Amazon Ecolodge & Cruise - 5 Days

On arrival into Manaus Airport you will be met and transferred to the Amazon EcoPark Lodge. About an hour from Manaus, including a 40 minute boat ride, the lodge is situated on the banks of the Rio Taruma, a tributary of the Rio Negro.

The lodge features 70 bungalows decorated with Amazonian handicrafts and built under the rainforest tree canopy. Each apartment has its own entrance, balcony, screened windows, bathroom with electric shower, air-conditioning and mini bar. Facilities at the lodge include a bar, restaurant, 4 natural water pools, private beach, jungle trails and a pavilion featuring hammocks and lounge chairs.

After settling into your comfortable room, we visit the Monkey Jungle Reserve with its many different species of monkeys. The Monkey Jungle Reserve is a centre for the rehabilitation of primates that were rescued from illegal traders or from areas of Brazil that have been flooded or destroyed by fire. Many of the monkeys are orphans. On arrival at the centre, the animals receive any necessary veterinary treatment and time to acclimatise to their new home, before being released into the wild. Species of monkeys at the Monkey Reserve include spider, woolly, squirrel and capuchin monkeys.

After the visit we return to the lodge and later in the evening a delicious dinner will be followed by a night trip by canoe to spot crocodiles and other nocturnal creatures using flashlights.

We wake to the fresh morning mist and the intriguing sounds of the jungle coming alive. Following breakfast at the lodge, we set off on a Nature Hike. The thick, impenetrable jungle is home to more than two million species of flora and fauna. There are approximately 10 kilometres of jungle trails in and around EcoPark area, taking you through virgin rainforest, natural savannahs and creeks and alongside crystal clear steams. The guide teaches us how to find potable water, how to build a shelter from natural resources found in the jungle, which plants are edible as well as basic orientation and first aid.

After the Nature Hike we return to the lodge for lunch and time to relax. In the afternoon we visit the homes of caboclos or local Amazonian residents. Here we learn about their customs and traditions, the history of the Amazon, the preparation of cassava meal and the rubber cycle including how extracted rubber sap is smoked. There is also the opportunity to try your hand at piranha fishing.

After a final breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred to Manaus pier where you will board the M/V Desafio for the start of your 3-day cruise to explore the lower Amazon, navigating through the Amazonas River, discovering the power of nature in the river waters and a vast array of bird and plant species and visiting Kings Lake.

Lunch will be served on board as the ship navigates along the Rio Negro, through the waters of the Amazonas River, heading towards Kings Lake, located in Varzea Careiro. Here the economy is based on artisanal fishing and agriculture. On arrival at Kings Lake, dinner will be served. After dinner, we depart by motorised canoe to explore the region at night, searching for caiman species including black caiman and other nocturnal animals using flashlights.

After breakfast we set off to visit the Kings Lake local community with its unique culture.

There are many species of birds in the region, and there is the opportunity to fish for piranha. The notorious piranha is perhaps the most feared freshwater fish in the world. It is a common misconception that they are vicious man-eaters and the majority of species are not carnivorous.

Lunch is served on board the M/V Desafio as the ship sails to another side of the lake, giving you the chance to relax on board and take in the beautiful scenery.

After dinner there is an excursion by canoe to explore the lake in search of nocturnal animals.

Early this morning we take a boat ride to admire the sunrise and listen to the birds awakening. As we enjoy our final tropical breakfast on board, the ship navigates her way back to the city of Manaus, arriving at 11:00am.