Beginning your cruise in the heart of the Amazon rain forest is an amazing start. Witnessing the confluence of the two biggest rivers on earth, the Amazon River and the Negro River, at the “Meeting of the Waters” is a lifetime journey.

Also enjoy unique activities as cruising on the Negro River, visiting the Anavilhanas archipelago, observing big water lilies, delightful pink dolphins, swimming at white beaches and discovering the magnificent flooded forest.

Amazon Clipper Cruises starts its cruises out of MANAUS and includes all of above mentioned nature highlights, the Anavilhanas National Park and the “Meeting of the waters” with the Janauary Ecological Park is included in the regular departure cruises.

The Amazon rainforest climate has not a real dry season, as it rains well distributed during the whole year. From December to May rain is more frequent in Manaus; the temperatures are a little lower and overall more comfortable. June and July are the months with less rain. From August to November rains are short and very local with plenty of sunny days and the climate feels humid and hot.

The water levels of the rivers show us a different curve than the precipitation curve, so in June the water level of the Amazon River reach usually his highest level while it rains very few.

The high water level season is considered from May to August. It can rise up to 15 meters - making navigation much easier as many areas get flooded, so a good time to enjoy canoe trips thru the flooded forest (Igapó). During dry season (low water level from September to December) it’s harder to navigate and temperatures are higher, however, it's a great moment to experience wildlife along the shoreline. While from January to April is the best time to admire the big water lilies, the “Vitória Amazônica”.

If you are hypersensitive to insect stings, have allergies to particular medications or foods, or other medical conditions that could pose a potential problem, be certain to inform those who may need to know these things (guide, crew or fellow travelers etc.). 

We provide purified drinking water during your entire stay. All food is washed and prepared using purified water. Our food is prepared in a sanitary manner from fresh foodstuffs obtained daily. We take every possible measure to insure your safety, health and welfare. You are not likely to encounter any communicable disease in the course of our activities. 

However, as everywhere, some risk exists. Therefore one should consider whether vaccination is warranted in your case given your short and long-term travel plans. Yellow fever, hepatitis B, cholera and typhoid vaccinations are not needed unless you plan travel to more remote jungle destinations. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during and after your trip to prevent malaria, depending on your travel plans. Even there are very few mosquitoes encountered on our cruises you should avoid mosquito bites by clothing and using repellent. One is highly unlikely to contact any of these diseases during a short visit. Anyway, contact your doctor or tropical medical health center. 

The climate is very hot and humid. Packing thin, light-colored clothing will help you feel better during the day. People seem to prefer synthetic materials, which have the advantage of drying easily without molding.

The Amazon rainforest climate is typically a tropical climate, also known as equatorial climate, found approximately 12 degrees to the North and South of the equator.

Like any other tropical rainforest, it's hot and humid throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of 27°C (80.7°F).

There isn't such a thing as summer or winter, or it's not pronounced, the annual temperature range is about 2°C. In fact, the difference between day and night temperatures (3 to 10°C) is greater than the difference between any two seasons.

And it's not as hot as it may be expected - temperatures rarely reach over 33°C - not much if we compare it with other parts of Brazil, such as Rio de Janeiro or Iguaçu falls for instance, where is not unusual to find temperatures in the range of 40°C (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) during summer.

One of the most fantastic experiences in the Amazon is to observe the pink-colored dolphins in their natural habitat.

This wonderful delight can be enjoyed on all the cruises that Amazon Clipper Cruises offers.

The possibilities of seeing the pink dolphins in its natural habitat in one of our cruises are very high, however it depends on the water level of the river, generally the frequency that we see the porpoises is bigger with levels of lower waters.

A quick packing list…

Prescription medicines, T-shirts, shorts, slippers, long trousers for jungle walk, closed shoes and socks for jungle walk, raincoat (for sale on board), Insect repellent, bathing suit, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and binoculars

A few more arguments about your packing list…

• ­Small backpack (day pack for side trips) weather proof (carry always a big plastic bag)
• Prescription medicines - sufficient for your trip plus a few days
• Lightweight shirts, mainly short sleeves
• Lightweight shorts
• Slippers or comfortable sandals (aboard the boats and in canoes on side trips)
• Long trousers (pants) for jungle walk, lightweight are comfortable and easy to dry
• Hiking boots or closed tennis shoes for jungle walk. Be aware that if you are hiking on jungle trails, visiting villages, and having a real Amazon experience, your footwear will get wet and muddy (the Amazon Clipper crew cleans your shoes after returning from each side trip).
• Light poncho or rain jacket, for trips in canoes (possible to buy aboard our boats).
• Insect repellent (even there are much less mosquitoes than expected)
• Swimsuit (great experience to swim in the river)
• High SPF sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher is essential!)
• Polarized sunglasses - the glare off the surface of the black water can be very intense
• Hat with wide brim or bill (essential for the tropical sun, useful also for rain)
• Personal toiletry articles, Dental care items, lip balm, comb/brush, personal soap and shampoo (preferably biodegradable), personal hygiene items, etc
• Photographic equipment; The Amazon is a photographer’s paradise, so bring sufficient memory cards and batteries (outlets available in cabins (120V) to charge rechargeable batteries). You always should carry plastic bags with you while on excursions to protect your camera equipment from rain and moisture. Of course, a flash is essential for night photography! Remember to bring sufficient batteries for your flash.
• Binoculars; Bring a good pair of lightweight binoculars that are water-resistant or water-proof (better). Nitrogen-filled lenses also prevent any fogging problems. Your experience will be enhanced if you have the ability to examine birds, treetop flowers, dolphins, monkeys, and miscellaneous happenings along the route up close.

Day pack (small backpack) for rainforest and river excursions:

• Water bottle (water bottle and purified water is included in our cruises)
• Ziploc bags / Big plastic bag to protect belongings from rain
• Rain jacket
• Insect repellent,
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Camera
• Binoculars

Sitting cushion and camouflaged life vest are provided from Amazon Clipper Cruises