Santarem

Departing Santarem on board a regional riverboat, you’ll navigate the clear emerald-blue waters of the Tapajos River to encounter the muddy waters of the magnificent Amazon River. A natural phenomenon, the two rivers flow side by side and are known as the ‘meeting of the waters’.

Your journey will continue on the Amazon River to Maica Lake, an enchanting outlet of the Amazon River surrounded by various ‘igapos’ (flooded forest), where the flora is both beautiful and diverse. If you’re lucky the fauna may reveal a variety of birds for your delight. You’ll also have the opportunity to see a demonstration of the primitive methods the locals use to catch their fish, including the use of fishing nets, harpoons and lines.

Views of the old and modern wooden houses are evident as your riverboat navigates the waters alongside the city of Santarem.

Your tour begins with a visit to the Santarem Museum building which, since its inauguration in 1868, has been used for several different purposes, including a courthouse, prison and city hall. Today, as a museum, its archives feature indigenous ceramics of Santarem, most of them pre-Columbian. Other artefacts include early furniture and paintings of the city.

Afterwards, you’ll head to a ‘native dwelling’ to see a local family preparing the manioc flour, as well as a demonstration of the native way to extract latex from the rubber trees. You’ll also see a display of the tools of the ‘rubber worker’ from the last century.

Your return drive will take you through the old part of Santarem, passing the quaint Immaculate Conception Church and downtown to Fisherman Square; see the sculpture of the Victoria- Regia water lily and another of Saint Peter, the patron saint of the fishermen. A short stop will be made so that you can purchase some souvenirs, before returning to the port.

Set off on an 8-mile journey along the Cuiaba Highway, the only road connecting the middle of the Amazon to the rest of Brazil. During the journey you’ll observe the ‘slash and burn’ agriculture and the effect it has on the forest and land.

The highlight of the tour is a nature walk through the Santa Lucia Woods on special designated trails. The guides and local woodsmen will choose one of more than 3 miles of trails for your nature walk. You’ll have the opportunity to look at some of the 400 species of native trees and palms and experience the mystery of this living forest with its beautiful flora and fauna. Although the feature of this ecological tour is the flora, local guides will try to sight monkeys, sloth, lizards and anteaters.

Your return journey will take you back along the Cuiaba Highway.

DAY 1 – MEETING OF THE WATERS
After a transfer to Santarem airport, you’ll take a 1 hour flight over the rainforest and Amazon waterways to Manaus. On arrival you’ll take a boat trip to witness the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ where the pale, sandy coloured flow of the Solimões River meets the dark brown waters of the Rio Negro. The Negro River obtains its dark brown colour as it descends from the Andes picking up dead leaves and foliage as it passes through the jungle region. You’ll transfer by boat to the Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest region. The Lodge is comprised of individual bungalow accommodation, has a large open air reception area with bar, handicraft and convenience boutique, an open air thatched roof restaurant, events salon, 4 natural bathing pools and private beach. You’ll have time to settle into your bungalow before re-joining the group for an evening tour by motorised canoe to search for local alligators and other nocturnal wildlife. Enjoy an evening meal at the Lodge to reflect on your days adventures.

DAY 2 – MEET THE AMAZONIANS
After breakfast, you’ll set off on a nature hike with your eco guide. Explore the jungle trails rich in vegetation and wildlife. You’ll see fresh water streams and variety of birdlife, giant trees and exotic wild orchids. Back at the Lodge you’ll have time to relax and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the home of local Amazonians know as Caboclo. Learn all about the local cultures and traditions of these native people and see how they live within the dense jungle environment. During your visit to the family, you’ll also have chance to participate in some piranha fishing to see for yourself these small fish with a big reputation. Back at the Lodge, enjoy dinner with your group before retiring for the evening.

DAY 3 – MONKEY ISLAND
Breakfast will be served before you venture off to Monkey Island. The sanctuary was created in conjunction with the Municipal Secretary of Environment and Sustainability to rehabilitate monkeys confiscated from illegal commerce. At Monkey Island, you’ll have an opportunity to see and photograph these fascinating creatures in a natural environment. After checking out of the Ecopark Lodge, you’ll depart the private pier by boat for your journey to Manaus to re-join Adonia in time for lunch.

DAY 1 – MEETING OF THE WATERS
After a transfer to Santarem airport, you’ll take a 1 hour flight over the rainforest and Amazon waterways to Manaus. On arrival you’ll take a boat trip to witness the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ where the pale, sandy coloured flow of the Solimões River meets the dark brown waters of the Rio Negro. The Negro River obtains its dark brown colour as it descends from the Andes picking up dead leaves and foliage as it passes through the jungle region. You’ll transfer by boat to the Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest region. The Lodge is comprised of individual bungalow accommodation, has a large open air reception area with bar, handicraft and convenience boutique, an open air thatched roof restaurant, events salon, 4 natural bathing pools and private beach. You’ll have time to settle into your bungalow before re-joining the group for an evening tour by motorised canoe to search for local alligators and other nocturnal wildlife. Enjoy an evening meal at the Lodge to reflect on your days adventures.

DAY 2 – MEET THE AMAZONIANS
After breakfast, you’ll set off on a nature hike with your eco guide. Explore the jungle trails rich in vegetation and wildlife. You’ll see fresh water streams and variety of birdlife, giant trees and exotic wild orchids. Back at the Lodge you’ll have time to relax and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the home of local Amazonians know as Caboclo. Learn all about the local cultures and traditions of these native people and see how they live within the dense jungle environment. During your visit to the family, you’ll also have chance to participate in some piranha fishing to see for yourself these small fish with a big reputation. Back at the Lodge, enjoy dinner with your group before retiring for the evening.

DAY 3 – MONKEY ISLAND
Breakfast will be served before you venture off to Monkey Island. The sanctuary was created in conjunction with the Municipal Secretary of Environment and Sustainability to rehabilitate monkeys confiscated from illegal commerce. At Monkey Island, you’ll have an opportunity to see and photograph these fascinating creatures in a natural environment. After checking out of the Ecopark Lodge, you’ll depart the private pier by boat for your journey to Manaus to re-join Adonia in time for lunch.