TRANS-AMAZONIAN

DAY 1

Departure from Italy with an intercontinental flight to Peru, destination Iquitos, the largest city in the world not accessible by road. Depending on flight schedules, arrival in Iquitos on the evening of day 1 or the morning of day 2, hotel accommodation and overnight stay.

DAY 2

Morning and afternoon: start of the city tour, historic capital of the Amazon rubber boom. Walk through Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, surrounded by colonial buildings. Visit to the famous Casa de Hierro, designed by Gustave Eiffel and built during the city’s period of great wealth. Visit to the Museum of Indigenous Cultures, which tells the history and traditions of the Amazonian peoples living in the region. Walk along the Amazon riverfront.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Iquitos.

Morning: very early wake-up to visit the famous Belén market, one of the most authentic Amazonian markets in South America, a working-class riverside district built on stilts, where tropical fruits of every color and flavor are sold, as well as vegetables and meats, from common chicken to caiman tails, monkey meat and river turtle. Transfer by lancha, the typical Amazonian boat, towards the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, the green heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Navigation moves from the Amazon River to its tributaries, such as the Ucayali and Marañón, for the sighting of river turtles, countless birds, primates and the sloth, an iconic animal of the jungle.

Afternoon: departure towards the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the entire Amazon. Navigation through the flooded forest channels with the possibility of spotting the famous pink Amazon dolphins.

Evening: night boat safari in search of caimans and other nocturnal animals. Dinner and overnight stay in the community.

Morning: early wake-up and departure by boat among the branches of the Amazon River tributaries to observe birds at sunrise. Exploration of the Renacal area with trekking and canoe routes. Along the Yanayacu-Pucate River, it is possible to witness the “mirror forest” phenomenon, where the trees are perfectly reflected in the dark waters of the river. Packed lunch on board.

Afternoon: walk through the jungle along trails deep inside the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, where it will be possible to spot a wide variety of monkeys, sloths, as well as alligators, reptiles and spiders. In the afternoon, experience traditional piranha fishing using local techniques along the river channels. Continue the journey within the reserve and meet the Yarina community, the most remote from civilization in Pacaya Samiria. Setup of hammocks for an unforgettable experience in contact with primordial nature, and sunset over the Amazon rainforest.

Evening: overnight stay in hammocks in the jungle, under protective shelter, with possible night excursions in search of wildlife.

Morning and afternoon: early wake-up and departure on foot for a trekking of at least two hours deep into the jungle, where the local guide will open new trails using a machete to cut through bushes and vines, in order to discover giant centuries-old trees, medicinal plants and forest wildlife. Start of the return journey by boat towards Nauta and Iquitos.

Evening: dinner and boarding of the overnight speedboat (10h) to Santa Rosa, a long navigation along the Amazon River that allows a deeper entry into the heart of the Amazon basin. Overnight on board in seated accommodation.

Morning and afternoon: arrival in the Santa Rosa area, a triple border and small Amazonian settlement located at the border between Peru, Colombia and Brazil. Completion of immigration procedures to enter Colombia and exit Peru. Crossing of the river by taxi boat to Puerto Nariño, a Colombian village immersed in the forest and known for its sustainable approach. Walk through the village and climb to the panoramic tower, which offers a stunning view of the Amazon River and the surrounding jungle. Hike through the channels and lagoons of the area to observe local wildlife.

Evening: after dinner, departure for a night safari through the jungle in search of caimans and other nocturnal wildlife. Overnight stay in Puerto Nariño.

Morning and afternoon: departure by boat along the Amazonian channels towards a local indigenous community located slightly further away from mass tourism, where there will be the opportunity to closely experience the traditional lifestyle of Amazonian peoples. Walk in the jungle together with local guides to discover the extraordinary biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and traditional knowledge related to nature. Time to interact with the community and observe the “slow” daily life of the village.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in the indigenous community.

Morning and afternoon: navigation along the Amazon River towards Leticia, the main Colombian city in the Amazon region. Crossing of the border into Brazil and arrival in Tabatinga, where the cultural shift between the different Amazonian countries is immediately noticeable. Boarding of a traditional Brazilian river boat bound for Manaus, one of the most authentic experiences of the journey. (Depending on boat schedules, some free time may be available to explore Leticia.)

Evening: start of the long navigation along the Amazon River. Life flows slowly on the river: fishermen, small riverside villages, and endless jungle stretching along the banks. Overnight on board in a double cabin.

