The 5-day Castanheira program offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Amazon rainforest. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will experience the rainforest's lush flora and fauna while also getting to know the local people. Take the time not only to see the region around Lake Tracajá, but also to understand it. Located approximately 70 kilometers southeast of Manaus, the Amazon Premium Lodge offers you superior comfort. The exclusively furnished accommodations have been designed in harmonious harmony with the surrounding nature.
Highlights
- The confluence of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões
- Daily excursions into the rainforest with wildlife viewing
- Cultural encounters with the river community
- Excursion program with an experienced guide
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at the Amazon Premium Lodge and initial exploration
Included: Transfer to the lodge (3 hours, in a group with a guide) | Boat trip (in a group with a guide) | Lunch, dinner
Your Amazon adventure begins around 8:00 am with a pick-up in Manaus by your English-speaking guide. First, you'll travel to the river port of Ceasa, a 20-minute drive. There, you'll make a short visit to the fish market. From Ceasa, you'll continue by speedboat, and after about 30 minutes, you'll reach the village of Careiro da Várzea. Along the way, you'll witness one of the region's most impressive natural spectacles: the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimões. This is where the mighty Amazon River originates. You might even spot some curious river dolphins.
After a brief visit to the fruit market in Careiro da Várzea, you'll continue your journey for approximately 40 minutes by minibus. Afterwards, you'll transfer to a speedboat for another 50-minute journey on the Araçá and Mamori Rivers. Along numerous diverse rivers and waterways, you'll pass through the habitat of the giant water lilies, Vitória Régia. Here, you'll have the opportunity to admire their impressive floating leaves during a short break. The remainder of the journey takes you past several riverside villages before you arrive at the Amazon Premium Lodge around midday. There, you'll enjoy a delicious lunch of typical Amazon cuisine.
After some downtime to relax, your first exploration of the Mamori Lake area begins in the afternoon. You'll explore the pristine and diverse natural surroundings of the Premium Lodge in a motorized canoe. This will give you a closer look at the impressive flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest. With a bit of luck, you might spot capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, or a variety of bird species.
After an eventful day, you'll return to the lodge, where a delicious dinner featuring a variety of specialties awaits you. Relax and unwind in the evening, enjoying the unique atmosphere of the rainforest.
Overnight: Amazon Premium Lodge, Deluxe Bungalow
Day 2: Pure Amazon, from morning till night
Included: Sunrise tour, rainforest hike, piranha fishing, and nighttime river cruise (in a group with a guide) | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today's programme begins at dawn. On the sunrise tour at 5.30am, you'll have the opportunity to experience the awakening birdlife of the Amazon. With a bit of luck, you'll witness the morning flocks of birds flying by during a breathtaking sunrise. Back at the lodge, a delicious regional breakfast awaits you.
At 8.30am, you'll put on your hiking boots and set off on a jungle hike with your experienced guide. Along the way, you'll learn about survival techniques in the Amazon rainforest and how to utilize the forest's natural resources. Your guide will also show you edible plants of the Amazon rainforest as well as various types of medicinal plants. Afterward, lunch will be waiting for you at the lodge.
At 8pm, a very special tour awaits you, offering a chance to observe the nocturnal inhabitants of the Amazon. On this nighttime river expedition, you and your guide will search for caimans and other nocturnal animals. As you look out, you'll have the opportunity to spot the caimans' glowing eyes illuminated by the spotlight.
Overnight: Amazon Premium Lodge, Deluxe Bungalow
Day 3: Everyday life and traditions in Amazon
Included: Visit to a local community, cassava and rubber plantation, and afternoon program (in a group with a guide) | Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After a delicious breakfast, the third day begins with a visit to a local family living on the banks of a tributary of the Amazon River. Here, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the customs, traditions, and unique way of life of the river dwellers. You'll witness the preparation of traditional dishes and have the chance to taste various exotic ingredients. You'll also have the opportunity to ask the local people questions.
Afterward, you'll visit a local cassava and rubber plantation. There, you'll learn all about the cultivation and processing of cassava and rubber. Cassava flour is widely used as a staple food throughout Brazil, while rubber is used to manufacture natural rubber products. After your cultural excursion, you'll return to the lodge for lunch.
Following a break to relax and enjoy the amenities of the Premium Lodge, further activities will take place in the afternoon. You can go canoeing, spend the afternoon swimming, or explore the region further. You can discuss the program with your guide on site.
After dinner, the evening is dedicated to relaxation. Let yourself be enchanted by the sounds of the rainforest, unwind by the pool, or enjoy an exotic drink at the bar.
