Amazon River Cruise from Alter do Chão
Planeta Exo
TripsBrazilAmazon

Amazon River Cruise from Alter do Chão

Amazon
4 Nights·5 Days
AmazonRiver CruisesComfort Adventures

Overview

Have you ever thought of exploring the largest rainforest on the planet by boat? This is not just any cruise. You sail aboard Kaiara riverboats across three rivers in the state of Pará: the Tapajós, the Arapiuns, and the great Amazon.

Departing from Alter do Chão, a small town on the Tapajós riverbanks known as the Caribbean of the Amazon for its river beaches beside dense forest, this 5-day Amazon river cruise in Brazil packs in what you can’t do elsewhere, including jungle trails, swims off wide river beaches, visits to riverside communities, wildlife watching, and quiet nights under the stars.

The Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão is all-inclusive: enjoy delicious dishes typical of Pará on board, as well as spacious, elegant private cabins and equally sophisticated common areas.

  • Full itinerary: swims on the Tapajós, a primary-forest trail to the giant Samaúma, visits to the Coroca and São Marcos communities, wildlife watching on the Arapiuns, and a farewell dive.
  • Freshwater beaches with rare green water along the Tapajós River.
  • A trail through Tapajós National Forest to the towering Samaúma tree.
  • Community visits to Coroca (lake and turtle nursery) and São Marcos (cassava flour mill).
  • Liveaboard cruise with private ensuite cabins, elegant common areas, and fine dining.
  • Activities run by experienced local crews, with English-speaking guides on board.
  • All-inclusive experience: airport transfers, 4 nights aboard a Kaiara riverboat, meals, drinks on board, activities and community fees.

  • Please note: The daily plan is a suggested itinerary confirmed on arrival and adapts to river levels. Standard departures are shared in small groups.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Alter do Chão / First dive in the Tapajós

  • TransferSantarém Airport (STM) → Alter do Chão · ~30 min
  • Boarding12 PM to 3 PM
  • First diveTapajós River green waters

Your Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão starts at Santarém International Airport (STM) or at your hotel in the region, where the Kaiara team meets you and drives you to Alter do Chão, one of the most welcoming villages in the whole Amazon. Departure is from 12 PM.

After you settle in and get the boat tour and safety briefing, take a baptism first dive in the green Tapajós, with free time to swim.

Arrive early and you can explore Alter do Chão first: waterfront restaurants, a central square, and shops selling Indigenous crafts. Boarding runs from 12 PM to 3 PM.

Meals included: Lunch / Dinner

Aerial view of a small boat moored on a winding white sandbar where teal, gold and dark river waters meet during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
A lone wind-shaped tree stands on a wide white-sand beach at sunset during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with fiery orange clouds reflected on the calm water
Aerial view of the Belle Amazon river cruise vessel underway on the Amazon River, with open sun decks, deck chairs, and dining furniture visible across three levels
A three-toed sloth clings to a lichen-covered tree trunk in lush tropical forest, spotted during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Teak deck chairs and a cushioned lounge corner on the upper deck of an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a broad river stretching to the horizon under a soft evening sky and the Brazilian flag flying at the stern
The Amazon Dolphin vessel anchored on a glassy river at golden-hour sunset, part of the Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão fleet, with flooded shoreline trees silhouetted against a warm horizon

Day 2

Tapajós National Forest / Samaúma trail

  • Jungle trailFLONA Tapajós · Jamaraquá community
  • Giant Samaúmaprimary forest · stream dip
  • Free afternoonswim in the Tapajós

After breakfast, disembark at the Tapajós National Forest (FLONA), one of the largest conservation units in the region at more than 500,000 hectares. The boat docks in front of the Jamaraquá community, so you can follow a trail through primary forest to the imposing giant Samaúma. Then, cool off in one of the area’s streams.

