Day notes
Day One – 25 August: Welcome to Manaus
On arrival in Manaus, you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the city.
This evening at 20:00, we gather for a welcome briefing with our biologist hosts, who will introduce the journey ahead and provide an overview of the key species and habitats we are likely to encounter in the days to come.
We round off the day with a relaxed dinner showcasing contemporary Amazonian cuisine.
Transfer from Eduardo Gomes International Airport [MAO] to Hotel Casa do Bispo
Transfer
Eduardo Gomes International Airport [MAO]
Hotel Casa do Bispo
Check-in to Hotel Casa do Bispo
Day notes
Day Two – 26 August: Meeting of the Waters, Rio Negro | Janauacá Lake, Solimões
After breakfast at 07:00, we depart the hotel at 08:30 for the port to begin our Amazon expedition. Here, we board our comfortable riverboat — our base and home for the next five nights.
On arrival, your luggage will already be in your cabin, giving you time to settle in and familiarise yourself with the vessel and its crew. As we leave Manaus, we pass one of the Amazon’s great natural spectacles: the “Meeting of the Waters”, where the dark, tannin-rich Rio Negro and the pale, sediment-laden Solimões flow side by side for kilometres without mixing. With a welcome drink in hand, the team will deliver a safety briefing and introduce the days ahead.
Our course then takes us from the acidic blackwaters of the Rio Negro into the nutrient-rich Solimões. Fed by fertile Andean sediments, these waters sustain seasonally flooded várzea forests — among the most productive ecosystems in the entire Amazon Basin.
By late afternoon, we reach Janauacá Lake, a vast floodplain system known for its abundance of wildlife. As dusk approaches, we set out by skiff for our first exploratory excursion. Moving quietly along narrow channels, we watch herons, kingfishers, jacanas, and raptors returning to their roosts, while the onset of night brings encounters with bats, owls, and frogs — a fitting introduction to the extraordinary biodiversity of the Solimões floodplains.
Meals: Lunch and dinner on board.
Check-out from Hotel Casa do Bispo
Transfer from Hotel Casa do Bispo to Porto de Manaus
Transfer
Hotel Casa do Bispo
Porto de Manaus
Cruise from Porto de Manaus
Cruise
Porto de Manaus
Porto de Manaus
Expert tips:
Daily Life On Board
07:00 – Breakfast
08:00 – Morning excursion
12:00 – Lunch
14:00 – Afternoon excursion
17:00 – Return to the boat
19:00 – Dinner on board
Evenings may include nocturnal wildlife outings or informal talks reviewing the day’s highlights. Keen birdwatchers can also arrange an optional early morning excursion (05:00) with our naturalist guides.
All excursions take place in comfortable support boats with high-backed seats and open decks — ideal for wildlife viewing and photography. Activities are weather-dependent, and on some days rain may require us to remain aboard.
Expert Tips
Watch the Waters: At the “Meeting of the Waters,” look closely — fish and river dolphins often gather where the rivers meet, drawn by changes in temperature and nutrients.
Binoculars Ready: As we approach Janauacá Lake, keep binoculars handy. Early sightings often include raptors circling overhead and pink river dolphins breaking the surface.
Embrace the Dusk: Dusk is one of the most active times in the forest. Birds return to roost, bats emerge to hunt, and amphibians begin their evening calls — a perfect time to observe behaviour and listen for clues.
Understand the Ecosystem: The striking colour contrast between the Rio Negro and Solimões is more than visual. It reflects distinct water chemistry and productivity, shaping the diversity of species along each river.
Day notes
Day Three – 27 August: Janauacá Lake, Solimões River
Today is devoted to exploring the Janauacá Lake region — a mosaic of channels, lagoons, and seasonally flooded forests sustained by the nutrient-rich waters of the Solimões. Travelling by skiff, we’ll navigate deep into this complex habitat, where biodiversity reaches extraordinary levels.
This is prime territory for Pink River Dolphins, caimans, and Giant River Otters, all of which thrive in these productive waters. Overhead, the skies are alive with macaws, herons, raptors, and many other bird species, offering outstanding opportunities for observation and photography throughout the day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.
Expert tips:
Expert Tips
Look for Signs: Giant River Otters are often heard before they’re seen — listen for high-pitched whistles or splashes that reveal their presence.
Surface Clues: Pink River Dolphins surface unpredictably. Keep scanning a wide area rather than focusing on a single point.
Birdwatcher’s Bonus: Early and late in the day are peak times for macaw and heron activity. Watch treetops and riverbanks closely as light levels change.
Patience Pays: Many species here are active but elusive. Staying still and letting the skiff drift often leads to closer, more natural encounters.
