For the Clipper Cruise (Regular or Premium), you can choose between 3 itineraries:
3 Day/2 Night Amazon River Cruise; 4 Day / 3 Night Rio Negro, or a combination of both (5 nights); 3 Day/2 Night Amazon River Cruise
Monday:
Meet and greet at the airport in Manaus and arrival transfer to the Hotel Tropical Manaus landing stage. At 2:30 pm, you will depart from the Hotel Tropical landing stage. Immediately, an orientation meeting will take place where you will meet the staff, discuss the route that the trip will follow and be introduced to the facilities. Enjoy a welcome drink as the boat starts navigation past Manaus to the Xiborena region. Afterward, you will go on a canoe trip to the smaller creeks to see life on the flood plains: jute, market-garden produce, rubber trees, as well as flood plain forest and lakes with giant water lilies (in season). You will return after sunset, so that you can observe nightlife, including caimans. Navigation continues up the Amazon (the upper part of it called Solimões by the natives) to lake Janauaca. Dinner on the way.
Tuesday:
Depart early morning on a canoe trip for bird watching. There are good chances of seeing hoatzins and large flocks of egrets and cormorants. Return to the boat for breakfast. Afterward, you will visit the inhabitants of the lake who live from manioc plantations, fishing, diverse fruit trees, rubber, Brazil-nut trees, wood, and other extractive products. You will take a walk in the forest with commentaries by the specialist. Return to the boat for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing on board while the boat continues its navigation. You will have the opportunity of fishing for piranhas and other types of fish. Dinner. After dinner, you will depart on a night trip to see nocturnal animals; you may be able to see a nighthawk, snakes, toro-rats, sloth, and frogs. Overnight navigation downstream on the Amazon river.
Wednesday:
Early this morning depart on a bird-watching trip in the January Ecological Park and nearby waterways. The January Ecological Park unites several ecosystems of the region. The nine thousand hectare area contains solid ground, várzea, and igapó forests. Return to the boat for breakfast. And continue navigation to the Meeting of the Waters, the confluence of the Negro river and the Solimões river, an extraordinary natural spectacle. Here you will see the dark waters of the Negro River meet the light brown waters of the Solimões river and then flow side by side some 4 miles before intermingling. Continue navigation back to Manaus with views of the floating docks, market, old customhouse, and houses on stilts, to the Hotel Tropical landing-stage where you will arrive at 11:30 am. Transfer to the airport in Manaus. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.
3 Night Rio Negro:
DAY 1 – Wednesday – Meeting at the lobby of the Tropical Hotel at 14:00 hrs. Boarding and depart upstream on the Rio Negro while we drink fresh fruit juice and listen to the information about facilities. After a Snack, we meet us in the leisure room for lectures about Amazon where we will get a good start on understanding Amazon preservation and ecology. After dinner, we will explore little creeks in our canoes and listen to the sounds of nocturnal animals with the possibility of observing birds, frogs, snakes, and caimans.
DAY 2 – Thursday – Early morning we explore the surroundings along the water’s edge in our canoes while we mainly find fruit-eating birds like parrots and toucans. After breakfast we go for a jungle walk, we discover many surprising fragrances in leaves, fruits, woods, and animals. Around midday, we return and we may go for a swim, before lunch. In the Afternoon we navigate through the Anavilhanas National Park, one of the world`s largest freshwater archipelagos, a labyrinth of waterways. In the late afternoon, we embark on the canoes and learn more about this wonderful nature park.
DAY 3 – Friday – Early this morning we spend a little time fishing for piranhas and other fish. After breakfast, we visit a “Natives Community” where we find many of the typical Amazonian fruits like Cupuaçu and Tapereba, palm trees like Açaí, Tucumã, and Pupunha. We learn about the preparation of manioc flour and the health and education situation of the children. After lunch, we are landing on one of the white sandy beaches to swim in the dark water. Exploring by canoe and scout for wildlife in the late afternoon. On the way toward the Amazon River will be served dinner.
DAY 4 – Saturday – Early this morning we explore the Lago January Ecological Park. This area is usually a very good place to observe wildlife and chances to see the “Victoria Regia” the giant water lilies. While we have Breakfast we navigate to the “Meeting of the Waters”, the confluence of the world`s two largest rivers, the Amazon and the Negro. Now is time to return to the Tropical Hotel landing-stage while we join fine views of Manaus` waterfront. Arrival at 11:30 hrs. End of services.
The program includes – Welcome drink, all meals, accommodation in double cabins, and excursions as described in the itinerary, bilingual guide.
Not Included – Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks, personal expenses, transfers, travel insurance, and anything else not listed as included.
Changes in Routing – We reserve the right to change itineraries without consulting or warning participants of the tour, depending on the natural conditions prevailing at the time, such as weather conditions or river water level. The Captain has full authorization to modify itineraries in the interest of the passengers and the safety of the vessel and to ensure the better enjoyment of the trip.
What to bring – Although the climate is considered hot and damp all year round (about 23 to 35C, 75 to 95 F), it can feel surprisingly cool at night in the jungle or on the river. Most of the time onboard and canoe excursions, passengers will find themselves wearing light and breathable clothing or bathing suits and sandals. For the hikes in the forest, they need also long trousers, good clothed footwear such as tennis shoes or hiking boots. Bring a daypack (small backpack) to all side trips including; Hat, sunblock, sunglasses, light raincoat, insect repellent, binocular, and camera in a waterproof bag. Very important to bring along is personal medicines.
