The Brazilian Amazon
Imagine swimming with caiman! Maybe. Piranha? No way! Travel crumbles stereotypes and beliefs. For me, one belief crumbled was the danger of swimming with piranha, the feared aggressive carnivorous fish of the Amazon, fish with razor-sharp teeth that can rip flesh and devour prey in a matter of seconds. On a hot, sultry day in 2001, during my first trip to the Amazon, while exploring in a canoe, our guide, Max, who continues to guide my groups to this day, encouraged us to hop into the water and cool off. As leader and protector of my group, I was incredulous and I asked, “Are you sure it’s safe? Aren’t there piranhas in these black waters of the Rio Negro?” Max laughed and replied, “Yes, of course, they are everywhere in the Amazon.” And into the water he went! When we realized he was not immediately devoured, but was enjoying the refreshing, healing waters of the igapo, we quickly joined him!
The magic of the Amazon, of course, is the diverse flora and fauna to experience, from the canoe, hiking in the jungle, sleeping in hammocks out under the forest canopy, swimming, and fishing for our evening meal. Meals are prepared fresh from the bounty of the jungle and its waters. Our small groups enjoy learning from Max, a native jungle guide who grew up not far from where we reside in the jungle. His knowledge of plants and animals abounds as he takes us on exploratory journeys most of us have only seen on TV or read about in National Geographic. As with all Soulful Traveling experiences, we interact with and support local communities, and focusing on events and activities that are important to community inhabitants.
Our entry city into the Amazon is Manaus, the capital of the State of Amazonas, Brazil. A colonial city deep within the jungle and easily accessible by boat or plane, Manaus is a bustling metropolis important for trade in the area but still retains the magic of the early days with the Manaus Opera House and riverside Manaus mercado.
While this program focuses on the Brazilian Amazon near Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu, and the Pantanal can be a part of your unique experience in this vibrant, diverse, and extraordinary country.
The Brazilian Pantanal
The Brazilian Pantanal – the best place on Earth to find jaguars in the wild! A wildlife paradise! The most spectacular river and wetlands sunsets ever! The Pantanal, the world’s largest fresh water wetlands, is found in the southwest corner of Brazil and is teeming with exotic wildlife. We provide the opportunity to explore deep into the Pantanal via small boat, in the back of an open-sided safari truck, and hiking. As we discover local flora and fauna, we also learn about the life of the pantaneiro, the cowboy of the Pantanal, how he and his family live with the ebb and flow of the waters. Local cuisine is always fresh and tasty. Comfortable in cabanas, we enjoy the magic of the sounds of the jungle as they change from day to night, and back again to daylight.
We keep Pantanal experiences small, with no more than ten people. In this way, you are ensured an exclusive experience, one with lots of personal attention and care. While we can’t guarantee a jaguar sighting with every outing, you will definitely see and learn about plants and animals endemic to the area each time you venture out. As with all Soulful Traveling experiences, we interact with and support local communities, and focus on events and activities important to the community inhabitants.
While this program focuses on the Brazilian Pantanal, Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu, and the Amazon, can be a part of your extraordinary experience in this vibrant, diverse, and incredible country.
