Venture into the lush green vegetation of the primary rainforest and let its beauty envelop you. All your senses will be rewarded as you surround yourself with the sights, sounds and smell of the rainforest. Under the expert direction of our guides, you will see the rainforest through different eyes as you are introduced to this ecosystem and the plants and animals that inhabit it. Undistinguishable vegetation becomes a veritable toolbox in your guide’s hands as he points out plants used for food, medicine and tools, all essential for survival. You will be amazed how this seemingly alien world takes on a familiar face as your guide points out its inhabitants. Remarkable species inhabit this rainforest including tapirs, jaguars, spider monkeys, toucans and leaf frogs, to name only a few. The urgent need to preserve the rainforest becomes even more evident as you realize the wealth of treasures it holds that are still waiting to be discovered and studied.

Jungle treks start at our base camp, Amazonat Jungle Lodge. Excursions traverse the primary rainforest for 2-3 hours to reach Jane’s Place, our main jungle survival camp. Depending on the package selected, guests will have lunch here and continue jungle exploration and survival techniques before returning to Amazonat Jungle Lodge, or spend the night here to experience the rainforest at night and observe its nocturnal inhabitants before continuing deeper jungle exploration the following day. Guests may also choose to sleep in hammocks in the open forest if they prefer.

Join us for a night walk in the primary rainforest to meet its nocturnal inhabitants. Listen to the cacophony of sounds made by frogs, evening cicadas and other forest dwellers while we look for tarantulas and other night crawlers. Animals we may be able to see include nighthawks, snakes and frogs. Fluorescent fungus is another of the rainforest’s curiosities. This walk starts at Amazonat Jungle Lodge and lasts about 1 1/2 hours. This activity is usually scheduled for the day of arrival. It can also be repeated on other nights if desired.

Amazonat Jungle Lodge has three well-marked walking trails connecting the ecolodge with Jane's Place , our main jungle survival camp. Approximately 8km (5 miles) of trails traverse the primary rainforest where you will be surrounded by enormous trees and lush vegetation. Each trail takes about 2-3 hours one way and can be combined with the other trails for longer circuits. Trails are done with a guide or independently (only after consultation and orientation). Trails are best suited for guests coming for longer stays or those particularly interested in jungle trekking. Guests must take a trail map and a GPS supplied at reception. An Amazonat Species List is also available. Using the map, descriptions along the route and/or the GPS, guests can follow the trails. Since the GPS coordinates of each information sign is noted, these can easily be located. Independent trekkers must always be in a group of at least two, check in at the reception before departure and after arrival as well as indicate which trail will be taken and estimated time of return to the ecolodge. For their safety and protection of the rainforest, guests must not leave the trails. Lunch at Jane’s Place can be arranged for those wishing to do a full day trek.

Only for the hardcore adventurer, this excursion takes you to the heart of the primary rainforest and teaches you how to survive like a real native. We send you into the jungle with our most experienced guide with only a hammock and a small emergency pack (some rice, coffee, sugar and high energy biscuits). With the guide you will survive on what you find in the forest (edible herbs and plants), fish from the creeks and build your own shelters. This excursion is not part of any package and is only available via prior arrangement. The group needs four people (min. and max.) and must be reserved four months in advance for a min. of two nights and max. of seven. A truly unique experience!

Amazonat offers guests the unique opportunity to visit three different rivers, each with its unique character and ecosystem. The specific rivers visited will depend on the package selected, with those staying for longer periods having the opportunity for a more complete and varied experience.

Floating down the mighty Amazon River , one gets a sense of its sheer size and the volume of water that it carries. Traveling along the river, visitors can feast their eyes on the vegetation, the multitude of birds and fish that inhabit this river and in the rainy season (Jan-May) admire the world’s largest water lilies, Vitoria amazonica, with leaves that can span 2m (6.6ft) in diameter. Unexpected visitors on this trip may include iguanas and sloth that on occasion have fallen into the canoe! Spotting a grey or pink dolphin , or at dusk a caiman with its toothy grin and deceptive stillness, is often one of the day’s highlights.

The Amazon River is the main causeway of the region as evidenced by the riverboats transporting people and goods. Its banks are home to several villages and farms involved in crop and cattle farming. They coexist in a precarious balance with the wealth of wildlife and vegetation in the region. The challenge lies in limiting deforestation and preserving the environment.

