TRANS-AMAZONIAN

DAY 1

Departure from Italy with an intercontinental flight to Peru, destination Iquitos, the largest city in the world inaccessible by road and gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Depending on flight schedules, arrival in Iquitos either in the evening of Day 1 or the morning of Day 2. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 2

Morning/Afternoon: Beginning of the city tour through the historic Amazonian capital, shaped during the rubber boom era. Walk through Plaza de Armas, surrounded by colourful colonial buildings, and visit the famous Casa de Fierro, the iron house attributed to Gustave Eiffel and built during the city’s golden age. Visit to the Museum of Indigenous Cultures, dedicated to the traditions and history of Amazonian peoples, followed by a 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, located in a riverside district built on stilts. Among colourful tropical fruits and local products, visitors encounter the raw and vibrant reality of Amazonian daily life, with stalls selling everything from vegetables and fish to exotic meats such as caiman and river turtle. Transfer by lancha (traditional Amazonian boat) toward the extraordinary Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, considered the green heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Navigation continues along the mighty Amazon River and its tributaries, including the Ucayali River and the Marañón River, searching for river turtles, colourful birds, primates and sloths.

Afternoon: Arrival and exploration of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the entire Amazon basin. Boat navigation through flooded forest channels offers the possibility of spotting the legendary pink Amazon dolphins.

Evening: Night boat safari in search of caimans and other nocturnal animals hidden within the jungle ecosystem. Dinner and overnight stay in the local community deep inside the Amazon.

Morning: Early wake-up and departure by boat through the tributaries of the Amazon River to observe tropical birds at sunrise. Exploration of the Renacal area with trekking and canoe routes inside the flooded forest ecosystem of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Along the Yanayacu-Pucate River it is possible to witness the famous “mirror forest” phenomenon, where the trees are perfectly reflected in the dark waters of the river. Packed lunch on board.

Afternoon: Jungle walk through remote trails deep inside the reserve, searching for monkeys, sloths, reptiles and spiders hidden within the rainforest. Traditional piranha fishing experience using local Amazonian techniques along the river channels. Continuation toward the Yarina community, one of the most isolated settlements inside the reserve, where hammocks are prepared for an immersive experience in direct contact with the wilderness. Sunset over the Amazon rainforest.

Evening: Overnight stay in hammocks in the jungle under protective shelters, with the possibility of optional night excursions in search of wildlife.

Morning/Afternoon: Early wake-up and departure on foot for an immersive trekking experience deep inside the Amazon rainforest. Guided by local experts, the trail is opened through dense vegetation using machetes, allowing access to remote areas of the jungle where giant centuries-old trees, medicinal plants and hidden wildlife can be discovered. Return navigation by boat toward Nauta and then back toward Iquitos, continuing the journey along the waterways of the Amazon basin.

Evening: Dinner and boarding of the overnight speedboat toward Santa Rosa. The approximately 10-hour navigation along the Amazon River allows a deeper immersion into the heart of the Amazon region. Overnight on board in seated accommodation, embracing the adventurous and authentic spirit of the expedition.

Morning/Afternoon: Arrival in the region of Santa Rosa, a small Amazonian settlement located in the fascinating triple-border area between Peru, Colombia and Brazil. Completion of immigration procedures to enter Colombia and exit Peru before crossing the river by taxi boat toward Puerto Nariño, an eco-friendly village immersed in the rainforest and known for its sustainable lifestyle. Walk through the village and ascent to the panoramic tower, offering breathtaking views over the Amazon River and the surrounding jungle. Exploration of nearby channels and lagoons in search of local wildlife.

Evening: After dinner, departure for a night safari through the rainforest in search of caimans and nocturnal animals hidden within the Amazon ecosystem. Overnight stay in Puerto Nariño.

Morning/Afternoon: Departure by boat through the Amazonian channels toward a remote indigenous community located far from mass tourism. This experience offers the opportunity to closely encounter the traditional lifestyle of Amazonian peoples and to better understand their ancestral relationship with nature. Together with local guides, exploration of the rainforest reveals the extraordinary biodiversity of the Amazon ecosystem, including medicinal plants, tropical wildlife and traditional ecological knowledge passed down through generations. Time dedicated to interacting with the community and observing the slow rhythm of village life immersed in the jungle.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay within the indigenous community, surrounded by the sounds and atmosphere of the Amazon rainforest.

