Jungle Lodges

THE AMAZON The Amazon has the world's largest river system, and is home to half of the earth's species and almost one-third of the world's 250 primates. The rain forest is an incredibly diverse ecosystem fed by bright sunlight and huge amounts of rainfall. The Amazon basin and its relief is divided into three different levels: the igapos, permanently flooded areas, where the roots of the vegetation are always under water; the varzeas, formed of slightly higher land and are only flooded when the rivers are at their highest; the low plateau, which represent still higher land and are out of reach of flooding. There are trees in Amazon which reach a height of 20 meters, but trees of two or three meters are also common and their growth is so thick that the forest becomes impenetrable. Ecological tourism is the great attraction in Amazonia. It can include river journeys by boat, overnight stays at forest hotels and trips through the forest. A tour can last hours or days, depending on the interest of the visitor and how much time he has available.For the visitor who wishes to learn more of the history and way of life of the Amazonian man, Manaus has several important museums: the Indian Museum, with its large collection of objects from the indigenous peoples of the upper river Negro; the Amazonia Natural Science Museum, where a large variety of embalmed animals and insects can be seen; the Museum of Northern Man, which has a collection of objects illustrating the way of life, customs and culture of the local people; and the Port Museum, with a collection of historical items, documents, plans and instruments belonging to the English who constructed the port zone in 1904. Your visit to this wonderful area will be unforgettable!

CITY TOUR We will visit the Municipal Market, built at the beginning of the century. Inside its metallic structure we can find regional products: fish, fruits and herbs. Afterwards, we will pass by the Government Palace, and take a view of the nearby creek with the typical houses on stilts (palafitas). Then, we will visit the Indian museum, belonging to the Salesian Roman Catholic Nuns, where we can appreciate some of the culture of the local upper Rio Negro tribes. Our final destination: the Amazon Opera House, the main symbol from the golden ages of the rubber boom, inaugurated in 1896. Obs: Sundays and holidays the museums and Opera House are closed. BOAT TOUR Departure from the Tropical Hotel's Pier going down stream on the Negro River along the left bank, passing in front of the city. We will be able to see the Manaus Floating Harbor, the Municipal Market and the meeting of the Solimoes and Negro Rivers (The meeting of the Waters) joining to form the Amazonas River, with the possibility to see botos (fresh water dolphins). Afterwards visit January Ecological reserve, where it's possible to see the famous water lilly, an aquatic plant, natural from lakes in the rain forest. There is a handicraft fair too, where caboclos produce souvenirs and crafts with the same materials like feathers, bones and seeds used by the Indian's of the region. By motorized canoe, we take an unforgettable ride in the channels and creeks (depending on the water level), and than returning to the Tropical Hotel. PRESIDENTE FIGUEIREDO TOUR Departure from the hotel at 9:00 a.m. heading to the city of President Figueiredo, 107 km from Manaus, where we will visit the ecological reservations of Iracema and Sanctuary, composed of sandy rocks, possessing one of the largest arrangements of waterfalls, where forests and waterfalls are in harmony with the exuberant nature, and the meeting of the fauna and flora.