A Amazônia, Brasil

After Patagonia and Falkland Islands we didn’t think we could keep being impressed and then Brasil showed up with fighting gloves. This portion of our trip was perfectly planned by Our Whole Village.

We flew into Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas state, and a departure point for the surrounding rainforest. A 2.5-hour drive west of there is where we boarded our small boat, by chance with no other travellers on board—just us and a fantastic crew, including a guide, two chefs, a captain, and someone to help with everything else.

I image the Amazon to be as breathtaking throughout the year but our October visit, during the dry season, allowed us the privilege of enjoying pristine sandbank beaches all to ourselves. We sailed the tea-colored waters for 5 days with Expedição Katerre Ecoturismo and could not recommend them more.

  • We saw alligators, pink and grey dolphins, otters, piranhas and so many birds. The crew was always watching and making sure we were safe.

  • A trek through the jungle introduced us to unique survival techniques, such as using natural bug repellent from an ant colony and keeping a fire going with a ball of sap.

  • We tried piranha fishing, and the chefs involved the kids in cleaning the larger ones for our dinner.

  • We navigated upstream on a tin boat through challenging rapids, reaching a secluded stretch of waterfalls that was all ours to enjoy.

  • Our guide's alligator catch-and-release demonstration beneath the dark sky was thrilling.

  • We visited an indigenous village, where the community's president shared valuable insights into their self-sufficient lifestyle and emphasized the crucial role of education in preserving their rich heritage.

The boat's kitchen served up fresh, mouthwatering meals, always with juices made from exotic fruits. From feijoada to freshly caught fish, every meal reflected the richness of Amazonian flavours.

The journey ended with a stunning sunset, a big feast on the beach lit up by candles only, and a heartfelt farewell to the incredible crew.

Here’s a deeper dive into some of the most exhilarating moments of our Amazon adventure!

Ana Laing