The science of the Amazon expedition cruise: Brazil

19 August 2025 – 9 days for £4,999 per person in a lower deck cabin, or £5,199 per person in an upper deck cabin.

Calling all wildlife enthusiasts! Join this exceptional journey exploring Brazil’s most celebrated ecological region, the Amazon. Discover untouched native forest, which is the habitat of exotic birds such as parrots and toucans, howler monkeys, three toed sloths, frogs, snakes, peccaries, various species of caiman and pink river dolphins. 

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most significant and unique ecosystems on the planet. About 60% of this mighty rainforest is located in Brazil. It is home to around 10% of the world's known biodiversity. 

Begin in the charming city of Manaus, with time to explore this bustling city. From here, board the small and comfortable MV Desafio, chartered exclusively for this venture. Travel up the Rio Negro, the least inhabited river in the Amazon river basin. Throughout the cruise, you will explore the region on daily excursions by small boat and on foot, looking for a variety of species which may include pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, macaws and butterflies.

You will be accompanied throughout by Graham Lawton who has worked at New Scientist for 24 years including as features editor, deputy editor and magazine editor. Nowadays he mostly writes features about life sciences, health, biodiversity and the environment as well as No Planet B, a monthly column on environmental issues. He has a first-class honours degree in biochemistry and an MSc in science communication, both from Imperial College London. In addition to Graham, whilst onboard, you will be joined by a local highly skilled English-speaking local guide.

Every evening, enjoy informal talks from the onboard team covering a variety of topics including:

• The flora and fauna that we have observed during the day 
• The ways that plants and animals have evolved in the rainforest
• The relations between the plants, animals and their physical environment
• The ecology of the Amazon rainforest

Your home as your sail the waters of the Amazon will be aboard the MV Desafio, a 34 metre schooner. This elegant three-­masted wooden vessel has recently been renovated and has 10 cabins available which are located on the lower and upper decks. This yacht has been carefully selected to allow a maximum of 20 guests, offering a truly intimate experience.  

In partnership with Latin Routes.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL INTO MANAUS

You will be met on arrival to Manaus and transferred to your centrally located hotel, where you will spend the evening. 

Manaus, meaning "mother of the gods", is the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil. It was founded in 1669 and declared a town in 1832, then subsequently transformed into a city in 1848 and re-named Cidade da Barra do Rio Negro, only to be changed back to Manaus in 1856.

You will have time to settle into your hotel before the welcome meeting in the evening, which will be held at your hotel. During the meeting, you will meet your tour leader and the rest of the group before enjoying a welcome dinner at the hotel. 

DAY 2: EXPLORE MANAUS

After breakfast, depart the hotel for a morning walking tour of Manaus. Begin with a visit to the Teatro Amazonas. In the 19th century, Manaus was at the centre of the rubber boom. Rubber barons generated huge personal wealth and the city became an architectural playground for those with money to spend. Remnants of this period can be seen today: the city’s oldest marketplace – the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, founded in 1882 – is one such example, with its grand edifice inspired by Paris’s famous Les Halles market. It features cafes, a labyrinthine bazaar and a fragrant fish market. But perhaps the most spectacular feature is the city's $10 million dollar opera house, Teatro Amazonas, which was built in 1884 at the height of Manaus's opulence. 

You will then have the rest of the day at lesiure. 

Dinner this evening will be under your own arrangements.

DAY 3: AMAZON BOAT EMBARKATION

Enjoy the morning at leisure.

At around 2:00pm, transfer to the local port where you will embark the MV Desafio to start your Jungle Adventure. After embarkation is complete, there will be a short briefing. You will then begin cruising upstream on the Rio Negro, one of the major tributaries of the Amazon. Head to the observation deck, where you can scan the magnificent tangle of vegetation at the water’s edge. Keep an eye out for pink river dolphins, primates and a large collection of exotic birds.

The Amazon river originates in the Andes mountains of Peru, traversing its way through Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon traverses a total distance of around 6400 kilometres and is the second longest river in the world, after the Nile. 

This evening, enjoy your first talk from our New Scientist expert. Afterwards, dinner will be served onboard.

DAYS 4 - 8: EXPLORING THE RIO NEGRO

Over the next five days, the schedule varies according to navigational and weather conditions. However, your days will have a basic outline of activities, as below: 

Each morning, you will get up with the sun, at which point you will have the option to explore the forest by skiff in search of birds – make sure to listen out for the distinctive sound of howler monkeys. If you haven’t heard them before, it can be an interesting experience!

By mid-morning, return to the boat for a hearty Brazilian breakfast followed by relaxation time. 

Later in the afternoon, you can enjoy walking excursions into the rainforest accompanied by naturalists who will offer insight into the surrounding ecology. Walk quietly along narrow trails deep into a forest that has hardly changed for millions of years. Listen to informative talks, see the three different types of fores and learn about local medicinal plants. To make the most of these walks, you will be divided into smaller groups.

There will also be opportunities to fish and swim safely in clear water and go for night walks enhanced by the lack of light pollution.

You will return to the boat with time to relax and unwind before dinner followed by evening talks.

After sunset, head to the observation deck to look at the millions of stars and constellations of the southern hemisphere.  

DAY 9: DISEMBARK THE BOAT IN MANAUS

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Manaus airport for your onwards flight. 

For those wanting to extend their time in Brazil, please speak to the team at Latin Routes who can suggestion pre and post extension option ideas with you.