Manaus - Rio Negro
AMAZON AND RIO NEGRO RIVERS, THE WILD AMAZON
This cruise is: 8 days and 7 nights (Manaus and Rio Negro)
- In the morning, meeting point at the Tropical Hotel or welcome to Manaus airport by your English speaking guides.
- Boarding the M/S La Jangada.
- Amazonian fruit cocktail, crew presentation, safety instructions and information on life on board. Installation in the cabins.
- Lunch and navigation to Vila Paraiso where the Rubber Museum is located.
- After the visit, navigation on the Rio Negro, towards Tupé. Acidic waters remove mosquitoes and despite a less rich biodiversity it is an exploration sail to observe wildlife in little explored and sparsely populated areas where hunting is most often banned.
- At sunset, take a motorboat trip to observe the fauna and flora. Berthing in the cove of the village of Sao Joao do Tupé to participate in a ritual of the Indians Dessano, Tucano e Tuiúca. First contact with the inhabitants of the banks.
- Dinner on board and night navigation on the Rio Negro to the village of Novo Airão, gateway to the Anavilhanas Archipelago.
This old property that belonged to a rubber baron was later transformed into a museum. The visit will allow you to better know the golden age of rubber in the Amazon. White gold made the beautiful days of Manaus. The museum is a complete and faithful reproduction of a rubber plantation in the early 20th century. It was created for the film "Selva" by Leonel Vieira, freely inspired by the book "Virgin Forest" by Ferreira de Castro, a Portuguese writer and journalist.
THE MANAUS EFFERVESCENCY AND FIRST CONTACT WITH THE AMAZONIAN FAUNA AND FLORA.
Rio Negro or Rio Guainía is a river of South America of 2,250 km in length, tributary of the Amazon. It takes its source in the Andes at Pico da Neblina (3014m) then passes between Venezuela and Colombia before entering Brazil to finally jump into the Amazon at the level of the city of Manaus. Its black color comes from its high concentration of iron and organic matter due to the decomposing humus that it carries through the forest floor of the primary shields which helps to change its color and makes it very acidic.
NOVO AIRAO, BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES AND BLACK WATER COLOR.
- Breakfast and departure by fast canoe for an exploration of the islands and surrounding lakes. In the morning, at sunrise, it's time to fly birds: macaws, parrots, snowy egrets or blue egrets, eagles fishermen ... You may also see the ballet gray dolphins (Tucuxi) and pink dolphins.
- Visit of the village of Novo Airão and the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation, a place of craftsmanship.
- Return to the M / S La Jangada at the end of the morning and swim for those who want to experience the soft waters of Rio Negro.
- Lunch on board and sailing to the caves of Madada and the village of Velho Airao located at the mouth of the river Jau, at the entrance to the Jau National Park. It's time to find relaxation or a lounge bar to discuss with your guides the indigenous tribes of Rio Negro.
- At the end of the afternoon, motorboat expedition to observe the fauna and beauty of the landscapes at the golden hour.
- Dinner on board or barbecue on a sandbar, weather permitting. For part of the night, sail to the mouth of the Jau River, in the heart of Jau National Park.
- Early morning, after a hearty breakfast, landing for a trek in the primary forest to the caves of Madada you will reach after an hour of walking. This mysterious place served as a refuge for the indigenous Tucano tribes. The relief drawings carved on the rocks date back more than 3000 years.
- Your guides will make you discover all the plant diversity of this territory and the use of a large number of trees and lianas for the native pharmacopoeia.
- Return on board in the late morning and swim in the waters of Rio Negro for those who wish.
- Lunch and navigation to the village of Velho Airao at the mouth of the river Jau.
- At the end of the afternoon, take a motorboat trip for wildlife watching at sunset with your guides and native guides.
- Dinner on board.
- Night at anchor at the mouth of the river Jau.
The Jau National Park is a preserved paradise in the heart of the Amazon. We can observe a flora and fauna that are difficult to see elsewhere. Located between the municipalities of Novo Airão and Barcelos, Jaú National Park is the largest protected tropical forest area in South America, covering an area of approximately 23,000 km² and one of the richest regions of the world. planet in terms of biodiversity.
TREK IN PRIMARY FOREST
THE PINK AND GRAY DOLPHINS BALLET
- At sunrise, the M/S Jangada navigates to the base of the ICMBio (antenna of the Ministry of the Environment) to obtain permits to enter the sanctuary of biodiversity.
- Early morning breakfast on board and navigation on the river Jau. Departure by motorboat in the company of native guides to penetrate the "igarapés", small streams or submerged areas to observe the fauna and flora.
- Many aquatic mammals are present in this protected area like many species of birds and monkeys. In the high water season, from January to May, motorboat expeditions to admire the waterfalls of the Gato River.
- In the late morning, return to M/S La Jangada and sail to the town of Moura, located a little further upstream after the mouth of the Unini River.
- Lunch on board, idleness and observation of the landscapes.
