Discover the Amazon Basin, an area of more than 6 million km² (600ha), home to one-third of all known living species on earth and the largest rainforest in the world.
The Amazon River alone stretches more than 6000km (3700mi), from Brazil into Peru. Sixty per cent of the Amazon Basin is in Brazil, while the rest is spread among nine other South American countries.
At the Mamirauá Reserve in Brazil, explore the largest flooded forest reserve in the world, with some of the best wildlife viewing in the Amazon.
Here you can explore hundreds of lakes and shifting channels at the junction of the Japurá and the Solimões (as the Amazon above Manaus is known).
Beneath the smooth-flowing current is an underwater highway full of dolphins, stingrays, manatees, piranha, electric eels and water snakes.
Crocodilians are perhaps more numerous here than anywhere else in the world, with 3 to 5m black caimans lazing about on the forest edges, and often beneath your lodge at night!
Above ground, the reserve is home to more than 400 species of bird and at least 45 species of mammal.
From January, the Amazon overflows its banks, and by May it rises up to 12m into the jungle. Float along in a canoe at eye level with orchids and bromeliads, and see red howler and black-headed squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths, umbrella birds and giant tambaqui fish, which jump out of the water to feast on fresh fruit.
Come face to face with the unique uakari cacajao monkey: with a brilliant red face it lives only in Mamirauá, which was created to protect its home. Around the reserve’s lakes, watch up to 15,000 cormorants and herons fishing.
From Manaus, hike deep into the Amazon jungle to meet local tribespeople at an Amazonian village, and fish for piranha, later feasting on your catch.
Cruise to Iquitos in Peru, from where you can then explore the upper tributaries of the Amazon River.
Wander along the Ucayali and Sapote rivers, spot sloths and iguanas and spy beautiful toucans flittering about in the trees.
Discover the majestic ceiba kapok tree and among the abundant fauna find egrets, macaws, capuchins and squirrel monkeys.
Accommodation – Responding to an international boom in eco-tourism, lodges have sprung up all over the Amazon. It’s now possible to explore the wilderness by day and sleep in luxury at night.
Some of the luxury lodges include the Uakari Lodge in Mamirauá, the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Amazon Riverside Hotel and Amazon Ecopark Jungle Lodge.
One in five of all the birds in the world live in the rainforests of the Amazon.
The region is home to about 2.5 million insect species, 40,000 plant species, 3000 fish, 1294 birds, 427 mammals, 428 amphibians and 378 reptiles, according to recent scientific classifications.
Flora and fauna – Expect trees of every shape, size, colour and configuration; creepers hanging from vines that weave among the trees; and numerous colourful orchids and bromeliads.
Watch monkeys crashing through the treetops; snakes and tortoises making their way along the forest floor; sloths, toucans and bright red macaws travelling through tree branches along with humming birds, jacanas, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, hawks, chacalacas and toucans; and alligators and river dolphins cruising through the waters.
Amazon River – The river is an incredible sight and the lifeblood of the region. Expect to see livestock and freight, loggers, ranchers and Indians floating by in a variety of craft, from dugout canoes to old-world riverboats of all shapes and sizes. Here, riverboats carry everyone.
Manaus – Located near the juncture of the Amazon and one of its giant tributaries, the Rio Negro, Manaus is the jumping-off point for excursions into the rainforest and the best place to catch a riverboat for the five-day journey downriver to Belem at the mouth of the Amazon.
Now a tax-free trade zone of nearly two million people, this hot, steamy city has lured fortune seekers and adventurers from all over the world since the mid-19th century.
While here, don’t miss the amazing Teatro Amazonas opera house: built in 1896 in the elaborate style of the Italian Renaissance, it symbolises the opulence of the Manaus of old when rubber fuelled spending on magnificent public buildings and private residences.
Ver-o-Peso market – Belém’s traditional market is a great place to watch the local trade and buy local handicrafts, aromatic oils, medicinal plants and herbs.
The market is located in an old part of town, full of crumbling Portuguese colonial mansions and churches.
Feeding dolphins – At Novo Airão, a small jungle town on the west bank of the Rio Negro, you can feed pink dolphins from a floating restaurant.
Jump into the water and if you’re lucky the dolphins will circle you, splashing and bumping into you in the hope you’ll give them some food.
Visit between September and November when water levels are low and you can see all the wildlife at its exuberant best.
During the dry season from July to November you can more easily walk around; temperatures range between 26°C (78°F) and 40°C (104°F).
During the wet season between December and May you may need to explore the flooded rainforest by boat. You can expect heavy rain with little sunshine and temperatures ranging from 23°C (73°F) to 30°C (86°F).
Latest update: Eco adventures – Amazon Basin: 6 May, 2025
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