HOUSEBOAT TRIP:

4 days, 3 nights

SINGLE: $7,500 – DOUBLE/TRIPLE: $5,700

DAY 1:

On the first day, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and make our way to a beautiful houseboat that will be our shelter and travel! We’ll share some welcome drinks upon arrival. If you enjoy alcohol, Brazilian cachaça will be served and I must recommend a taste. Cachaça is a white rum mad from distilled cane juice, rather than rind. It has a unique flavor that is slightly sweet, and a plush, smooth texture.This will be an excellent chance to meet the crew of the river boat we’ll be staying on and discuss our routes, as well as familiarize ourselves with the facilities onboard. From there, we’ll lift anchor and be on our way!

Our first feature will be the spectacular “Encontro das Águas,” or “The Meeting of Waters.” This is the confluence of two very important Brazilian rivers, the Rio Negro and the world’s longest river, the Amazon. The Rio Negro, or “Black River” is so named because to the dark silt that marks it’s bed, whereas the Amazon river is bedded with pale sand. This union is a natural marvel, and something you can only see right here!

We’ll be traveling the Rio Negro eventually, but first we should visit the nearby streams to get an understanding of how Amazonian river life works. These “floating houses” are a cultural tradition that dates back centuries, using the rivers abundant resources while remaining safely afloat on the water’s surface.We’ll then visit an ecological park called Janauari Lake to see giant royal victories, massive water lilies native to this area.

We’ll have lunch on board, a sampling of some of the local fare, before we set course down the Rio Negro. We’ll stop in a small channel river called the Ariau, this is a perfect spot to see the sunset while we enjoy some dinner. We’ll be dining to the songs of hundreds of native bird species, which grow active at dawn and dusk. Many of these birds don’t migrate between hemispheres, so hopefully many of you will be hearing them for the first time!

After dinner we’ll venture out by speedboat to explore the rivers and tributaries at night. This is an excellent opportunity to see and hear the rare, nocturnal wildlife active in the jungle. After our safari night trip, it’s back to the houseboat for some much needed rest!

DAY 2:

After your first night on the houseboat I’ll encourage  you to rise before the sunrise. The view we’ll have from the deck is simply fantastic and I want you to see it! Then, we’ll prepare a hearty breakfast for the day’s journey. 

Upon the voyage, we’ll be searching the myriad of channels and tributaries for wildlife. We’ll disembark for a jungle walk, where I’ll explain the flora and fauna, including medicinal plants. Survival is unique in the Amazon, and knowing what is safe to eat and drink is essential. Then, it’s back to the houseboat for lunch and a brief siesta (break).

Once we’re full and rested, we’ll head out for some piranha fishing! We’ll explore different areas throughout the afternoon and into the evening, visiting natural landmarks and learning a bit  about navigation and travel using the great rivers. Then of course, we’ll mark the end of the day with another gorgeous, iconic sunset. We’ll head back to the houseboat to eat dinner and discuss all we’ve seen. This will be a perfect time for comments, questions, and a passionate reliving of the day’s events!

DAY 3:

On the third day, we’ll awaken before sun-up (that is of course, if we missed our chance to see the beautiful sunrise!). We’ll have an opportunity to listen to the stirring of birds during our Amazon breakfast.

From here, we’ll journey down river to meet a local family; we’ll get an idea as to how they live and how they survive in the Amazon. This is an opportunity to ask questions and share knowledge with the humble people who call this place home. Then, we’ll head back to the lodge for more delicious local cuisine at lunch followed by, you guessed it, a siesta!

Once rested, we’ll travel ever further down the river for a visit with the indigenous natives. Here is a chance to see and share indigenous Amazonian culture. We’ll witness a ritual of their tribe, see how their tribe has survived for millenia, and even see a special performance of music and dance! These are real natives, and we’ll show them our respect and reverence, while knowing that our collective excitement is something captured in their smiles!  

We’ll head back to the houseboat in time to see the sunset, share a well-earned meal, and laugh and revel in all the day’s highlights!

DAY 4:

On our final day, we’ll take breakfast then travel to see the unique Amazonian River Dolphin (pink dolphin) in its natural habitat. You will have an opportunity to swim with them and don’t worry, they’re very friendly!

We’ll enjoy as much more nature as time will allow but sadly, our journey is coming to an end! Take this moment to breathe, stare, and appreciate this beautiful place that I have come to love, cherish, and respect; I hope you have to! 

We’ll return to the houseboat for our final lunch. We’ll discuss the trip in detail, sharing memories and laughter, and perhaps even a few tears. After lunch, we’ll have some time to double-check everything, then we’ll depart for Manaus city, arriving around 4 PM. 

I’ll have one last opportunity to thank YOU for a wonderful, shared experience we’ll remember forever!