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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
21 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • The ultimate Amazon adventure trekking holiday in Brazil
  • Trek into the `Heart of Darkness`
  • River beach bivouacs
  • Stunning views of the Serra do Araca
  • `Explore More` - the finest adventure holidays on the planet
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Safari, Amazon, Trekking
Other: Hiking, Canoeing, Fishing, museum, Swimming, sailboating, Camping
$7395USD
Prices vary by date. Make sure to pick your departure date.
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8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
SAVE 5%
Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
See the locations you'll visit!

Brazils Highest Waterfall Trek

In a remote province of northern Brazil, close to the border with Venezuela and hidden amongst the headwaters of the Amazon, a monster has recently been discovered. For 4 days, we follow the Rio Negro and then ever smaller tributaries, setting up our bivouac each night on untrodden river beaches.
In a remote province of northern Brazil, close to the border with Venezuela and hidden amongst the headwaters of the Amazon, a monster has recently been discovered. Dropping 360 metres, sheer and uninterrupted, from the edge of a sandstone plateau in the Serra do Araca, this unnamed waterfall is the highest and most impressive in Brazil. Few people have seen this giant cascade and no more than a handful have made the trek through virgin rainforest to experience the magical view at the lip of the falls. Getting to the start of the trek is arguably the crux of this trip, however, as we travel from Manaus to Barcelos by riverboat and then use small motor boats for the continuation of the journey. For 4 days, we follow the Rio Negro and then ever smaller tributaries, setting up our bivouac each night on untrodden river beaches. If you are looking for a real adventure, you've just found it!

This trip is one of our ‘Explore More' range of outstanding adventure holidays which we are running in conjunction with our friends at Allibert and Hauser (France and Germany's leading adventure travel operators). The holidays we have chosen for this range are undoubtedly some of the finest adventures on the planet. They are also ‘specialist' and will appeal to those who have ‘been there, done that' in many parts of the world and are now looking for something new. The cosmopolitan nature of the groups will be an important part of the Explore More experience!

