Day 1
Evening embarkation in Novo Airão
Transfer from Manaus to Novo Airão in the late afternoon. After embarkation and a welcome briefing, enjoy the captain’s dinner as the vessel begins the night journey towards Madadá.
River expedition
Expedição Katerre – Jaú Plus – 7 days
More time inside Jaú National Park with additional tributaries, waterways and local encounters
7 days / 6 nights Moderate Full board on board
Jaú Plus is for travellers who want to give Jaú National Park more time rather than combine a large number of different river systems.
Travel via Madadá, Rio Puduari and Airão Velho before spending several days on Rio Jaú, Rio Carabinani and seasonal waterfall or flooded-forest routes.
High water opens long passages through igapó; as water falls, beaches, rocks, rapids and waterfalls emerge. The same route can therefore feel very different in different months.
Amazonas
Highlights
- Regional expedition vessels with small groups and air-conditioned en-suite cabins
- Routes beginning in Anavilhanas and continuing into increasingly remote parts of the middle Rio Negro
- Excursions by small boat and local canoe through lakes, igarapés and flooded forest
- Encounters with riverside communities, schools, craftspeople and local conservation projects
- Regional food, selected drinks and talks about the landscapes, history and people of the river
- A clear seasonal contrast between high-water waterways and low-water beaches, rapids and waterfalls
- Several full days inside Jaú National Park
- Rio Puduari, Rio Carabinani and seasonal waterfalls
- Patauá and Cachoeira do Jaú communities and education initiatives along the river
7 days / 6 nights
Day by day
Day 2
Madadá caves and Rio Puduari
After sunrise and breakfast, make the roughly three-hour walk through primary forest to the Madadá caves.
After a swim and lunch, continue to the mouth of Rio Puduari and anchor for the night.
Day 3
Rio Puduari, Mirituba and Airão Velho
Begin with a canoe outing on Puduari. Later visit Mirituba for fruit cultivation, manioc processing, crafts and local encounters.
Continue to Airão Velho and Rio Meduini, where fishing and an evening wildlife excursion may be included.
Day 4
Into Jaú National Park
After registration at the park entrance, travel into Rio Carabinani. Depending on water level, explore flooded forest, rapids or waterfalls.
Continue deeper towards the Patauá area after lunch.
Day 5
Miratucu and Cachoeira do Jaú community
Visit Miratucu waterfall or a seasonally adapted alternative, then reach the community of Cachoeira do Jaú.
Meet residents, see fruit cultivation and manioc processing, and visit the local school supported by FAM.
Day 6
Ilha dos Macacos and back towards the Rio Negro
Travel by local fishing canoe towards Ilha dos Macacos to look for wildlife, then leave the national park.
On the way, walk to a giant samaúma and visit Airão Velho before ending the day near Praia do Sono.
Day 7
Novo Airão and Manaus
After arrival in Novo Airão, visit local craft and education projects and, when included for the departure, the pink river-dolphin activity.
Return to Manaus after lunch.
Amazonas
Accommodation and facilities
Expedição Katerres fartyg
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
Physical level
The programme includes the longer Madadá walk plus several excursions in small boats or local canoes. Some landings are on uneven, wet riverbanks.
Normal good fitness is sufficient, and many activities can be adapted to the group and season.
Included
- Scheduled transport and embarkation according to the selected departure, normally between Manaus and Novo Airão
- Accommodation in the booked cabin on the vessel confirmed for the departure
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner according to the daily programme
- Selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks according to the current tariff
- All excursions and activities stated in the selected programme
- Portuguese- and English-speaking guide
- Entrance and port fees connected with the programme
- Use of binoculars, fishing equipment, life jackets, swimming floats and stand-up paddleboards when the activity is included and conditions allow
- Talks and digital information material about the areas visited
- Standard Wi-Fi on board where the satellite connection works
Not included
- Drinks beyond the alcoholic and non-alcoholic selection explicitly included in the current tariff
- Massage, private special arrangements and other services not stated in the selected programme
- Tips, laundry, personal purchases and other private expenses
- Travel insurance
Good to know
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.
Amazonas
What to bring
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.
- Light T-shirts, shorts and comfortable clothes for life on board
- Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers for forest walks
- Closed shoes with good grip and spare socks
- Sandals or light shoes for the vessel
- Swimwear and quick-drying towel
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Effective insect repellent
- Light rain jacket or poncho
- Personal medication and toiletries
- Binoculars
- Camera, spare batteries and waterproof protection
Amazonas
Images from the destination and tour
Which Katerre expedition suits you best?
We help you choose between the archipelago, Jaú and remote Jauaperi, and plan the rest of the journey around the selected departure.