Brazil The Brazilian Amazon

Overview

The Amazon basin: romantic, exotic, huge, and vital to Man’s survival. The Brazilian state of Amazonas is where the river really comes into its own. The black acidic waters of the Rio Negro merge with the sludgy brown waters of the Solimões at the giant city of Manaus, 1,000km from the sea, and form a waterway 10km wide. This vast wilderness with its secretive wildlife and uncontacted indigenous groups also supports communities on its fertile banks, farmers, fishermen, tradesmen; old wooden riverboats still provide the only transport, although things are changing fast, with new bridges and roads opening up previously isolated areas.

You can't really ignore the behemoth which is Manaus, nor should you. It is the quintessential Amazonian riverport, once scruffy and, to be honest, dangerous; but now, using new found economic success, undergoing restoration to something like the elegance and grace of the era of the rubber boom.  Explore the refurbished markets, effervescent docks and  the newly pedestrianised central square brims with cafés, galleries and boutiques.

The rainforest just beyond the city can feel like worlds away. Within a short hop by speedboat are comfortable lodges where you can get a satisfying taste of life in the jungle. Exceptional experiences may await visitors at the more remote lodges. Meanwhile, longer river cruises capture the romanticism of Amazonian travel and offer the opportunity to travel deep into this magical world.