Katerre’s most remote scheduled expedition to a nature and culture region near the Roraima border
Jauaperi is Katerre’s expedition for travellers who want to go farther, stay longer and make local communities a central part of the Amazon experience.
The route reaches about 500 kilometres from Manaus, passing Anavilhanas, Madadá and Jaú National Park before entering the Baixo Rio Branco–Jauaperi Extractive Reserve.
Katerre works with AARJ on crafts, community-based tourism, pirarucu management and river-turtle protection. In Xixuaú, excursions use paddle canoes rather than combustion engines, creating a markedly quieter rhythm.
Day 1
Scheduled transfer runs from Manaus to Novo Airão and the expedition begins after lunch. A first excursion among Anavilhanas islands and lakes offers swimming and wildlife observation.
Continue towards Madadá; an optional hammock night may be offered, otherwise sleep in your cabin.
Day 2
Walk through primary forest to the Madadá caves after breakfast. After swimming and lunch, continue towards Praia do Sono and Mirituba.
Anchor near a beach or igarapé according to water level.
Day 3
Visit Airão Velho and enter Jaú National Park. After a short walk to a giant samaúma, continue on Rio Jaú.
Explore Rio Carabinani through waterfalls, rapids or flooded channels according to season, then leave the park and anchor near Rio Meduini.
Day 4
At dawn, explore Meduini lakes and channels for birds and monkeys, with fishing possible on the return.
Pass Moura or Maracacá, where a local school project and water route may be visited. Reach Rio Jauaperi and Itaquera around sunset, followed by a nocturnal wildlife excursion.
Day 5
Meet residents and the AARJ craft association. In the right season, learn about community work protecting river-turtle eggs and hatchlings.
Explore creeks, lakes and flooded forest in very small local boats with a community guide, then continue towards Xixuaú.
Day 6
Combustion engines are not used in the excursion area at Xixuaú. Travel by paddle canoe through clear streams and well-preserved forest.
There may be opportunities for swimming, underwater observation and another paddle outing with optional fishing and sunset.
Day 7
Begin near Lago Maracacá with a short nature walk, then set course back towards the Rio Negro.
Beach swimming may be included at low water. Spend the final night closer to Novo Airão.
Day 8
Visit local craft and education projects in Novo Airão and, according to the current programme, a pink river-dolphin activity may be included.
Return to Manaus by scheduled transfer after lunch.
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 expedition includes the longer Madadá walk, frequent transfers into small local boats and repeated wet or uneven landings.
Normal good fitness is required. The long duration and remoteness make this more demanding than the shorter Katerre routes even when individual activities are not strenuous.
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.
Rio Jauaperi is remote and the route depends particularly strongly on river conditions and local agreements.
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.