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Greetings from Cuzco,
The Otto's Tours Team
Peru, Bolivia, Brazil
Peru, Bolivia, Brazil
This extraordinary expedition takes us deep into the Amazon Basin, far beyond the usual tourist routes.
Along the way, we meet the people who shape life in the rainforest: banana traders, gold prospectors,
Brazil nut collectors, Indigenous communities, shamans, teachers and nurses.
We travel as the locals do – by boat, raft, truck, taxi and cargo vessel – gaining an authentic insight
into everyday life in the Amazon. Our route passes through some of the region’s most remarkable protected
areas, including the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, Tambopata National Reserve, Manu National Park and Humaitá.
We stay in remote jungle settlements, swim at river beaches, visit hidden waterfalls and, with a little luck,
encounter an incredible variety of wildlife.
The cultural highlights are just as rewarding. In Manaus, we visit the world-famous opera house and enjoy
the lively atmosphere of local salsa and samba bars. We witness the spectacular Meeting of the Waters, admire
giant Amazon water lilies and relax on the white freshwater beaches of Alter do Chão. In Belém, we explore
the fascinating Ver-o-Peso Market and its bustling fish market before riding water buffalo across MarajĂł Island,
the world's largest fluvial island.
This is not a classic wildlife safari, but an authentic expedition into the real life of the Amazon.
A willingness to forgo some comforts is part of the experience. On several nights, we stay in simple wooden
jungle shelters equipped with camp beds, mosquito nets and sleeping bags. The expedition is suitable for anyone
with a reasonable level of fitness, good balance and a spirit of adventure.
Welcome to the “City of Kings”! With more than eight million inhabitants, Lima is Peru’s
largest city and the country’s cultural and economic heart.
Our overnight in Lima at ***Hotel Limaq or equivalent. (No meals included)
Early in the morning, we fly from Lima to Cusco.
Equipped with knee-high rubber boots, we begin our expedition across the high Andes.
Along the way, we visit the Aymara burial towers of Ninamarka and the colonial town of Paucartambo –
once an Inca frontier outpost and today a charming town with its distinctive whitewashed facades and blue balconies.
After lunch at the former entrance checkpoint to Manu National Park, we descend into the Amazon Basin.
With a little luck, we may spot Peru’s national bird, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, with its striking scarlet plumage.
Our overnight stay will be in Pillcopata, at the Gallito de Las Rocas Lodge of the Matsiguenka
Indians or in equivalent accommodation. (Full board)
After exploring Pillcopata, including its local market and hospital, we visit a wildlife rescue
centre and a small orchid farm, where we may spot several species of hummingbirds. We then board
our expedition boat in Atalaya and travel deep into the rainforest to our accommodation with a Matsiguenka family.
In the afternoon, we will set out on a first exploration hike with our nature guide. At a
romantically situated jungle lake we will board small wooden rafts and glide along the shore of
the lagoon to observe tropical birds, including the hoatzin, the "primitive bird", whose origin
is completely unknown, as well as crested chickens or gypsy chickens and, with a little luck,
giant otters.
Our overnight stay will be in a small lodge run by the Matsiguenka indigenous people. (Full board)
In the morning, we travel to Shintuya and visit the village of the Matsiguenka Indigenous community.
We then relax in natural hot springs hidden in the heart of the rainforest. In the afternoon,
we hike through dense tropical rainforest to a tapir viewing platform overlooking a mineral lick.
With a little luck, we may observe South America’s largest land mammal at close range in its natural habitat.
Our overnight stay will be in Manu National Park in a simple jungle lodge. (Double room with bath/WC)
(Full board)
Before sunrise, we set off on a short hike to a clay lick frequented by parakeets. The birds gather
here to feed on mineral-rich clay, which helps them digest the fruits and seeds that make up their diet.
However, on rainy mornings they often remain sheltered in the treetops, as the wet clay becomes slippery
and makes communication within the flock more difficult. Afterwards, we continue by expedition boat
through the rainforest, enjoying breakfast on board. During the three- to four-hour journey, we keep
watch for macaws, monkeys, caimans, sloths and a variety of other exotic wildlife.
In the village of Diamante, we meet members of the local Indigenous community and learn about their way of
life. In the afternoon, we arrive in Boca Manu, a settlement once associated with the legendary rubber baron
Fitzcarraldo. Today, it serves as an important supply centre for Indigenous communities and gold prospectors.
We visit a local boatbuilder to learn how the traditional expedition boats are constructed before ending
the day with a cold beer at a village bar, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere alongside the locals.
Our overnight stay will be in very simple accommodations with a shared bathroom in the center of
Boca Manu. (Full board)
Early in the morning, we witness hundreds of macaws gathering at a clay lick – one of the Amazon’s most
spectacular wildlife experiences. The birds come here to feed on mineral-rich clay, which helps them digest
the fruits and seeds that make up their diet. On rainy mornings, however, they often remain sheltered in the
treetops, as wet clay becomes slippery and makes communication within the flock more difficult.
