EXTREME MEDIUM:

5 days, 4 nights

SINGLE: $2,410 – DOUBLE/TRIPLE: $1,815

(If you’ve already read EXTREME LIGHT, the itinerary changes DAY 4)

DAY 1:

On the first day, we’ll pick you up from the hotel by car and visit the “Encontro das Águas” or “The Meeting of Waters,” by speed boat. 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, making this joining a spectacle to behold! 

With that done we’ll journey to a lodge by car, then board a speed boat to check-in. This should be around noon, a perfect time to sit and discuss our next moves while sampling some local cuisine for lunch!

After lunch, we’ll go on a boat ride to explore the area. We’ll see Brazilian wildlife in its native, tranquil state. We’ll be searching the smaller tributaries for rare, majestic wildlife and, depending on the time of year, the Igapó or “Flooded Jungle.” We’ll make sure to get a little swimming in, just in time for a miraculous sunset. From there, we’ll head back to the lodge for a shower and dinner. Once dinner is done, it’s back to the river for a night safari by boat that you won’t soon forget!

DAY 2:

After your first night in the lodge we’ll have a hearty breakfast, then head out by boat. 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 lodge for lunch and a brief siesta (break).

Once we’re full and rested, we’ll return to the river boat for 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 lodge 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 for a trip by boat (river travel is essential to navigating the Amazon). We’ll see the sunrise and have an opportunity to listen to the stirring of birds, many of them wholly unique to this jungle. We’ll then head back to the lodge for 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 lodge 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 fourth day, we have another chance (for those willing) to see a glorious sunrise. Breakfast will be served and our next excursion will be by boat ride deep into the jungle. We’ll spend the day setting up a camp, using the survival techniques we’ve learned on our journey so far. We’ll organize our sleeping areas, collect wood for cooking and warmth, then make lunch.

When we’re ready, we’ll explore the surrounding area. As we’re now deep in the jungle, we’ll be extra considerate and mindful in how we explore, but the bounty of nature on display will be staggering! We’ll see monkeys, birds, tarantulas, and whatever else luck allows!

After exploring we’ll need to prepare the fire for dinner. A barbeque meal will be shared as we marvel at the unbound nature right before our eyes. Then we’ll need to prepare our sleeping areas with mosquito nets and settle into our hammocks. The deep jungle plays a song that truly can only be experienced, not described! Rest assured, your dreams will play to the tune of the jungle!

DAY 5:

On our final day, we’ll take breakfast and begin our journey out of the deep jungle. Our next excursion will be by boat ride 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 lodge 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!