The great rivers of northeast South America are among the world’s last undeveloped spaces. These rivers are important sources of the planet’s natural resources, providing over a third of its tropical forests and more than 20 percent of its freshwater supplies. Equally important, the rivers are among the world’s richest storehouses of an amazing variety of plant and wildlife. On this unique itinerary, we will explore the continent’s major riverine waterways, including the Orinoco, a pristine river basin that cuts a course through Venezuela and Colombia, and the Amazon, the world’s largest tropical forest and home to one-third of all the Earth’s species. While the Amazon and Orinoco are known to travelers for their natural riches, on this voyage, we will also explore less known tropical river ecosystems that are equally amazing as their better known counterparts. For example, from Guyana’s Georgetown, which is located on the mouth of the Demerara River, we will take an air excursion to the Kaieteur National Park, located in the Guiana Shield near the Potaro River, one of the largest and most bio-diverse rainforests in the world. One of the attractions here is Kaieteur Falls, with a sheer drop of over 700 feet, nearly five times the height of Niagara.
Day 1 BELEM, Brazil
Arrive in Belem in the afternoon and transfer to the Hotel Hilton. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure.
Day 2 BELEM, Brazil | EMBARK
Today, tour Belem, which benefitted greatly from the booming 19th-century rubber trade, including the splendid Teatro de Paz; the Ver-O-Peso market, which occupies several blocks along the riverfront; the Castelo, a fort built by the Portuguese in 1616; and the Emilio Goeldi Museum’s botanical exhibits. In the afternoon, transfer to the port to board Clelia II and sail.
Days 3-6 AMAZON RIVER, Brazil
Clelia II will cruise the mighty Amazon and its tributaries for four days. Discover an exotic jungle world, including a variety of tropical plants, birds, fish and mammals, as Clelia II cruises up the Amazon. The ship navigates close to shore and its tributaries, allowing us to experience details of river life and the surrounding rain forest that many visitors miss. Guided by naturalists aboard Clelia II’s fleet of Zodiacs, we venture into a labyrinth of tributaries, disembarking for treks through the jungle and visits to isolated villages. The itinerary is dependant on fortune and the weather. Nevertheless, all of our excursions will feature stops in remote villages and hikes into the rain forest.
The following is a sample of possible activities and tours:
• From Belem, the ship will navigate the Breves Strait, the narrow jungle-lined waterway with islets covered with overhanging vegetation. In Boca de Valeria, learn about the traditional customs of the local caboclo people who build their houses on stilts over water.
• Lago Carauacu, a beautiful clearwater lake, is home to two species of freshwater dolphins: the smaller grey tucuxi and pink boto which can grow to eight feet in length.
• In a creek near the Furo do Moura tributary, pass beneath heavy jungle where you may spot the bright flash of a toucan, hear the screech of howler monkeys or see herons skimming the water’s surface.
• In the village of Tucumanduba, hike up the hill for jungle vistas.
• Rio Pocurui is a tributary known for its birding. Spot brilliantly colored species such as the red-billed toucan, the orange-fronted yellow finch and the green ibis.
Days 7-8 AT SEA
Cruising toward Paramaribo.
Day 9 PARAMARIBO, Suriname
Located eight miles up the Suriname River, Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital, is noted for its beautiful 18th- and 19th-century buildings, such as the Governor’s Mansion. Fort Zeelandia, guarding the Suriname River, now houses the Suriname Museum and a colorful market selling artifacts and other local products. Hindu temples, mosques, churches, and synagogues coexist harmoniously next to each other.
Day 10 GEORGETOWN, Guyana
Arrive in Georgetown, Guyana’s capital on the Demerara River, with its wooden houses raised on stilts, tree-lined streets and profusion of flowers. Evidence of the Old Dutch colonial period is still apparent today in the city’s architecture and drainage and irrigation systems. See the Gothic-style city hall and St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, both dating from the 19th century, and visit the National Museum and the Botanical Gardens, graced with Victorian pavilions and lily ponds. Overnight aboard docked in Georgetown.
Day 11 GEORGETOWN | KAIETEUR NATIONAL PARK
A full-day air excursion will take us to one of South America’s treasures: the seldom visited Kaieteur National Park. The centerpiece of the park is Kaieteur Falls, one of the most spectacular in the world. Framed by lush and unspoiled rain forest, the falls have a free fall of over 700 feet, five times the height of Niagara. The rain forest supports a large variety of plant and animal life, including several endangered species. Return to Georgetown in the afternoon to reboard the ship.
Days 12-14 ORINOCO RIVER, Venezuela
As Clelia II enters Orinoco’s delta — a complex ecosystem comprised of an intricate network of rivers, estuaries and channels spanning some 10,000 square miles — you will immediately sense that you’ve entered a world unlike any you have encountered before. As you cruise up the Orinoco, you will fall under the watchful eye of the jungle’s residents—the Warao people, who live along the river in houses on stilts—and its keepers—macaws, trogons, horned screamers, spider monkeys, and other exotic wildlife. During the three-day visit here, Clelia II‘s Zodiac boats will enable us to explore some of the shores and smaller tributaries along the river.
Day 15 PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad | DISEMBARK
Disembark in Port-of-Spain and transfer to the airport for return flights
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1,000 per person, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/mail/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 91 days or more | $500 per person |
| 61-90 days | 55% trip cost |
| 60 days or less | 100% trip cost |
