Katerre’s broad combination journey from the Solimões and Anavilhanas into Jaú National Park
Anajaú is Katerre’s most varied standard expedition: a continuous river journey from the sediment-rich Amazon system to the Rio Negro archipelago and on into Jaú National Park.
Over seven days the colour of the water, vegetation, wildlife, settlement pattern and scale of the river change repeatedly.
Anavilhanas brings islands, beaches or flooded forest; Madadá adds a longer primary-forest walk; Jaú brings remote blackwater rivers, giant trees, history and communities where boats remain the everyday transport.
Day 1
Begin in Manaus and travel via Lago Janauari and the Meeting of the Waters, with a small-boat excursion and an introduction to the contrast between the Solimões and the blackwater Rio Negro.
Continue upstream towards Anavilhanas in the evening.
Day 2
Explore the blackwater forest of Rio Ariaú in the morning. During the day, the programme may include pink river dolphins and a cultural presentation by people with roots in the upper Rio Negro.
Fishing or another small-boat excursion may follow, with a nocturnal wildlife outing after dinner.
Day 3
Go deeper into Anavilhanas. Depending on water level, enjoy beaches and swimming or explore flooded igapó forest.
Continue later towards the more remote Madadá area.
Day 4
Walk through primary forest to the Madadá caves and swim in the Rio Negro on return.
After lunch, visit a riverside community with fruit cultivation, manioc processing and crafts before continuing towards Jaú.
Day 5
Visit the ruins of Airão Velho and enter Jaú National Park through the ICMBio control point. A short walk leads to a giant samaúma.
Explore Rio Jaú and Rio Carabinani, with flooded-forest routes at high water or rapids and waterfalls at lower levels.
Day 6
Spend another day inside Jaú with a local community, school or seasonally suitable nature excursion.
Begin the return towards the Rio Negro and Novo Airão later in the day.
Day 7
Visit local craft and education initiatives in Novo Airão and, when included, the pink river-dolphin activity.
After lunch, return to Manaus by scheduled transfer.
Katerre’s vessels are inspired by regional wooden boats used on Amazon rivers but offer air-conditioned en-suite cabins, full board and smaller support craft for excursions.
Jacaré-Tinga is the smallest, with three cabin suites and capacity for up to eight guests. Jacaré-Açu has eight cabin suites and carries up to sixteen. La Jangada is a larger steel catamaran with twelve suites and more common areas, normally for about 24–29 guests depending on the operation.
The vessel used is stated in the booking confirmation. Interiors, cabin size and common areas differ, but all are designed for locally rooted river expeditions.
Moderate
The programme combines a longer forest walk at Madadá with repeated small-boat excursions and some uneven landings.
Normal good fitness and secure walking are required. Most water-based activities can be adjusted locally.
Katerre routes are strongly influenced by the Rio Negro seasonal cycle. Beaches, rapids, waterfalls, flooded forest and navigable channels vary between high and low water, and the programme is adapted accordingly.
The exact vessel depends on departure, group size and booked category. Jacaré-Tinga carries up to eight guests, Jacaré-Açu up to sixteen, and La Jangada is used for larger groups, charters and selected departures.
The captain and expedition team may change the route or activity order according to water level, weather, safety and local conditions.
Katerre works closely with riverside communities, craft groups and conservation projects. Visits take place on the community’s terms and may be replaced if circumstances change.
There is normally no mobile 4G coverage along the routes. The vessels have standard satellite Wi-Fi, but capacity is limited and should not be compared with a normal hotel connection.
The programme can be booked on its own or combined with flights, a Manaus hotel and other parts of a tailor-made journey. Exact inclusions and price are stated in SambaTravel’s proposal.
Light, informal clothes are suitable on board. Long trousers, socks and closed shoes with good grip are recommended for forest walks and shore visits.
Excursions often use small boats or canoes. Rain, spray and high humidity occur year-round, so cameras and electronics should be kept in waterproof bags.
We help you choose between the archipelago, Jaú and remote Jauaperi, and plan the rest of the journey around the selected departure.