Amazon River Cruises

Manaus is the capital of Amazonas, Brazil's largest state, which is almost entirely covered by the Amazon rainforest. The surrounding jungle is home to various species of monkeys and birds. As Manaus is situated on the banks of the Rio Negro just a few kilometres from the mouth of the Amazon, the city benefited very well from the Amazon rubber boom, resulting in interesting architecture around town.

• Visit the Renaissance Revival-style opera house Teatro Amazonas
• Watch the waters of the Rio Negro and Solimões River meet without mixing
• Walk on the wide sand beaches on Praia da Ponta Negra during sunset

The small Brazilian city of Santarém sits at the intersection of the Amazon River and the Rio Tapajós, the perfect place to watch the rivers flow into each other. In one part of Santarém, where the noisy jungle has crept into the city, howler monkeys and parrots perform with enthusiasm. The beach near the Alter do Chao district, on the other hand, offers a place for tourists and locals alike to rest and relax.

• Watch the Amazon and Rio Tapajós meet from Mirante do Tapajós Square
• See ancient indigenous Tapajós artefacts at the Centro Cultural João Fona
• Study the natural textiles from Brazilian artist Dica Frazão at the Museu Dica Frazão

Parintins is the second largest city in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Sitting on the formal river island of Ilha Tupinambarana, the city is part of the eponymous microregion. Parintins is also the site of Bumba Meu Boi every June, the second biggest folklore festival behind Carnaval. During this event, spectators watch two costumed groups dance, sing and parade around the Bumbódromo stadium to recount a local legend.

• Celebrate with the locals during the Parintins Folklore Festival
• Visit the Square of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the city centre
• Enjoy regional cuisine, rich in fish

The Amazon River is the longest river in South America and one of the longest in the world. Although the river primarily flows through Brazil, it also passes through Colombia and Peru. The river is an integral part of the Amazon Rainforest, providing a habitat to the South American flora and fauna. The river was also responsible for the economic boom along its shores, promoting trade through the easy passage of boats.

• Go on a jungle walk and learn about the wildlife within the Amazon Rainforest
• Hop on a skiff and fish for red-bellied piranha
• Witness the amazing confluence between the Rio Negro and the Amazon River

Situated on the right bank of the Rio Tapajos is the district Alter do Chão in the Brazilian city of Santarém. The former village benefited from the Amazon rubber boom but suffered from a recession soon after. Nowadays, the district relies solely on tourism to support itself economically. Alter do Chão is the main tourist spot of Santarém, offering visitors and locals alike a beautiful freshwater beach with white sand.

• Sail to the Ilha do Amor (Island of Love) for a picturesque beach
• Explore the Lago Verde lagoon by canoe or stand-up paddle
• Go on a boat tour to forest reserves

Boca da Valeria is a small Indigenous Brazilian village of about 100 inhabitants on the Amazon River. With no major roads around, the village is only accessible by boat. Visitors can catch a glimpse of what everyday life is like in an Amazonian village: greeting indigenous people in traditional garb, observing the local flora and fauna up close and experiencing native customs and traditions.

• Support the village by buying local art and donating school supplies to the children
• Take photos with traditionally-outfitted indigenous Brazilians
• Hop on a boat to tour the charming village

Guajara is a small village in the Pará state in Brazil, sitting between the Breves Narrows and Santarém on the north bank of the Amazon River. Further down the river heading inland is the Monte Alegre State Park, known for its numerous caves and ancient rock paintings. The Renascer Extractive Reserve is just across the river, boasting extravagant plants native to the Amazon Rainforest.

• Venture into the Renascer Extractive Reserve
• Study the prehistoric rock paintings at Monte Alegre State Park
• Observe the native plants and animals

Curuá-Una is a region about 60 kilometres southeast of Santarém. Although the area is not directly situated on the Amazon River, it does sit on the shores of one of its tributaries, Rio Curuá-Una. Curuá-Una boasts all three ecosystems of Amazonia: flooded zones, transitional areas and the high regions with the mainland rainforest. Depending on the water level, visitors can sail along the exposed riverbank or up at tree level.

• See the villages of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon Rainforest
• Observe the herds of buffalo graze along the shore
• Watch the colourful birds fly overhead

The Breves Narrows are located in the state of Pará in northeastern Brazil between the cities of Macapá and Belém. The small town of Breves, which features a historical and cultural monument that honours the patron saint of the town, is situated on its banks. The narrows connect the Amazon River with other bodies of water flowing south of it and serve as a habitat for many species of animals and plant life.

• Sail down the Rio Parauaú and see the Nossa Senhora Santana statue
• Observe the wildlife and the lush vegetation of the Amazon
• Take a trip into Breves and enjoy small town life

Anavilhanas National Park is a forested park in the Brazilian state of Amazonas that encompasses a fluvial archipelago in the Rio Negro. Visitors can observe several protected wildlife species in their natural habitats, including the jaguar, giant anteater, giant armadillo, giant otter, Amazonian manatee and Amazon river dolphin. In 2000, Anavilhanas National Park was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Sail to the coastline of Novo Airão and swim with the pink river dolphins
• Catch a glimpse of the protected wildlife species of the Amazon
• Bask in the tropical plants of the surrounding Amazon Rainforest

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, behind Alto Purús National Park, is the second largest protected area in the Amazon region, encompassing 20,800 square kilometres. The Amazon River splits at the northeast corner of the reserve, flowing northward as the Marañón River and southbound as the Ucayali River. The reserve is rich in biodiversity and preserves the ecosystems of the Omagua Natural Region.

• Connect with the friendly locals living in Amazonian villages
• Go for a swim with the pink dolphins
• Be enchanted by nature's wonders