Amazon Cruise:Heart Of Amazonia

The Amazon was first explored by Europeans in 1500, by the Spanish skipper Vincente Pinzon. In 1541, his fellow countryman, Francisco de Orellana, traveled the entire length of the Amazon, bringing back reports of terrifying warrior women who had attacked his party. It is after these women, the South American version of the Greek Amazons, that he named the river. The Amazon jungle is the world’s largest and densest rainforest, with over 200 species of mammals and 1,800 species of birds. The Amazon also provides 30% of the world’s oxygen and 20% of its fresh water. So dense with vegetation is the Amazon today, that only about 10 percent of the sunlight penetrates to the ground, creating an environment full of unique plants and animals. This vast rainforest also harbors approximately 50,000 Indians, many of them untouched by the modern world. Your 7 night expedition cruise aboard the M/Y Tucano will penetrate the deeply hidden areas of the Amazon, revealing its lush vegetation and fascinating wildlife. You’ll observe “caboclos” living in stilt houses along the river, see gold prospectors, and watch fresh water dolphins playing in the wake of the boat. Highlights will include alligator spotlighting in a canoe and piranha fishing in the surrealistic waters of the Rio Negro. You’ll also go on easy jungle treks where you’ll observe wildlife, flora and learn about jungle survival techniques. And you’ll cruise to the "Wedding of the Waters," where the coffee-brown Amazon and the inky-black Rio Negro meet and flow side by side for miles before intermingling. The 18-passenger M/Y Tucano is a comfortable, informal cruise ship that enables travelers to experience the flora, fauna and people of the Amazon River up close. Unlike large cruising vessels, the M/Y Tucano is able to navigate narrow tributaries, stopping en route at villages and wildlife sites along the river. Each of the ship’s cabins is an “outside” cabin with a large window, private bathroom and air conditioning.