Adventure in the Heart of the Amazon by Private Riverboat

I would love to return to the Amazon--perhaps upstream or downstream. There is so much to see and appreciate.

This trip was a real learning experience about Amazonia. We learned so much about Brazil and the people who live there. We enjoyed the small boat, the canoe excursions, and the hikes in the jungle. Our leaders were excellent, caring and very informed. My favorite was piranha fishing. Not everyone can say they caught piranhas in the Amazon.

The Amazon Basin trip was once in a lifetime! The experiences, the knowledge, the instructors (Wolf and Hugo), and the staff on the boat were all amazing. There was so much to see and do and learn - I would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in experiencing the Amazon Basin, the ecosystem, and the people who live there.

PHENOMENAL trip. Physically it is not at all demanding (sit on boat, sit on canoe, sit at lectures, brief and slow walks in jungle, ruins, etc) except for sleep deprivation. Boat trips daily at 6am and 8:30pm both are magical but I had to skip a couple evening trips as I am unable to sleep during the afternoon siesta times and need more sleep especially after the long flight. My trip mid June was a little different as the boat had to go to the cultural festival in Parintins so we had only 1 partial hotel night before boarding the boat and i think it would be much better to go when can get 2 nights at hotel right away upon arrival to catch up on sleep. Much of time in Manaus is interesting but a time filler; the purpose of the trip is the Amazon/Rio Negro. WHICH ARE AMAZING!!!Insects were not a problem (except for the arachnophobic but even we survived); I think the vaccines and malaria meds I took were not necessary; no one on our trip had issues with insect bites. WAY more skeeters and other bugs at home in MN. The heat and humidity can be sapping but you are not out in the heat of the day. Plan that your clothes will be soaked through with sweat once or twice daily - hangars are provided to hang to dry in front of the a/c in your cabin and save cleaner/dryer clothes for evenings. Just rewear the dried/soaked clothes. I would recommend high water time (when I went) to go as the jungle underwater is just so amazing - the heavy wood canoes drive right over the treetops and it is just so different. Would like to return in low water to see more animals and white sand beaches lining the river but if I do not get there again I am glad I went during high water. The boat is comfortable and for a single traveler the cabin was adequate in size but would have been a squeeze for a couple but no one complained. Wish I had requested one of the balcony cabins. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TRIP

A great trip with interesting shipmates and wonderful crew & tour leader!

This was the most difficult and best trip I have ever been on. Take the trip while you can you will never forget it. Enjoy the Amazon while we have a chance. Bring but bring but spray

5 Stars The Amazon Clipper Premium was the perfect way to see this gorgeous and remote area and I appreciate that Road Scholar chartered them to take us "off the map" and into Jaú National Park. The ship staff was friendly, food delicious and plentiful, and the early morning and evening small boat excursions were absolutely spectacular. The ship is not luxurious, but it was comfortable, clean and the AC worked well, which proved to be critical to my satisfaction. It was extremely hot and humid and I came back from every excursion off ship drenched in sweat. Be prepared to change clothes often! Heed the activity level rating. Days are long and full of activities. Even though the walks were not long, the heat and humidity will drain you and you have to pay close attention to your footing. Getting into and out of the excursion boats takes some agility as well. All in all, a very civilized way to explore the jungle!

Overall the trip was very good and very interesting. Wolf and Hugo and the entire staff were super and did everything they could to make every day fun and informative. We're very glad we went! And Road Scholar did a wonderful job helping to track down and deliver my wife's luggage that somehow did not make it to Manaus on our flight. We had it after only 2 days and saved my wife from a long trip with no change of clothes. A couple of suggestions - the Road Scholar name tags are too big and I feel most people don't like wearing something like that around their necks (many on our trip did not wear them and the same has been true on other trips). I also forget to out them on most of the time as well. I would come up with another method - just a simple stick-on name tag or maybe even just a name plate at meals for the first couple of days till everyone knows each other. I will not wear those name tags in public either (airports, restaurants, etc). The food on this trip was good but way too much food!!! Three large hot meals a day is too much! I would make breakfast very simple or go to a brunch/dinner format. We actually got tired of eating after a couple days. We noticed Manaus had a zoo with only Amazon animals. Might have been nice to go to the zoo before heading out on the boat to get a little glimpse of what we might see, but I'm sure if the zoo could fill that desire or not.

