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Manaus is the capital of Amazonas State, located on the Negro River near its confluence with the Amazon. It is the chief port and a hub for the region's extensive river system. Once an extremely rich city due to its rubber plantation, today's Manaus is significantly poorer. Its economy is tied to the Amazon River and forest. It now serves as a major gateway to the Amazon, an important stop for travelers who want to experience the cruises or lodges of the Amazon. |
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| ESSENCE OF THE AREA |
| Manaus is the capital of the state of Amazonas and the gateway to the lodges in the jungle and the Amazon Cruises. All lodges offer different degrees of comfort so you have to know what you want. A lodge with electricity and air conditioning is not going to offer you the same jungle experience as a lodge that is located deep in the jungle and farther away form civilization, a trade off of comfort for a real experience in the wilderness. All lodges are simple and offer similar programs. |
| RECOMMENDED STAY |
| Two nights minimum if you are staying at a lodge and at least 4 nights if you are on a cruise. |
| RECOMMENDED SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES |
| Your lodge or cruise will offer bird watching, hiking in the jungle, canoe trips, visit to the "caboclo" villages. |
| MUST SEE |
| Meeting of the waters. Your lodge will offer bird watching , hiking in the jungle, canoe trips, visit to the "caboclo" villages. |
| RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS |
Soft adventure: These lodges do not require any extraordinary physical activity or effort.
Moderately strenuous: It takes a little bit more effort to get to these lodges, but you can participate in all hikes and activities without any problems.
Strenuous: We would recommend that you make yourself aware of the natural surroundings and demands of these lodges and itineraries, so you can prudently judge whether or not you are suited for this experience. Emotional balance, maturity, and spirit of adventure are essential qualifications.
Soft adventure lodges:
Amazon Eco Park: All the comforts of home in an exotic setting.
Moderately strenuous lodges:
Ariau Jungle Tower: This is one of the better-known lodges. Imagine a hotel built among Amazon treetops: catwalks 70 feet up, leading to all the rooms and service areas. This lodge can outfit up to 300 guests. It takes around 21/2 hours to get to your lodge by boat from Manaus.
Guanavenas: All the comforts but inside the jungle, 33 triple bedrooms and verandas. You will travel 2 1/2 hours by road and 1/1/2 by motor boat up the Urubu River.
Othon Palace: 50 km west of Manaus, built on a steel barge. It is designed for comfort. This is an environmentally-friendly lodge, rooms and restaurant and bar are air conditioned. There are 22 suites.
Moderately Strenuous Cruises:
The modern 24-passenger M/V Desafio is a newly renovated river vessel offering a fascinating cruise on the Amazon and Negro rivers. The vessel is 109 feet long, fully air-conditioned and offers many of the same amenities found on larger ships. Explore the Amazon Rainforest by canoe and on foot in the company of naturalist guides. This is truly one of the most fascinating wildlife destinations in the world. The cruises begin and end in Manaus, Brazil. The M/V Desafio features a total of 12 cabins, divided into 6 on the upper deck and 6 on the lower deck; all cabins with private facilities/showers/wardrobes/bed-lights/carpets and fully air-conditioned, being 7 double bedded cabins and 5 twin-bedded. Air-conditioned restaurant and bar. Large sundeck with outdoor bar.
Strenuous Lodges:
Juma Lodge: This lodge has 8 comfortable bungalows with private bathrooms. It is about 3 hours by boat from Manaus. Built on stilts with materials indigenous to the area, this lodge is very respectful of nature and its surroundings. All their excursions will give you a real feeling of what the Amazon is all about. No air-conditioning here.
Amazon Lodge: A cute small-scale floating lodge, it caters to 28 guests. It is about 5 hours from Manaus, by road and speedboat. Amazon Lodge does not have private bathroom facilities in the room nor air-conditioning. The lodge has a generator available only a few hours at night.
Strenuous Cruises:
Amazon Clipper Cruises: This vessel has been adapted for the Amazon region. The accommodations are double cabins with bunk berths, each cabin with private toilet and air conditioning for night use. An experienced English-speaking local guide always accompanies the trips. You will explore the "igarapes" (river creeks) and "igapos" (flooded forests) in motorized canoes. Visit the natives and see their way of life. Hike in the forest, as well as fishing, bird watching and swimming in the river. Lectures on the Amazon round up our program.
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