Sail through Brazil’s Tapajós region aboard a vintage river yacht – often referred to as the ‘Caribbean of the Amazon’ for its pale white river beaches and clear waters.
This traditional 67-ft paddle steamer is designed for private charters, with four wood-panelled cabins and open-sided dining areas cooled by the river breeze, along with a skipper, chef, and naturalist guide.
Navigate the channels, mooring at different deserted beaches, walking in the forest, and visiting isolated riverside village communities. Along the way, look out for pink river dolphins and experience some of the least visited parts of the Amazon ecosystem.
What we love about Tupaiu
- Four cosy, air-conditioned cabins – three with double beds, and one with bunk beds.
- A comfortable living room, dining room and library for unwinding after a long day of jungle exploration.
- The cooking is based on Amazonian ingredients, from freshwater fish such as giant pirarucu to endemic fruits like taperebá and cupuaçu.
- The large, shaded observation deck for watching the river and forest as you travel.
- The long-serving, vastly experienced crew of eight, including a host and expert naturalist guide.
- A low-impact style of exploration, prioritising respectful engagement with indigenous and riverside communities across the Tapajós.
Begin in the city of Santarém, where blue waters and white sand beaches earned the region its nickname.
Visit the village of Alter do Chão on the shores of an emerald-green lake, and walk up the Serra da Piroca for wide views of the forest and river.
Continue on through yellow Amazonian waters, fishing for piranhas and meeting local communities. Spend time with the Brazilian Forest Battalion learning practical jungle survival skills, from camp building to foraging for food and medicinal plants in the forest.
Race canoes down the tributaries, watching for green iguanas, sloths, monkeys and birdlife, as well as pink river dolphins in Canal do Jarí. By night, gather for campfires and barbecues along remote riverside beaches beneath the stars.
You’ll need to take a flight to either Manaus or Belem before taking a 1 hour flight to Santarém-Maestro Wilson Fonseca Airport where the yacht departs.
When to Travel
High water runs from November until May. During this time, the forest floor is flooded and travellers can paddle or hop on a motorboat into the remotest reaches of the Amazon.
The low water months of June to October are best for seeing wildlife hunting on the riverbank.
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Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