Afterwards, our long journey back begins. We spend five to seven hours travelling by boat, passing remote gold-mining
camps on our way to Colorado. From there, we continue by jeep, ferry and minibus along the Trans-Oceanic Highway to Puerto Maldonado.
In the afternoon, we visit the local market, where colourful tropical fruits tempt us to sample a
refreshing cup of copoazĂş juice. Those who wish can round off the day by visiting a local dance bar
with live cumbia music.
Our overnight stay will be in Puerto Maldonado at the ***Hotel Cabaña Quinta or equivalent.
(Breakfast included)
Early in the morning we will take our expedition boat on the Madre de Dios River to Monkey Island.
Deep in the jungle of the island, this is home to a variety of different monkey species, including
the maquisapas, the cheerful achunis, the impressive frailes and the small and funny leoncitos.
Immediately afterwards, we will walk for three kilometers through the jungle along the other side
of the river to a branch of the Madre de Dios river that has been cut off for hundreds of years
and is now a lake called Lago Sandoval. It is a paradise for the endangered giant otter and the
black caiman, as well as for many tropical birds. We will explore the river in canoes, accompanied
by our indigenous nature guide.
After lunch, we will continue through the Tambopata National Park to a remotely living shaman.
We will spend the night directly with the shaman in our camp beds equipped with mattresses and
cozy sleeping bags, as well as mosquito nets. An outhouse and an outdoor shower round off this
adventurous overnight stay. (Full board)
After breakfast, we say goodbye to our boat crew, whom we will meet again later that evening in Bolivia.
Travelling with light luggage, we follow the Trans-Oceanic Highway to the Peruvian border crossing. From there,
we continue through the rainforest to a remote Bolivian border post, where we complete the immigration formalities.
Travelling along sandy and gravel roads, we reach a small supply village on the banks of the Madre de Dios River,
where our boat crew is already waiting for us. In the evening, we enjoy a cold beer and freshly grilled jungle specialities.
Our overnight stay will be at a very basic accommodation with shared bathroom facilities. (Breakfast and dinner included)
We continue by expedition boat along the protected areas of the Manupiri National Wildlife Reserve and the
Humaitá Forest Reserve. In a Brazil nut settlement, the estate manager explains how these highly prized nuts are
harvested, collected and transported from the rainforest.
In the afternoon, we hike through the jungle to towering Brazil nut trees and enjoy a refreshing break beneath a secluded waterfall.
We will spend the night in our camp beds in the warehouse of this collective camp. (Full board)
On this day, we will take the expedition boat along the Rio Madre de Dios River to some river
gold miners. We will board a gold diggers' boat and, on it, will learn exactly how they get the
gold out of the river and where and how they live there with their families. If the school of
this Brazil nut and gold digger settlement "America" is open, we will also visit it on this day.
In the early afternoon, we will reach the small village of Sena and leave our beloved expedition
boat. On the back of an open pick-up or truck, we will drive for about 3 hours through the jungle
until we reach the colonial town of Riberalta.
Once there, we will take a short exploratory walk.
Our overnight stay in Riberalta will be at the **Hotel Colonial (a stylish former colonial house
of the local rubber baron) or equivalent. (Breakfast and lunch included)
In the morning, we will visit a Brazil nut processing plant. Here, hundreds of tons of the precious
nut are cracked, washed and sorted by quality by several employees by hand. Next to the rubber of
the rubber trees and the wood from the tropical trees, the nutritious Brazil nuts are the most
important source of income for the local population.
In the evening, we will go to the main square of Riberalta, where the whole village gathers and
roars around the "Plaza" on small mopeds and motorbikes for the evening entertainment.
Our overnight stay will be in Riberalta at the **Hotel Colonial (a stylish former colonial house
of the local rubber baron) or equivalent. (Breakfast included)
Today, we reach the third country of our expedition: Brazil. By taxi, we travel to the border on the
Mamoré River and cross by ferry into the remote state of Rondônia.
In the afternoon, we arrive in Porto Velho. If time permits, we visit the historic railway station
and harbour, both fascinating reminders of the region’s rubber boom era. Those who wish can round
off the day with their first authentic Brazilian caipirinha.
Our overnight stay will be in Porto Velho at the **Hotel Regina or equivalent. (Breakfast included)
Early in the morning, we fly to Manaus, the capital of Brazil’s Amazonas state. Upon arrival,
we visit the famous Teatro Amazonas, the magnificent Renaissance-style opera house that stands
as the city's iconic symbol of the rubber boom era.
Our overnight stay in Manaus will be at the ***Hotel Saint Paul or equivalent. (Breakfast included)
Today, we explore Manaus – the vibrant Gateway to the Amazon. We visit the Mercado Municipal Adolpho
Lisboa, where colourful stalls overflow with tropical fruits, spices and regional delicacies,
before exploring the bustling fish market with its impressive giant Amazon fish.
