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Brazil

The enriching Amazon wilderness

Meeting of the rivers

Waking to the sound of the rainforest coming in through the open windows of your hut, a mosquito net above your bed and wilderness all around is what awaits you in the Amazon. While staying at the Amazon Eco Lodge you will experience all this plus delicious tropical fruit for breakfast like: açaí, cupuaçu, mango, papaya, guava, orange, passionfruit, pineapple, hog plumand, and have direct access to the jungle and the river.

A great trip is to cruise down the Rio Negro, past Manaus to a point called the meeting of the rivers, which is where two different huge rivers of opposing color and temperature (the Negro and the Solemoes) merge to form the enormous Amazon River. It is an incredible sight, with one river like black coffee and the other like milk swirling together. You may expect to see river dolphins there, skies filled with vultures, and magnificent tropical rain clouds. Take the extra tour exploring the many tributaries of the river in a speedboat instead of returning on the double-decker riverboat. You will not only get views of hard to access parts of the river but a scrumptious Brazilian lunch too. The small boat enables you to gain up-close and personal views of the jungle and its many animals. You will also see houseboats distributed along your way where locals live literally on the river.

Another excellent trip from the lodge is to take a very small canoe, after sunset, and paddle around the local shoreline and bayou spotting animals. A powerful spotlight in the canoe will help you find your way through the thickly forested and water covered bayou. You will see many critters and when the light is turned off you will find yourself in the very dark jungle surrounded by tarantulas, parana, and crocodiles. It is a truly scary and enriching experience all at the same time.

At night lying in bed encased by the humid jungle air and your mosquito-net will take some getting used to. The rain in the Amazon is not just your average rain shower it is full-on tropical downpours. There is very often thunder and lighting and buckets of rain for extended periods.

No trip to this part of the world would be complete without a hike in the jungle with your local guide. The guides are mostly native Brazilians and extremely knowledgeable of the Amazon. On your walk you will be introduced to many different plants and shown how the natives use them for medication and nutrition. It is extremely hot and humid walking, expect to be drenched in perspiration, but it will be an inspirational trek. Guides will often show you how to climb and swing on vines, how to use a blowgun, and how to fire the native bow.

Jungle Trek Video

Join me to continue exploring Brazil in my next article on this wild and wondrous place.


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