Currently there
is only one cruise that ventures deep into one of the newest and most important rainforest
reserves in the Amazon. The Motor Yacht Tucano conducts an expedition cruise called Voyage
to the Heart of the Amazon, that explores this pristine rainforest and spectacular
wilderness.
About the Amazon Ecological Corredor
SATURDAY
- DAY 1
This morning all guests board the vessel the Motor Yacht Tucano and depart upstream
on the Rio Negro. Through the morning we will cruise through the world’s largest
river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. From the observation deck we scan the
magnificent tangle of vegetation at the water’s edge. By mid-afternoon the vessel has
gone beyond the frontier of settlement and entered a wilderness area. Both shores are
covered by dense rainforest. Though we cannot predict what we will see, we have a good
chance of observing pink river dolphins and a large collection of exotic birds. Most
certainly we will be treated to magnificent forest vistas and the spectacular trees
themselves. In the late afternoon we embark in the launches and hunt for wildlife. We may
also go for a swim in some of the world’s most clean and refreshing water. (LD)
SUNDAY - DAY 2
Early this morning we explore the rainforest along the waters edge in our launches.
We should hear and perhaps see howler monkeys along with a morning serenade of toucans.
After breakfast we go for a walk in the forest where we will get a good start on
understanding Amazon ecology. Around midday we return for lunch and the vessel will get
underway, perhaps stopping at a place to swim. In the late afternoon we will again explore
the forest in our launches and listen to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs. (BLD)
MONDAY - DAY 3
This morning there will be an early exploration of the waking forest. We will keep
our eyes open for monkeys... on most trips we see them often. We return for breakfast
followed by either a walk in the forest or an excursion in the launches. M/Y Tucano will
travel during the middle of the day and we stop in the afternoon for an excursion. Tonight
the vessel may travel a bit more as we marvel at the night sky crowded with stars.
(BLD)
TUESDAY - DAY 4
After our two morning excursions Tucano will navigate along the heavily
forested shore, scouting for wildlife. We may stop for a visit at a settler’s home
carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon we will be near an extraordinary river
called the Rio Jauaperi. Here we will see a kind of forest known as the varzea. We will
scout along the shoreline for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this
unique environment. Weather permitting we will do a night excursion to observe nocturnal
creatures. (BLD)
WEDNESDAY - DAY
5
Today we depart the Rio Jauaperi and head downstream on the Rio Negro
exploring a new collection of rainforest habitats. In the daytime we will continue to
scout in our launches and walk in the forest, and at night we will continue our hunts for
nocturnal wildlife. (BLD)
THURSDAY - DAY 6
After a walk in the forest we cross to the west side of the Rio Negro,
exploring as we go. We will stop at the substantial boat building village of Novo Airão.
As we walk through the streets we’ll marvel at how the 19th Century thrives in this
remote corner of the globe. Tonight the Motor Yacht Tucano goes downstream to arrive by
morning near the confluence with the Amazon River. As we glide through the starry darkness
this is a good night to sip the national drink of Brazil, the “Caipirinha” and
perhaps try a bit of samba on the top deck. (BLD)
FRIDAY - DAY 7
This morning we explore the Lago Janauari Ecological Park where seasonally the
thick brown water of the Amazon flows swiftly through the forest. This area is usually a
very good place to observe wildlife. Around midday the vessel will travel to the
“Encontra das Aguas” a stark several mile long line where two of the
world’s largest rivers, the Amazon and the Negro, join in a turbulent maelstrom. Here
the dark water of the Negro runs beside the opaque brown water of the Amazon. In the
afternoon we scout one of the hidden streams in the area to try to see more of the
Amazon’s beautiful and bizarre creatures. Tonight there will be one last excursion
looking for nocturnal life. (BLD)
SATURDAY - DAY 8
In the morning, after a hearty breakfast, all guests disembark from the
M/Y Tucano. (B)
Please note
the day to day schedule must be considered approximate. The exact order of the days and
specific features may be altered due to navigational and other scheduling considerations.
Degree of Difficulty
Good health is necessary. While guests can have a quite enjoyable trip by simply staying
on board the M/Y Tucano and participating in launch excursions, participants in our walks
in the forest must be able to comfortably walk for two or more hours at a time. There are
several excursions off the vessel daily and guests may choose to participate in some but
not all of them. The vessel is air-conditioned in the middle of the day and during the
night.
