Day 1-3
Belem / Embark

Fly from the US to Belem, Brazil, arriving on Day 2 for a welcome cocktail reception. Belem, a vibrant port city situated near the mouth of the Amazon River, was founded by Portuguese explorers in 1616, and over the next 200 years prospered as a spice trade center and then a rubber boomtown in the 19th century. We explore its 18th century cathedral, with its marble altar and fine paintings; the Basilica de Nazare, boasting beautiful Moorish designs and stained glass windows; the Emilio Goeldi Museum; and Ver-O-Peso, the city’s central market, where fragrant oils, traditional crafts, and other exotic products are sold. Overnight at the Crowne Plaza Belem, including breakfast. On Day 3, we board the Clelia II and begin our voyage.

Days 4-8
The Lower Amazon

We navigate the Narrows, an intricate system of channels and waterways that at times is barely wider than our ship, then enter the main river, where our fleet of Zodiacs allows us to explore the river’s tributaries and take nature walks in the lush rainforest. We meet the caboclos (local residents) who live in stilt huts along the riverbanks and, if conditions permit, visit the ecological success story of Ilha de Sao Miguel, where the local community has effectively conserved its lakes, forests, and other natural resources.

Day 9
Manaus

As we approach Manaus, a former colonial boomtown whose fortunes were made from the export of rubber in the late 19th century, we witness the “Wedding of the Waters,” where the silt-laden waters of Rio Solimoes meet and mix with the clear, dark waters of the Rio Negro. In Manaus, we visit the famed century-old Teatro Amazonas Opera House, the Indian Museum, and historic colonial mansions.

Days 10-14
The Upper Amazon

We cruise through the vast and virgin wilderness of the Upper Amazon. Accompanied by our naturalist guides, we venture into the hidden heart of the Amazon to wend our way through a labyrinth of tributaries by Zodiac, observe the full realm of flora and fauna, take nature hikes into the rainforest, and visit isolated villages whose inhabitants’ survival is derived from this watery world. Along the way we may spot the bright flash of a toucan, hear the screech of howler monkeys, and view herons skimming across the river’s surface. As we travel upriver, the river narrows. Our daily landings may include the following stops:

• Rio Badajos, a black water tributary where we can search for forest birds such as macaws, the beautiful quetzal, and the rare scarlet ibis, and view the unusual Victoria amazonica water lily, one of the world’s largest flowers, whose leaves can exceed seven feet in diameter!
• Cuxui Muni, a traditional village where we learn about local farming methods and hope to spot three-toed sloths, bush babies, and squirrel monkeys in the nearby forest where gorgeous satyr and morpho butterflies swarm in the understory. We can also spy colorful frogs scrambling along the forest floor—the air simply vibrates with the sounds of wildlife.
• Lago Uara, an Amazon lake whose mirror-like waters are home to more than 1,300 species of fish, including piranha, the unusual giant Amazon catfish, and the gregarious pink freshwater dolphin. We also see many colorful orchids, colonies of hoatzin birds that build their nests over water, and may spot the red eyes of the alligator-like caiman and other creatures of the night.
• Rio Jutai, a pristine stretch of river ideal for birding, where we hope to spot pied lapwing, large-billed tern, spotted sandpiper, and collared plover.
• The Sustainable Development Reserve of Mamiraua, a unique protected area and innovative model of rainforest conservation. The local people have been allowed to remain here, and in turn they contribute to the sustainable use of the area’s natural resources.

Days 15-16
Tabatinga, Brazil / Leticia, Colombia / Rio Ampiyacu, Peru

Leaving the Brazilian sector of the Amazon at Tabatinga, we call at Leticia, Colombia’s only Amazon port. We explore this busy and colorful town, known for its handicrafts, then continue to the remote Rio Ampiyacu in Peru, where we visit villages of the Huitoto and Bora peoples for a close look at traditional Peruvian Amazon life.

Days 17-18
Iquitos / Disembark / Lima

Our journey comes to a close as we arrive in Iquitos, deep in Peru’s Amazonia. We disembark and transfer to the airport for flights to Lima, where we connect with homeward flights, arriving on Day 18.

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure

The Clelia II

The all-suite Clelia II accommodates just 100 guests in 50 air-conditioned suites, each of which boasts water views, measures 215 square feet or more, and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, two twin-size beds or one queen bed, spacious closets, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, mini-refrigerator, and bathroom with marble vanity and teak floor. A restaurant accommodates all guests at a single, unassigned seating. Staffed by a crew of 60 officers and crew, the Clelia II features an expansive library with Internet access, gym, beauty salon, boutique, Jacuzzi, infirmary, two lounges, and ample deck areas for relaxing and sunbathing.

 

 

Deck Plan