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trip details for amazon & the heart of brazil (ZRM)   Latest swine flu information

The trip you requested will be changing due to annual improvements to our itineraries. To give you the widest choice, we've also included the closest alternative trips to your selection. We have listed all departures that are still to run from our previous brochure. Please download the trip notes for exact itinerary of any given departure.


Map of Amazon & the Heart of Brazil (ZRM)

Route: Rio de Janeiro to Manaus or v.v.

Length of Section: 28 Nights

Comfort Zone:   4 out of 5     [what's this?]

Physical Rating: 3 out of 6     [what's this?]

Crew: 2 crew, local guides as necessary

Vehicle: Overland expedition vehicle, Amazon houseboats and ferries

Accommodation: Campsites, wildcamps, hammocks, hostels/hotels (55% camping, 45% hotels)

Why not add one of these trips to the start or end of your adventure:
Our Rio Carnival Package (5 days in 2009, 6 days in 2010)

Brazil is a vast country, with a huge amount to offer the traveller, and on this trip we'll get right to its heart. Rio is our starting point, soaking up the energy and vitality of this exciting city before we head inland to the old colonial city of Ouro Preto. From Central Brazil we head into the wilds, going on safari in the wetlands of the Pantanal and visiting the ranches of the Mato Grosso. We travel into the Amazon Jungle on a boat trip that takes us up remote tributaries of this mighty river, staying in villages en route and finally ending in Manaus.

what's included?

Nights 1 - 4: Brazil

  • Discover the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro
  • Time to explore unique colonial Ouro Preto and its architectural heritage

Nights 5 -10: Central Brazil

  • 2 full days to explore and hike the remote and beautiful Chapada Dos Veadeiros National Park
  • Overland to the futuristic city of Brasilia

Nights 11 - 16: Wildlands & Wetlands

  • Journey through the heart of Brazil to the Pantanal
  • 2 day safari exploring the backwaters and ranches of the Brazilian Pantanal

Nights 17 - 23: Southern Amazon

  • Overland to Puerto Velho to start our Amazon jungle adventure
  • 4 day local river journey along the Rio Madeira between Puerto Velho and Manaus

Nights 24 - 28: River Amazon

  • Explore the unique jungle city of Manaus and its colourful markets
  • 3 day excursion into the jungle from Manaus
  • Discover the wildlife and local cultures of the Amazon jungle
  • Return to Manaus

what can I do on the way?

(Activities available at extra costs)

  • Head underground into the gold mines of Ouro Preto
  • Guided tour of the impressive Teatro Amazones in Manaus
  • Guided tour of Manaus, the jungle city

General Notes:

Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels.


Alternative routes starting from Rio de Janeiro:

Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Lima, via Venezuela (12 to 12.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Santiago, via Venezuela (17.5 to 18.5 Weeks)
Rio to Caracas (7.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Rio de Janeiro (25 to 25.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Ushuaia, via Venezuela (20.5 Weeks)
Rio Carnival Package (6 Nights)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Bogota, via Venezuela (9 Weeks)
Bountiful Brazil (15 Nights)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Ushuaia, via Venezuela (21 Weeks)
Iguazu Unplugged: Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires (17 Nights)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Santiago, via Venezuela (19 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and La Paz, via Venezuela (14.5 to 15.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and La Paz, via Venezuela (15.5 Weeks)
Spirit of the South (15 Nights)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, via Venezuela and Patagonia (22.5 to 23 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Quito, via Venezuela (9 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Lima, via Venezuela (12.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Quito, via Venezuela ( Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, via Venezuela and Central Argentina (18 to 18.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, via Venezuela and Central Argentina (18.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Cusco, via Central Argentina (13.5 to 14.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, via Venezuela and Patagonia (23.5 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Rio de Janeiro, via Central Argentina (21 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Rio de Janeiro (26 Weeks)
Overland Between Rio de Janeiro and Rio de Janeiro, via Central Argentina (20.5 to 21 Weeks)

+ Show Alternative routes