Board the motor yacht Tucano in the early morning and depart upstream on the Rio Negro. Through the morning cruise to the world’s largest river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. Scan the magnificent tangle of vegetation at the water’s edge from the observation deck. By mid-afternoon the vessel has gone beyond the frontier of settlement and entered a wilderness area. Both shores are covered by dense rainforest. Though there is no way to predict what you can see, there is a good chance of observing pink river dolphins and a large collection of exotic birds. Most certainly you are going to be treated to magnificent forest vistas and the spectacular trees themselves. In the late afternoon embark in the launches and search for wildlife. You may also go for a swim in some of the world’s most clean and refreshing water.

In the early morning explore the rainforest along the water's edge in launches or kayaks, each group with a naturalist guide. Hear and perhaps see howler monkeys and a morning serenade of toucans. After breakfast go for a walk in the forest where you can get a good start on understanding Amazon ecology. Around midday return for lunch as the vessel gets underway, perhaps stopping at a place to swim. In the late afternoon explore the forest in launches and listen to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs.

This morning join an early exploration of the waking forest. Keep your eyes open for monkeys. Return for breakfast followed by either a walk in the forest or an excursion in the launches. M/Y Tucano travels during the middle of the day and stops in the afternoon for an excursion. Tonight the vessel may travel a bit more as you marvel at the night sky crowded with stars.

After your two morning excursions the M/Y Tucano navigates along the heavily forested shore, scouting for wildlife. Stop for a visit at a settler’s home carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon sail near an extraordinary river called the Rio Jaueperi. Here you can see a kind of forest known as the varzea. Scout along the shoreline for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this unique environment. Weather permitting, have a night excursion to observe nocturnal creatures.

Today cruise to the west side of the Rio Negro and continue to scout in launches and walk in the forest. Explore according to the weather and water depth areas rarely visited by anyone else. Tonight the M/Y Tucano goes downstream and river depth permitting, enters an east bank affluent of the Rio Negro and explores on deep into the rainforest on this small river. After your nocturnal exploration of the rainforest, return to the motor yacht Tucano for “Caipirinha Night” and perhaps try a bit of samba on the top deck.

Begin the day with a dawn excursion hunting for wakening wildlife followed by a full Brazilian breakfast. Then go one last time into the forest. In the mid-afternoon begin to journey downstream to arrive late in the day at the “Encontra das Aguas”, a stark several mile long line where two of the world’s largest rivers, the Amazon and the Rio Negro. join in a turbulent maelstrom. Here the dark water of the Negro runs beside the opaque brown water of the Amazon. At sunset the M/Y Tucano once again turns her bows upstream on the Rio Negro and heads to your overnight anchorage north of the City of Manaus. As you pass in front of Manaus, marvel at the scale of one of the world’s largest and most vibrant port cities, which is over one thousand miles from the sea. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner and prepare for an early departure in the morning.

Early this morning, after a hearty breakfast, disembark from the M/Y Tucano.

Optional City Tour of Manaus: This three-hour tour of Manaus includes the boisterous Mercado Municipal of Manaus, the Teatro Amazonas - the famed opera house of the Amazon, and the historical starting point of Manaus, the Praça Dom Pedro II. Included are the services of a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and transportation to and from the Hotel Tropical. Please inquire for rates.