Embarking in Cayenne, in French Guiana, sail along the Atlantic coast of Brazil to reach the earth-colored waters of the Amazon.
Next sail up the river from east to west, to discover the many treasures it conceals: dense and varied vegetation, tropical fruit, a host of animal species. At the confluence of the Tapajos and Amazon rivers, around Santarem, you might be lucky enough to spot some extraordinary pink river dolphins. Then stop in Belém. Finally, discover the Salvation Islands, famous for their magnificent landscapes and their terrible history: in the 19th century & at the beginning of the 20th century, these three tracts of land resting in the Atlantic Ocean were penal colonies where convicts, political prisoners and known criminals were exiled and held in prisons which you will be able to visit.
Highlights
Sail along fabulous straits, meanders and river arms
View an incredibly rich variety of endemic wildlife: toucans, hawks, ibises
Visit Alter do Chao and its beautiful white-sand beach, ideal for swimming
Explore the great city of Bélem, its market and its fort
Capital of French Guyana located more than 7,000 km from the French mainland, Cayenne offers a harmonious ensemble of monuments, beaches and old creole houses on the eastern side of the South American continent. Between history and modernity, the city is marked by the presence of the former prisons, the vestiges of which can be seen on the Salvation Islands. This port of call will give you the opportunity to visit two museums, the Musée local de la Guyana and the Musée des cultures guyanaises, and learn more about the historic and cultural interests of the region. The Place des Palmistes, with its three soaring Guisanbourg palm trees, is the main square in Cayenne It provides the setting for a variety of events throughout the year.
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
The Aquiqui River is one of the many tributaries of the Amazon River. A veritable ecological corridor, this natural area is home to a varied fauna, notably including many aquatic birds. You will enjoy an extraordinary encounter with the Caboclos, a people living in total harmony with nature, and have the chance to talk to them about their way of life, their beliefs and their customs. And maybe you will be lucky enough to observe the cocoi herons, roadside hawks and anhingas, as well as monkey squirrels and iguanas.
Discover the Guajará River, a tributary of the Amazon River with fast-flowing waters edged by a few dwellings. The place includes a pasture area for buffaloes and a narrow band of the forest from which to observe sloths, green iguanas and myriad birds in stunning colors, such as the toco toucan. With a bit of luck, you might hear the loud cry of howler monkeys, since it can resonate over a radius of several kilometers. The river itself is renowned for being home to the famous pink river dolphin.
Established at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers, the city of Santarém flourished for a time during the rubber boom, then sank into oblivion when the “soft gold” boom eventually went bust. Over the last twenty years or so, the economy of Santarém, which is now Amazonia’s third biggest city after Manaus and Belém, has regained some momentum thanks to soybean cultivation and tourism. Renowned for its forests and especially for the small village of Alter do Chão with its beaches worthy of the Caribbean, Santarém offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the Amazonian ecosystems.
400 km upstream of Manaus, discover Parintins, known for its traditional festival, “the Boi Bumba”, celebrating cultural diversity in the Amazon. Over the last three days of June, the city is divided into two groups that compete against each other: the “Caprichosos” in blue and the “Garantidos” in red. Although the choreographies might suggest a reproduction of the Rio Carnival, the themes presented all relate to the Amazon. A performance from this festival will be presented when the ship calls here: an opportunity to admire the beauty of the dancers’ costumes and let the rhythm of the music take you over.
The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Boi Bumba Folkshow, From Santarem To Alter Do Chao, Discover Belém.
Despite its image as an impenetrable land, the Amazon can be explored, even when one is not a hardened explorer. Aboard your ship, sail this river and journey deep into the heart of this green paradise, the Amazon, the rich exuberance of a wild symphony. From the Andes, Amazon fights its way between Peru and Colombia to reach Brazil where it achieves its majestic breadth. This exceptional site is an unspoiled and secret refuge for thousands of animals and the handful of tribes who live here, far from any contact with the city, in harmony with nature. Aboard our Zodiac® dinghies, do not miss the daytime and nocturnal excursions to experience the surrounding environment.
In this region, the waters and vegetation are subject to the oceanic influences of the Atlantic. The saline tidal currents provide the right environment for fruit palms to grow. Macaws, parrots and toucans are particularly fond of these. Conditions permitting, you will be able to explore the narrow arms of the river penetrating the heart of the forest, to discover all the distinctive features of this singular environment.
As you sail in the heart of the Breves Narrows, a “green corridor”, you will be completely immersed in the Amazonian culture. Along the meanders of this lush, narrow channel, your ship will be escorted by the small, wooden dugout canoes of the local inhabitants out to greet you. Enjoy this spectacular sailing experience from the exterior decks, as our naturalist-guides let you in on the secrets of this incredible ecosystem and of the people who have managed to tame it.
The historical city of Belém stretches along the Bay of Guajar on the Amazon Delta, at the northernmost tip of Brazil. Its lively waterfront is home to the century-old Ver-o-Peso market and its iconic turreted iron structure, the Mercado de Ferro. Nearby, mango tree-shaded streets lead to the neoclassic Da Paz Theatre, the Baroque cathedral of Sé and Presépio Fort, whose battlements look out over the old town and the bay. The Bosque Rodrigues-Alves Botanical Garden is a fascinating mini Amazonian forest in the middle of the city that was established in the 19th-century.
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Lying off the coast of Kourou, an essential element of any trip to Guiana, the Islands of Salvation were known as the "Islands of the Devil" because of the strong sea currents that made access to them perilous. Once infamous for being the site of a jail with very harsh conditions of detention, where Alfred Dreyfus was exiled, today they are a peaceful place where coconut palms cast shade over the crystal-clear waters. During your cruise, we invite you to make a timeless journey to visit the many remains of the prison that are still visible, including cells and the abandoned hospital.
Day 13: Cayenne | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark at Cayenne.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,710
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Deluxe Stateroom
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² Private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Deluxe Suite
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
6m² private balcony
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Prestige Suite Deck 5
8m² private balcony
King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Suite Deck 6
8m² private balcony
King-size bed or twin beds
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Privilege Suite
Area: 32 m²
Capacity: up to 4 passengers per cabin
8m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Grand Deluxe Suite
Area: 45 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Owner's Suite
Area: 45 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
Notes
*Rates are capacity controlled and are subject to change without notice.
Cruise fares are per person and include the following:
All meals while on board the ship
Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
Gratuities to onboard crew, local guides and drivers
“Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
Evening entertainment and events
24h room service (special selection)
English-speaking lecturer
Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite
Highly experienced bilingual (French-English) Expedition team
Park entry fees into protected areas
Free and unlimited Wi-Fi (Internet access may be slower or in some situations interrupted, depending on certain geographic locations or other circumstances beyond our control).
Cruise fares do not include:
Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions mentioned
Visa expenses and/or immigration reciprocity taxes if applicable
Luggage handling
Optional Spa package to be booked prior to your departure
Beverages other than the ones mentioned
Laundry services, hair salon, and à la carte Spa treatments
Personal expenses, on board medical consultations and drug prescriptions
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
