Amazon

Manaus, Brazil´s largest inland city is located on the banks of the Negro River in the northwestern sector of the nation. It is the capital of the vast state of Amazonas, the major gateway for the surrounding Amazon rainforest. Manaus inherited during the 1879 - 1945 defined "Rubber Boom", beautiful buildings constructed using exquisite materials and ceramics from Paris, Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg in Europe.

The standout example is the Manaus Opera House, which to many looks totally out of place in this tropical region, but it is well utilised and gobsmackingly beautiful. 

However, for as much as Manaus would prefer to capture international visitors attention for longer durations, the real drawcard is the Amazon eco-lodges on its doorstep. One of the most popular, possibly as it is open year-round and only a short river transfer of 80km, is Amazon Eco Lodge situated south of the Amazon River, in the Parana do Mamori River system, upstream from Rio Juma, within a 337 hectare private unspoiled rainforest. Amazon Eco Lodge is a smallish mid-category floating lodge, that operates year-round, irrespective of the mainly dry or the seriously wet seasons.

There are 18 guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, room fans and mosquito net screens. Total capacity at any one time is 36 travellers, staying in double or twin bed rooms. There is a guest bar with comfortable sofas, hammocks and chairs, perfect for relaxing before and after excursions and meals. The guest restaurant is typically regional rustic, mosquito screened and with a special ambience for experiencing delicious local cuisine. Guest recreation areas also include a large swimming terrace where you can lie in the sun, read or relax, surrounded by nature.  

The lodge offers guided outdoor activities conducted in wooden canoes, launched from the main deck. Two guests are able to use the wooden dugout canoes to paddle along the river, the lakes and the flooded woodland. Fish for piranha and what you catch the chefs will cook and serve to you. In addition it is a very special experience to wake up to the scream of the howler monkeys in the thick, dense rainforest. There are eco-excursion programs and four night stays and an exciting five night Amazon rainforest safaris, including three nights sleeping out in the Amazon rainforest for those who dare.

Further into the central mid-Amazon region is Uakari Floating eco-lodge, located inside Brazil's largest protected area, the Mamiraua Reserve, one and a half hours in a motorized river 'canoe' from Tefe - getting there is most definitely a highlight of the experience.