Iberostar Grand Amazon

PM: We embark on the Grand Amazon in the Port of Manaus in the late afternoon and then, after settling into our luxurious cabins, we can watch the sunset from the top deck as the boat begins sailing on the Amazon.

Tonight, the crew welcomes you aboard with a cocktail, followed by a delicious dinner. This is your first opportunity to take advantage of the ship's open bar policy!

AM: We wake up at Janauacá Lake. If you are up early, there is a Sunrise Lovers' continental breakfast on the Upper Deck, where you can enjoy the early morning atmosphere. Otherwise, you can enjoy the buffet spread in the Kuarup Restaurant.

After breakfast, we make exploration by skiff and along marked trails of the rainforest, keeping our eyes open for jungle birds and Pink River Dolphins. There should be countless photo opportunities. We also stop at the home of a local Caboclo, to gain insight into human life in the Amazon, and perhaps purchase some of the traditional handicrafts. Later back on board there will be a lecture on Amazon Fruits in the Lua Salon.

PM: In the afternoon, we continue to the Manaquiri Region, for an excursion by skiff through the closed-in streams. It is a great opportunity for spotting some of the flora and fauna of the Amazon and a chance to try your skills fishing for piranha!

We are welcomed back on board with live music on the upper deck. And then, after dinner, we can go on a night tour potting caiman along the river banks, using spotlights and listen to the night sounds of the jungle.

AM: This morning the Grand Amazon enters the Manacapuru River and, for the early risers, there is a chance to go birding in the skiffs, as the sun rises over the beautiful jungle. After breakfast, we board the expedition skiffs for a photo safari through the narrow waterways of the region, where the vegetation overhangs the water, or head out on a jungle walk adventure. Upon returning to the boat we can enjoy a lecture on Amazon People and Culture.

PM: After lunch and a rest, we head to Lake Janauari, where we have the chance to visit a regional houseboat, get to know the local crafts, and take a short walking tour of the region. We wait until dusk before returning to the cruise boat as it is a great time to spot numerous species - especially birds - in large quantities.

This evening there is a farewell dinner, in the Kuarup Restaurant, and a Folklore Show in the Lua Salon as we celebrate the sights we have seen and friends we have made over the last few days.

AM: We wake up early to see the fascinating phenomenon known as the Meeting of the Waters at sunrise. This is the point where the black water of the Rio Negro and brown water of the Solimoes meet - but don't mix. Don't worry, continental breakfast will be available!

We then continue to the port of Manaus, for disembarkation.

PM: We embark on the Iberostar Grand Amazon in the Port of Manaus in the late afternoon and then, after settling into our luxurious cabins, we can watch the sunset from the top deck as the boat begins sailing on the Amazon.

Tonight, the crew welcomes you aboard with a cocktail, followed by a delicious dinner. This is your first opportunity to take advantage of the ship's open bar policy!

AM: If you are up early, there is a Sunrise Lovers' breakfast on the Upper Deck, where you can enjoy the early morning atmosphere. Otherwise, you can enjoy the buffet spread in the Kuarup Restaurant.

After breakfast, we go and explore the Jaraqui region. Depending on the water level, we either stay on the expedition skiffs or take a guided hike along a jungle trail, where we can learn about the trees and plants that are of particular importance to locals for construction and the production of medicines. 

Back on board, we enjoy an introductory Amazon lecture in the Lua Salon and have lunch on the terrace of Kuarup restaurant, followed by time for a welcome siesta!

PM: In the late afternoon, we board the skiffs again to explore the second largest fluvial archipelago in the world, Anavilhanas, a huge collection of river islands and beaches, which are striking and photogenic contrast to the black waters of the River Negro. 

One of the largest islands in the Archipelago is Tres Bocas, and here one can see dense vegetation that includes bountiful orchids and bromeliads and is home to birds such as toucans and macaws. After dark, caimans are abundant and fun to spot from the skiffs. 

AM: As the sun rises, the Grand Amazon arrives at the River Cuieiras, and we have the chance to enjoy the resplendent scenery as we take our breakfast. For our morning tour, we pay a visit by skiff and on foot to Cambebas, a fascinating indigenous village, where we learn how the locals have adapted their way of life to best suit their environment, visit their school, and have a chance to buy handicrafts.

PM: Upon our return to the boat, there will be a lecture on Amazonian Fish, including the dreaded piranha which we will then have the chance to catch for ourselves as we head back out onto the waterways of the Ariaú region. This is an area known for the abundance of monkey species and sloths, as well as birds of prey and kingfishers. We can also get to know the fish life... by catching it (and then releasing it)! The easiest species to catch is the famed piranha, and most people have a chance to be photographed with their catch. Alternatively, we may pay a visit to a local farm to learn about the way of life there.

Once back on board, we have dinner and then can enjoy the facilities and entertainment of the Grand Amazon. Later, there is a night tour by motorboat to spot alligators and listen to the night sounds of the Ariaú region.

AM: There is the option of a pre-breakfast birding excursion by skiff for those that wish to enjoy the Amazon dawn and its abundant wildlife.Then, after breakfast, we head to the Praia Grande - which means, simply, 'Big Beach' in English - yes, that's right there are beaches on the Amazon! There is a chance to swim in the refreshing waters of the Rio Negro and even the incredible opportunity to interact with the rather peculiar-looking but remarkable pink Amazon river dolphins. Back on board, there is a lecture on Amazon Birds in the Lua Salon. 

