THE AMAZON

Belém&Marajó | Manaus | Lodges and Cruises

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MANAUS
Tours | Services | Maps | Where to Stay

The Amazon, consisting mainly of forests occupies more than 56% of Brazil’s area, though only 7% of its population live there. Apart from the natives in the jungle, most of its inhabitants live in and around few cities, such as Manaus (see map) which is a thousand miles from the ocean and Belém, situated on the Equator line and only a few miles from the Atlantic. The jungle is the largest in the world with flora and fauna richer than any other. The vital force of this rich green world is the Amazon River, almost 4,000 miles long with a volume of water equal to 11 times that of the Mississippi River. This gigantic force of nature floods its banks every year covering thousands of square miles. The main gateway to the Amazon and its wonders is the city of Manaus, named after an indigenous tribe which originally inhabited the area.The growth of such city so distant from everything and everyone would have been a long and difficult process without the rubber boom at the end of the 19th century.

The rubber barons built magnificent palaces such as the Manaus Opera House, with rich interiors recently renovated, the Market Place and the Customs Building. Today Manaus boasts a busy industrial district producing sophisticated consumer goods, bustling duty free shops, a modern international airport.

SERVICES IN MANAUS

TRANSFER

From the International Airport to hotels, or vice-versa.

SPECIAL TOURS

Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, except Mondays. Approximate duration: 4 hours. This tour starts with a visit to the Indian Museum and the Handicraft Exhibition. These are ideal shopping places for regional souvenirs. Then, a round-trip through the downtown area. After a stop at the church of the Matriz and the harbor, enjoy the sights of the Municipal Market where fruit and tropical fish are sold by the local inhabitants ("caboclos"). A visit to the famous Opera House, built in 1886, is also included in the tour.

Daily at 8:30 AM. Approximate duration: 8 hours. This cruise starts at the Negro River, sailing past small river ports and native homes built on the river banks. It skirts the floating docks of the port of Manaus and proceeds on to the meeting of the Solimões and Negro rivers which form the Amazon (see map). A visit to the Terra Nova Island with its cocoa bushes, manioc root plantations and rubber trees, weather permitting. Sailing to the upper Solimões and its many channels, tourists find themselves deep in the jungle where unique tropical birds, exotic flowers and a variety of magnificent wildlife abound.

JUNGLE LODGES AND CRUISES

General information on the jungle packages:

People of the Forest

Guanavenas Jungle Package
(03 DAYS, 02 NIGHTS) | (SEE THE LODGE)

  1. ALLIGATOR SPOTTING: nightime river cruise in powered boats. A native of the region catches an alligator with the help of a flashlight. After bringing the animal on board, the guide explains its characteristics, pictures can be taken and the animal is returned to the river.

  2. LAKE FISHING: local fishing gear provided by the resort. The tourist will have the opportunity to catch several regional fishes, mainly "piranhas". According to the client's wishes, the fish caught may be cooked in the resort's kitchen using typical spices, or be released back into the river.

  3. FOREST HIKING: photographic safari in the dense forest where tourists can locate and observe medicinal plants, monkeys, birds, insects and reptiles. They wiill get a chance to drink some water from the "cipo"water vine and be introduced to some jungle survival techniques.

  4. VISIT TO THE IGAPÓS AND IGARAPÉS: tour to the flooded part of the jungle (igapós). The tourist will have the opportunity to travel through waterways inside the forest, while observing insects, butterflies, flowers, birds and fish in the shallow waters.

BELÉM & MARAJÓ ISLAND

Boto and kid

Belém, the capital of the state of Pará, lies on the shores of the Amazon River, on the right side of the Guarajá Bay. It is a thriving port, full of contrasts: modern buildings side by side with the old Portuguese colonial mansions and their tile-covered façades. Some highlights for sightseers: the ‘Ver-o-Peso’ market where handicraft, regional fruit and Indian wares are sold; and the Emílio Goeldi Museum and its remarkable collection of Amazon wildlife.

A must for every traveler looking for some adventure is the Marajó Island. Surrounded by the waters of the Amazon River and Tocantins River and the salt waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Marajó Island is nestled in the eastern tip of the Lower Amazon Basin. With its 49,602 sq. meters, the Island is one of the largest in the world and a sanctuary for a rich fauna. The eastern half of Marajó forms a huge savanna, studded with islands of trees; the western half is formed by forest. Though most of the large island is above the tidal influence, it is nevertheless inundated for about half of the year because of heavy rainfall and poor drainage (January through mid July). The city of Soure is the capital city of Marajó and the main economic activity comes from the many buffaloes farms.

SERVICES IN BELÉM

TRANSFER

From the International Airport to hotels, or vice-versa.

SPECIAL TOURS

Daily at 9:00 AM. Approximate duration: 3 hours. A leisurely tour to the Ver-o-Peso market, the Goeldi Museum, the Rodrigues Alves tropical park and other historical attractions.

Daily at 8:30 AM. Approximate duration: 8 hours. A tour along the road linking Belém to Brasilia, cutting right through the Amazon Jungle. The Industrial District of Belém. Crossing of the "Furo das Marinhas" , and a panoramic view of the Guarajá Bay. At Mosqueiro, 16 beaches just waiting for tourists to take a swim.

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