Day notes
Day Four – 28 August: Janauari Lake, Rio Negro | Indigenous Community | Navigation to the Anavilhanas Archipelago
This morning, we journey back towards the Rio Negro, pausing to explore Janauari Lake, known for its flooded forest, vast Victoria amazonica water lilies, and exceptional birdlife. The transition from the nutrient-rich Solimões to the dark, acidic waters of the Rio Negro offers a striking contrast — a powerful demonstration of how water chemistry shapes the Amazon’s ecosystems.
In the afternoon, we visit a Tukano community within the Puranga Conquista Sustainable Development Reserve. This initiative, created by families of Tukano, Tariano, and Desana heritage, is dedicated to preserving and sharing their ancestral knowledge. Here, we gain a deeper understanding of indigenous Amazonian culture and its enduring relationship with the forest and rivers.
Later, we continue into the Anavilhanas Archipelago — the second-largest river archipelago on Earth. Spanning more than 400 islands across a 90 km stretch of the Rio Negro, this is a landscape in constant transformation: narrow channels open into hidden lagoons, flooded forests give way to seasonal white-sand beaches, and the dark waters mirror the dense forest canopy above.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.
Expert tips:
Expert Tips
Look for Movement: Janauari Lake is a hotspot for birdlife — watch the edges of the flooded forest for herons, jacanas, and hoatzins feeding among the giant water lilies.
Notice the Change: As we shift from the Solimões to the Rio Negro, pay attention to the water colour and vegetation — these changes signal very different ecological conditions and species communities.
Cultural Respect: When visiting the Tukano community, a polite greeting and interest in their traditions go a long way. Always ask before photographing people or ceremonial objects.
Archipelago Awareness: In the Anavilhanas, scan the channel edges and overhanging branches for sloths, iguanas, and riverine bird species. Early evening is often an excellent time for wildlife activity as temperatures cool.
Day notes
Day Five – 29 August: Anavilhanas Archipelago
Today is dedicated to exploring the vast Anavilhanas Archipelago, one of the most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems on the planet. Travelling by small skiff in the company of our expert naturalists, we navigate the maze of channels and islands in search of the region’s remarkable wildlife.
The waters may reveal Pink River Dolphins surfacing nearby, while three-toed sloths rest camouflaged in the canopy and macaws cross the skies overhead. Agile monkeys move through the branches, and the forest’s understory offers the chance to observe the spectacular manakins — known for their vibrant plumage and intricate courtship displays, where males leap, snap their wings, and perform rapid dances to attract females.
Alongside these headline species, the archipelago hosts a vast diversity of birds, amphibians, and insects, each playing a role in this extraordinary ecosystem.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board.
Expert tips:
Expert Tips
Look Up and Scan Slowly: Sloths are masters of camouflage — search for rounded shapes in the canopy rather than looking for movement. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to find them active.
Watch for Ripples: Pink River Dolphins often surface quietly and unpredictably. Look for circular ripples or small disturbances on the water as a sign they’re nearby.
Listen Before You See: Manakins often reveal their presence through rapid wing snaps and short, high-pitched calls during courtship displays. Follow the sound to locate their display sites.
Tree-Line Activity: Many species, including tamarins and capuchins, prefer the mid to upper canopy. Use binoculars and scan horizontal branches where dappled light makes them easiest to spot.
Patience Brings Rewards: The Anavilhanas is rich in life, but sightings can be fleeting. Remaining still and letting the forest come to life around you often leads to the best encounters.
Day notes
Day Six – 30 August: Tumbira Riverside Community | Ariaú River
This morning’s journey takes us into a world where forest and people coexist, offering a deeper understanding of resilience, ancestral knowledge, and sustainable living. We begin with a guided visit to the Tumbira riverside community, one of the Amazon’s pioneering examples of community-based ecotourism. Here, local families welcome us into their daily lives along the Rio Negro, showing how traditional practices blend seamlessly with innovative sustainability initiatives.
Accompanied by a local host, we venture into the surrounding forest to learn about native plants and their traditional medicinal uses — knowledge passed down through generations. Along the way, we hear personal stories of how the community transformed its livelihood from logging to ecotourism. Later, we meet Marilene, a local artisan whose handcrafted jewellery made from açaí seeds and palm fibres supports her family and reflects a deep connection to the forest.
In the afternoon, we continue downstream to the Rio Ariaú, a tributary renowned for its maze of creeks and seasonally flooded forests. This is a haven for wildlife: we search for howler and squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths resting high in the canopy, and pink river dolphins surfacing in the channels. The riverbanks host kingfishers, herons, and egrets, while the surrounding forest comes alive with the calls of parrots and macaws returning to roost. As night falls, we explore by spotlight — a chance to encounter black caimans, nocturnal birds, and a chorus of frogs and insects that define the Amazon after dark.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner on board; lunch with the Tumbira community.
