The science of the Amazon expedition cruise: Brazil

20 August 2025 – 8 days

Register now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you later this year with full tour details.

Calling all wildlife enthusiasts! Join this exceptional journey exploring Brazil’s most celebrated ecological region, the Amazon.

Discover the Amazon's untouched native forest, which is the habitat of exotic birds such as parrots and toucans, howler monkeys, three toed sloths, frogs, snakes, peccaries and tapirs. While sailing, look out for giant river otters, piranhas, various species of caiman and pink river dolphins. While the Amazon may be Brazil’s most revered wildlife destination, the Pantanal is definitely a hidden gem. Spreadover 42 million acres, the Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland and one of the most pristine. It sprawls across three South American countries: Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.

Begin in the charming city of Manaus where you will board the small and comfortable motor yacht Desafio, chartered exclusively for this venture to travel up the Rio Negro, the least inhabited river in the Amazon river basin. Every evening, enjoy informal talks from the onboard team covering a variety of topics including:

• The flora and fauna that we have observed during the day 
• The ways that plants and animals have evolved in the rainforest
• The relations between the plants, animals and their physical environment
• The ecology of the Amazon rainforest

The group size will be limited to a maximum of 22 guests and you will be accompanied by local, highly skilled guides.

In partnership with Latin Routes.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL INTO MANAUS

You will be met on arrival to Manaus and transferred to your centrally located hotel, where you will spend the evening. 

Manaus, meaning "mother of the gods", is the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil. It was founded in 1669 and declared a town in 1832, then subsequently transformed into a city in 1848 and re-named Cidade da Barra do Rio Negro, only to be changed back to Manaus in 1856.

You will have time to settle into your hotel before the welcome meeting in the evening, which will be held at your hotel. During the meeting, you will meet your tour leader and the rest of the group before enjoying a welcome dinner at the hotel. 

DAY 2: MANAUS AND AMAZON BOAT EMBARKATION

After breakfast, depart the hotel for a morning walking tour of Manaus. Begin with a visit to the Teatro Amazonas. In the 19th century, Manaus was at the centre of the rubber boom. Rubber barons generated huge personal wealth and the city became an architectural playground for those with money to spend. Remnants of this period can be seen today: the city’s oldest marketplace – the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, founded in 1882 – is one such example, with its grand edifice inspired by Paris’s famous Les Halles market. It features cafes, a labyrinthine bazaar and a fragrant fish market. But perhaps the most spectacular feature is the city's $10 million dollar opera house, Teatro Amazonas, which was built in 1884 at the height of Manaus's opulence. 

At around 2:00 pm, transfer to the local port where you will embark the MV Desafio to start your Jungle Adventure. After embarkation is complete, there will be a short briefing. You will then begin cruising upstream on the Rio Negro, one of the major tributaries of the Amazon. Head to the observation deck, where you can scan the magnificent tangle of vegetation at the water’s edge. Keep an eye out for pink river dolphins, primates and a large collection of exotic birds.

The Amazon river originates in the Andes mountains of Peru, traversing its way through Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon traverses a total distance of around 6400 kilometres and is the second longest river in the world, after the Nile. 

This evening, enjoy your first talk from our New Scientist expert. Afterwards, dinner will be served onboard.

Dinner this evening will be under your own arrangements.

DAYS 3 - 7: EXPLORING THE RIO NEGRO

Over the next five days, the schedule varies according to navigational and weather conditions. However, your days will have a basic outline of activities, as below: 

Each morning, you will get up with the sun, at which point you will have the option to explore the forest by skiff in search of birds – make sure to listen out for the distinctive sound of howler monkeys. If you haven’t heard them before, it can be an interesting experience! Alternatively, you may prefer to board a kayak and silently paddle deep into a forest stream overhung with vines and bromeliads.

By mid-morning, return to the boat for a hearty Brazilian breakfast followed by relaxation time. 

Later in the afternoon, you can enjoy walking excursions into the rainforest accompanied by naturalists who will offer insight into the surrounding ecology. Walk quietly along narrow trails deep into a forest that has hardly changed for millions of years. Listen to informative talks, see the three different types of fores and learn about local medicinal plants. To make the most of these walks, you will be divided into smaller groups.

There will also be opportunities to fish and swim safely in clear water and go for night walks enhanced by the lack of light pollution.

You will return to the boat with time to relax and unwind before dinner followed by evening talks.

After sunset, head to the observation deck to look at the millions of stars and constellations of the southern hemisphere.  

DAY 8: DISEMBARK THE BOAT IN MANAUS

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Manaus airport for your onwards flight. 

Dor those wanting to extend their time in Brazil, please speak to the team at Latin Routes who can suggestion pre and post extension option ideas with you.