Three nights in rainforest camps with canoeing, walking and guided survival knowledge
Survival Mamori is an expedition for travellers who want to leave the lodge for several days and learn how people navigate, travel and make camp in the Amazon.
The route moves between lakes, narrow channels, terra firme forest and seasonally flooded forest. A motorised canoe provides transport and support, while participants also paddle, walk and help with practical camp tasks.
Survival elements are taught by experienced guides. Carried food is the safety foundation; fishing and knowledge of forest resources are part of the experience, not a requirement for obtaining meals.
Day 1
Travel from your Manaus hotel via the CEASA port and the Meeting of the Waters. Continue through Careiro by road and boat towards the Mamori area.
After lunch at the lodge, take an introductory motorised-canoe outing and review the expedition plan, equipment and safety procedures.
Dinner and overnight at Amazon Turtle Lodge.
Day 2
After breakfast, leave the lodge by motorised canoe towards Lago Tracajá and the expedition’s first camp.
Explore by paddle canoe, fish and observe the birds, monkeys, sloths and other wildlife that may occur along the waterways.
The group helps set up camp and hammocks. Dinner and sunset by the Mamori River are followed by a camp night.
Day 3
Begin with sunrise and birdwatching. After breakfast, make a longer walk with a specialist guide.
The guide demonstrates principles of navigation, finding water, plants, camp craft and traditional uses of forest materials. Everything is taught as guided learning with carried food and equipment as the safety basis.
Fish after lunch and take an evening outing in search of nocturnal wildlife.
Day 4
After breakfast, continue on foot along trails through a new area, with pace adapted to terrain and weather.
In the afternoon, paddle through smaller channels and, when water levels permit, igapó.
Dinner and a third night in a hammock with mosquito net.
Day 5
After breakfast, paddle through small channels and lakes with attention to pink and grey river dolphins, monkeys and birds.
Return to Amazon Turtle Lodge in the afternoon. After several camp nights, there is time for a shower, rest and a full dinner.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 6
The morning is gentler and may allow paddling close to the lodge, a short ecological walk or rest, depending on transfer departure time.
After lunch, return to Manaus for drop-off at the hotel or airport.
The lodge is used as a base before and after the camping section. Exact room category and facilities are confirmed at booking.
Accommodation is in hammocks with mosquito nets beneath simple rain shelters. Camps have no hotel facilities and may move according to water level, weather and safety.
Very demanding
Good fitness, mobility and mental readiness for heat, rain, insects, basic hygiene and several hammock nights are required.
Participants paddle, walk on uneven ground and help with practical camp tasks. The programme is unsuitable for significant mobility restrictions or health conditions that could become problematic far from medical care.
This is an expedition rather than a standard lodge package. The complete equipment list, safety plan, communication equipment, evacuation procedures and guide qualifications must be reconfirmed before booking.
The route changes according to water level, weather, participant capability and local conditions. Named lakes and camps may be replaced.
Participants need comprehensive travel insurance explicitly covering rainforest trekking, paddling, camping and activities in remote areas.
Medical conditions, allergies and medication requirements must be disclosed before booking. Vaccination advice should be obtained from a doctor or travel clinic.
Luggage should be light and able to cope with moisture. Use a medium-sized backpack and pack clothing and electronics in separate waterproof bags. Cotton dries slowly in rainforest conditions; quick-drying synthetic fabrics are usually more practical.
Participants carry some of their own personal equipment and need closed, well broken-in walking shoes. The final equipment list and exactly what the operator supplies must be confirmed before departure.
We review fitness, equipment and safety requirements before the programme is booked.