Additional Information
The group size for this holiday is: 4-6

Note: Prices and itineraries shown for holidays departing in 2013 may be subject to change, although we will endeavour to keep any price increases to a minimum. 2013 prices will be confirmed in October 2012.
Day 1: Arrive Manaus
The group will rendezvous at the hotel in Manaus. A single, timed group transfer is provided. At the hotel we check in and relax. Later our guide will give us a tour of Manaus including its world renown opera house built at the height of the boom in rubber which brought unimaginable wealth to some of the city’s residents. We can also today take a sneak preview of the Rio Negro which will be our route into the rainforest. There are many lively cafes and restaurants in Manaus and some of these our guide will point out as we orientate ourselves to the city. KE Land Only services begin with overnight in the group hotel. No included meals on this day.
Day 2: Excursion to ‘Meeting of the Water’
This morning we get onto the river for an excursion to the fabled 'meeting of the water' where the Negro and Solimoes rivers meet. One river is black and the other is white (or sometimes brown), and the waters run together side by side without mixing – an incredible sight. The afternoon is free for further independent sightseeing or relaxing. Overnight at the group hotel. Meals included: Breakfast (B)
Day 3: Morning visit to Rubber Museum and evening set sail for Barcelos
We get back on the river this morning for a short boat ride to visit the rubber museum. This is an absolutely fascinating place where an entire early 20th century plantation has been recreated from the tiny huts of the rubber tappers to the fine house of the ‘Baron’. The story of the rise and fall of a commercial empire and the harsh conditions in which its main wealth-creators lived is told by various displays and by a museum guide. We return to the city, for lunch and the afternoon is free. In the early evening we will transfer to the port on the Rio Negro where we board the passenger fast-boat for Barcelos and check into our cabins for the overnight trip. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner (B,D)
Day 4: Arrive Barcelos, begin canoe trip
Having been rocked to sleep by the hum of the ship’s engines, we wake to the same steady rhythm as our river journey continues. Arriving in Barcelos in the afternoon, we switch to our canoes and begin the expedition-proper up the Rio Negro. Depending on the timing of our arrival in Barcelos and the amount of time needed to load and prepare the canoes with our supplies, we may travel just an hour or perhaps more before stopping and making our first camp on the riverbank. We will sleep in hammocks slung between trees beneath a protective rain-cover. If we are late arriving in Barcelos we may opt to stay the night in a simple Posada in the town. (B,L,D) (note: in the event we have to stay in Barcelos, accommodation but not the evening meal is included in the trip price).
Day 5: Follow the Rio Negro to Rio ‘A’
We continue our river journey on the black waters of the Rio Negro occasionally passing small river villages. At some point today we come to a confluence with a tributary river known simply as Rio ‘A’ and we now turn to follow this smaller river. Again we build up a camp on the riverbank before dusk arrives. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Follow the Rio ‘A’ to Rio ‘B’
There are far fewer signs of human habitation as we head deeper into the rainforest. We are however, more than likely to spot signs of otter, tapir and capybara, and dozens of species of birds. We come to another branching of rivers and turn to fallow the even narrower but equally unimaginatively named Rio 'B'. Tonight’s camp really does feel remote on the riverbank surrounded by rainforest on all other sides and listening to the many calls and sounds of the jungle. After building up the camp there will be time for some swimming or fishing before preparing the evening meal. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Navigate the ‘Green Channel’
The river becomes narrower and more shallow as we progress upstream. We enter the section known as the ‘Green Channel’ where we are likely to have to negotiate obstacles such as fallen trees. At times it may be necessary to get out of the canoe and clear these obstacles or even haul the boat through some of the shallows. Group members may end up working quite hard today and we will certainly earn our supper tonight, cooked in our camp beside the river. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Continue through the ‘Green Channel’
We have another stretch of the 'Green Channel' to negotiate this morning entailing more hauling. It is difficult to predict when, but sometime towards the end of the afternoon we should reach the end of the river journey and the start point for our trek. Once again we string up our hammocks and settle in for jungle camp on the banks of the river. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Begin trekking
After our long river journey it’s now time to strike out on foot. We secure our boats and load up for the walk to the tepui (table mountain) where Brazil’s highest waterfall is located. After our four-day journey up the Rio Negro and its nameless tributaries we are a long way from civilisation. Consequently, there are no trails here other than those made by the wild animals and our guides will use machetes to clear a path through the jungle. We begin trekking through the rainforest, firstly making headway over fairly level terrain. As the day progresses and we come nearer to the mountain, the slope becomes more discernable and we start to make a gradual ascent, climbing approximately 400 metres above the river to a campsite next to a small stream. A total of approximately 5 – 6 hours trekking. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Ascend the Tepui
After approximately 2 hours of trekking today we reach the foot of a steep green wall which rises up above the forest canopy. We now have to climb to reach the top of the tepui. The climbing is not technical but will need the use of hands and requires care on the slippery vegetation. We gradually gain height until after around 1½ hours, we arrive the edge of the table mountain and enjoy an incredible view over the rainforest. Now we have climbed the tepui we still have a further 2 hours of trekking across the top to reach the site of our next camp at the edge of a 400m deep gorge. On the other side we can see our first waterfall. We build up our camp tonight on granite slabs. 4 – 6 hours and 500m of ascent. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Trek to Brazil’s highest waterfall
After breakfast we set off along the rim of the spectacular gorge. In just a couple of hours we reach the end of the gorge and view the highest waterfall in Brazil as it plummets over the edge and drops 360 metres directly below our feet - a fantastic sight. So remote and little visited is this spectacular fall that it has not yet been named! We set up camp right beside the waterfall. (B,L,D)
Day 12: A day at the falls
This is a truly fantastic location and we will want to make the most of our time here. We spend the day viewing and photographing the falls in the changing light, and exploring the environs of our camp. A superb location to spend a second night. (B,L,D)
Day 13: First day of our walk-out
We begin the 2-day return to the boats, with a short and easy hike around to the rock slabs on the edge of the tepui. Here, we set up our bivouac and spend time admiring the views of the falls and the surrounding jungle-cloaked landscape. 2 - 3 hours of trekking. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Return to the boats
A longer day, which starts with a descent of the green wall to the rainforest below and then the long trek through the forest back to our boats. A day of 7 - 8 hours, with a total descent of around 800 metres. Back at the boats we will put up our hammocks, and after dinner, fall into a welcome sleep. (B,L,D)
Days 15 - 18: Return to Barcelos
We make the return river journey, first navigating the ‘Green Channel’ to the Rio ‘B’, and then more easily the Rio ‘A’ and Rio Negro as we return to signs of habitation. With no unforeseen delays we should arrive back in Barcelos sometime on Day 18. Here we will check into a simple hotel in the town. (B,L,D) Note: Lunches and dinners taken in Barcelos are not included in the trip price.
Day 19: Boat to Manaus
The day is free for looking around, shopping or relaxing. In the evening we go down to the port and board the boat back to Manaus. We stay in simple twin berth cabins for the journey. (B,L,D)
Day 20: Arrive Manaus
On arrival in Manaus we check into our comfortable hotel and enjoy hot showers and cold beer. The rest of the day is free to relax or look around the town. Overnight at the group hotel. (B,L)
Day 21: Depart
KE Land Only services end after breakfast is provided at the hotel. The morning is free for sightseeing or souvenir buying. A single timed airport transfer is provided. (B)
Overall Rating
Guide Rating
Accommodation Rating
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Value Rating
Stephen Guthrie
This has been a very enjoyable trip. Like all good adventures too short in duration. It would have been nice to have extended it by another week, having more time to look around on the tepui. This was a really well run trip and for me it is all what adventure travel is all about, out into the wilderness, living off fresh fish from the rivers, wild fruit from the trees, good drinking water, open camp fires every day for two weeks. This was my fourth time with hammocks and I still rate them as the most comfortable type of wilderness sleeping. The local crew that Wolfgang hired were all highly skilled and fully capable for this type of adventure. The service boat from Manaus to Barcelos a very good experience, the pre expedition site seeing tours also extremely enjoyable. There is still much to see on this tepui. Follow the river up from the waterfall up to the highest point around and climb it. I believe it is so far unclimbed. Perhaps two weeks addition for this, it would cost a lot more and probably involve having a third boat to bring extra supplies. I don't usually do write -ups, but I felt I had to in this instance; such was my enjoyment of the trip
Overall Rating
Guide Rating
Accommodation Rating
Itinerary Rating
Value Rating
TRIP INCLUDES
  • English speaking local leader
  • Internal flights
  • Single timed group transfers in Manaus
  • Accommodation as described in the trip dossier
  • All meals except for lunches and dinners in Manaus and Barcelos
  • All land and river transport required by the itinerary
  • Porters
  • All excursion fares and park fees
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Tips for local staff
  • Meals when in Manaus and Barcelos
  • Airport taxes
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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