Amazon Bliss Expedition offers five days exploring the waterways and jungle to bring a new feel of emotions and senses. A dry season expedition, it offers a view of the Amazon's greatness during the season when the rivers recede, showing now beaches and pathways before hidden. A completely different visit and one as unforgettable as any.

Bliss is that feeling of true happiness, something one can find after five days exploring river beaches, waterfalls, youth fountains and local communities, where nature and culture mix together through grottoes and rock formations, river banks and paths filled with biodiversity.

...we actually have two Amazons in one? If you visit the Amazon in November and the Amazon in June, for instance, you will meet two very different places. Still met with great biodiversity, incredible nature and memories to create of such a spectacle of a place. What happens is we have a dry season and a wet season, in one you will see the great rivers become beaches and flooded forests become pathways and the other is just the opposite, much more water all around. If you wish to experience the wet season, make sure to check our Amazonia Senses Expedition, as well, available from February to September.

Visiting the Amazon is always a surprise, there is no bad weather. There are moments when the rivers are fuller and the chance of rain increases and there are moments when the rivers are not so full, then the beaches and trails previously hidden by the waters become visible. During these months the chance of rain is not as great, but it is still there, as we are, after all, in the middle of the world’s greatest tropical rainforest. 

We embark at 10:00 am at a port in Manaus, and we begin this expedition with a safety briefing and the introduction of the crew and guests. To get to the vessel, a short walk across the beach will be expected, as the rivers are less full and a bit farther from the docks.

Our first glimpse of the famous Amazon waters are the dark-colored ones from Rio Negro. Following the strait of Tatu, we arrive at a region known as Jacaré Ubal, where our journey through the Amazon begins. Here, our first official meeting with the one that holds so many legends and tales, the Boto, a freshwater dolphin unique to the Amazon area, with coloring that can be pink or gray. In this area, it comes very close to the visitors, creating an amazing opportunity of interaction with contemplation and photographs to be taken.

Sailing the Negro river for a few hours, contemplating the beauty of the areas nearby, eyes and ears ever so focused to whatever we might find as we pass by the different sceneries. In the Amazon, meeting fauna and flora up close is always a welcoming event, even the ones that happen by chance, as nature always tends to bring forth pleasant surprises. In the afternoon, we go on a motorized canoe tour for discovering and observing the area of the mouth of Rio Ariaú, and with our tour guides' well-trained eyes, finding interesting species is always a fun challenge as they search through leaves and trunks for them. 

By the end of the day, when the moon is in a favorable position, we will go for another outing as we search for the wild life that lives in the jungle and, where night fall, gives away their hiding spots to venture the woods. Our eyes, and focus will be on those lives we were unable to see during the day, and those of nocturnal habits. 

It is morning the next day in the Amazon, and we wake up already inside the Anavilhanas archipelago. 400 islands embody this archipelago, paths which form labyrinths and make this trip an amazing discovery. In the dry season, the water mirrors give way to sand benches that create several beaches in this region. We will have the opportunity to visit Uruá lake for a canoe tour, for observation and contemplation of the biodiversity found there and, we may even go on a hike as we search for the tiny bird species known as the Wire-tail Manakin. A curious fact about this species is that in order to lure the female, the males challenge each other in an elaborate dance ritual, another natural spectacle found in between the Amazonian trees. 

We continue our river journey in the afternoon, towards a region known as Santo Antônio, an area with a beautiful lake and firm land creeks for more contemplation. It is incredible to watch the differences in the environment in times of dry season, even in low water periods, magnificent rivers continue to give life to the forest, transforming areas previously flooded to beaches, floating houses on stilts and places which we always went by on canoes, now allowing us to walk through them. Here, we are able to observe colorful amphibians, birds, and some mammals, but when it comes to the forest, what we actually find is always a bonus, but never a certainty. Life in the jungle is really that, wild. 

We are now on Rio Aturiá, and a long day of contemplation and exchange with the nature awaits, trading the sway of waters from navigating the rivers to camping by the margins of a remote rapid. This is a special location to appreciate extremely acidic waters, an interesting spot to look on as its combination of waters and forest bring a different ecosystem from the other regions. Waterfalls and rapids are what make the day away from the boat a very refreshing moment. 

A fun fact is this acidic quality to the water makes its coloring redder, and it leaves a feeling of rejuvenation after a dip in those waters. Could we have found the actual fountain of youth? 

We have a chance to find carnivorous plants, ornamental fish, which are often found in aquariums. Here we see them in their natural habitat, as well as birds like parakeets and red-fan parrots!

Our team gathers for lunch preparations at the camp, bringing to our exchange with nature one more sense to be stimulated, our palate. Traditional Amazonian flavors, with special ingredients and a careful process of preparation. Nothing too fancy and all the best the Amazon has to offer.

By the end of the day, we will wait for the sun to leave its place for the moon, and then, we will search for the animals the night brings with our wildlife spotting tour. Following this, we will sail at night down Rio Negro.

Carrying on our sailing on the dark waters of Rio Negro, we follow the other margin, on the back of Madadá. A region where the walks offer a unique view of rock formations, which greatly resemble grottoes, providing amazing support to the Amazon jungle. The erosion process from thousands of years before form a unique scenery to be explored and a one in a lifetime opportunity to visit the preserved forest.

In the afternoon, our expedition follows the channels from Chameleon Island, where you may explore by canoeing or just relax and enjoy the beautiful river beaches bathed by the dark waters, a dry season exclusive. 

Night brings us the possibility of a starlight dinner, another unique nature spectacle, as there is no other night sky as the one seen in Anavilhanas. 

Sailing back towards Manaus, our return journey gives us the opportunity to contemplate and relax in the boat, a chance to think of everything lived, seen, experienced in these last few days.

Closer to Manaus, we will meet the indigenous tribe of Tatuyos for an incredible presentation. The tribe generously shares their culture through stories combined with introduction rituals, the moment of sharing is welcomed by many and an excellent opportunity to listen and learn.

This community comes from the region known as the dog head on the map of the state of Amazonas, located in the Northwest of the state. This community is formed by at least 14 different indigenous ethnic groups which moved closer to Manaus so that they could have better economic conditions and, also, so they could demonstrate a little of their culture. They always welcome questions from those who wish to learn more about them.

Our expedition continues with our return to the capital. As the city draws nearer, we see where the famous waters of Negro and Solimões rivers meet, an opportunity to witness such special phenomenon where the rivers run side by side for kilometers but never mix. 

Arrival in Manaus will be around 4:00 PM.