Brazil

Rio Vaupes & Rio Vaupes Plus

Rio Vaupes

On the day following arrival and Manaus riverboat tour, free afternoon in Manaus, and welcome dinner, the group will fly to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira on the Upper Rio Negro river near the Venezuelan/Brazilian border. From Sao Gabriel the group will embark on a motorboat journey farther up the Rio Negro and onto the Rio Vaupes, a legendary river in the history of Amazon exploration. Depending on river conditions the objective of the tour is to combine motorboat travel between a variety of Indian villages of different ethnic origin (Tucano and Baniwa) with extensive canoeing and trekking sidetrips. Features of this tour include beach and rainforest camping, canoeing, trekking, fishing, wildlife photography and the chance to visit with a variety of Indigenous Peoples (though not as traditional as the Yanomami Indians of Pico de Neblina national Park). The group will return to Sao Gabriel and from there fly back to Manaus.

DAY 01 - Arrive Manaus, Transfer to Hotel. After breakfast at the hotel the group will be taken on a special 6 hour riverboat tour to see the famous "meeting of the waters" (the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers). Lunch included. Afternoon is free to walk around the city, visit other museums such as the Museum of the Indian, go shopping or relax. Welcome dinner at Bufalo BarBQ restaurant, Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02 - Transfer to Airport, Depart Manaus @ 7.30 am, Monday (Rico Airlines). Arrive Sao Gabriel @ 10.30 am and depart from the port.

DAY 02-05 - Travel from Sao Gabriel to the Vaupes River (40km) and up the Vaupes to the Tucano Indian villages of Acai Parana (80km) and/or Ananas (120km).

Days 06-09 - Travel from the mouth of the Vaupes River to the Isana River (40km) and up the Isana to the Baniwa Indian villages of Cabecudo (40km) and/or Buia Igarape (60km).

DAY 10 - Group returns to Sao Gabriel, Overnight at Hotel Vaupes.

DAY 11 - Depart Sao Gabriel @ 9.30 am, Tuesday (Rico Airlines), Arrive Manaus @ 12.40 pm, Transfer to airport.

Price: $2550 per person, minimum of 2 people.

Can start on any day, depending on flights.

Rio Vaupes Plus

On the day following arrival and a guided/driven tour of historic Manaus the group will fly to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira on the Upper Rio Negro river near the Venezuelan/Brazilian border. From Sao Gabriel the group will begin an Upper Rio Negro River trip to visit Indigenous peoples of the Vaupes, Isana and Xie Rivers. Depending on river conditions the objective of the tour is to combine motorboat, or riverboat, travel with visits to villages of Tucano, Baniwa and Bare Indians. Features include beach and forest camping, canoeing, trekking, fishing, wildlife photography and mediciine plants, arts & crafts production, and Indian cuisine. The tour will end back at Sao Gabriel.

DAY 01 - Arrive Manaus Sunday morning, Transfer in to hotel. Afternoon city tour (Municipal Market, Opera House (if open), Rio Negro Palace), Welcome dinner at Taj mahal Fish Restaurant, Overnight at Best Western Hotel

DAY 02 - Transfer to Airport, Depart Manaus @ 7.30 am, Monday (RICO Airlines), Arrive Sao Gabriel @ 10.30 am, Depart from Sao Gabriel port.

DAYS 02-05 - Travel from Sao Gabriel to the Vaupes River (40km) and up the Vaupes to the Tucano Indian villages of Acai Parana (80km) and/or Ananas (120km).

DAYS 06-08 - Travel from the mouth of the Vaupes River to the Isana River (40km) and up the Isana to the Baniwa Indian villages of Cabecudo (40km) and/or Buia Igarape (60km).

DAYS 09-12 - Travel from the mouth of the Isana River to the Xie River (60km) and up Xie River to the Bare Indian village of Xie-Mirim (10km) then farther up the Rio Negro River to the Bare village of Sao Jose dos Marabitanas (60km) just below the town of Cucui and the Brazilian-Venezuelan border.

DAY 13 - Group returns to Sao Gabriel, Overnight at the Hotel Vaupes.

DAY 14 Depart Sao Gabriel @ 9.30 am, Saturday (RICO Airlines), Arrive Manaus @ 12.40 pm, Transfer to International Airport.

Price - US$2850 per person. Minimum of 2 people.

Not included in tour cost: airport departure taxes, alcohol, tips, arts&crafts etc).

Mosquito nets and jungle hammocks are included in the tour price. Clients may choose between a motorboat or riverboat based tour for the same cost. Riverboats are of the same type we use on the Lower Rio Negro River. Motorboat tours cover more ground but offer less comfort and facilities