Morning/Afternoon: Navigation along the Amazon River toward Leticia, the main Colombian city in the Amazon region. Crossing the border into Brazil and arrival in Tabatinga, where the cultural transition between the Amazonian countries becomes immediately visible through language, traditions and atmosphere. Boarding of a traditional Brazilian river boat bound for Manaus, one of the most authentic and immersive experiences of the journey. Depending on navigation schedules, there may be some free time to explore Leticia before departure.

Evening: Beginning of the long navigation through the Brazilian Amazon. Life along the river unfolds slowly among fishermen, isolated riverside villages and endless rainforest stretching along the banks. Overnight stay on board in a double cabin, fully immersed in the rhythm of the Amazon River.

Day 9-10

Two days entirely dedicated to the slow crossing of the mighty Amazon River, the largest river system on the planet. From the boat it is possible to observe the authentic daily life of Amazonian riverside communities: small canoes navigating the waters, fishermen casting their nets, children playing along sandy riverbanks and isolated villages appearing between the dense rainforest. During navigation, immense stretches of tropical forest unfold along the horizon, while the river widens to several kilometres across in some sections. Short stops at remote villages and river ports offer glimpses into local life, where the river remains the principal means of communication and transportation. Afternoons are spent relaxing on deck, surrounded by endless jungle landscapes and spectacular sunsets reflected on the waters of the Amazon.

Day 11

Arrival in Manaus, the principal city of the Brazilian Amazon, located deep within the rainforest. During the rubber boom between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Manaus became one of the wealthiest cities in South America, traces of which are still visible today in its historic architecture and urban atmosphere. Transfer to the hotel and 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 Manaus, beginning with its most iconic landmark: Teatro Amazonas, the magnificent opera house built during the rubber boom and considered one of the most elegant historic buildings in Brazil. The tour continues through the historic centre and the traditional Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa, an Amazonian market filled with tropical fruits, spices, giant river fish and forest products.

Afternoon: River excursion along the Rio Negro to the famous Encontro das Águas (“Meeting of the Waters”), where the dark waters of the Rio Negro meet the sandy-coloured waters of the Amazon River without mixing for several kilometres, one of the most fascinating natural phenomena in South America. Continuation toward a jungle lodge in the forest.

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 rainforest of the Amazon Rainforest, accompanied by local guides who explain the Amazonian flora and the medicinal plants traditionally used by local communities. Navigation through the narrow flooded forest channels in search of wildlife such as monkeys, birds and river species typical of the Brazilian Amazon.

Afternoon: Visit to a local Amazonian community to discover the traditions and daily lifestyle of populations living along the Brazilian side of the river. Cultural immersion and interaction with local residents before returning 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. Leaving the Amazon behind, the journey shifts completely: from the humid and isolated rainforest to one of the world’s most iconic coastal cities. Arrival in Rio and transfer to the hotel. Free time to begin discovering the city between ocean, green hills and skyline. Later, ascent by cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain, one of Rio’s most famous landmarks. From the summit, panoramic views open over Guanabara Bay, the beaches and the urban landscape of the city.

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 iconic symbol of Brazil, located on Corcovado. Time to admire Rio from above and understand its unique geography between mountains, ocean and urban neighbourhoods.

Afternoon: Guided visit of Rocinha, one of the largest favelas in South America. The experience focuses on understanding everyday life, social dynamics and the internal organisation of the community beyond stereotypes.

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 exploration of some of Rio’s most interesting districts: the historic centre, authentic neighbourhoods and modern urban areas. Free time to discover markets, viewpoints and local streets.

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 transfer across the famous Transpantaneira road toward the heart of the Pantanal reserve. After lunch and some relaxation, guided nature walk through wetlands and forests to discover the region’s extraordinary biodiversity. In the evening, night safari in search of nocturnal wildlife inhabiting 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 journey to Cuiabá, once again crossing the landscapes of the Pantanal with additional opportunities for wildlife observation along the route. Final immersion in one of the most untouched natural environments 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!