PM: After lunch, we step back in time as we visit the Rubber Tapping Museum and learn about the shocking history of the rubber trade which made the region the richest in the world at one point in time. This evening we have a special gala dinner, with exotic Amazon dancing, as a celebration of what we have experienced and a farewell.

AM: We wake up early to see the fascinating phenomenon known as the Meeting of the Waters at sunrise. This is the point where the black water of the Rio Negro and brown water of the Solimoes meet - but don't mix. Don't worry, breakfast will be available!

We then continue to the port of Manaus, for disembarkation.

PM: Tonight, the crew welcomes you aboard with a cocktail, followed by a delicious dinner. This is your first opportunity to take advantage of the ship's open bar policy! 

AM: We wake up at Janauacá Lake. If you are up early, there is a Sunrise Lovers' breakfast on the Upper Deck, where you can enjoy the early morning atmosphere. Otherwise, you can enjoy the buffet spread in the Kuarup Restaurant. After breakfast, we make exploration by skiff and along marked trails of the rainforest, keeping our eyes open for jungle birds and Pink River Dolphins. There should be countless photo opportunities. We also stop at the home of a local Caboclo, to gain insight into human life in the Amazon, and perhaps purchase some of the traditional handicrafts. Later back on board there will be a lecture on Amazon Fruits in the Lua Salon.

PM: In the afternoon, we continue to the Manaquiri Region, for an excursion by skiff through the closed-in streams. It is a great opportunity for spotting some of the flora and fauna of the Amazon and a chance to try your skills fishing for piranha! We are welcomed back on board with live music on the upper deck. And then, after dinner, we can go on a night tour potting caiman along the river banks, using spotlights and listen to the night sounds of the jungle.

AM: This morning the Grand Amazon enters the Manacapuru River and, for the early risers, there is a chance to go birding in the skiffs, as the sun rises over the beautiful jungle. After breakfast, we board the expedition skiffs for a photo safari through the narrow waterways of the region, where the vegetation overhangs the water, or alternatively head out on a jungle walk adventure. Upon returning to the boat we can enjoy a lecture on Amazon People and Culture.

PM: After lunch and a rest, we head to Lake Janauari, where we have the chance to visit a regional houseboat, get to know the local crafts, and take a short walking tour of the region. We wait until dusk before returning to the cruise boat as it is a great time to spot numerous species - especially birds - in large quantities. This evening there is a special dinner, in the Kuarup Restaurant, with live music as entertainment.

AM: We wake up early to see the fascinating phenomenon known as the Meeting of the Waters at sunrise. This is the point where the black water of the Rio Negro and brown water of the Solimoes meet - but don't mix.

PM: The Grand Amazon disembarks and embarks passengers at the Port of Manaus. Please note that excursions this day are available at an additional cost (city tours and private excursions). 

AM: If you are up early, there is a Sunrise Lovers' breakfast on the Upper Deck, where you can enjoy the early morning atmosphere. Otherwise, you can enjoy the buffet spread in the Kuarup Restaurant. After breakfast, we go and explore the Jaraqui region. Depending on the water level, we either stay on the expedition skiffs or take a guided hike along a jungle trail, where we can learn about the trees and plants that are of particular importance to locals for construction and the production of medicines. 

PM: We have lunch back on board, followed by time for a welcome siesta! In the late afternoon, we board the skiffs again to explore the second largest fluvial archipelago in the world, Anavilhanas, a huge collection of river islands and beaches, which are in striking and photogenic contrast to the black waters of the River Negro. One of the largest islands in the Archipelago is Tres Bocas, and here one can see dense vegetation that includes bountiful orchids and bromeliads and is home to birds such as toucans and macaws. After dark, caimans are abundant and fun to spot from the skiffs. 

AM: As the sun rises, the Grand Amazon arrives at the River Cuieiras, and we have the chance to enjoy the resplendent scenery as we take our breakfast. For our morning tour, we pay a visit by skiff and on foot to Cambebas, a fascinating indigenous village, where we learn how the locals have adapted their way of life to best suit their environment, visit their school, and have a chance to buy handicrafts.

PM: Upon our return to the boat, there will be a lecture on Amazonian Fish, including thea dreaded piranha which we will then have the chance to catch for ourselves as we head back out onto the waterways of the Ariaú region. This is an area known for the abundance of monkey species and sloths, as well as birds of prey and kingfishers. We can also get to know the fish life ... by catching it (and then releasing it). The easiest species to catch is the famed piranha, and most people have a chance to be photographed with their catch.

Alternatively, we may pay a visit to a local farm to learn about the way of life there. Once back on board, we have dinner and then can enjoy the facilities and entertainment of the Grand Amazon. Later, there is a night tour by motorboat to spot alligators and listen to the night sounds of the Ariaú region.

AM: There is the option of a pre-breakfast birding excursion by skiff for those that wish to enjoy the Amazon dawn and its abundant wildlife. Then, after breakfast, we head to the Praia Grande - which means, simply, 'Big Beach' in English - yes, that's right there are beaches on the Amazon! There is a chance to swim in the refreshing waters of the Rio Negro and even the incredible opportunity to interact with the rather peculiar-looking but remarkable pink Amazon river dolphins. Back on board, there is a lecture on Amazon Birds in the Lua Salon.

PM: After lunch, we step back in time as we visit the Rubber Tapping Museum and learn about the shocking history of the rubber trade which made the region the richest in the world at one point in time. This evening we have a special gala dinner, with exotic Amazon dancing, as a celebration of what we have experienced and a farewell.

AM: This morning, after breakfast, we arrive at the port of Manaus, where we say our fond goodbyes and disembark.