March 20, Sunday - Day 1 • Fly from the States to Belem, Brazil.

March 21, Monday - Day 2 • Belem, Brazil
Arrive in Belem, transfer to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. A vibrant port situated near the mouth of the Amazon River, Belem was founded by Portuguese explorers in 1616. (D)

March 22, Tuesday - Day 3 • Belem Tour, Embark on the Clelia II
In the morning, explore Belem, including the 18th-century Cathedral with its marble altar and fine paintings; the Basilica de Nazare, built in 1909; the Emilio Goeldi Museum, with its botanical exhibits and zoological gardens; Ver-O-Peso, the city’s main market; and the Teatro da Paz Opera House. In the afternoon, board Clelia II and begin our voyage. (B,L,D)

March 23, Wednesday - Day 4 • Breves Strait
Clelia II will navigate the narrow and scenic Breves Strait, one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire river. Barely wider than the width of the ship at places, we will have the opportunity to observe the wildlife in the overhanging tree canopy. (B,L,D)

March 24 - 27, Thursday - Sunday - Days 5 - 8 • The Lower Amazon Tributaries
Spend the next four days exploring the tributaries of the Lower Amazon. Among the places we may visit are the following:
• Rio Guajara, a beautiful area rich in birdlife, where we may also spot Amazon River dolphins, with their characteristic pink hue.
• Rio Curua-Una, which forms a large floodplain lake at its confluence with the Amazon. The marsh grasses and tall trees house a variety of birds and wildlife, including Orange-fronted Yellow Finch; Hoatzin; Snail Kites; Chestnut-fronted Macaws; and Red-handed Howler Monkeys.
• San Miguel, a small community on the Rio Tapara, which has a conservation program for the famed Pirarucu, the largest scaled fish of the Amazon.
• Alter do Chão, on the clear Rio Tapajos, for swimming at one of the most beautiful river beaches in Amazonia, and a visit of the village, known for its handicrafts.
• Boca dos Botos, a narrow channel meandering through thick forest, home to Toco Toucans, Blue and Yellow Macaws, and other wildlife.
• Albano, a small tributary where giant water lilies and other aquatic plants attract a variety of bird species, including the Black-capped Donacobious and Crested Caracaras.
(B,L,D)

March 28, Monday - Day 9 • Manaus
As the ship approaches Manaus, witness the “Wedding of the Waters,” a swirling mixture of the silt-laden Rio Solimoes and the clear, dark waters of the Rio Negro. Located 1,100 miles from the Amazon delta, Manaus is a former colonial boomtown whose fortunes were made from the export of rubber in the late 19th century. Visit the famed Teatro Amazonas Opera House, built in the Italian Renaissance style in 1896, and the Museum of Natural Sciences. (B,L,D)

March 29 - April 4, Tuesday - Monday - Days 10 - 16 • The Upper Amazon
As we travel upriver from Manaus to Iquitos, the Amazon narrows. Our exact itinerary will depend on the level of the water and weather, but we expect that our landings will include the following:
• Rio Badajos tributary, where we will search the grasslands for birds such as Wattled jacanas and Horned screamers. Also see the unusual Victoria amazonica water lily, one of the world’s largest flowers and a rare botanical species whose leaves can exceed seven feet in diameter. The pink-colored Boto dolphins cavort at the river’s entrance.
• Cuxui Muni, a traditional village where we learn about local farming methods. We also hope to spot three-toed sloths that live in the nearby forest, as well as squirrel monkeys, bush babies, and other rain forest inhabitants. Here, beneath the canopy swarm butterflies, colorful frogs scramble along the forest floor, and the air vibrates with the sounds of wildlife.
• Lago Uara, an Amazon black water lake, where we will explore one of the region’s most unusual and exciting habitats. Its mirror-like waters are home to over 1,300 different species of fish, including the unusual giant Amazon catfish, piranha, and colorful cichlids. Along the banks of Lago Uara live several colonies of hoatzins—strange, primitive-looking birds that build their nests over water.
• Rio Jutai, a pristine stretch of river ideal for birding. A walk along the shore allows us to interact with the local people and learn about the types of plants grown and their uses, including medicinal purposes.
• Rio Urutubinha, a narrow forested tributary, rich in bird life, including White-eared jacamars, Cocoi Herons, macaws, and toucans.
• Tabatinga, Brazil & Leticia, Colombia Leaving the Brazilian sector of the Amazon at Tabatinga, call at Leticia, Colombia’s only Amazon port, and explore the busy and colorful town, known for its handicrafts.
• Rio Ampiyacu, Peru, a remote outpost, where we will visit villages of the Huitoto and Bora Indians for a closer look at typical traditional Peruvian life.
(B,L,D)

April 5, Tuesday - Day 17 • Iquitos, Peru, Disembark
Clelia II arrives in Iquitos, deep in Peru’s Amazonia. Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights to the States or continue with extension tour programs. (Inquire) (B)

Program also operates in reverse - Iquitos to Belem, April 4 - 19.