PROS: boat cruises were amazing, even magical! CONS: Ship needs updating/better maintenance. Itinerary needs updating-Novo Airao Is actually a 2 1/2 mile walk over broken concrete sidewalks in the hot sun-not 1 mile over dirt terrain as stated in the itinerary. Such details were not given to us ahead of time. Swimming with the dolphins was a highlight for me. However, we were only given five minutes in the water with the Dolphins. Very disappointing! Manaus is a dirty broken down town. The marketplace is gross! Visitation there should be completely eliminated. Our last two days there took away the beauty of the Amazon trip. Having to walk to restaurants in the dark over broken sidewalks was dangerous and unpleasant. You must be first in line at the buffet for meals. Once an item runs out, it is not replaced. I have traveled with road scholar several times; however, if this was my first trip with them, it would probably have been my last.

I loved this program when the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers were high (June 2024). Wonderful crew on the Premium Ship and I love the size of the Riverboat. Great group leader, Wolf, who added to the experience.

My wife and I ancitipcated an adventure of a lifetime by visiting the Amazon River, and the Road Scholar program delivered just that! Not only was the destination an outstanding experience, but so were the people we met - we made some new friends for a lifetime!

We enjoyed our "first" Road Scholar experience and are already planning our future travels with Road Scholar. It was quite impressive how many co-travelers took multiple journeys with RS, one couple as many as 49. Great quality with a spectacular experience are priceless

all of my preconception about the amazon are true.vast dark river exotic birds and flowers,giant trees.just i had imagined,our guides were wonderfull,and true jungle experts.they introduced us to the fine river people,indian.and cabloco.and made us comfortable in the jungle.i am 82,and working on my bucket list.glad i chose this one.Ricardo

Amazing. Totally unexpected.

My first trip. Wonderful-educational, very friendly travel companions and guides. Very nice way to travel. I will take more trips with Road Scholar

If you wish to experience something you cannot see anywhere else…this trip is for you! Yes, it is steamy, but worth every moment of WONDER. The ship is quite comfortable and the BEST guides should encourage you to sign up ASAP!

One aspect of my Road Scholar experiences has been that the activity level and itinerary description is very accurate. Believe the challenge level, and don’t fool yourself that you are more capable than you are if the description seems a little too challenging. They know what they are talking about, believe them and don’t wish it were different. What they say is what you get. Our trip on the Amazon WAS wet, it rains very hard, the excursion boats go out anyhow and you still see a lot of wildlife, both before sun rise and after sunset.I go with the adage, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Bring clothing that will dry easily on the hangers in front of the AC unit, it’s pretty effective, but less so with solid cotton clothing. This is not specifically a birding trip, but the birds are fantastic; the guides will help you spot and identify an amazing array of wildlife.

This was a fabulous trip The guides and staff were all friendly and knowledgeable. I have nothing negative to say about this trip We have traveled all over the world and this was one of the best trips we have taken. thanks Road Scholar for this opportunity

What a trip! Living all my life in Minnesota, experiencing the Amazon River Basin was totally amazing. The flora, the fauna and the climate were fascinating. High humidity has a new meaning for me.

The trip to the Amazon by private riverboat was exciting and a new adventure. But be forewarned that it is hot and very humid, and if you tend to sweat a lot, you will be drenched several times a day. Be prepared! Otherwise, this is a memorable trip to a part of the world I thought I would never see. The Clipper Premium is well air conditioned and the cabins are simple but adequate for this adventure.

This was the trip of a lifetime! Went with my mother and had a terrific time!

