Amazon Odyssey

This tour requires excellent mobility.

DAYS 1-2: WELCOME TO BRAZIL!

Your adventure begins in Manaus, a vibrant metropolis carved out of the heart of the rainforest. After arriving via an overnight flight, you will step into the “Paris of the Tropics.” Navigate the lively local markets teeming with exotic fruits and silver-scaled river fish before stepping inside the legendary Teatro Amazonas. This Renaissance masterpiece built during the rubber boom dazzles visitors with Italian marble and Murano glass. This evening, board the MS Brasilian Dream, your intimate sanctuary for the next 10 nights. Sip a welcome cocktail on the deck as the city lights fade and the rhythmic symphony of the jungle takes over. L, D

DAY 3: RIO NEGRO

Wake to the call of the wild as the sun pierces through the jungle canopy. Keep your binoculars ready for macaws and toucans painting the sky, and look for the surreal ripple of pink and gray river dolphins breaking the glassy surface of the Rio Negro. A guided morning trek introduces you to the “pharmacy of the forest” where your local experts reveal the medicinal secrets of towering palms and ancient vines. Later, cruise toward Três Bocas and navigate a labyrinth of islands by small boat to get a front-row seat to the most elusive wildlife of the Amazon. B, L, D

DAY 4: MADADA CAVES

Venture deep into the emerald brush to discover the Madada Caves. These mysterious rock formations house 3,000-year-old engravings that offer a hauntingly beautiful connection to the indigenous people who first called this paradise home. The trek is a masterclass in biodiversity that showcases the complex ecosystem of the jungle. In the afternoon, swap your hiking boots for motorized canoes and weave through the floating vegetation of the Meduini River. B, L, D

DAY 5: JAÚ NATIONAL PARK

Today, enter the crown jewel of South American conservation: Jaú National Park. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, this pristine wilderness feels like a world untouched by time. Stand in awe beneath the Samauma tree, a colossal “Giant of the Amazon” with roots that sprawl like cathedral buttresses. Your journey continues along the winding Carabineni River where the mirror-like water reflects the dense foliage. This creates a mesmerizing “double world” as you search for giant otters and rare birds. B, L, D

DAY 6: LIFE ALONG THE JAÚ RIVER

Experience the Amazon through the eyes of those who call it home. At sunrise, join local villagers for a paddling canoe excursion and move silently through the flooded forest. Visit a riverside community and school to offer a rare and humbling glimpse into the traditions and resilience of “Caboclo” life. After a relaxed afternoon of cruising, the adventure takes a thrilling turn. After dark, set out with flashlights for nocturnal wildlife spotting. Watch for the glowing red eyes of caimans lurking along the muddy banks under the starlit canopy. B, L, D

DAY 7: ITAOBAL TRAIL

Nature meets history on the Itaobal Trail. Hike through the jungle to reach a hidden waterfall and a crystal-clear lake, which serves as a perfect oasis for a refreshing pause. The mood shifts in the afternoon as you explore Airão Velho, a once-prosperous rubber boom town now being slowly reclaimed by the roots and vines of the jungle. Walking through these crumbling ruins offers a poignant look at the rise and fall of the 19th-century “Rubber Barons.” B, L, D

DAY 8: NOVO AIRÃO

Arrive in the charming riverside village of Novo Airão, a place famous for its skilled artisans and colorful wood carvings. Explore the local craft shops or perhaps sample a brew at the regional brewery before heading back into the wild. Your vessel enters the Anavilhanas Archipelago, one of the largest river archipelagos in the world. From the vantage point of your small boats, navigate the narrow channels of Acajatuba and come within arm’s reach of the vibrant Amazonian flora. B, L, D

DAY 9: ACAJATUBA & THE ARIAÚ RIVER

Wander past the bright, stilted houses of Acajatuba and learn how the locals adapt to the rising and falling tides of the river. Navigate the Ariaú Canal, a lush natural corridor connecting the Amazon and Rio Negro. This area is a playground for wildlife. Keep your eyes on the treetops for the mão amarela (yellow-handed) monkeys as they swing overhead, and listen for the distinct chatter of the many avian residents of the jungle. B, L, D

DAY 10: MEETING OF THE WATERS

Witness one of the most spectacular sights on Earth: the “Meeting of the Waters.” Here, the dark, tea-colored waters of the Rio Negro and the pale, sandy currents of the Solimões run side-by-side for nearly 50 miles without mixing. The striking visual contrast is a photographer’s dream. As you sail through this swirling liquid border, enjoy a sunset that sets the sky on fire and marks the transition into the mighty Amazon River. B, L, D

DAY 11: JANAUACÁ LAKE

Your final full day is spent on the wildlife-rich Janauacá Lake. This fertile floodplain is an avian paradise where kingfishers dart and dolphins play. Explore the local “Varzea” (flooded forests) to see how residents farm cassava and raise livestock in this unique environment. As the MS Brasilian Dream turns back toward Manaus, enjoy a final gala dinner on board while reminiscing with new friends about the jaguars, dolphins, and ancient legends discovered along the way. B, L, D

DAY 12: RETURN HOME

Enjoy one last tropical breakfast on the deck and breathe in the earthy scent of the rainforest one last time. Disembark in Manaus and bid a heartfelt farewell to the crew who have become like family. As you head to the airport for your return flight, you will carry with you the “Saudade,” which is that beautiful Portuguese longing for the mysterious and magical heart of the Amazon. 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 but highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer plans through battleface, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email or can be found HERE.

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 with onboard restroom, 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 $6-10 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! 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.