zBrazil's Amazon: Iberostar

You’ll be met at the airport for your private car transfer to the inviting Tropical Hotel, a deluxe resort set against a lush rainforest backdrop. After time to refresh, your private car, driver and guide will be waiting to take you on an afternoon city tour. Surrounded by miles of Amazon rainforest in every direction, this vibrant and energetic Brazilian city still retains the spirit of a true frontier town. Your sightseeing here in Manaus explores its colorful past when turn-of-the-century rubber barons made their fortunes and commissioned ornate buildings like the Amazon Theater and Customs House.

In the afternoon, you’ll be escorted to the pier to board the 5-star MV Iberostar Grand Amazon. You’ll have time to settle in to your balcony stateroom before heading up to the Top Deck to enjoy the sunset as your voyage gets underway. Later, meet your ship’s officers and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Party and sit down to dinner in the Kuarup Restaurant. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for an open bar on the Top Deck. Meals B,D

Early risers can head up to the Top Deck for Continental Breakfast as the rising sun casts its first light over the awakening jungle. Later, a full breakfast will be served in the restaurant. Then step off ship with your naturalist guides to explore the flooded forests and creeks of the Manacapuru River region. Return to ship for a late morning lecture on rainforest flora and fauna, a wonderful opportunity to bring insight and perspective to your Amazon exploration. Enjoy a casual buffet at the Tucano Grill on the Top Deck or sit down to lunch in the Kuarup Restaurant.

Late in the afternoon, your guides will lead another thrilling rainforest excursion. Try your hand at Piranha fishing or explore by boat across the calm waters of the Amazon’s many lakes. After dinner tonight, join your guides to spot elusive Alligators lurking in the darkened river. Enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow passengers with music in the Lua Salon or back on the Top Deck with an open bar. Meals B,L,D

Today finds the Grand Amazon charting a course near Lake Janauacá; this remote region is known as the Varzea (a Portuguese word meaning “flooded forest”) and the water levels here can fluctuate by as much as 20 to 40 feet over the course of a year. This constant flooding-and-receding has created a unique and ever-changing environment with flora and fauna not found anywhere else.

Continue your exploration through this unique eco-system with a second day of naturalist-guided excursions. Depending upon water levels and accessibility of remote forest trails, there will be more opportunities for bird watching, jungle trekking, village visits, photo safaris, speedboat excursions and caiman spotting.

Between your morning and late afternoon excursions, you’ll enjoy lunch onboard, time to relax and an enlightening lecture on the peoples of the Amazon. This evening’s Farewell Dinner is followed by an entertaining show of Brazilian song and culture. 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. After breakfast, step off ship for your included private car transfer to the airport. Meals B

Six day and nine day cruse & tour packages are also available.