Amazon Odyssey

DAYS 1-2: WELCOME TO BRAZIL!

After an overnight flight, arrive in Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon. Discover the city’s lively markets and step inside the grand Teatro Amazonas, a Renaissance jewel adorned with marble and Murano glass. This evening, step aboard your home for the next 10 nights, the MS Brasilian Dream, where you will meet the crew over a welcome cocktail and begin your journey along the Amazon and its tributaries. L, D

DAY 3: RIO NEGRO

Wake with the jungle as parrots, macaws, and eagles soar overhead, and with luck, catch sight of playful pink and gray river dolphins. A morning walk reveals the incredible diversity of Amazonian flora, from towering palms to medicinal plants still used by riverbank communities today. Later, cruise toward Três Bocas, where an afternoon boat ride brings you closer to the jungle’s wild wonders. B, L, D

DAY 4: MADADA CAVES

Venture into the rainforest to explore the mysterious Madada Caves, adorned with ancient rock engravings over 3,000 years old. Along the way, discover the jungle’s extraordinary plants and their uses in indigenous traditions. In the afternoon, board a motorized canoe for more wildlife spotting as your ship makes its way toward the Meduini River. B, L, D

DAY 5: JAÚ NATIONAL PARK

Begin the day with an excursion along the Meduini River before continuing into Jaú National Park, the largest protected tropical rainforest in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a guided forest walk, stand beneath the colossal Samauma tree, one of the Amazon’s true giants. In the afternoon, explore the winding Carabineni River by small boat, watching for wildlife that thrives in its pristine waters. B, L, D

DAY 6: LIFE ALONG THE JAÚ RIVER

At sunrise, glide by canoe into the forest with local villagers as guides. Visit a riverside community and school to learn about life and culture in this region before returning to your ship for an afternoon of relaxed cruising and wildlife watching. After dark, set out with flashlights to spot caimans and other nocturnal creatures lurking along the banks. B, L, D

DAY 7: ITAOBAL TRAIL

Hike the scenic Itaobal Trail to a hidden waterfall and crystal-clear lake, keeping watch for caimans resting along the banks. Later, step into history at Airão Velho, an abandoned rubber boom town now reclaimed by the jungle. The crumbling ruins of homes and plantations offer a haunting reminder of the region’s past prosperity. B, L, D

DAY 8: NOVO AIRÃO

Arrive in Novo Airão, a friendly riverside village known for its handicrafts, brewery, and as the gateway to the vast Anavilhanas Archipelago. In the afternoon, cruise toward Acajatuba, where small boats take you closer to the riverbanks for an intimate look at Amazonian life. B, L, D

DAY 9: ACAJATUBA & THE ARIAÚ RIVER

Wander the stilted wooden houses of colorful Acajatuba before venturing by boat along the Ariaú Canal, which links the Amazon and Rio Negro. This lush corridor is rich with wildlife, including playful mão amarela monkeys swinging through the treetops. B, L, D

DAY 10: MEETING OF THE WATERS

At sunrise, watch the forest awaken as birds scatter across the sky and fishermen set out in their canoes. Witness the natural wonder of the “Meeting of the Waters,” where the dark Rio Negro runs side by side with the sandy Solimões for nearly 50 miles, their colors swirling like ribbons before merging into the mighty Amazon. B, L, D

DAY 11: JANAUACÁ LAKE

Begin the day on Janauacá Lake, alive with bird calls, darting dolphins, and fishermen casting their nets. Visit the fertile floodplains where locals farm cassava and raise livestock, then enjoy a final day of wildlife spotting as you cruise upriver. By evening, sail the Solimões back toward Manaus for your last night on board. B, L, D

DAY 12: RETURN HOME

After one last breakfast on board, say farewell to the crew and disembark the ship to depart for your return flight home. B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 2-11: MS Brasilian Dream

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis
• Kansas City
• Springfield, MO

Depart: July 21, 2027
Return: August 1, 2027

Price Per Person: See Chart Below

*Price per person includes airfare from STL/MCI/SGF. Please call for other gateway cities.

Health Concerns
No mandatory vaccinations are required, except for travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. These travelers must show proof of vaccination (up-to-date vaccination card or certificate) upon arrival at the airport or border crossing. It is also recommended to be up to date with standard vaccinations (diphtheria-tetanus-polio, hepatitis A and B).

Depending on local travel conditions, vaccinations against typhoid and viral hepatitis A and B may also be advisable. Antimalarial treatment is recommended (consult your physician). Tropical-grade mosquito repellents are strongly advised. A consultation with a general practitioner before departure is highly recommended.

The yellow fever vaccine is not required to enter Brazil, including Manaus, but it is strongly recommended for travelers visiting the Amazon region, including those going on Amazon cruises from Manaus.

Weather
Manaus has a tropical climate characterized by a natural cycle of rising and falling river waters. Humidity is high year-round, and tropical showers can occur, often in the form of brief daytime downpours. The highest temperatures are typically recorded during the low-water season. In September, for example, temperatures range from 25°C in the morning to 33°C in the afternoon. The air can feel relatively dry at this time, although sudden tropical rains are still possible.

Currency & Payment Methods
The official currency in Brazil is the real (BRL), symbolized as R$. Additional onboard expenses are settled at the end of the cruise and can be paid in cash in Brazilian reals, Euro, or US dollars. Credit card payments are not possible, due to unreliable network connectivity on the river.

Packing Tips
When packing, consider the following items:

• Lightweight, waterproof, and non-slip hiking shoes (for forest walks). For the boat and beach: flip-flops, sandals, tennis shoes, or boat shoes.
• Comfortable and light clothing for the day: lightweight trousers, Bermuda shorts, skirts, t-shirts, and cotton shirts or clothes suitable for hot, humid weather. Long sleeves and trousers (recommended for protection). Waterproof windbreaker or poncho, and a light sweater.
• Swimsuit
• Cap or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
• Waterproof backpack or dry bag and waterproof cases for electronic devices.
• Personal first-aid kit.
• Binoculars and a flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries.
• Trekking poles (recommended).

Meals
This trip is offered on a full-board basis. Breakfasts are served buffet-style. Lunches and dinners are either served at the table or buffet-style, depending on the day's program.

Time Zone
GMT-4 (CST +1 hour)

Identification
Valid passport required for travel.

Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.

Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.

Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available

We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7 per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.

We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.

If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.

If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.

If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.

Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.

To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.

Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.