Expert tips:
Expert Tips
Engage and Ask: The Tumbira visit is a unique opportunity to learn directly from local people. Thoughtful questions about daily life, traditions, and forest use often lead to deeper conversations and insights.
Medicinal Plant Knowledge: When exploring the forest with your local host, take notes or photos (with permission). Many plants have uses that reveal fascinating links between ecology and traditional knowledge.
Support Local Artisans: Purchasing crafts directly from artisans like Marilene ensures your contribution goes straight to the community and helps sustain traditional skills.
Stay Alert on the Ariaú: Scan both the canopy and the water — sloths and monkeys are often high in the trees, while pink river dolphins and caimans appear at the water’s surface.
Nocturnal Advantage: During spotlight excursions, scan slowly and look for eye-shine reflecting in the light. Red or orange glints often indicate mammals, while bright green reflections are usually reptiles.
Day notes
Day Seven – 31 August: Manaus | Highlands of Presidente Figueiredo
As our river expedition draws to a close, we navigate back towards Manaus, crossing once more over the vast waters of the Rio Negro. From here, a scenic 1.5-hour overland transfer takes us north into the highlands of Presidente Figueiredo, a region renowned for its waterfalls, caves, and unique upland ecosystems.
We pause for lunch in the town before continuing to Galo da Serra Park, located within the Maroaga Cave Environmental Protection Area (APA). A guided 40-minute forest walk leads us to a secluded clearing where we hope to encounter one of the Amazon’s most spectacular birds — the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock. With its vivid orange plumage and elaborate courtship displays, this species is an iconic highlight of the region and a favourite among birdwatchers and photographers alike.
Following our visit, we continue to our Rainforest Refuge, where we settle in for the evening and enjoy a final dinner surrounded by the peace and sounds of the forest.
Meals: Breakfast on board, lunch in Presidente Figueiredo, and dinner at the Private Rainforest Refuge.
Disembark from Manakin Houseboat
Self Drive from Porto de Manaus to Amazon Emotions Jungle Lodge
Self Drive
Porto de Manaus
Amazon Emotions Jungle Lodge
Check-in to Amazon Emotions Jungle Lodge
Expert tips:
Look for Display Sites: The Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock is most often seen at traditional leks — small clearings where males gather to perform their elaborate displays. Watch for sudden flashes of orange deep in shaded areas of the forest.
Listen for Calls: Their distinctive, frog-like vocalisations can help pinpoint their location before they’re visible. Stay still and patient — they often reveal themselves after a few quiet minutes.
Explore the Uplands: Presidente Figueiredo’s terra firme forests host species not found in lowland floodplains. Keep an eye out for tamanduas, agoutis, and a variety of forest-dwelling birds and amphibians.
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Photography Tips
Use Natural Light: The forest can be dim, so position yourself where light filters through the canopy for brighter, clearer shots.
Capture the Moment: Try to photograph the cock-of-the-rock while it’s displaying — wing flicks or short hops make for more interesting images.
Keep It Steady: Use two hands or rest your camera against a tree or rail to avoid blur in the lower light of the forest.
Day notes
Day Eight – 1 September: Highlands of Presidente Figueiredo
This morning, we set out on guided walks along rainforest trails within a 300-hectare private reserve, with opportunities to encounter endemic species in their natural habitat and gain a deeper appreciation of this unique upland ecosystem.
The afternoon is free to relax, reflect, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the forest.
After sunset, we venture out on a nocturnal walk to explore the forest’s hidden side — listening for the calls of night-dwelling creatures and searching for rare bioluminescent fungi glowing softly among the undergrowth.
We end the day with a special Amazonian dinner, celebrating the flavours of the forest and the shared experiences of our journey through one of the planet’s most extraordinary wildernesses.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Expert tips:
Move Quietly: During forest walks, slow movements and soft footsteps increase your chances of spotting shy species before they notice you.
Use All Your Senses: At night, listen for rustling leaves, insect calls, or distant frog songs — often you’ll hear wildlife before you see it.
Look Low and Close: Bioluminescent fungi are usually found on fallen logs or decaying wood close to the forest floor. A small torch with a red light setting can help you spot them without disturbing their glow.
Day notes
Day Nine – 2 September: Departure from Presidente Figueiredo
After breakfast at 07:00, there’s time to relax and prepare for departure. At 09:00, we set off on a two-hour transfer to Manaus Airport for onward flights.
Check-out from Amazon Emotions Jungle Lodge
