• Amazon Riverboat Cruises on the Tucano

Cruise the mighty Amazon River on a first class riverboat

Days: 6-9 | From: $2,850/per person

  • Includes accommodations that reflect the best of local culture
  • Includes excursions and tours with superb private guides

The itinerary varies between the 4 and 6 night cruise. The 4 night cruise departs on Mondays and the 6 night cruise departs on Saturdays. We generally arrange the pre-cruise part of the trip as well, or we can arrange just the river cruise.

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Talk to a Vaya Travel
Specialist

1 (510) 548-8487

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

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At a glance

  • Manaus
    1 night: stay in a city in the middle of the Amazon Jungle
  • Amazon Jungle
    4 or 6 nights: enjoy a first class river boat cruise along the Amazon River and the pristine Rio Negro, taking daily excursions to spot wildlife and local plantlife

  • All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

Customize this trip
1 (510) 548-8487

Sample itinerary

Day 1, Saturday:

Welcome to Manaus

Arrive to Manaus, a city in the middle of the Amazon Jungle, where your private guide will welcome you to the country and take you to your hotel.

Accommodations: Juma Ópera Hotel, 2 nights

With the exclusivity of a high standard boutique hotel and occupying historic mansions in front of the imposing Amazonas Opera House, Juma Opera offers 41 spacious rooms, a restaurant mixing regional and international cuisine, a gym, and rooftop pool. All suites are spacious, soundproofed, and feature unique décor. Most of them have a direct view of the Amazonas Opera House. The centenary architecture of part of the hotel, mixed with modern buildings, has resulted in unique, exclusive, and differentiated rooms.

Day 2, Sunday:

Manaus City Tour

Experience the lovely city of Manaus, with your private guide on a half day city tour. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure to recover from your journey or explore on your own.

Accommodations: Juma Ópera Hotel, 2 nights

*Includes: B

Day 3, Monday:

Embark on your Amazon Cruise

Board your 82-foot riverboat and depart upstream on the Rio Negro. As you cruise through the world’s largest river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago, you can watch the vegetation and surroundings change as you leave behind the frontier settlements and enter true wilderness. In the afternoon, disembark in search of wildlife or take a swim in the clean refreshing water before dinner.

Accommodations: Tucano

The Tucano is a first class motor yacht offering cruises through the Brazilian Amazon. The 82-foot riverboat has only 9 cabins, meaning small groups for excursions and an intimate experience aboard. Excursions are led by Tucano’s excellent guides and take travelers deep into uninhabited Amazon wilderness. The Tucano is not a luxury boat, but the service and guiding quality are among the top in the Amazon. A consistent traveler favorite.

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4, Tuesday:

Explore the Tropical Forest

Explore the rainforest along the water’s edge in the early morning, listening to the sounds of toucans and howler monkeys. After breakfast, enter the rainforest once again with your naturalist guide, learning about the diverse Amazon ecology before returning to the boat for lunch. Continue upstream, stopping once more for a quick swim and to explore a bit more of the river in your skiffs. Weather permitting, enjoy another excursion in the evening to search for nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5, Wednesday:

More Rainforest Excursions and a Visit to a Local Village

Amazon rainforest canopy view

Take an early trip into the forest as it comes to life. Following breakfast, set out in the skiffs to explore the surrounding rainforest and tributaries. In the afternoon, visit a local community and learn about how people live in this remote wilderness.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6, Thursday:

The Wildlife of Rio Jauaperi and Amazonian Commerce of Porto de Manaus

Set out for early morning excursions in the skiffs, then board your boat to enjoy breakfast while the Tucano navigates along the densely forested shore, searching for wildlife and potentially stopping at a settler’s home carved out of the forest. In the mid-afternoon you will journey downstream to arrive 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. At sunset you will begin navigating back upstream on the Rio Negro and journey to an overnight anchorage north of Manaus.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7, Friday:

Return to Manaus and Depart for Home or Your Next Destination

After a final morning waking to the sounds of the Amazon, your riverboat cruise will come to an end and you will disembark outside the Hotel Tropical Manaus. Depending on the timing of your flight, we can arrange a city tour before you are transferred to the airport for your flight out. We can combine this cruise with any of our other destinations in Brazil or the rest of South America.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 1, Thursday:

Welcome to Manaus

Arrive to Manaus, a city in the middle of the Amazon Jungle, where your private guide will welcome you to the country and take you to your hotel.