A wonderful discovery of the fauna and fauna of the Amazon, a program led by experts with a great knowledge of the local environment.

The Amazon River trip properly spends more time on the Rio Negro. Amazing guides, and remarkable scenery. The included flights from Miami are overnight, with a stop in Panama City, Panama midway. These start and end the wonderful trip, but it's been years since I had to pull two all-nighters within 13 days. The river trip is worth revisiting those all-nighters.

What a great program! Excursions were many and varied. Wolf Wink was the best! So knowledgeable about his area of expertise. I learned so much about the Rainforest of the Amazon!

An adventure of a lifetime

Great experience. Learned a lot from experts, guide staff, and fellow participants.

Great for birders!

Awesome program. Changed my view of the Amazon (previously gained only through movies). Truly beautiful area and fascinating plants/trees/fish/animals. I loved the whole riverboat, canoe experience. It was quite a trip. Throw in great guides, crew and an awesome cook and you can't go wrong. Be forwarned about the heat/humidity though, it will affect your energy levels. Fortunately you also have the opportunity for naps/reading and just sitting on the boat enjoying the breeze and watching the Amazon rain forest roll by.

A great trip all in all, esp Wolf, he is a very good guide, knowledgeable and funny. He cares about the participants. The boat was perfect and the crew were courteous and efficient. One complaint, the jungle hikes are more intensive and difficult than portrait. We were informed to bring hiking poles (the branches were NOT a substitute) and yet when the hike preparation came, we were not told to bring them. Also, we were informed there is no need for hiking shoes when in fact, they are a necessity. I even wrote to you separately but was assured there is no need for hiking shoes. The ground was dam from the seasonal flooding and steep, very slippery. A couple of the participants slipped, One hurt his ankle and had to sit out for the rest of his trip. Another lady slipped twice and luckily there was no injury. A third lady had a case of dehydration and that resembled a seizure. She had to be taken to the hospital in Manaus by speed boat (2 hour ride). She missed the rest of the trip. We were told there were few mosquitos but there were chiggers all over. Unbeknownst to us all, we saw rash and bites all over our body at the very end of the trip for some. You really should NOT play down on these issues and be honest with the potential customers!

Trip of a lifetime! This was my first cruise ever and I thoroughly enjoyed the convenience and first class treatment. This Amazon Clipper Premium Riverboat ship was small enough to navigate the intricacies of both the Amazon and Rio Negro. Fishing for pirahnas, watching pink dolphins and witnessing an abandon village being taken back by the jungle, Airao, were definitely my highlights.

For those looking for a hands on, direct experience of the Amazon River this is a terrific program. One gets to know through direct experience the vastness of the Amazon River basin, its flora and fauna, its human population. Both the incredible scale and the intricate detail of the river emerge on the twice daily expedition explorations

This was a bucket-list trip and exceeded our expectations. Everything about the trip was well organized and executed. Our group leader, Wolf, and naturalist, Aldenai, and the whole boat crew were excellent. The time on the rivers was the star of the trip. This was our third Road Scholar trip and it won't be the last.

This was my first Road Scholar trip. I was very impressed with the overall quality of the program. The immensity and uniqueness of the Amazon basin is profound and really can't be adequately expressed in words. It has to be seen to be believed is I guess what I'd say. If you enjoy nature in all its glory, I expect this is a trip you'd enjoy. A few points to note if you are considering this trip. The leaders, Wolf and Al, are superb. Both extremely knowledgeable about the history, flora and fauna. Wolf, the main leader, also is tremendously entertaining, truly an excellent, humorous public speaker. Because you're confined to a boat for most of the trip the experience is intensely social and communal. That's not a good or bad thing, just something to be aware of. There's a fairly heavy emphasis on bird watching. Many in the group of 22 were keen on birds. But many were not. Sleep is disjointed throughout because you're often up at 5:30am and and out at night on the two boats used for exploring. The quality of accommodations on the boat are good, not excellent. The staff on the boat are quite pleasant and helpful, though there is a language barrier. My only real criticism would be that the trip is too sedentary. There were two opportunities for "jungle" walks. I'd have liked to see at least double that. Increased swimming would also have been appreciated, as hot and humid as it is there. The one swim we had was wonderful. But overall this is a fabulous expedition that I highly recommend.

