zAlong the Amazon to Rio

Surrounded by miles of Amazon rainforest in every direction, Manaus captures the spirit of a true frontier town - blended with a colorful past when turn-of-the-century rubber barons made their fortunes and commissioned ornate buildings like the Amazon Theater and Customs House. Upon arrival, check in to the Tropical Manaus Hotel.

Join your private guide after breakfast to explore this lively town. You’ll visit the colorful local market and see the Amazon Theater, an extravagant opera house built in 1896 for the pleasure of the hundred or so rubber barons’ families that controlled the local economy at the turn-of-the-century. In the afternoon, we’ll take you to the Manaus Port to board your chosen cruise ship, the intimate Clipper Traditional, the inviting Clipper Premium or the 5-star MV Iberostar Grand Amazon. Enjoy a cocktail onboard and a briefing from the ship’s naturalist crew as you set sail up the Ariau River, a tributary of the Rio Negro. Meals B,D

Today’s off-ship excursions include expertly guided expeditions deep into the rainforest and perhaps a visit with a Caboclo family. Later your ship navigates through the 400 islands of Anavilhanas, the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. During your cruise, exciting naturalist-guided activities might also include twilight safaris, piranha fishing and canoe expeditions. Meals B,L,D

Continue your exploration of this unique eco-system with a second day of naturalist-guided excursions. There will be more opportunities for bird watching, jungle trekking, village visits, photo safaris, and caiman spotting. Back onboard, enjoy a farewell dinner and time to relax with your fellow passengers. Meals B,L,D

As your ship charts a course back to Manaus, you’ll cruise the amazing Meeting of the Waters, where the black currents of the Rio Negro join the brown waters of the Amazon and flow together for miles without mixing. Disembark in Manaus for the short flight to Rio, where you’ll be met and escorted to the Porto Bay Internacional, an inviting first class hotel overlooking world-famous Copacabana Beach. Meals B

Customize your holiday with the privately guided sightseeing tour of your choice:

• City Tour & Sugarloaf: See the city highlights and then ascend from Red Beach by cable car to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. From here, you’ll have breathtaking views of the city below, a stunning tableau of skyline, sea, mountain and sky!
• Mt. Corcovado & Christ the Redeemer: Over Rio stands the statue of Christ the Redeemer – arms spread as if protecting the city below. Ascend 2,400 feet by cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Corcovado to visit this iconic 100-foot tall landmark and enjoy 360˚ views of the city.

The rest of your day is at leisure to explore and relax as you please. Meals B

The full day is free to explore and enjoy at your own pace. Meals B

Your tour with us finishes this morning. Meals B