Accommodation: Amazon Premium Lodge, Deluxe Bungalow
Day 4: Between jungle paths and rubber harvesting traditions
Included: Rainforest hike, visit to a rubber tapper, free afternoon activity | Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today, the adventure begins with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a fascinating hike through the rainforest. Here, you'll have the opportunity to learn about various medicinal plants and their traditional uses. Your guide will provide you with exceptional insights into the region's folk knowledge, passed down through generations. A particular highlight is the encounter with one of the Amazon's most famous trees, the rubber tree, also known as 'seringueira'.
During a visit to an experienced rubber tapper, you'll delve into the history of the Amazon and experience traditional rubber harvesting techniques firsthand. You'll observe the process of smoking rubber latex, which transforms it into durable natural rubber. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about artisanal techniques that utilize natural rubber as a core material.
After this experience, you'll return to the Amazon Premium Lodge, where a delicious lunch awaits you. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. Take the opportunity to choose an additional activity from the lodge's diverse offerings. For example, you can explore the surroundings by canoe, try your luck at fishing again, or try to spot the nocturnal inhabitants. Of course, you can also spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or enjoy the evening on the veranda nestled in the rainforest. Dinner will be served at the lodge around 7pm.
Accommodation: Amazon Premium Lodge, Deluxe Bungalow
Day 5: A River boat trip, insights into life on the Amazon, and return to Manaus
Included: Boat trip to observe Amazonian wildlife, visit to a local school (in a group with a guide) | Transfer to Manaus (3 hours, in a group with a guide) | Breakfast, lunch
After breakfast, the day begins with an exciting river trip on the waterways surrounding the lodge, where you can experience the impressive Amazonian wildlife up close. With a bit of luck, you'll have the opportunity to observe river dolphins in their natural habitat while admiring the breathtaking Amazonian flora.
Afterward, you'll visit a school in a local community, where you'll learn more about the lives of the river dwellers and gain insight into their culture and traditions. Then you'll return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you'll return to Manaus, with an expected arrival around 5pm. The transfer ends either at your hotel in Manaus or at Manaus Airport. Depending on your departure time, you may also have the option of traveling to Manaus in the morning.
Services included
- All transfers as described
- 9 x lodge excursions as described, in a group with an English-speaking guide
- 4 x nights at the Amazon Premium Lodge, Deluxe Bungalow
- 4 x breakfasts; 5 x lunches; 4 dinners
Not included: flights, insurance, drinks, unspecified meals, tips, services marked as "optional", and personal expenses.
Info
- Program changes are possible depending on flight times, weather conditions, wildlife sightings, and unforeseen circumstances.
- Meals may be omitted depending on the chosen flights.
- Distances and travel times are approximate.
- In the Amazon region, black clothing should be avoided as it attracts mosquitoes. Camouflage clothing is particularly suitable for wildlife viewing.
- Please note that your luggage for the lodge should not exceed 15 kilograms per person. Luggage beyond this 15kg limit can be safely stored at the local office in Manaus or at the hotel.
- It is possible that other lodge guests may participate in tours/transfers, but this is not guaranteed (maximum 10 people per excursion).
In principle, the Amazon region can be visited all year round; however, between October and December, the lower water level can mean that some of the smaller side channels are not navigable.
This journey will take you to the most beautiful places in Brazil: the tropical metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, the spectacular waterfalls of Foz do Iguacu and the exceptional nature of the Amazon Rainforest. Many different and individual day trips and excursions are on the program. You will gain distinct impressions of Brazil's diversity, visit the most famous sights, and get to know the breathtaking variety of animals and plants of the jungle. Our local English-speaking guides will make sure that you have a great time and show you the best of Brazil.
Experience the unique and breathtaking nature and amazing variety of flora and fauna in the Amazon and the Pantanal in Brazil. On many different excursions you will explore the equatorial rainforest and one of the largest wetlands on earth by boat, jeep, and on foot. On this tour, wildlife observation and the experience of nature are in the foreground. Apart from exotic plants and giant trees, you will have the chance to see countless bird species, different monkeys, caimans, anteaters, tapirs, and even jaguars. Immerse yourself in the dense foliage of the Amazon Rainforest, explore the waterways of the Pantanal, and let yourself be enchanted by the wonders of Brazil's nature.
Uakari Lodge is about a one-hour flight west of Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon region. The local airport in Tefe is 1.5 hours away from the Mamiraua Reserve, where Uakari Lodge is located. This last part of the transfer is made by boat. The 4-day package runs from: Saturday - Tuesday. The 5-day package runs from: Tuesday - Saturday. The 8-day package runs from: Tuesday - Tuesday or Saturday - Saturday.