The program was excellent and exceeded my expectations. My previous experience with the Amazon involved staying at a jungle lodge without any escape from the heat and humidity. Sleeping in an air-conditioned cabin and dining in an air-conditioned dining room made all the difference in my comfort. I added many species to my bird life list through the dawn and night small boat excursions, and I learned so much about the Amazon, its ecology and its people that reshaped the ideas I had from popular media. We encountered only a few biting insects during jungle walks and shore excursions; chiggers were worse than mosquitoes for a couple of people in our group. Cloud build up during the day provided some protection from intense sun but we still used hats and sunscreen. Our guides recommended long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks in closed-toe shoes for the jungle walks and farm visit; otherwise, shorts, t-shirts and sandals were good for shipboard comfort. Everyone in our group had good quality binoculars so we were able to see all the birds, wildlife and native flowers and plants and get identification help from our guides. The food was outstanding and plentiful and there always were vegetarian options for the two non-meat eaters in our group. We had many fish offerings as well as chicken, pork or beef entrees; also, who can complain about cake for breakfast and "ice cream" and fruit for lunch and dinner dessert every day? Memorable experiences included two swims in the Rio Negro, touching the pink dolpins, and being the first person to spot the Harpy Eagle, even before the guide.

Excellent program, fulfilled all my expectations and much more.

The program was excellent, but working with the company was difficult and detracted from the overall experience.

I have always enjoyed the people I have met on Road scholar trips, they have been young at heart and interested in broadening their intellectual experiences.I have always wanted to cruise the Amazon on a boat like ours since I first saw a picture of a boat like the one we were on 26 years ago. Hugh Westwater

The Amazon trip was a great experience, I would highly recommend this tour as a way to learn about the area up close and personal. Our leader Wolf was very organized and made sure we knew what was next on the program - no surprises. His lectures about everything Amazon was perfect; the legends were fun, enjoyed the information about Brazil, the Rainforest, birds, animals, plants, natives, and more - not too much, not glossed over. We didn't need as much bug repellent as we brought (a good thing). Used sunscreen every day. I wish I would have known ahead of time to bring long pants, long sleeve shirts, and a raincoat that were dark or muted colors. White was not the best. Overall we loved this trip and will be a favorite to remember for a long time.

Apart from the lovely accommodations, outstanding food, fun and knowledgeable guides I enjoyed the quiet small boat rides through the forest. The water was so still that at times it looked like black satin. Very peaceful.

I used to help organize “ElderHostel” experiences as a part of the Continuing Education opportunities while at BSC…..Always thought it might be good to become a participant…..Touring the Amazon with Road Scholar was an “Above and Beyond Expectations” experience. Highly Recommend!!!

The Road Scholar Amazon River trip was fantastic. I saw things and gained new perspectives that I never could on my own. The instructors were great, but so was the staff. The housekeeping staff was helpful, and we all liked Jusolino (Sp?) the bartender. The food was fantastic; I should have asked for the recipes.

With a rough start travel-wise, we were all tired, hot and sticky. The riverboat tour was mostly great, though we saw fewer birds and animals than I expected. I enjoyed learning about the Amazon, its ecology, and the effect of water levels that change with the seasons. Good lectures, okay walks in the jungle. We needed more exercise though--too much sitting on the boat or in canoes. Many of us got sick with one thing or another. Mosquitos were not a problem on the river, but do bring bug repellent for jungle walks. Bring your own hair dryer unless you want to ask for one each time you need it. Overall, it was worth going, but I would not want to go back.

