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The Amazon and Rio Negro Rivers with Rio de Janeiro

Drinks, wifi and excursions are included on board

Set off on a 14‑night voyage through the Amazon and Rio Negro aboard the Croisi Europe RV Brasilian Dream. Your journey begins with return flights and a 3‑night stay at a five‑star hotel on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a domestic flight to Manaus and a 1‑night stay in a 4‑star hotel. From Manaus, you embark on a 10‑night all‑inclusive cruise featuring daily excursions deep into Amazonia.

Sail the Rio Negro, explore the ancient formations of the Madada Caves, and enter the vast wilderness of Jaú National Park. Discover the untamed channels of the Jaú River, visit quiet communities like Itaobal and Nova Airão, and experience the wildlife‑rich waters of Acajatuba and Janauacá Lake before returning to Manaus. This itinerary offers an engaging encounter with rainforest life, river landscapes, and cultural heritage.

Fly overnight to Rio de Janeiro.

After a morning flight arrival make your your way to Copacabana Beach for an overnght hotel stay.

Hilton Rio De Janeiro Copacabana

Enjoy the best of Rio de Janeiro at Hilton Copacabana. Our hotel offers the largest number of ocean view rooms in the city, two outdoor swimming pools overlooking Copacabana Beach, beach service, Anna Pegova Spa, 24-hour Fitness Center, restaurant and two bars. Relax and enjoy sunset and a 360° view from our rooftop Isabel Lounge with while having a drink. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The Family Suite can accommodate up to 02 adults and 02 children up to 12 years old. For both leisure and corporate guests, we are conveniently located near to most of Rio attractions, close to downtown and airports. Our meeting space offers 36 flexible rooms, perfect for small meetings to large conferences and social events.

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A further two nights' hotel stay.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro (River of January) is the second largest city in Brazil with a population of 6.3 million. Rio is the most visited city in the southern hemisphere and is known for its natural settings, carnival celebrations, samba and beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema. Some of the most famous landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer (one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World) at 130 feet tall and built between 1922 to 1931 atop Corcovado mountain, rising 700 metres above sea level. Also Sugarloaf Mountain, which is 396 meters high, above the harbour with its cable car famously featured in the James Bond Movie “Moonraker”.

Make your way to the airport for your evening flight to Manaus. Then check in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

Manaus

Manaus marks the furthest point that most cruise ships can reach up the Amazon. It is situated approximately 900 miles upriver from the coast at a major fork of the Amazon where the Rio Solimoes meets the Rio Negro to form the main Amazon River. Enjoy the mesmerizing spectacle of the meeting of the waters where the cooler sandy-coloured water of the Amazon River and the warmer and clearer black water of the Rio Negro collide. You would expect two rivers that meet to blend into one another but that is not the case here as the two types of water flow distinctly side by side for a further 6km beyond Manaus.

Quality Hotel Manaus

The hotel is situated close to shopping outlets, cinemas, restaurants and nightclubs, and is also near the financial and industrial area of the city. Guests can reach the city centre in around a 14-minute drive, and the beach at Ponta Negra is about 23 minutes away by car. The hotel is also conveniently located just 12 km from the airport. Built in 2011, the hotel comprises a total of 216 guest rooms, as well as conference facilities, which include a convention centre and meeting room. The hotel is air-conditioned and greets guests in its lobby at the 24-hour reception. Valuables can be stored in the hotel safe and refreshments are served at the café. Parking is also provided, as is lift access and a laundry service. The hotel rooms have a private bathroom with a shower and hairdryer, as well as a telephone, satellite/cable TV, Internet access and a minibar. A double bed features as standard and an iron and ironing board are provided. Individually regulated air conditioning comes in all accommodation, as does an in-room safe and guests can relax in the living area. Guests can unwind and soak up the sun at the nearby sandy beach. A continental buffet breakfast is served each morning, while set menus and à la carte options are available for lunch and dinner. We emphasize that the contracted daily rate is for 24 hours, with check-in from 2 p. m. and check-out until 12 p. m. The interval of up to 3 hours between guests' departure and arrival is provided for in MTur Ordinance No. 28 and is intended exclusively for cleaning, sanitizing, and tidying up the unit, ensuring the maintenance of our standard of excellence

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After breakfast embark the boat.  Enjoy a guided tour of Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. A peaceful city with unique architecture, you'll explore its historic center and pass by the famous Amazonas Opera House. You'll stroll through the Adolpho Lisboa Market, a striking wrought-iron structure located on the banks of the RioNegro. Visit the Manaus Opera House, or Teatro Amazonas, a Renaissance-style architectural masterpiece inaugurated in 1896. A short cruise will bring you to Vila Paraiso, where you’ll visit the Rubber Museum. We’ll return on board and begin cruising on the Rio Negro, a major South American river stretching 2,250 km and one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. We’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

RV Brasilian Dream

RV Brasilian Dream

Designed as a catamaran to minimize its impact on riverbeds, this brand new River cruise vessel embodies a new vision of the Amazon, blending comfort with eco-responsibility. Launched in 20026 it carries 32 passengers in 14 staterooms, over 4 decks at 49 metres long by 15 metre wide. It features a restaurant, spa, sundeck and lounge bar; and sustainable materials, low-carbon engines, and solar panels for clean energy.