- In the middle of the afternoon, exit by motorboat for a visit of the city of Moura. Later on the return, observation of the fauna and flora at dusk in the surrounding lakes.
- Dinner on board.
- After dinner, out in canoes with native guides to observe the caimans and nocturnal animals. In the noisy silence of the Amazon night some shivers and emotions in perspective.
- Night at anchor or along a sandbank in the dry season (June to December).
- Early morning sailing up the river Jauaperi, a tributary of Rio Negro with clear waters to the reserve of Xixuau. These first hours at dawn are conducive to the observation of the banks from the bridges of M/S La Jangada.
- Breakfast on board and first outing by motorboat for a recognition of the banks, the observation of fauna and flora.
- Return on board and continuation of the navigation until the mouth of the igarape do Mateu. Landing to visit the village and discover the Alternative Community School, teaching the study of the environment and native traditions and culture.
- Lunch on board and relax while the boat continues to go up the Jauaperi River towards the Xixuaú Reserve.
- In the middle of the afternoon, stop in a small village caboclo for a meeting with the inhabitants, the discovery of day life and crafts of a very beautiful quality.
- At the end of the day arrived at the port of the village of Xixuau, on the edge of the reserve.
- Landing to meet the village leaders and prepare for the next day.
- Night at anchor in the heart of the Amazonian Rain Forest.
Residents of the Xixuaú Reserve, organized in association to protect the fauna and flora, welcome a privileged ecotourism on a territory of more than 200 000 hectares. Here, the primary forest is full of fruits, oils, resins, natural dyes for crafts and medicinal plants. Wildlife offers the visitor a spectacular diversity. More than 40 mammal species have been recorded, of which 10 reported by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) as endangered (jaguar, giant otter, armadillo, anteater, spider monkey and manatee) . We can also observe many species of rare birds like the harpy eagle and the red jaburu.
ON CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS, THE M/S LA JANGADA GLIDES GENTLY OPENING ITS WAY INTO AN IMPENETRABLE FOREST
GREAT CHANCE TO MEET GIANT OTTERS AND OTHER MYTHICAL ANIMALS OF THE AMAZON RAINFOREST
- At sunrise, a short getaway to be scared with caymans settled peacefully on the bank near the village.
- Return to the boat for breakfast.
- Departure by pirogue (2 people + native guide) for an exploration in the lakes and under the canopy of the submerged forest, in search of aquatic mammals and birds. It will undoubtedly be possible to observe otters, dolphins, monkeys and many birds.
- Return in the late morning for lunch aboard the M/S La Jangada.
- In the afternoon, trek in the primary forest to see the Samaumas, the largest trees in the Amazon rainforest. New navigation by canoe to try fishing.
- Dinner on board and night out to observe the caimans and nocturnal animals. Beautiful emotions in perspective.
- Possibility when the water is high to organize a camp in the forest for volunteers in a privileged place for the animals observation. We arrive on site by canoe, camp installation and night in hammocks. Campfire, myths and legends of the Amazon and at dawn, concert of the screaming monkeys guaranteed.
- Breakfast on board.
- Disembarkation and departure by dugout or on foot according to the season to sneak once again between giant tree trunks and high lianas for furtive encounters with the animals of the reserve.
- Meeting with the native guides and the village officials for a commemoration of our visit, presentation of the crafts and souvenir photo.
- In the late morning, start navigation back to Novo Airao along the opposite bank of Rio Negro.
- Lunch on board.
- Observation of the banks from the third bridge, relaxation on a deck chair, fruit juice in the lounge bar ... time passes slowly to the rhythm of navigation. Landscapes follow one another, an enchantment for the eyes and at sunset when the first stars appear, it's all the mystery of the Amazon rainforest that envelops you.
- Dinner on board.
During the high water season, from March to September, you can slip silently in a canoe under flooded forest. When the waters are low, from October, white and fine sandbanks appear bathed by crystal clear waters. This visit to Xixuaú will contribute to the sustainable development, understanding and protection of the forest which also brings a better quality of life to the local community. You will participate in the conservation of the reserve, while living an unforgetable experience.
BEFORE TO LEAVE THIS PARADISE, BALLAD BY CANOE ALONG THE BANKS
The mouth of the Purus River is located 210 km from Manaus between the municipalities of Anama and Pacatuba. This lake area is ideal for fishing for smooth-skinned fish such as Pirararas, Surubins and Capararis.
LAST HOURS SAILING ON THE RIO NEGRO
- From sunrise, it's all the magic of the Amazon rainforest that is revealed to you. The reflections of the trees and the sky in the water, the flight of birds we never get tired of, the daily life and its lots of canoes, small boats, fishermen ... to have the full view until the end travel.
- Around 8 am, landing for a dip with the pink dolphins. Discovery of the Ariau River, a rich eco system for nice surprises.
- 1 pm, disembarkation of the people having made the cruise of 8 days in front of the hotel Tropical, reception by English-speaking guide and assistance with transfers to hotel and airport.