My 30th program with Road Scholar, and a rating of 4 Stars. The Amazon is a mysterious place, and we learned a lot about the region, its people, and ecology from our excellent leader, Wolf Wink. Wolf is knowledgeable and very entertaining. Our group was also compatible and well-traveled, which made for interesting conversations. Some practical matters if you consider this trip: Manaus is difficult to get to, with complicated flight logistics and arrival/departure. The schedule involves early and late excursions, to avoid the stifling heat/humidity, with downtime during the day. Bring many changes of clothes. If there were mosquitos, we didn’t see them, and the one snake we observed was because we were looking for it. Getting in/out of the excursion boats, walking up hills and on uneven surfaces, etc., require reasonable fitness and balance. The Manaus hotel is merely okay, and the boat is old and tired. While the staff and food were very good, and things were clean, there are no amenities, such as WiFi, laundry, or cabin spaciousness. There was a bar, soft drinks were complimentary, and you replenished water from a cooler. The cabins are air conditioned, as are the dining and meeting rooms. There do not appear to be more upscale options for Manaus-based Amazon cruises, unlike the case in the Peruvian section of the river. Similarly, while there was a wide variety of wildlife, it was not on par with Costa Rica, just to use an example. If you want to visit the Brazilian Amazon, this is a good program, and I hope that my practical comments are helpful.

Learning the truth about the Amazon helps me understand what is going on there and it’s impact on climate change. It also enlightened me on the positive ways that the indigenous people are treated and helped in the Amazon.

This trip was our fifth Road Scholar adventure and in almost all ways, it met our usual high expectations. It was an extraordinary trip. The riverboat experience was outstanding—the boat itself was in great shape, very clean, roomy cabin with a great window, and the crew was without exception friendly and helpful. Getting on the smaller boats at least twice a day was wonderful—the early morning and evening boat rides were an amazing opportunity to see the flora and fauna up-close. Our local guides were outstanding. We felt very fortunate to have Aldinei as one of our guide/naturalists. He was a great asset in terms of his outstanding fund of knowledge, his enthusiasm for teaching, and his consistently warm but professional interactions with us all. Each day had its own remarkable features, but a few of the things that were outstanding: 1. Jau National Park is beautiful, mystical in its trees and water and beautiful birdlife, especially when explored at night. 2. Piranha fishing was great fun, and it cemented our view of the piranha being smaller than expected, but having amazing teeth! 3. Exploring the abandoned ruins of colonial mansions left to the jungle 4. Hiking in the jungle with identification of many plants and fruits and insects.

The trip is fantastic, but don't let RS arrange your airfare. We were supposed to receive flight information 2 weeks before the trip. That had not arrived by that time, and the person at RS I spoke to explained that there was a different company that was handling the booking and that he had no information about what was happening and could do nothing about it. I was able to contact someone at CopaAir, since we knew that airline involved, who explained that they had not been paid for the tickets despite several requests to the unnamed intermediary. This was a week before we were supposed to leave, and it was not clear that the tickets would indeed be issued. The flights were finally confirmed 2 days before departure. It's not worth the uncertainty and aggravation. Also, you will be booked on a flight that arrives at 2 AM on the day the trip starts despite the itinerary saying you arrive the evening before.

This trip changed my goals for travel to include guidance through the natural world. Such a wonderful combination of motorized canoe travel in the light and in the dark. I can't say enough good about it. The wonder of nature in the wild. With guides who have lived it. So good to experience the city of Manaus, as well as the River life and the Indigenous people. This felt very safe due to the guidance of the RoadScholar team. To eat the local food was a comforting experience as it was healthy and tasty. Thank you so much!

There is nothing better than an early morning boat ride to experience the beauty of the Amazon. Well maybe the late-night boat rides to search for the nocturnal wildlife. Experience the Amazon from a boat with amazing views on every side, jungle hikes, great lectures and the most wonderful boat crew around. Explore all the Heart of the Amazon has to offer. You won't regret it.

What an amazing adventure! We saw over 60 different species of birds, two different snakes, iguanas, sloths and monkeys. Wolf was a fantastic group leader, so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the Amazon ecosystem and its inhabitants.

