We will spend 7 nights aboard the M/Y Tucano
(Motor Yacht Tucano), a river boat with 3 decks and 9 cabins. There are lots of
open and closed observation areas with ample windows to watch the jungle in
hopes of seeing birds, reptiles and mammals.
This is expedition cruising and not a “normal” cruise.
No shows or dressing up, just nature and a lovely boat to experience it from.
There are up to 4 opportunities a day for excursions which include motor
launches on narrow waterways, walks in the jungle, fishing for piranha, swimming,
visiting remote villages and just watching the jungle as we float by. Hoping to
see lots of pretty birds, monkeys, caiman, pink river dolphins and if we get
lucky some of the cats.
Here is our proposed
itinerary, which can vary based on water levels and other factors:
January 22: Our flight to
Manaus, Brazil leaves at 3:55 pm and we are using Panama Road Runner to drive
us to the airport. They are picking us up at 11:00 and we will eat lunch at the
airport. Our flight arrives in Manaus at 8:45 pm and we a transfer arranged to
meet us and drive us to the Park Suites Hotel. It’s about a 4 hour flight. (1
hour time difference)
January 23: We have a free
day on our own. We plan on visiting a Rubber Plantation (recreation), a local
zoo and a botanical garden. We are looking forward to some Brazilian food. We
plan on trying a Churrascaria, empanadas and local fish and other specialties.
January
24: We will walk the short distance to the pier to the M/Y Tucano. “This morning we embark and voyage north on the Negro
River, into the Anavilhanas Archipelago, to the Apua River. From the observation deck you will see the magnificent tangle of
vegetation at the water’s edge
Our first excursion is by
expedition launch into forest flooded by the ink-black water of the Rio Negro.
This low and dense forest is called Igapó, and is remarkable for the fantastic
diversity of flora and fauna.
By mid-afternoon, the ship will enter a wilderness area far away
from settlement. Both shores will be covered by dense rainforest where all of
the beasts for which the Amazon is famous still roam. The top observation deck
is an excellent place to view the endemic wildlife including the elusive pink
river dolphin and a large collection of exotic birds. Along the way, you’ll be
treated to magnificent forest vistas.
In the late afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a
small stream on one of the boat’s launches in search of wildlife and also to
swim in some of the world’s most clean and refreshing water.”
January 25: “Early this morning you’ll explore the rainforest along the water's
edge in one of the launches. You will most likely hear a serenade of toucans
along with many other kinds of birds. With luck, you may even see howler
monkeys.
After breakfast, you may enjoy a walk in the forest where you’ll
get an up-close immersion in Amazon ecology. Around midday, return to the boat
and continue cruising, perhaps stopping at a place to swim. Later you can
explore the forest by boat launch
while listening to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs.”
January 26: “This morning there will be an early exploration of
the waking forest. On your forest walk, keep your eyes open for monkeys. Then
return to the ship for breakfast followed by either a walk or an excursion.
You’ll continue on the cruise. Then you’ll enjoy an afternoon excursion in one
of the boat launches. Tonight, you will travel a bit more, as you marvel at the
night sky crowded with stars.”
January 27: “After our two morning excursions, you’ll navigate
along the heavily forested shore, scouting for wildlife. You may stop for a
visit at a settler’s home carved out of the forest. The thatched huts and the
kindness of the settlers conceal an amazingly complex way of life based on a
centuries old tradition of hospitality. These personal visits with families are
often the most memorable points of the trip for many travelers.
In the early afternoon we will be near an extraordinary river
called the Rio Jauaperi. Here you will see a kind of forest known as the
varzea. Scout along the shoreline for some of the unusual creatures found only
in this unique environment. Weather permitting; you’ll have the opportunity for
an evening excursion to observe nocturnal wildlife.”
January 28: “Today you
depart the Rio Jauaperi and for the next two days proceed downstream on the Rio
Negro exploring a new collection of rainforest habitats. In the daytime you
will continue to scout in the launches, walk in the forest, and at night, hunt
for nocturnal wildlife.”
January 29: “Today, after a walk in the forest, you’ll cross to
the other side of the Rio Negro. You’ll stop at the large boat-building village
of Novo Airao. Enjoy a walk through the town’s streets where you can observe a
19th century way of life that thrives in this remote corner of the globe.
During the night, you will arrive near the confluence of the Amazon and Negro
Rivers. Gliding through the starry darkness, you may decide to sample a
“Caipirinha,” the national drink of Brazil, as you absorb this unique
environment.”
January
30: “This morning you can explore
the Lago Janauari Ecological Park where the thick brown water of the Amazon
flows swiftly through the forest. This
flora and fauna in this area is noticeably diverse and it is a very good place
to observe wildlife.
During lunch, the boat will get underway en route to the surrealistic
“Wedding of the Waters” (Econtra das Aguas), where the coffee-brown Amazon and
the inky-black Rio Negro meet and flow side by side for miles before
intermingling. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion exploring a hidden stream
to try to see more of the Amazon’s beautiful and bizarre creatures. Evening
return to Manaus and overnight on the boat.”
January 31: “In the morning, you’ll disembark the Tucano (7:00A)
at the Tropical Hotel. After
disembarking you'll enjoy a half-day small group tour of Manaus, departing from
the Tropical Manaus hotel (7:30am – 11:30am). Highlights of your tour
will include the opulent Opera House and the local markets. After the tour you will enjoy a private
transfer back to the Tropical Manaus.” We will have the rest of the day and
night on our own to see anything else we didn’t see on the first free day. Our
flight leaves at 3:40 in the morning, yes
you read that right. (it's the only flight there is)
February 1: We have a private transfer set up for a midnight
pickup from the lobby of the Park Suites Hotel. We debated getting a room for
the night, and we may regret it, but for just a few hours it didn’t make sense.
We arrive back in Panama at 6:23a and we have arranged for Panama Road Runner
to pick us up and bring us home.
We are excited and eager to experience the Amazon!
