Manaus, at first glance, appears as a beacon of civilization amidst the untamed wilderness. Nestled at the confluence of two major rivers and nearly at the heart of the Amazon, the city surprises visitors with its bustling metropolis, complete with towering structures, shopping centers, and a vibrant population of approximately 2 million residents, all immersed in their daily routines. Manaus serves as a pivotal industrial hub for Brazil, contributing to the country's production of electronic appliances as well as playing a crucial role in the tourism and natural extractive sectors. Echoes of the Rubber Boom Era are evident in the city's colonial architecture, with the Amazonas Opera House standing as a testament to its opulent past.

Depending on the water levels and other changing conditions, your captain and veteran expedition leader will choose from among the innumerable fascinating sites along this particular stretch of the Amazon River to plot itineraries for Zodiac and kayak explorations, treks, and visits to places and people of interest. Expedition team members will also be on deck and in observation lounges, offering insights into the passing terrain and pointing out wildlife and other highlights while the ship is at anchor or cruising the river.

Situated near the border of the states of Para and Amazonas, Parintins is a charming town that proudly wears the title of the 'Capital of Folklore.' It is renowned for hosting the 'Boi-Bumba' festival, a vibrant celebration that unfolds over three days at the end of June each year. The magnitude and reach of this event are akin to the Brazilian Carnaval that takes place across the country in February or March. Visitors can independently explore Parintins, where they can discover quaint souvenir shops scattered throughout the town. A special presentation is arranged for guests in a private area near the floating pier.

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS:
Boi Bumba Show:
The Boi Bumba is among Brazil's most celebrated folk festivals. It's a magical world filled with vivid colors, enchanting music, dance, and folklore—a true sensory feast.

INCLUDED EXPEDITIONS
Zodiac Cruise:
Embark on a Zodiac cruise for an immersive nature experience, guided by the onboard expedition team.

The Amazon is indisputably the largest river on earth by volume of discharge. At its mouth, its flow into the Atlantic Ocean is greater than that of the next seven largest rivers combined. Whether it is the world’s longest river is a matter of dispute among geographers, but most finally concede it may rank second to the Nile in length. It is between 110 and 180 miles wide at its mouth, again depending on which measurement you accept. Your voyage will navigate the river, something like 1,000 miles from the sea. During some of that time, the river will effectively be a flowing ocean. Other times, you can see one or the other of its banks. You can pass large numbers of vessels of all sorts and sizes, coming and going between the Amazon basin and the wider world. That basin covers 40 percent of South America and contains one-third of all known living species. The river itself supports over 5,600 species of fish alone. Although it flows through Brazil, it is in many ways a country unto itself, with unique, or rather, many unique, lifestyles and cultures. The life along the shores, both human and otherwise, is profoundly affected by the river’s ever-changing cycles of drought and flood. There is a lot to learn about the Amazon. Enjoy your journey along its fascinating shores.

Situated at the confluence of the Amazon River and the Tapajos River, Santarém provides easy access to two of Brazil's most significant waterways. The city's laid-back daily life offers a relaxed backdrop for exploration. Santarém enjoyed prosperity during the Rubber Boom Era in the late 1800s and even attracted the attention of Henry Ford. He invested substantially in the city, establishing the town of ''Fordlandia''. This commercial venture was designed to harvest and export rubber for the burgeoning vehicle industry's tire manufacturing.

INCLUDED EXPEDITIONS:
Ponta Negra/Santarém Nature Exploration by Zodiac
Navigate the narrow channel opposite the city of Santarém; this channel meanders along Ponta Negra, a quaint peninsula nestled between the Amazon and Tapajos Rivers. Witness the mesmerizing flooded forest, a thriving ecosystem teeming with tropical birds. By the end of this expedition, you can gain a deeper understanding of how local people harmoniously live, interact, and utilize this environment.

Depending on the water levels and other changing conditions, your captain and veteran expedition leader will choose from among the innumerable fascinating sites along this particular stretch of the Amazon River to plot itineraries for Zodiac and kayak explorations, treks, and visits to places and people of interest. Expedition team members will also be on deck and in observation lounges, offering insights into the passing terrain and pointing out wildlife and other highlights while the ship is at anchor or cruising the river.

Macapá, the capital of the Amapá state in northern Brazil, is located in the Amazon delta along the river’s northern channel, where it feeds into the Atlantic. It also sits directly on the Equator, a distinction marked by the 98-foot-high Marco Zero monument where you can stand astride the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Portuguese settlers established an outpost here in the early 18th century; the Fortaleza de São José, dating from 1782, stands as a symbol of the city’s colonial past and one of the best-preserved military structures in Brazil. Macapá, which is accessible only by boat or plane, serves as a pitstop for migrating birds, seen feeding alongside flamingos, ibises, and other local species that inhabit its rich wetlands. Surfers flock here for a chance to ride the Pororoca, one of the longest tidal bores in the world, with waves that reach 12 feet in height. Less extreme activities include relaxing on a wide river beach like Fazendinha and Araxá, browsing Casa de Artesão for unusual handcrafts made by the area’s indigenous people, and visiting the nearby village of Apa do Curiaú, home to descendants of escaped slaves.

If you are a "pollywog" who has never crossed the line at sea, you need to undergo a mock trial by King Neptune and his court for the entertainment of the “shellbacks” who have already done so. Mild but hilarious indignities will be conjured, and in the end, a good time will be had by most, if not all.

Spend your day at sea, enjoying the many facilities available.

Natal is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, a Brazilian state located in the country’s northeast. The city lies near the mouth of the Potenji (Potengi) River along the Atlantic coast, and its sun-kissed shores are lined with gorgeous white-sand beaches and towering dunes. The 16th-century Forte dos Reis Magos is an imposing, star-shaped fortress that marks the place where Natal was officially founded by the Portuguese on December 25, 1599 (Natal is Portuguese for “Christmas”). Ribeira and Cidade Alta, the city’s oldest neighborhoods, are filled with an array of handsome colonial and Victorian buildings, many of which are now adorned with colorful murals. Natal’s vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture gave birth to the capoeira circle, an intoxicating blend of martial arts, acrobatics, dance, and music that UNESCO designated as a living expression of intangible cultural heritage. You might see capoeira groups performing on one of the city’s popular beaches, like Ponta Negra; browse the nearby handicraft market for unique ceramics, musical instruments, textiles, and wooden sculptures. Head to Genipabu (Jenipabu) to ride a camel, go sand surfing, or drive a buggy around its huge complex of dunes.

Spend your day at sea, enjoying the many facilities available.

The harbor of Rio de Janeiro, cradled by the southern contours of Guanabara Bay under the majestic shadows of the Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountains, is one of the world's most unique and awe-inspiring ports. As you approach by sea, Sugarloaf Mountain is your welcoming beacon, inviting you to experience the exhilarating cable-car ride to its summit for a panoramic view of the city and its famed beaches: Copacabana, Tijuca, Ipanema, and Leblon.

Rio de Janeiro vibrates with the rhythm and vitality of its renowned Carnavál Sambadrome parades, regardless of when you choose to visit. The city enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status, recognized as the 'Carioca Landscapes, Between the Mountain and the Sea.' Your exploration of Rio wouldn't be complete without visiting certain landmarks: the ascent to Sugarloaf, the lush Tijuca Rainforest Park, the towering Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado, and for football aficionados, the legendary Maracanä Stadium.