Accommodations: Villa Amazonia, 2 nights

Located in the historic center of Manaus, the Villa Amazonia has 30 rooms, all facing an indoor garden and natural stone pool. The hotel is set in a restored historic mansion that dates back to the rubber boom era, and offers a restaurant and bar, pool, and fitness center.

Day 2, Friday:

Manaus City Tour

Experience the lovely city of Manaus, with your private guide on a half day city tour. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure to recover from your journey or explore on your own.

Accommodations: Villa Amazonia, 2 nights

Day 3, Saturday:

Embark on your Amazon Cruise

Board your 82-foot riverboat and depart upstream on the Rio Negro. As you cruise through the world’s largest river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago, you can watch the vegetation and surroundings change as you leave behind the frontier settlements and enter true wilderness. In the afternoon, disembark in search of wildlife or take a swim in the clean refreshing water before dinner.

Accommodations: Tucano

The Tucano is a first class motor yacht offering cruises through the Brazilian Amazon. The 82-foot riverboat has only 9 cabins, meaning small groups for excursions and an intimate experience aboard. Excursions are led by Tucano’s excellent guides and take travelers deep into uninhabited Amazon wilderness. The Tucano is not a luxury boat, but the service and guiding quality are among the top in the Amazon. A consistent traveler favorite.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4, Sunday:

Explore the Tropical Forest

Explore the rainforest along the water’s edge in the early morning, listening to the sounds of toucans and howler monkeys. After breakfast, enter the rainforest once again with your naturalist guide, learning about the diverse Amazon ecology before returning to the boat for lunch. Continue upstream, stopping once more for a quick swim and to explore a bit more of the river in your skiffs. Weather permitting, enjoy another excursion in the evening to search for nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5, Monday:

Travel up the Rio Negro

Take an early trip into the forest as it comes to life. Following breakfast, set out in the skiffs to explore the surrounding rainforest and tributaries. In the afternoon and into the night the Tucano will continue up the Rio Negro. From the observation deck you will have spectacular views of the sky as it changes colors and fills with stars in this area with virtually no man-made light.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6, Tuesday:

The Wildlife of Rio Jauaperi

Set out for early morning excursions in the skiffs, then board your boat to enjoy breakfast while the Tucano navigates along the densely forested shore, searching for wildlife and potentially stopping at a settler’s home carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon you will encounter the Jauaperi River and a forest known as the “varzea,” where you will search for various animals unique to this particular environment.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7, Wednesday:

Rejoin the Rio Negro / Nighttime Excursion

Today the Tucano will depart from the Rio Jauaperi and navigate back down the Rio Negro, exploring new rainforest habitats along the way. In the evening you will have a chance to disembark in search of nocturnal animals.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8, Thursday:

Lago Janauari Ecological Park

Visit the Lago Janauari Ecological Park, where the thick brown water of the Amazon River flows swiftly through the forest. By midday you will find yourself at the “Encontra das Aguas” (meeting of the waters), a miles-long stretch where two of the world’s largest rivers, the Amazon and Rio Negro, join together. Here the almost black water of the Negro runs beside the obscure brown water of the Amazon. Tonight you will have one last evening excursion in search of nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodations: Tucano

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9, Friday:

Return to Manaus and Depart for Home or Your Next Destination

After a final morning waking to the sounds of the Amazon, your riverboat cruise will come to an end and you will disembark outside the Hotel Tropical Manaus. Depending on the timing of your flight, we can arrange a city tour before you are transferred to the airport for your flight out. We can combine this cruise with any of our other destinations in Brazil or the rest of South America.

*Includes: Breakfast

More Photos From This Trip

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Go on a private tour of Manaus to learn about the interesting history of the city, an integral part of the rubber boom that once brought great wealth to the area.

  • Spend a few nights in Rio before or after your cruise or visit Iguazu Falls.

  • Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.

Reviews From This Trip

5 stars

  • Tucano boat experience was all around excellent. They celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary with a nice Cake with all other travelers.
    Ramesh Patel
  • The guides and crew members on the Tucano were absolutely wonderful. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the Amazon. They also made sure that our children were always learning and enjoying themselves.
    Alison Uzieblo
  • Tucano boat and hotel in Rio was great! Transfers were all done well. Day trip in Manaus was excellent!
    Sue Lawler

Call us to start planning your journey today:

1 (510) 548-8487

Inquire About This Trip

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We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.

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From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.

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