Onboard water treatment ensures responsible resource management, and every design choice aims to preserve the fragile river ecosystem. More than a cruise, it is an invitation to experience the rhythm of nature while respecting its delicate balance. Each passenger becomes both actor and spectator of an extraordinary journey, as the Amazon unveils itself along the water, between mystical mists and blazing sunsets.

Stateroom Amenities:  • 220V Electricity • TV • Hair dryer • Safe • Individual air-conditioning • Bathroom with shower and bathroom amenities • Wi-Fi

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At dawn, you'll explore the Rio Negro aboard a private boat, just as the birds take flight—macaws, parrots, and even fish eagles. With some luck, you may spot the grey river dolphins (Tucuxi) or the elusive pink dolphins. Return on board for breakfast. Then, set off on a forest walk to discover the astonishing diversity of the flora: hardwoods, palms, and vines. We’ll return on board and begin cruising toward “Três Bocas.” In the late afternoon, head out again aboard a private boat to observe the wildlife and stunning scenery around Lago da Pescada. We’ll be cruising toward the Anavilhanas Archipelago. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

Rio Negro

The Rio Negro, the world’s largest blackwater river, flows from Colombia into Brazil, meeting the Amazon at Manaus. Its dark waters, tinted by tannins from forest vegetation, host unique aquatic life and create the famous Meeting of the Waters, where it runs beside the Solimões without mixing. It stretches about 2,250 km and supports vast ecosystems, including the Anavilhanas Archipelago.

Departure for a hike through primary rainforest toward the Madada Caves. The rock engravings carved in relief by ancient tribes are over 3,000 years old. During the walk, you'll be introduced to the region’s rich plant biodiversity and learn about the many trees and vines used in indigenous medicine. In the mid-afternoon, you'll board a private motorized boat for a wildlife observation excursion. Keep an eye out for snowy egrets, macaws, and fish eagles. We'll be cruising toward the Meduini River. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

Madada Caves

The Madadá Caves, located in the Anavilhanas National Park near Novo Airão, are sandstone cave formations reached by a 1.2 km rainforest trail along the Rio Negro. Visitors encounter striking rock walls, ancient rock engravings, forest wildlife, and views of flooded forests and igarapés. Accessible by boat from Manaus, the caves offer a unique mix of geology, nature, and Amazonian heritage.

At dawn, set out ona private boat around the Meduini River, an extraordinary site known for its unparalleled biodiversity. We'll be cruising toward the Jaú National Park, possibly accompanied along the way by botos (pink river dolphins) and tucuxis (grey dolphins). During a guided forest walk, you'll seek out some of the most emblematic trees of the Brazilian rainforest, including the Samauma, a towering giant of the Amazon that can reach heights of up to 90 meters. In the afternoon, we'll be cruising toward the Carabineni River, followed by a private boat excursion to explore its waters and the wildlife that inhabits them. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

Jau National Park

Jaú National Park in Brazil is a vast UNESCO‑listed Amazon reserve protecting over 2.36 million hectares of pristine rainforest, blackwater rivers, and exceptional biodiversity. Home to jaguars, giant otters, pink dolphins, and dense rainforest ecosystems, it offers immersive canoeing, wildlife viewing, and true wilderness exploration.

At sunrise, embark aboard a private boat to discover the local wildlife and flora. You'll then meet the natives of a nearby village, who will take you by canoe to explore the local fauna, including monkeys, in a silence only interrupted by the rhythmic movement of the paddles. You'll visit the village and the school. Enjoy an afternoon of relaxation and wildlife observation as we cruise along the waters of the Rio Jau an enchanting interlude in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

Jau River

The Jaú River is located in the state of Amazonas in north‑western Brazil, flowing entirely within the Amazon rainforest. It runs for approximately 400 km (250 miles) from its source in Amazonas to its mouth at the Rio Negro, into which it drains.

As a tributary of the Rio Negro, which itself feeds into the Amazon River, the Jaú River is part of the larger Amazon Basin. It also connects to the Carabinani River, one of its contributing tributaries near its lower course.

Departure for a hike along the Itaobal Trail (~3 hours) to discover a beautiful waterfall and a crystal-clear lake. You'll observe the local wildlife, and perhaps spot some sleeping caimans. Next, you'll visit Airáo Velho, an abandoned village that once flourished as a center for the rubber industry until the 1950s. There, you'llsee remnants of the region's golden age, when cacao, coffee, and orange plantations thrived. In 1955, the residents of Airáo Velho migrated further down the river to establish the present-day Novo Airão. Over time, the vegetation has overtaken the old ruins, blending with the remnants of former homes. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

Itaobal-Airo Velho

Airão Velho, often associated with the surrounding region including Itaobal, is a historic ghost town in the Amazonas state of Brazil, founded in 1694 along the Rio Negro. Once a thriving hub during the Amazon rubber boom, it was abandoned by 1985 after economic collapse and population relocation to Novo Airão. Today, its overgrown stone ruins, located about 180 km from Manaus, attract visitors seeking Amazon history, culture, and atmospheric jungle landscapes.