The Urubú River is one of the many blackwater rivers in the Amazon region. This description can be misleading, however, as the water in these rivers is a beautiful crystalline amber color like tea. The low acidity of the water results in a low carrying capacity for life forms. The beautiful scenery this river offers, however, more than compensates for its relatively sparse animal life. Together with a visit to the stunning "igapós" or flooded forests, this is a favorite daytrip destination. Gazing at sunlight streaming through the crystalline amber waters while relaxing on a white sand beach after a refreshing swim, is one of the many ways we enjoy this river.

This river is also a blackwater river but offers a very different experience from the Urubú River. The last 25km (16miles) of this river possess an ecosystem unique in the region. At this point the water of the Preto da Eva River and the murky whitewater of the Amazon River flow together creating two types of flood plains that attract a broad diversity of animal life. This mixing of water attracts the grey dolphin (tucuxi) and pink dolphin (boto vermelho) practically year round.

Most Amazon locals live on and around the riverbanks, farming and fishing for a simple but honest living. We will visit different local villages depending on the river we are on, and learn about their habits and lifestyles. People are always very friendly and open.
When visiting the Urubú River we will visit the village of Villa de Lindoya (pop. 1000) where we will stop by the local school and clinic supported by Amazonat and see how manioc is grown. When visiting the Amazon River we will visit Engenho (pop. 500), a small community where most villagers are involved in growing pineapples and cupuaçu fruit trees. Here we will also visit the local school where children arrive by local school boat rather than school bus. We will also observe cattle farming including water buffalo along the riverbanks.

Pink and grey dolphins can be seen in the Amazon, Preto da Eva and Urubú Rivers. Patience and vigilance are rewarded when these beautiful mammals are spotted. The pink dolphin or “boto vermelho” can be identified by its domed forehead ending in a long snout, a hump instead of a dorsal fin and its distinctive pink color. The grey dolphin or “tucuxi” is smaller and has a triangular slightly hooked dorsal fin, resembling its cousin the marine bottlenose dolphin. In high water or rainy season when prey is scattered, dolphins are generally seen in singles or pairs. During low water or dry season when prey is more concentrated, they congregate in groups of about 15. These friendly, sensitive animals have lived in harmony with the people of the Amazon and its tributaries for centuries.

Around dusk the alligators or "caimans" become active. When bathed with a light, the red reflection of their eyes betrays their location and seems to hold them mesmerized in place. The guide can capture a small one with his hands so you can see it up close while he tells you about this prehistoric animal. The caiman is then gently returned to the water unharmed.

One third of all the world's species of birds can be found in the Amazon rainforest, many of which still need to be cataloged. Amazonat’s unspoiled surroundings offer guests a unique opportunity to observe an abundance of birds. There are 800 registered bird species in our region, making it an ideal location for bird lovers. In 2006 some guests to Amazonat spotted nearly 200 species in just three days! Birds can be observed in both our jungle and river tours. Bird watching varies by season with rainy season (Jan.-June) showing more movements of birds as they change from one location to another, and dry season (Aug.-Dec.) showing higher concentrations of them as the rivers shrink. If bird watching is your passion, let us know so your guide can alert you to our latest finds. For example, we have recently identified a Harpy Eagle (Gaviaó Real) nest in Amazonat, a thirty-minute stroll from Amazonat Jungle Lodge. This large, endangered bird is a rare find and the ultimate dream of many birders. The next closest nest has been identified 1000km (620 miles) away! This eagle returns to its nest every year in early October where one young is born and fed for 40 days before leaving the nest.

This is the name given to the point where the murky whitewaters of the Solimões River meet the blackwater of the Rio Negro to form the Amazon River. The two rivers flow together for miles without mixing. The patterns they form as they dance around each other are a sight to see. Meeting of the Waters (also known as “Wedding of the Waters”) is a few miles from Manaus. Depending on the package chosen visitors will have the opportunity to visit Meeting of the Waters either on the day of arrival or departure. This visit is offered with all our packages.

Manaus is a fascinating port city bustling with activity especially at its downtown port and markets. This lively city of over 1.5 million is a major distribution center for the river areas of the upper Amazon. Manaus is best known for its magnificent neoclassical Opera House, which seems out of place in these tropical surroundings. Built in the late 1800's at the height of the rubber boom, it stands in testimony to a time when Manaus was one of the richest cities in the world. Depending on their package visitors will have the opportunity to visit Manaus on the day of arrival or departure. A visit to the Opera House and surrounding area is included with all our packages. The Manaus Opera House has concerts year round with many internationally renowned music festivals (Opera Festival in April, Jazz Festival in July, etc.) If you are a music lover you may want to add a few days to your Amazon visit to take advantage of these programs.