Amazon River aboard the Desafio Introduction
Manaus is the capital of Brazil's massive Amazonas state and was founded in 1669. During the past century's rubber boom Manaus became one of the world's most prosperous cities, and the opulence of those days may still be appreciated viewing the city's magnificent Teatro Amazonas Opera House.
After competition slowed the rubber industry, the city fell into decline. Today, however, Manaus is thriving once again as the Upper Amazon's transportation hub and distribution centre. For visitors, daily river cruises and boat transfers depart to jungle lodges situated one to five hours from the city. Once in the jungle, activities include jungle hikes, night outings, piranha fishing, camping, boat tours, and wildlife viewing.
The modern 24-passenger M/V Desafio is a newly renovated river vessel offering a fascinating cruise on the Amazon and Negro rivers. The vessel is 109 feet long, fully air-conditioned and offers many of the same amenities found on larger ships. Explore the Amazon Rainforest both by canoe and on foot in the company of naturalist guides. This is truly one of the most fascinating wildlife destinations in the world. The cruises begin and end in Manaus, Brazil.
The MV Desafio features a total of 12 cabins, divided into 6 on the upper deck and 6 on the lower deck; all cabins with private facilities/showers/ wardrobes/bed-lights/carpets and fully air-conditioned, being 7 double bedded cabins and 5 twin- bedded. Air-conditioned restaurant and bar. Large sundeck with outdoor bar.
WHEN TO VISIT THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON
The high season, with more tourists, are July-September and December-January. These periods are within the low water season (July-February) and have significant advantages for your Amazon tours: less rain, fewer mosquitoes, easier observation of aquatic life in lakes, better time for fishing or swimming.
But there are some disadvantages also: temperatures are higher (especially before December), some waterways are more clogged with vegetation, limiting access to wildlife zones; the forest life is less visible except for aquatic life in isolated lakes (the best period for viewing wildlife, in Manaus region, is March - June; this is also a cooler period, and a nicer one for your Amazon tours: waterside plants such as acacias, morning glories, or cecropias, flourish at these months.
Some people prefer transitional periods (October and November; and May and June, in the region of Manaus), where you may have some advantages of the rainy and the dryer periods. But there aren't true rules on that issue. For most people, the more determinant factor is the rain. December to May period can have many rainy days, and that can spoil many planned Amazon tours.
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