Visit to the village of Novo Airão, nestled on the banks of the Rio Negro and gateway to the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the second-largest freshwater archipelago in the world. The village offers beautiful handicrafts, a local brewery, and a warm welcome. In the afternoon, we'll be cruising toward the village of Acajatuba. Once there, you'll board local boats to observe the riverbanks and the waters of the river. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

Novo Airao

Novo Airão is a riverside municipality in Amazonas, Brazil, located about 180 km upstream from Manaus on the Rio Negro. Known as the gateway to the Anavilhanas Archipelago and Jaú National Park, it offers rich ecotourism, pink river dolphin encounters, and access to indigenous communities. Founded after earlier settlements dating back to 1668, Novo Airão today blends Amazon culture, wildlife, and protected rainforest landscapes.

You'll discover the preserved village of Acajatuba, a collection of small colorful wooden houses built on stilts. Then, you'll board local boats and cruise toward the Ariau Canal, which connects the Amazon River to the Rio Negro. This area is a prime location for wildlife observation, particularly the mão amarela monkey. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

Acajatuba-Ariau River

The Acajatuba region, located near Manaus in the Amazon, surrounds Lago de Acajatuba, a biodiverse lake on the Rio Negro known for preserved rainforest, vibrant wildlife, and traditional riverine communities.

The nearby Ariaú River (Rio Ariaú) flows through the same Amazonian landscape, forming part of the waterways that connect eco‑lodges and river tours. Ecotourism thrives here, offering pink‑dolphin encounters, canoeing, forest trails, community visits, and night safaris amid lush Amazon habitats.

At sunrise, the magic of the Amazon rainforest unfolds before you: the reflections of trees and sky in the water, the noisy flight of birds, and the daily rhythm of life with its flotilla of canoes. You'll witness the remarkable phenomenon of the "Meeting of the Waters" or "Encontro das Águas," where the Solimões River, the name given to the Brazilian portion of the Amazon River before it meets the Rio Negro, mixes with the dark and acidic waters of the Rio Negro. The two rivers, with their distinct colors, yellow and silt-laden from the Solimões, and dark from the Rio Negro, intertwine for nearly 80 kilometers, creating a beautiful lace-like pattern before eventually merging into the mighty Amazon River. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship.

As nature awakens, you'll explore Janauacá Lake aboard a private boat. The birds are foraging for food, dolphins hunt in the muddy waters, and fishermen’s canoes are hard at work. The lake’s inhabitants divide their time between cassava farming, fishing, and livestock raising. This region, known as "Varzea" (meaning floodplain), is particularly fertile due to the nutrient-rich deposits left by seasonal floods. Return on board for breakfast and then set off on a cruise upriver along the Manaquiri River. You'll observe the local wildlife and flora until sunset. In the late afternoon, we'll be cruising along the Solimões River toward Manaus. Dinner and overnight onboard your ship

Janauaca Lake

Janauacá Lake (Lago Janauacá) is a serene Amazonian lake in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, located southwest of Manaus near small riverine communities such as Barro Branco and Vila do Tilheiro. Known for its rich biodiversity and calm blackwater landscapes, the lake sits at an elevation of about 22–23 metres.

A popular stop on Amazon river cruises, Janauacá offers canoe excursions, piranha fishing, birdwatching—including hoatzins and large flocks of egrets—and opportunities to spot pink river dolphins along its quiet forested edges. Night safaris reveal nocturnal wildlife under stunning star‑filled skies, making the lake a favorite for nature lovers seeking an immersive rainforest experience.

Disembark the boat after breakfast and make your way to the airport for your flight home.

Origin Start Date Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite
London 15/02/27 NA NA NA £6839 View
London 27/02/27 NA NA NA £6409 View
London 11/03/27 NA NA NA £6469 View
London 23/03/27 NA NA NA £6579 View
London 01/06/27 NA NA NA £6109 View
London 05/07/27 NA NA NA £6399 View
London 09/08/27 NA NA NA £6889 View

CroisiEurope Cruises Logo

Departure :

01-Jun-2027

Duration :

15 Nights

Region :

South America

Depart Point :

London

Holiday Type :

All Inclusive

Deal Number :

SLT105692

Quick Itinerary

Rio de Janeiro - Manaus - Rio Negro - Madada Caves - Jau National Park - Jau River - Itaobal-Airo Velho - Novo Airao - Acajatuba-Ariau River - Janauaca Lake

from £6109

Amend Date & Departure Point

What’s Included

 
Return flights from the UK
Three nights' five star bed-and-breakfast accommodation in the Copacabana Beach area of Rio de Janeiro (in hotel featured or similar)
Domestic flight from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus
One night's four star bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Manaus (in hotel featured or similar)
10 nights' full board cruise accommodation onboard Croisi Europe RV Brasilian Dream
All meals included on board with refined local cuisine
Standard drinks with meals and at the bar
Wifi
Daily excursions with tour guide

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