Wolf and Aldinei were excellent guides on our trip. We learned so much along the route and enjoyed our piranha fishing and petting pink dolphins. The early morning canoe rides were exciting enough to endure the 5:30 a.m. wake-up knocks. We became experts at identifying birds, animals, plants, and making cocktails. We traveled in May and experienced the river at a high level. Mosquitos were not an issue. We were fortunate that we experienced only one downpour while we were out in the canoes and about and what a downpour it was! It was hot and humid but we came prepared. Since our activities were scheduled in the morning and evening, we were able to take a siesta during the hottest part of the day. The staff on the Premium treated us like royalty, always with a smile on their faces. Our cabins were spotless, and our meals were delicious. This is a 5-star review but RS’ system doesn’t allow me to add the 5-star rating.

This was an outstanding trip in every way! The group leader, Wolff Wink, was extraordinary. He is extremely knowledgeable, well organized and has a fabulous sense of humor. He is a great story teller. He is also patient and kind. He is sensitive to the needs of participants as well as culturally attuned to the people we visited. The little ship we were on was great. There was an assortment of local food served at the meals and the bartender, Eddie, was a gracious host.The staterooms were kept very clean! All of the excursions in the "canoes" were excellent. We saw loads of birds and other wildlife, we caught and ate piranha and had some nice swimming (without piranha). Most of all it was FUN! FUN! FUN!

Navigating the Amazon by riverboat and canoe was amazing. The vegetation and wildlife seen was wonderful. Yes, it rained, but didn't deter any of the activities. Saw two mosquitoes! Our tour guide, Wolf, was so knowledgeable. The river boat and crew were excellent. The experience was almost like being in a movie.

Our Amazon trip was fantastic! You will have experiences that you never dreamed of like swimming in the Amazon River, fishing for piranha, counting sloths in the tree tops, eating the worlds sweetest pineapple and learning about exotic birds and trees. The group leader, Wold Wink, is smart, funny and prepared. The river boat was comfortable. The food was great. Everyone was happy!

Road Scholar provided to me a very interesting, educational & enjoyable experience. I will definitely look to them for other trips to take.

Great trip for nature lovers!

I am so very glad I went on this adventure to Amazonas, and so very grateful I did it with Road Scholar! The guides, Wolf and Aldinei, were excellent and kept us safe and informed. The ship's crew was superb. To fish for piranha, to swim in the Rio Negro, to take motorcycle taxis in Novo Aireo, to pet a pink dolphin, to ride in canoes through the jungle in the dark of night with only spotlights to guide our way, to get up with the sun when the forest awakes and hike. Breathtaking! The food was great, especially the local fish and fresh fruits, but a challenge for vegetarians or those on special diets. Our 80 year old participants did wonderfully well, but I was glad to go at 60. Be mentally and physically prepared for hot and humid weather and for sudden rain showers. I never saw a mosquito.

After extensive travel using many vendors my wife and I have found ourselves utilizing Road Scholar for more and more of our travel adventures. We have found their educational values to be superior, their prices quite reasonable and the kind of people they attract educated and amenable. The kind of folks you'd like to be friends or just sit and chat with. Good travel companions.

One of the best experiences we have ever had, and we have traveled a lot!!!

I experienced the beautiful views at night like on some scenes on the movie of Avatar.

Amazon by Riverboat is truly a wonderful way to explore the rivers that make up the Amazon basin. Be prepared for 5:30 a.m. boat rides on the Amazon river to see and hear the wildlife as well as jungle walks to experience the forest first hand.

I loved our Roads Scholar adventure on the Amazo and Rio Negro. It was a trip of a life time and I recommend it highly. Good food, adventure, nature, nice co-travelers and a well thought out program.

This Road Scholar trip is truly inspiring! You will learn that many of your preconceived ideas about the Amazon were not correct, and you will be amazed at the diversity, size and scope of this area. Learn the origin of Disney's Tree of Life.... I have recommended this to everyone I spoke to and you get great Instagram photos!