Back on board for lunch, the afternoon is free for swimming in the Tapajós. At night, the best thing to do is head up to the deck to take in the sky, the stars, and the sounds of the forest.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A person swimming in a vast river at dusk, silhouetted against a deep orange sunset sky on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Two travellers wade along a narrow golden sandbar stretching across wide blue river waters on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a forested shoreline and low hills in the distance
A close-up of a large dried and curling leaf or piece of bark on a branch, revealing the layered textures of the Amazon rainforest understory on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão

Day 3

Jari Channel / Arapiuns River / Coroca community

  • Amazonian dawnJari Channel (Amazon River)
  • Arapiuns Riverbirds · river dolphins may appear
  • Coroca communitylake · turtle nursery · craft shop

On the third day of your Amazon cruise in Brazil, wake in the Jari Channel, an arm of the mighty Amazon River, for a beautiful sunrise set to a chorus of birds. The boat then heads to the Arapiuns River, with its dark waters, thick forest, and white-sand beaches. River dolphins may come to join you—keep your camera ready!

In the late afternoon, visit the Coroca community and learn all about its lake, turtle nursery, and craft shop. With the local guides, you’ll understand more about sustainable tourism in the region.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

An elder man toasts golden cassava flour in a large iron pan over a clay wood-fired oven, part of a community visit on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Aerial view of a luxury Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão showing two open sundecks furnished with wooden loungers, rattan rugs, thatched shade structures and cushioned seating, cruising across a wide brown river
Close-up of hands weaving a small striped basket with natural palm fibre strands during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão community visit

Day 4

São Marcos community / River beach / Piracaia

  • São Marcos communitycassava flour mill
  • River beachcaipirinhas · snacks · hammocks
  • Beach Piracaiafish grilled over charcoal

In the São Marcos community, visit a flour mill to watch how cassava derivatives are made. Afterwards, relax on the beach while the crew prepares caipirinhas with local fruit and serves snacks.

To close the last night of the Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, the team prepares a special dinner on the beach around the traditional piracaia (fish grilled slowly over charcoal).

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A traveller gazes up at the towering buttressed trunk of a giant Samaúma tree during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, surrounded by dense rainforest palms and lianas
Silhouettes of travellers swimming in a vast, glassy river at dusk on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a fiery orange and red sunset reflected across the water
A hiker carrying a water bottle walks away along a narrow leaf-covered trail through dense tropical rainforest on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão

Day 5

Last dive / Return to Alter do Chão

  • Farewell swimgreen waters of the Tapajós
  • TransferAlter do Chão → Santarém (STM)

On the final day of this luxury Amazon cruise in Brazil, wake in the green Tapajós and stop for one last farewell swim. The boat returns to Alter do Chão for disembarkation until 12 PM. The local team will drive you to the airport in Santarém or another preferred spot in the region.

Meals included: Breakfast

The Amazon Dolphin cruise vessel moored on a river sandbar at dusk, warm cabin lights glowing against a deep blue and orange sunset sky on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Golden sunrise light reflecting off a wide tropical river during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a dense green forest shoreline stretching to the horizon

What is Included

  • Round-trip ground transfer (Santarém (STM) ⇌ Alter do Chão), for boarding and disembarking
  • 4-night stay aboard one of Kaiara’s riverboats (Tupaiú, Belle Amazon or Amazon Dolphin)
  • Meals as described in the daily itinerary (full board), plus snacks between meals
  • Drinks on board: mineral water, juices, soft drinks, beers, caipirinhas, and spirits (vodka, gin and tonic, and whiskey)
  • Activities and tours, including community and visitation fees
  • Crew on board: captain, sailors, cook and assistant, sstewardess,and hostess
  • Travel insurance
  • Guided tours (Tapajós beaches, the FLONA Samaúma trail, the Coroca and São Marcos visits, and wildlife watching)
  • Bilingual local guiding (Portuguese and English)

Not included

  • Flight tickets
  • Other services in Santarém or in the village of Alter do Chão
  • Optional gratuities for the crew and activity guides
  • Personal expenses

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From

$ 2,650/ per person