and tours on board and ashore
• Flights from US
• Luggage handling
• Travel Protection Plan
• Professional English-speaking Expedition Team offering lectures
• Cruise guaranteed with deposit

Not Included (but can be):

• Optional excursions and gratuities
• Brazil tourist visa from $ 160 for US citizens

Notes:

• Prices are in USD per person
• Landings are subject to weather conditions
• All itineraries are subject to change
• Single cabins on request

Voyage Itinerary – with pre-cruise exploration of the Amazon

Overnight Tour: The Amazon Experience (3 days and 2 nights).  “The Amazon Experience” is a pre-cruise program, which allows you to stay over at your destination.

Here is the itinerary for the tour:

Day 1: Manaus/Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge – Morning/noon transfer from the pier, hotel or airport in Manaus to Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge with the hotel shuttle service. The trip takes about 2.5 hours. Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is a cozy and exclusive jungle hotel located in front of Parque Nacional de Anavilhanas (Anavilhanas National Park), in the margins of Rio Negro (Negro River), 180 km from Manaus, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. Guests who have the morning transfer will attend one of the activities included in the package in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel, including full board.

Day 2: Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge – Today you will discover the surrounding area on a guided tour. Explore the countless canals, lakes and islands of this beautiful archipelago, learn about trees, fruits, survival strategies and medicinal herbs, watch the pink river Dolphins, do some recreational piranha fishing or see alligators hidden in the sound of the darkness (the order of the tours is defined by the hotel, which will supply the schedule of the activities upon guest arrival). Overnight at the lodge, including full board.

Day 3: Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge/Manaus – After breakfast, join a morning activity, followed by lunch. The vehicle back to Manaus departs at 14:00 sharp and goes to the main hotels in Manaus. If you are flying out of Manaus the same day, you will have a morning transfer to the airport.  Otherwise, you will transfer to ship.

The Amazon Experience is priced from $930pp*
*The price includes the ground shuttle service between Manaus and Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, 2 overnights in a cottage at Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge with full board, and activities led by an English-speaking local guide. Minimum number of participants applies. Important: Vaccination against Yellow Fever is recommended.  Based upon double occupancy and availability.  Single occupancy available upon request.

Not included: Drinks and gratuities, and transfers at times other than those described in the program.

Now on-board your ship; you’ll begin the sail of the Amazon

Sail on the Amazon River then south along the coast of Brazil, ending in the lively city of Montevideo, Uruguay.

Cruise Departure port Manaus, Brazil

Day 1 – Door to the Jungle – Manaus, Brazil – Your adventure starts with an overnight stay in the capital of the Amazonas state in northwestern Brazil. Located in the middle of the tropical rainforest and with two million inhabitants, the city is radically different from the lush Amazon.

Day 2 – Historical Facts and Floating Piers – Manaus, Brazil – After a relaxing breakfast, you’ll join a sightseeing tour where you’ll learn more about the region – including its turbulent history during the ‘rubber boom’ in the late 19th century. Manaus is home to a floating pier as the water level can change up to 43 feet due to heavy rainfalls. The tour will end at the pier, where the MS Fram will be waiting for you.

Day 3 – Local Flavor – Parintins, Brazil – Parintins is a very small town with lots of small shops and eateries, and a local cathedral that towers over the city. Take a walk to experience the everyday life here, enjoy one of the local drinks or taste the local soup, or do some boi-dancing with the locals. Or, join the expedition team for a hike or kayak trip in the jungle.

Day 4 – Where the Waters Meet – Santarém, Brazil – Stroll along the waterfront promenade in Santarém where the murky brown Amazon meets the dark blue-green Rio Tapajós. Santarém is a pleasant city and the perfect starting point for several activities in the beautiful Tapajós Natural Forest, where you can hike and canoe. You can also explore the unique Amazon Rainforest.

Day 5-7 – From the Amazon to the Atlantic – Sailing the Amazon River – For the next few days, we’ll be sailing through the jungle on the Amazon River before we reach the Atlantic Ocean. Stay on deck with your camera and binoculars and listen to the sounds of the jungle and hear the songs of the wilderness. Relax and enjoy the tropical temperature or attend lectures presented by the expedition team.

Day 8 – Food and Fortresses – Fortaleza, Brazil – In Fortaleza we recommend visiting Centro, the oldest part of town. This is a lively area to explore by day, with busy streets full of small shops. Here, you can sample typical Brazilian food in one of the barracas (rustic restaurants) next to the beach. If you are interested in history and art, visit the old fortress built by the Dutch captain Matias Beck in 1649 as well as Fortaleza’s cathedral, the third-largest church in Brazil.

Days 9–12 – The Sweetness of Doing Nothing – Sailing the Atlantic Ocean – Embrace ‘dolce far niente’ – an Italian phrase that means the ‘sweetness of doing nothing’ – on a restful couple of days at sea. Perhaps a tropical rain shower will surprise us.

Day 13 – Tracing the Gold Trail – Paraty, Brazil – The UNESCO World Heritage Site town of Paraty, with its old colonial houses and cobblestone streets, is surrounded by islands, sheltered beaches, and a backdrop of steep, jungled mountains. Paraty had its first boom during the gold rush in Brazil in the 17^th century. It was the final point of the ‘Gold Trail’. Originally used by the Guaianazes Indians, the 745-mile road connected the gold mines to the Atlantic Ocean through the rough terrain of the rainforest. At the beginning of the 19^th century, Paraty became renowned once again due to the coffee trade and the production of cachaça, a distilled spirit made from sugarcane juice. The coastline, with its intact forests, attracts hikers, botanists, and ornithologists from all over the world.

Day 14-15 – Time to Reflect – Sailing the Atlantic Ocean – A day at sea is a perfect opportunity to wind down and reflect on the wonderful experiences you have had during the last two weeks. Sip cocktails on the open deck, read a book, spend time with your new friends, or attend interesting lectures presented by our expedition team.

Day 16 – City Buzz – Montevideo, Uruguay – In the afternoon we arrive in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, situated at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. A transfer will take you from the ship to your hotel. Enjoy this lively city in the evening and an overnight stay in your hotel.

Day 17 – Ship Ahoy! – Sailing the South Atlantic Ocean – Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. This is the end of your expedition.

Call TravelKatz to get on board this Luxury Amazon Cruise.  Visit the inner-most exotic and tropical area of the world as you cruise this mighty river.  Immerge into the Atlantic Ocean and continue south visiting ports along the Brazil and Uruguay coastline.  352-277-7300 or [email protected] is how you contact us.  Do that now!  Don’t forget Travel Insurance!