This was a trip of a lifetime! I could not believe all the wild life we saw and I learned so much about the Amazon rainforest. You've made me a Road Scholar for life.

My second Road Scholar adventure. Highly recommend to others to explore the world and learn!

This is a fabulous trip. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun. You do not have to be a serious birder but you must enjoy at least casually watching birds to make the most of this trip. I do and I had a wonderful time.

What an amazing adventure on the Amazon, thanks to the leadership of Wolf. His knowledge as a naturalist, his command of many languages, and his patience (with this bird watcher:), made it my best Road Scholar trip ever. The lectures were great, and the early morning and late night canoe excursions were amazing. I enjoyed cruising on the Premium, and appreciated the great staff that went above and beyond to make us comfortable and our trip so enjoyable. All meals were great, especially on the river boat, with wonderful fresh fruit and fish. If you want to experience beauty, great food, and great leadership, this trip is for you! Thanks again, Road Scholar, for offering this trip and providing great leadership!!!!! Marilyn McGee

I thought the trip was quite amazing. I am really glad I decided to go on this trip as it gave me quite a different perspective of the Amazon region Hard to list all of the highlights but certainly seeing and feeding the squirrel monkeys is right up there as well as meeting the native peoples of the area both in a professional sense as guides as well as visitors to their villages. The guides were excellent and the ship , crew and food wonderful. Would highly recommend this trip

This program provides a comprehensive look at life in the Amazon. A broad food palate is provided, the animals and the medicinal value of the rainforest are presented, various lifestyles from city to indigenous tribes are revealed, and conversation about the current environmental efforts of the government and the people is presented. This is one of the best RS trips I have taken.

Our trip on the Amazon in Brazil was informative and relaxing. We went on several excursions every day. Most days we explored areas in a motorized canoe with either the Group Leader or Naturalist. We went piranha fishing and I even caught a small one (which was thrown back) and a large one! We visited several villages, walked through several areas in the rain forest, and had a cookout on the beach. We saw small gray dolphins, botos (pink dolphins), and a variety of birds and animals. The Group Leader, Naturalist, and the boat crew were all so helpful and kind.

Amazing experiences await you!

What a great trip! It's hard to know what to praise highest on this trip. I'd recommend it to anybody who loves to experience nature!

Great program if you ever wondered what the Amazon would be like. Very informative and every day was something new and exciting. Enjoyed everything!

This program was exotic and fun. I learned a lot about Brazil and the Amazon area. It was like going to another world of plants, animals, and an unbelievably huge river.

Great trip in an area that was new to me. Room on the Premium was excellent and everyone of the crew worked to make it a great experience. Wolf and Hugo managed the activities and helped us identify the 70 or so birds we saw, monkeys, snakes, iganaus (sp.?) we saw. Food was great as was the time spent in Manaus and two excellent restaurants we visited there. An experience to remember--I'll never forget how high the Rio Negro was and we are just starting the rainy season. Physical effort not as high as expected and there are opportunities to opt out if desired. Highly recommended.

The Heart of the Amazon trip was great. The Amazon Clipper Premium boat and staff exceeded my expectations. The RS group leader and the guide were both helpful and friendly. Food was excellent. Water used was bottled, so no problems. The Amazon River nature was awesome.

Great program, nice ship, knowledgeable leaders. Food was good, accommodations were very nice. It does rain a lot and I wish I had brought my rain-suit instead of just a rain coat. Bring water shoes. Less mosquitoes [and bugs] than I had expected. You will learn a lot. Highly recommend this program.

This was a great program if you want a comfortable, fun, and up-close Amazon experience. The ship is not luxurious, but very comfortable, convenient since it is always your base of operations, and the staff and the meals were great. The smaller size provides for access to some areas that would not be an option for larger ships. Our guide, Wolf, was great. It was a great experience.