The powerful rest of the rain; the two largest fluvial archipelagos in the Planet and the largest hydrographic basin; hundreds of untouched islands which emerge and submerge according to the seasons, the lung of the planet…This is all ours, our sole responsibility.
The Negro River springs in Colombia’s pre-Andean region and runs to the Solimões River to form the Amazon River. The river’s 1,700 km of extension could be explained as an “illogical kaleidoscope”. Sailing on its waters is a constant variant, a constant change in humor where everything depends on everything and yet on nothing. Translating it into a navigation language, the waters are labyrinths and “paranás”(arm of a large river separated by an island from the main course) where each trip needs to search for feasible tracks on constantly changing waters. On the route, GPS, sonar and radar are good allies, however, they might not be enough to reveal the mysteries of a river which flows windingly and insinuatingly and which may not let us depart before the right time or maybe even invite us to settle down there.

A 10-day trip
 

3rd Day: Manaus / Anavilhanas Archipelago
In the morning, transferring to the Tropical Hotel’s pier to embark on a very exclusive - literally the most exclusive embarkation on the Negro River. Our luxury boat It is a 32-meter long by 7.17-meter wide vessel. It has a large kitchen, a dinning room for 16 seated people, music, video and DVD room, 8 suites with double bed and a bunk, one presidential suite with a king-size bed, a 2.2-meter high ceiling which allows a comfortable flowing of passengers inside the boat, a 600 HP engine with two power generators for both 110 and 220 volts, supporting motorized canoes and telephone communication through satellite for emergencies. The boat has been adapted and designed to meet the concept and needs of a travel Agency whose main target is to promote comfort, safety and style. There will be at the travelers’ disposal: a fine crew for attendance both on board and at proposed activities, cabin with private bathroom and shower, sheets and pillow cases replaced during our sailing, cleaning and tidying of the cabin supplied by the deck sailor, leisure area, diving and observation areas, maps, books, traditional fishing rods, life jackets, among other materials. However, we would like to point out that water should be used without any waste: short showers and conscientious usage of restrooms. Likewise, travelers should pay special attention to their personal belongings in leisure areas due to the constant wind, although pleasantly blowing, it may suddenly, without any further notice, carry away unattended objects which may not be recovered.
The day’s journey starts with a quiz about the Amazon. We bend over maps and we are introduced to the fauna, flora, basins, igapós (periodically inundated parts of riverine woodland), igarapés (narrow riverbank between two islands or between an island and the Mainland), etc. We get onshore in Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro in lake Acajatuba and range over around the community. First sunset at the Negro, dinner on board. The anchoring for the overnight stay will be in the Anavilhanas Archipelago.

4th Day: Anavilhanas / Novo Airão
Early morning, departure to Novo Airão. Early birds will be rewarded with the high-pitched sounds which cut through the air; the ballet dance from the blue macaws; the flight of the parrots. After breakfast, we leave the houseboat to explore the Folharal Lake and to dive with floaters down the river. The name of the lake comes from the accumulation of leaves on the water. The vegetation, which falls off from the riverbanks as a result of the flooding, floats upon the waters forming natural gardens of ikebana. Afterwards, return to the houseboat for departure to Novo Airão. On arrival, diving among the pink dolphins. Marilda, who owns the best restaurant in Novo Airão (I really miss the ”pirão” - mush or meal of manioc flour boiled in water), is also the protector of twenty pink dolphins which come to the back of her floating restaurant daily and allow to be entertained and fed by the tourists. After lunch, we ride around Novo Airão in bicycles (in excellent conditions) or, for those who wish, in motorcycles. Novo Airão is a very pleasant town, which is, by the way, a model of social, cultural and environmental projects. A program called Funbio makes the community aware of the extraction of wood and palm tree fibers in order to maintain the natural asset and the best management on material handling. Sunset at the floating deck Bonfim. Blue hues which become pink turn into violet which expands into orange, turning everything into golden colors.

5th Day: Novo Airão / The Baependi River
In the morning, departure to the Baependi River basin. Anchoring at the IBAMA’s (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and of the Natural resources You renewed) floating deck at the entrance of Baependi for crew and vessel identification. Lunch on board. Later, we leave the boat in order to explore the lakes of the region and the red waters of the Baependi River. Visit to the Sítio do macaco. In the evening, night observation of the local fauna.
The Negro is a course which perpetuates time and its elements. Its black waters are ocher-amber shades to rust -colored hues. Its translucency is the result of the light which passes through two and a half meters deep into the river through an almost submissive body, which, therefore does not shine. Owing to the fact that the rocks from the riverhead region are very ancient – pre-Andean – very few mineral sediments are produced, therefore the abundance of water life is dramatically reduced. Such circumstance prevented this area’s plantation and occupation, but it assured its preservation. The acidity discourages the presence of winged creatures, which are popular in muddy waters, such as in the Solimões that are classified as clear. Reducing the abundance does not mean absence, but selection. The species, which live on the Negro are sophisticated and adapted to this environment. There is plenty of fish, that is, the Negro River is a blessing and its tourist purpose is a natural inclination.

6th: Igarapé do Ipiranga
In the morning, we leave the houseboat to explore the igarapé do Ipiranga, where we travel upon the images. At the bottom, the water reproduces what can be seen at the surface. Such is the mirage and integration is so perfect that one can reach a whole new angle of vision, a unique virtuality. Swimming at the igarapé and canoeing up the river. Depending on the igarapé water level (subject to the variations of the seasons and rains), it will be necessary to get off the “voadeira” (boat usually made of aluminum propelled by an engine) and walk around the vegetation and get on the boat again later. Lunch break while our team sets up the camping area. After a short rest, canoeing along the Igarapés’ Mainland. Each curve keeps the silence... After sunset, we will stay in the jungle around a bonfire, for a few hours and under an organized activity you are invited to experience the wild - accompanied by a team of experts , we will explore the forest. Hear the soundtrack that keeps changing: search for the dance of the bacuraus (birds of the family Caprimulgidae); and follow the tracks of the ritualistic howling monkeys (guaribas), dolphins and caiman. Later we return to the houseboat to overnight.

7th Day: Igarapé do Ipiranga / Ipiranga Falls / Jungle Lodge
After breakfast, we departure directly to the Jungle lodges . On arrival check -in at the lodge.

8th Day: Jungle Lodge
Day free to enjoy the uncompromising luxury found in one of the finest jungle lodge in Brazil.

9th Day: Lodge / Manaus / Tropical Hotel
Breakfast in the lodge and departure directly to the pier of Tropical Hotel in Manaus. On arrival, welcoming and transferring to the hotel.

10th Day: Manaus
In the morning, transferring to the airport for departure to onward destination.

The program includes: High tourist class hotels in Manaus, room under international breakfast, Jungle Lodge full board, and full board during the navigation days, private transferring, local guides englhis speakers and special infrastructure for the accomplishment of the proposed activities.

Price per person in double room accommodation ground trips: US$ 3,250.00
Group size: at least 06 people.