Ecoexplorer - Amazon Camping Tours and Jungle Expeditions, Brazil

For the active and adventurous traveler, we offer motorizssd river-canoe trips deep into the rain forest of the Rio Preto, a small Amazon tributary where it is possible to see 6 species of monkeys, sloth, gray and pink dolphins, caiman, tapirs, over 500 bird species, including the harpy eagle, and, if we’re lucky, perhaps a jaguar.
The itinerary includes nature hikes, bird watching, wildlife viewing, night excursions, piranha fishing, botanical instruction, dolphin swims, and camping every evening along narrow forest streams. Stays with local jungle families are also possible.
This is a true wilderness and wildlife experience and the sense of isolation is unsurpassed. Tour limited to only 6 participants. 7 to 10 day tours available, please consult.
This tour departs from Porto Velho, Rondonia, any day of the week.

Day 1: We pack the expedition canoe and depart downstream on the Rio Madeira. By mid-afternoon we arrive at a small tributary called Igarapé do Antonio. Then we continue as far as we can. Before sunset, we set up camp and enjoy the night sounds of the forest.

Day 2: Early morning jungle walk in the Varzea forest to look for different species of forest birds and learn about medicinal plants. You will also see Palm trees, the enormous Samauma tree, rubber trees, cacao trees and other interesting plants. After a full breakfast we continue our expedition up to the Igarapé do Antonio. By mid-afternoon we arrive at “Lago das Onças”, an ancient oxbow lake rich in animal, water and bird life. You will see Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, Green Iguanas, Monkeys, and Butterflies, Pink and Gray Dolphins, Turtles and much more. We also spend time fishing for Piranhas. After dinner we explore by canoe with spotlights to look for both Spectacled and Black Caiman, night birds, bats and other nocturnal animals. Overnight on the shores of the lake.

Day 3: We depart very early, continuing further on the Igarapé beyond the frontier of the settlement. The Igarapé will get narrower, the banks will be much closer together, and you will see 3 - 5 species of Monkeys, Sloth, and hundreds of Amazon birds. Before sunset we set up campsite on the river bank where we stay for two days.

Day 4: Today we explore the Terra Firme forest on foot in search of birds, mammals and primates. We also learn about edible and medicinal plants in the area and see the enormous Brazilian-nut tree and other giant trees. There is a night canoe ride to look for nocturnal animals like bulldog bats that feed on fish they pluck from the water. You also can see rare Black Caiman and nocturnal birds. Overnight.

Day 5: Early morning we embark in our canoe to explore a remote tributary called Igarapé Grande. The forest is pristine and the wildlife abundant. The waters are teaming with Caimans and Piranhas and the fishing is unmatched.

Day 6: This morning we pack and begin exploring downstream on the Igarapé, stopping when we see interesting creatures. Set up camp somewhere along the way near the Madeira River.

Day 7: After breakfast we travel upstream on the Madeira River. In the afternoon we arrive at Porto Velho. End of our services

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY - Good physical fitness and a high level of patience are important to fully enjoy this trip. Enjoyment of living outdoors, appreciation of nature and exploring other cultures are also very important. The rewards are well worth the effort.

PRICE – 2 PAX $ 750 each / 3 – 6 PAX $ 600 each
Full payment required on arrival date. Discounts are available for students, YHA members and travel agents

Package includes: Pick up from airport or bus terminal, bilingual guide, river transport, accommodations, mineral water and all meals during the tour (special diets, such as vegetarian, vegan or food allergies, are available – please let us know when you book). Soft drinks and beer are available at modest additional expense.

What to bring: Trousers and shorts, long-sleeve shirts and t-shirts, insect repellent, sunscreen and a bar of biodegradable soap, flashlight and spare batteries, binoculars, camera and film, walking boots or strong running shoes and sandals - a hat for sun protection, a water container to carry on outings, rain coat, sleeping sheet, Malaria and Yellow Fever protection is recommended And a spirit of adventure!

AMAZON CAMPING TOUR
3/04/002
This was a mind blowing tour. At times it was very adventurous and at other times relaxing. The remoteness and unspoiled places that Carlos took us was insparational and gave us a taste of the real Amazon.
The Piranha fishing was superb. The amount of fish that the group caught was incredible. Carlos's knowledge and enthusiasum was wonderfull. The staff were pleasant and helpful and the food was excellent.
I would reccomend this tour to any adventurous person.
Dave U.K.

AMAZON DEEP JUNGLE EXPEDITIONS
15/6/2002 Porto Velho / Rondonia
Just returned from a 10 days trip to the jungle. It definitely was great fun. We had the best group ever.
The trip itself was amazing. We saw dolphins, birds, caiman(crocs), turtles, beautiful rivers, rainforest, local villages. We even played soccer with the locals.
We stayed at beautiful campsites, cooked ourselves great dinners. It was a very special trip for Carlos as well, since we were exploring the area for future tours.
Carlos gave lots of information about the trees, plants, birds and wildlife we saw. He has a lot of knowledge about the jungle.
Anouk Steef Dorgelo

AMAZON CAMPING ADVENTURE
13 Feb/002 Porto Velho / Rondonia
I did a 10 day jungle tour with Carlos with the same group as Al Landry and would like to add a feww things. Upon entering Brazil I did a trip in the Pantanal with Carlos as our guide and that was enough to convince me to change my travel plans in Brazil entirely so that I'd be able to do this 10 days trip with Carlos. Not only is Carlos a wonderful person but also he is very enthusiastic about his work and he is incredibly knowledgeable about the Fauna and Flora or anything in the area. I have travelled in Central + South America for over 16 months and have been in the jungle various times but really do believe that the trip that Carlos offers is unique by far superior to other jungle trips I have done and leaves you having seen + learnt a lot about life in the jungle! I also think it would be very hard to find another area with such a variety and such a wealth of wildlife and vegetation as there seem to be too few of these areas left accessible to the tourist.
In the 10 days we were on the trip, no two days were the same as we visited four different rivers wich differed from one another and our activities ranged too from canoeing, jungle walks to visiting local families etc.
I had a truly wonderful trip with Carlos and happily recommend it to anyone interested to see the jungle.
Toddy Blaich
South Africa

AMAZON CAMPING ADVENTURE
Feb 12/2002 Porto Velho / Rondonia
I have just finished one of Carlos Amazon tours. A would like to give the highest recomendation I can possibly give of both Carlos and the tour. The tour takes place in virgin jungle. We went canoeing on 4 rivers. Each river was different from the other. Different wildlife and different vegetation. We stayed with local families in places totally untouched by the tourisim scene. Some of them didn't appear to even understand why we were there. The forest or the wildlife has not been exploited here. We saw nearly 100 varieties of birds. The very rare Hoatzin bird we saw close enough to take pictures and rare they may be but theres lots of them here. Macaws flying back and forth overhead. Carlos knows them all. The jungle walks were a real eye opener for me. The diversity and difference of each jungle and the relationships of plants, animals + insects, were way beyond what I had expected. Without Carlos unbelievable knowledge of it all we would have missed a great deal. on the ferry trip up from Manaus you can see the difference. On the third day as you approach Vila de Nazare you can see the jungle change along the shore. It's the first virgin forest I've seen in Brazil and I've been traveling here for two months. I've talked to other travelers and I can guarantee you, if you go with Carlos you will be very thankful you did.
Al Landry
Canada.