Voyage in the Most Important
Wilderness Reserve in the Amazon

In August of 2007 the environmental authorities of Brazil created the world's largest rainforest reserve. This reserve is in the very middle of the Amazon and covers much of the southern watershed of one of the most pristine and undeveloped rivers in all of the Amazon, The Rio Negro. Currently there is only one cruise that ventures deep into this reserve:Voyage to the Heart of the Amazon.

This expedition cruise is operated on the Motor Yacht Tucano which explores this pristine rainforest and spectacular wilderness. This new reserve is called the Central Amazon Ecological Corridor (Corredor Ecológico Central da Amazônica) and it encompasses several large river systems and tens of thousands of square miles of uninhabited wilderness. The Brazilian Institute for the Environment, (IBAMA) has created this new reserve by combining many smaller reserves into an area large enough to preserve the biological diversity of this still undeveloped part of the Amazon. This vast area is so remote that it is off the flight path of planes and still filled with the creatures that have made the Amazon the object of myth and legend.

Access to the reserve will be very strictly controlled, though some nature expeditions to the area will be permitted. One of these is the Voyage to the Heart of the Amazon. Over eight days and seven nights the Motor Yacht Tucano will navigate narrow wilderness channels and explore areas that are uninhabited by humans. All of the animals for which the Amazon is famous still thrive in this area. On this voyage guests will explore the rainforest on foot and in the ship's launches to observe exotic plants and animals. The small groups will be led by skilled naturalist guides so that participants will be able to experience the wilderness in the most authentic way possible.

The Rio Negro and the Central Amazon Biological Corridor
The part of the Amazon Biological Corridor which is within the lower Rio Negro region is called the Anavilhanas Ecological Reserve and is monitored by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment (IBAMA). This area contains one of the largest archipelagoes in the world with approximately 400 islands threaded by innumerable small channels and a network of small passages. The Anavilhanas Archipelago is a natural landmark which needs to be preserved not only for scientific purposes but also for its rare scenic beauty.

Within the reserve there is a great variety of vegetation types that include flooded forest (igapó), high forest (terre firme), sandy soil shrub land (chevascal) and flooded shrub land. These different habitat types, combined with the very dynamic seasonal changes in water depth, have created a rich bio-diversity of flora and fauna and also a high degree of species endemism. The scientific term "endemism" means that some creatures have evolved to live specifically in this region and cannot be found anywhere else on earth.

In addition, this reserve protects a number of species under threat of extinction. Among these are the Amazon Manatee, the Jaguar, the world's largest freshwater fish, the Pirarucu, and several endemic species of birds including the Klage's Antwren. Other creatures commonly found in the area but which are becoming rare elsewhere are Pink River Dolphins, Grey River Dolphins, River Otter and also Giant River Otter, Macaw Parrots and also the Amazon's crocodiles, Caimen.

The reserve was created with the objective of preserving the flora and fauna of region but also conducting scientific research. When fully implemented, there will be no extractive purposes of any kind permitted. Some specific activities that will not be permitted are hunting, fishing, extraction of wood or sand, starting of fires, carrying of arms, or possessing tools for wood extraction. No activities of any kind that threaten flora or fauna will be permitted. The management plan for this region, created in 1999, permits visitation for educational purposes only. The only activities permitted must have as their objective the protection of biological diversity. Scientific research will be permitted only with the authorization of the environmental authority of Brasil, IBAMA.

Translated and adapted from: "Normas, Diretrizes e Procedimentos para Ingresso no Programa de Visitação Educativa" , Estação Ecolôgica de Anavilhanas, IBAMA, Manaus, Brasil

Prices, Rack Rate Land Cost 2008: $2,300 . See our Departures and Pricing page for additional information.
Degree of Difficulty: Passengers must be able to get in and out of small boats and walk comfortably for up to two hours at a time in the forest.
Group Size: Maximum of 18 passengers, minimum of 8.

Trip Dates 2008: (7 Nights) Jan 06-13, Jan 20-27, Feb 03-10, Feb 17-24, Mar 09-16, Mar 23-30, Apr 06-13, Apr 20-27, May 04-11, May 18-25, Jun 01-08, Jun 15-22, Jul 06-13, Jul 20-27, Aug 03-10, Aug 17-24, Sep 07-14, Sep 21-28, Oct 05-12, Oct 19-26, Nov 09-16, Nov 23-30, Dec 07-14, Dec 21-28

Trip Dates 2009: Jan 04-11, Jan 18-25, Feb 01-8, Feb 15-22, Mar 08-15, Mar 22-29, Apr 05-12, Apr 19-26, May 03-10, May 17-24, May 31-Jun 07, Jun 14-21, Jun 28-Jul 05, Jul 12-19, Jul 26-Aug 02, Aug 09-16, Aug 23-30, Sep 20-27, Oct 04-11, Oct 18-25, Nov 01-08, Nov 15-22, Nov 29- Dec 06, Dec 20-27

This link is for full pricing information:

This link is for a very detailed itinerary.

Natureza Amazônica Viagens e Turismo, Ltda.
Avenida Sete de Setembro, 188
Centro Antigo, Manaus, AM CEP 69005-141 Brasil