Capital city, Manaus, is the jumping-off point for exploring the expansive state of Amazonas. The city impresses with its natural beauty, ecological parks and a series of green areas that seem endless. It is a land of contrasts, blending exuberant nature with a high-tech industrial centre; a congregating of unequalled wonders in one place like no other city offers. 

Highlights

Meeting of the Waters 

This is one of the world’s Natural Wonders; a unique phenomenon resulting from the confluence of the black waters of Río Negro (Black River) and muddy waters of the Solimões river. At this junction, the two rivers merge in swirls of curlicues, spirals and whirlpools and freshwater dolphins are sometimes seen in the vicinity. 

Parque Nacional de Anavilhanas 

In the Río Negro, Anavilhanas archipelago is comprised of 400 islands and islets, with hundreds of lakes, watercourses, and igapós (flooded forests) that extends for 90 kms. The Anavilhanas Nature Reserve, covering an area of 350,000 hectares, offers a complete cross-section of the Amazonian ecosystem. During the high water period, you can discover some of the wild fauna population: squirrel and night monkeys, sloths, birds, caimans, pink dolphins, turtles, and other reptiles and amphibians. 

Parque Ecológico do Lago Janauari   

The Janauari Lake Ecological Park has 9,000-ha full of abundant birdlife, contains narrow waterways surrounded by luxuriant vegetation that ranges from grasses to giant kapok trees. One of the principal sights in the park is a lake covered with Victoria Amazonica; a large water lily found only in the Amazon region, with floating leaves up to two meters in diameter. Its flowers are originally white, then turn purple, and three days later they wither to a dark red colour. 

Wild Flora & Fauna at do Jaú National Park 

This national park is South America’s largest forest reserve and the largest protected tropical rainforest area in the world. Its extraordinarily rich fauna includes such rare and endangered species as the manatee and the Brazilian otter, as well as jaguars and Amazon River dolphins. The diverse ecosystem includes plains, hills, flooded forests, channels, and land forests. The best way to explore this incredible park and see its wildlife is by canoeing along its waterways. 

Amazonas Theatre 

This theatre is Manaus’ most famous hallmark, its building representing the prosperity of the Amazon Rubber Boom in Brazil. With a 700-person capacity, it boasts spectacular architectural work nestled in the jungle as the city’s most famous building. This Italian Renaissance-style opera house opened in 1896 and is now protected as a national monument. With the intricate details of its dome and having most of its materials imported from Europe, it’s considered one of the most beautiful theatres in the world. 

Excursions 

• Jungle Cruise to Explore Amazon Wildlife 
• Historic Manaus City Tour, with Theatre Visit 
• Panoramic City Tour, Visiting Local Markets 
• Meeting of the Waters Experience 
• Amazon Safari, Visiting a Native Community