During a boat excursion, we witness the spectacular Meeting of the Waters, where the dark waters
of the Rio Negro flow alongside the sandy-coloured Rio Solimões before joining to form the mighty Amazon River.
Afterwards, we venture into the rainforest in search of the iconic Victoria amazonica, the giant Amazon
water lily. In the evening, we relax with a refreshing caipirinha at a traditional samba bar,
overlooking the beautifully illuminated Teatro Amazonas.
Our overnight stay in Manaus will be at the ***Hotel Saint Paul or equivalent. (Breakfast
included)
From the port of Manaus, we board a traditional cargo boat bound for Santarém. After hanging our
hammocks on the upper deck, we watch the lively process of loading the vessel while settling into life on board.
This is a wonderful opportunity to experience everyday Amazonian river life. We spend time with local passengers,
while our expedition leader helps bridge any language barriers. Meals are served alongside the locals and
freshly prepared by the ship's cook, making this a truly authentic cultural experience.
Overnight: In hammocks on board the cargo boat (shared bathroom facilities). (Breakfast and dinner included)
Please note: Your hammock is yours to keep as a souvenir of this unique Amazon adventure.
After arriving in Santarém, we continue to Alter do Chão or Pindobal – idyllic riverside villages renowned
for their white sandy freshwater beaches, often described as the "Caribbean of the Amazon".
In the evening, we enjoy dinner beneath the palm trees while soaking up the authentic atmosphere of Brazil,
with live music, street performances and the relaxed charm of Amazonian river life.
Our overnight stay in Alter do ChĂŁo will be at the ***Hotel Mirante da Ilha or equivalent. (Breakfast
included)
Today is all about relaxation. We spend the day enjoying the warm, crystal-clear waters of the TapajĂłs River,
placing our chairs right in the shallows and soaking up the tropical surroundings. Refreshing caipirinhas
and freshly grilled skewers complete this laid-back Amazon beach experience.
Our overnight stay in Alter do ChĂŁo will be at the ***Hotel Mirante da Ilha or equivalent. (Breakfast
included)
Around midday, we fly to Belém, affectionately known as the "City of Mango Trees". In the afternoon,
we visit Estação das Docas, a beautifully restored waterfront complex featuring stylish restaurants,
a local brewery and what many consider to be the city's finest ice cream parlour.
Our overnight stay in Belém will be at the ***Hotel Princesa Louçã or equivalent. (Breakfast
included)
In the morning, we visit the famous Ver-o-Peso Market, where traditional knowledge is
preserved through an impressive variety of herbs, roots and exotic natural remedies. The market
offers a fascinating glimpse into Amazonian culture, local traditions and the region’s connection to nature.
Afterwards, we take a public ferry to Ilha de MarajĂł, the largest river island in the world.
This unique ecosystem is home to water buffalo, zebu cattle and more than 100 bird species.
In the evening, we enjoy a typical local speciality: a delicious buffalo steak.
Our overnight stay in Soure in a simple water buffalo pousada, close to the beach and the village. (Breakfast
included)
By motorcycle taxi, we travel across the landscapes of Ilha de MarajĂł, passing flocks of vibrant scarlet
ibises on our way to the secluded beach of Caju Una. From there, we hike to a remote fishing village with
colourful houses – a place that feels untouched by time. After lunch at the popular Praia Barra Velha,
with its beach bars and lively atmosphere, we visit the local potter Ronaldo, who continues to work with traditional techniques.
In the afternoon, we take a speedboat to the Nossa Senhora do Carmo water buffalo ranch, where we
end the day with a shared dinner in this unique Amazonian setting.
Our overnight stay in Soure in a simple water buffalo pousada with shared bathroom facilities. (Breakfast and dinner
included)
Today, we experience the traditional lifestyle of the vaqueiros, the Brazilian cowboys. Accompanied by
them, we ride across the open fields, visit açaà and cassava plantations, and explore the island’s waterways by boat.
Along the channels of Ilha de MarajĂł, we keep watch for caimans, toucans and other fascinating wildlife that
inhabits this unique Amazonian ecosystem.
Our overnight stay in Soure in a simple water buffalo pousada with shared bathroom facilities. (Full board)
At breakfast, we taste fresh buffalo milk – a true speciality of Ilha de Marajó. Afterwards, we have the
opportunity to go buffalo riding or join another boat excursion through the island’s waterways.
In the afternoon, we take the ferry back to Belém. In the evening, we celebrate our incredible journey
together with a refreshing caipirinha at a typical harbour restaurant.
Our overnight stay in Belém will be at the ***Hotel Princesa Louçã or equivalent. (Breakfast
included)
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. We transfer to Belém Airport for our return flight to Europe,
taking home unforgettable memories of an extraordinary expedition that will stay with us for a long time.
(Breakfast included)