Day 1: Welcome upon arrival at Santarem airport. First exploration in the morning of the city of Santarem, located at the confluence of the Amazon and the Tapajos rivers. Transfer to the Santarem pier to board the boat. Late morning, welcome on board and check-in to your cabins. The cruise departs aboard the Amazon Dream in the afternoon. The blue waters of the Tapajos River and the yellow waters of the Amazon do not mix — first sighting of Amazon river dolphins. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 2: In the morning, outing for bird and flora observation. In the afternoon, sailing on the Amazon River towards Belem, heading to Monte Alegre. Visit to villages of the “caboclo” communities, “people of the waters”, descended from the mixing of Indigenous peoples with Portuguese conquerors. Arrival in Monte Alegre and city visit. Dinner and overnight in Monte Alegre.
Day 3: In the morning, visit to the Monte Alegre market with its remarkable colours and flavours. Then a 4x4 drive to the more mountainous regions of “Serra da Lua” (mountain of the moon) and “Serra Irerê” to discover caves formed by erosion over time. Rock paintings dating back to a highly advanced Paleo-Indian civilization. Packed lunch. Return to the boat at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4: In the morning, sailing to Lake Monte Alegre and birdwatching outing. In the afternoon, arrival at the Santarem river terminal. Exploration of the city, its port bazaars, and hammock vendors. A noisy, lively city with an authentic Amazonian atmosphere. Return to the boat and sailing towards the Jari. Sunset birdwatching outing and sailing towards Alter do Chao, the “Caribbean at the heart of the Amazon”. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 5: Departure for a hike to the summit of “Piroca” peak, offering a splendid panorama over Alter do Chao. Late morning, visit to the village of Alter do Chao. In the afternoon, free time to relax, with the chance to swim in the crystal-clear waters of Alter do Chao's white sand beaches. (Disembarkation of passengers completing the 5-day cruise and boarding of passengers continuing on the 6-day cruise). Sailing towards the blue waters of the Tapajos and sunset over Lake Anuma, near the village of Vista Alegre. In the evening, meeting with representatives of the Vista Alegre community council, a small caboclo community settled on the Tapajoara reserve, followed by traditional dances on the village square. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 6: Departure for an “expedition” into the heart of the Tapajoara Reserve, a protected territory. Discovery of caboclo daily life: preparation of manioc flour, the basis of the local diet, latex harvesting by the “seringueiros” from rubber tree trunks, gathering of medicinal plants... Forest walk and wildlife and flora observation while descending by canoa (dugout canoe) along an igarapé, a small river winding through the forest. Return to the boat for lunch. Sailing towards Amorim to relax on the beaches. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 7: In the morning, choose between heading up the river to Cabecera do Amorim or exploring the village of Surucua. Visit to riverside communities and a short forest walk. Lunch on board. Early afternoon, beach and leisure time. Late afternoon, sailing towards Lake Braganca, following the footsteps of the Langsdorff expedition, close to one of the Munduruku Indigenous villages. Their descendants, committed to preserving and sharing their traditions, have resettled the area and welcome small groups of visitors as part of ecotourism programmes. Dinner and overnight on board. Night canoe outing under the stars to observe caimans.
Day 8: In the morning, visit to a caboclo village in Marituba to discover daily life. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, sailing towards Maguari, a community settled on the shore of the Tapajos National Forest. Birdwatching at Jamaraqua, a small community near Maguari. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 9: In the morning, walk through primary forest with native guides from the Maguari community, in search of giant rubber trees. Observation of birds and blue butterflies. Lunch on board. Swimming and relaxation. In the afternoon, visit to the village's small cooperative where all kinds of objects are made from raw latex. Late afternoon, sailing towards Alter do Chao for a final night at the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Traditional dances and music on one of Alter do Chao's beaches. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 10: Arrival at the port of Santarem around 10am. Lunch on board or at a local restaurant before flying out from Santarem.