Day 9-10

Days dedicated to the slow crossing of the Amazon River, the largest river on the planet. From the boat, daily life of river communities can be observed: small canoes crossing the river, fishermen casting their nets, and children playing along sandy riverbanks. During navigation, vast stretches of Amazon rainforest are crossed, where the river can reach several kilometres in width. Short visits to some riverside villages are possible. The journey continues along the great river, passing isolated villages and river ports where the boat makes brief stops for loading and unloading goods. This is one of the most authentic ways to understand Amazonian life and connect with locals, in a part of the world where the river is the only real means of communication. In the afternoon, it is possible to relax on the boat deck while watching the sunset and the endless landscape of tropical forest slowly passing on the horizon.

Day 11

Arrival in Manaus, the main city of the Brazilian Amazon, located in the heart of the forest. During the rubber boom period, between the late 19th and early 20th century, the city became one of the richest in South America. Transfer to the hotel and room accommodation.

Evening: free time for a first walk along the riverside and in the historic centre of the city. Overnight stay in Manaus.

Morning: guided visit of the city of Manaus, starting from its most famous landmark: the Teatro Amazonas, a magnificent opera house built during the rubber boom and considered one of the most elegant historic buildings in Brazil. Continue the visit in the historic centre with the Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa, a traditional Amazonian market where giant river fish, spices, tropical fruits and forest products are sold.

Afternoon: departure for a river excursion along the Rio Negro to the famous “Encuentro de las Aguas”, the point where the dark waters of the Rio Negro meet the sandy-colored waters of the Amazon River without mixing for several kilometres. Continue towards a jungle lodge.

Evening: dinner at the lodge and overnight stay in the forest.

Morning: early wake-up at dawn for a short jungle excursion in the surrounding forest, accompanied by local guides who will explain the Amazonian flora and the medicinal plants used by local communities. Navigation through the small channels of the flooded forest in search of local wildlife.

Afternoon: visit to a local Amazonian community, where traditions and the lifestyle of the populations living along the Brazilian side of the river will be discovered. In the afternoon, return to Manaus by boat.

Evening: arrival in the city and overnight stay in a hotel.

Morning: transfer to Manaus airport and departure on a flight with stopover to Italy. Arrival on day 15… and see you on the next adventure!

Day 14 – Manaus – Rio de Janeiro

Morning: overnight transfer to Manaus airport and flight to Rio de Janeiro. You leave the Amazon behind and enter a completely different setting: from the humid and isolated jungle to one of the most iconic and scenic cities in the world. Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and free time to start getting familiar with the city, between ocean, urban skyline and green hills. Later, ascent to Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car: one of the most representative experiences of the city. From the top, a full view opens over Guanabara Bay, the beaches and the entire urban layout of Rio.

Evening: free time and first “carioca” evening. Possibility of dinner in seaside districts. Overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro.

Day 15 – Rio de Janeiro | Christ the Redeemer and Rocinha

Morning: visit to Christ the Redeemer, the absolute symbol of Brazil. Ascent to Corcovado and time to observe the city from above: a view that allows you to understand Rio’s unique geography, between mountains, ocean and urban districts.

Afternoon: tour of Rocinha favela, one of the largest in South America. The guided experience allows you to enter a reality often only superficially described, observing daily life, social dynamics and the internal organization of the community.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in Rio.

Day 16 – Rio de Janeiro | Trekking and city life

Morning: active day dedicated to one of Rio’s panoramic hikes. Options include:

• Pedra da Gávea, a more demanding but extremely spectacular trail
• Morro Dois Irmãos, more accessible but with one of the most iconic views over the city

Afternoon: return to the city and city tour through the most interesting districts: historic centre, more authentic areas and modern neighbourhoods. Time to explore markets, streets and viewpoints.

Evening: last night in Rio. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 17 – 18 – Rio de Janeiro – Italy
Free time depending on flight schedule. Transfer to the airport and international flight back to Italy. Arrival in Italy expected on Day 18… and see you on the next adventure!

Day 14: transfer to the airport and flight with stopover to Cuiabá. Arrival and bus transfer from Cuiabá to the hotel, crossing the spectacular Transpantaneira to reach the heart of the natural reserve. After lunch and some relaxation, departure for a guided nature walk through wetlands and forests, discovering the rich local wildlife. In the evening, exciting night safari in search of animals that inhabit the Pantanal after sunset.

Day 15-16: These days are dedicated to exploring the biodiversity of the Pantanal with early morning walks, jeep safaris, and transfer to Porto Jofre, where the most iconic experience takes place: navigation in the Encontro das Águas Park in search of the jaguar. Between caimans, giant otters and tropical birds, every moment offers an authentic encounter with the wildest nature of Brazil.

Day 17: return to Cuiabá, once again crossing the landscapes of the Pantanal, with the possibility of new wildlife sightings along the way. A final glimpse of one of the most extraordinary and untouched ecosystems on the planet.

Day 18-19: transfer to the airport and return flight to Italy with two stopovers. Arrival on Day 19… and see you on the next adventure!