Amazon
The near-mythical Amazon is earth's answer to the Garden of Eden. Rainforests, Rivers, and “River Beaches” provide a sanctuary for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.
Amazon Highlights
The near-mythical Amazon is earth's answer to the Garden of Eden. Stretching across Brazil, extending into Columbia and Peru; and dropping hints of its existence in other South American countries, the Amazon truly is one of the world's greatest natural gifts. The Amazon rainforest is a broadleaf tropical rainforest smothering the Amazon basin that stretches across 7,000,000 km of prime land belonging to 9 nations.
Most of the rainforest - at least 60%- falls within Brazil. The Amazon basin, remarkably, contains over half of the planet's rainforests and is home to the mighty Amazon River - the world's most voluminous. The river dissects the surrounding rainforest and has thousands of placid tributaries providing the perfect habitat for a wealth of species. The Amazon hosts the world's most diverse and unique biome and is such a vast area that any holiday booked needs to be a singular experience. There are 2.5 million insect species, 2000 birds and mammals; and 40, 000 plant species. In addition there are the notorious "dangerous" creatures of the Amazon, worth looking out for. These are : Piranha, black caiman, jaguar, cougar, anaconda, electric eels and the poison dart frogs.
The powerful open waters of the Amazon River is ideal for adventure, luxury cruises and exciting boat trips. But it's those tributaries where you'll spot the wildlife quietly enjoying their life in the Amazon. These placid watercourses can be explored via punting or being paddled into the deeper parts of the Amazon.
There are many different regions to explore in the Amazon, each offering something unique. Manaus is the main jungle town serving the region and is the quickest route into the dense jungle. Altar do Caho is another unique area in the Amazon, and the jumping-off point for boats trips along the Rio Tapajós. Alto offers a range of crystalline waters and beaches; which are completely unexpected when visiting the Amazon basin ! Belém, the closest major city to the mouth of the Amazon, is known as the gatekeeper of the area.
- Amazon is more that just rivers, wildlife and swathes of rainforest. There are beaches, islands and wild archipelagos. Don't ignore these aspects of the Amazon Basin.
- It’s advisable to spend ample time in the Amazon, given that it's a vast region.
- A stay in a proper Amazonian jungle lodge is a must. Opt for something eco-chic, where all activities and meals are included.
- A mind-blowing sight is the "Meeting of the Waters”, 10 km inland from Manaus. This is where two different colour rivers flow parallel to each other, without ever mixing or merging until the end of the course.
- Small, quiet groups can be paddled or punted into channels to see capybara on the banks, pink dolphins, caiman, and giant otters.
- Do indulge in the local cuisine of the area. A tasty local dish is Maniçoba - an Amazonian dish from Brazil made with pieces of meat, sausage, manioc, and chicória leaves.
- The floating lodges of Uakari are one of the only places where you can join dedicated jaguar spotting programs.
The city of Manaus is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimoes rivers and is the main town serving the heart of the Amazon jungle. A highlight is a visit to the meeting point of two rivers, a fascinating sight of two rivers running parallel and never merging. There are plenty of lodges in the area from which to choose.
The city of Manaus is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimoes rivers and is the main town serving the heart of the Amazon jungle. A highlight is a visit to the meeting point of two rivers, a fascinating sight of two rivers running parallel and never merging. There are plenty of lodges in the area from which to choose.
One of the top jungle lodges in the area is the ever popular Cristalini Lodge, voted one of the best eco lodges in the southern Amazon.Another fantastic choice is the Anavilhanas Lodge , a luxury lodge located on edge of theAnavilhanas National Park on the largest inland archipelago in the world.
For something completely different, the Uakari Floating Lodge offers accommodation on the river in a protected tropical rainforest corridor. This is also one of the only places where you can join the dedicated jaguar spotting programs.
Belém is the gatekeeping town of the Amazon, located on the mouth of the Amazon river. It offers all the cultural and historical experiences of the Amazon, and day trips into the pockets of jungle. Your best bet is to stay at the Regent Hotel or the Radisson.
How to Get There
Brazil's Amazon city, Manaus, is the place to start your Amazon adventure. This city is home to activities and offers fascinating insight into the local cultures and cuisine. Your best bet is to fly into Manaus, however direct flights are limited and normally go via Miami, Panama City, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Interestingly enough, you can fly direct from Lisbon in Portugal to Manaus.
Located 15 km from the city centre, is the Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport. From the airport there’s actually a local bus (306) that runs into the downtown area.
Direct flights are from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and take roughly 5 hours.
Alternate methods of getting to the Amazon’s gateway include river journeys on a ferry. These depart from Belém and take roughly 5 days, offering a unique opportunity to stay on a boat and experience the river in its entirety.
Amazon Activities
Heading into the jungle is a must. If you are staying at a luxury jungle lodge, then activities are included. If not, you need to book a few tours with a local tour operator. A night hike into the rainforest should be top of the list. Spot nocturnal creatures, stay in hammocks and experience the sounds of the jungle at night.
A guided jungle walk introduces you to wildlife while on foot, and is a wonderful way to learn about medicinal uses of plants. Keep yours eyes peeled for anacondas, tarantulas and poison dart frogs.
For a more aquatic experience, jump aboard a riverboat and explore the wonders of the meandering river. Opt for a smaller boat that navigates its way through quiet tributaries that head deep into the jungle. Some of these cruises will let you jump in and swim in the Amazon. You can always take it further and sign-up for a kayaking excursion that heads into remote parts of the Amazon.
If the exquisite world beneath the surface of the waterways fascinates you, then sign-up for piranha fishing excursions.
Adventure lovers crave the adrenalin of canopy tours, a day-trip from Manaus. This is perfect for exploring the treetops and the wonderful views from above. If you’d prefer a more sedentary route, get a taste of the Amazon life from the local tribes at Tupé Beach that perform traditional song and dance routines.
Do explore Ponte Negra in Manaus, andAltar do Caho (600 km from Manaus); areas that both provide the quintessential Amazon beach scenes. A completely contrasting side of the postcard images of the Amazon.
There really are a wealth of activities in Brazil’s Amazon region!
