large Amazon Basin, is the world's biggest
tropical rainforest, officially called Amazonia
but also known as the Amazon Rainforest or
Amazon Jungle. The rainforest itself is five
and half million square kilometres in area
and, though it includes territories that belong
to nine different nations, 60% of the forest is
located in Brazil.
has long been a magnet for adventurers,
romantics, scientists and eco-tourists.
of the state of Amazonas and home to an
international airport and the farthest navigable
point of the Amazon River for large ocean
steamers.
Meeting of the Waters, which takes place
just 10km from Manaus. The phenomenon
occurs at the confluence of the Solimões and
Negro rivers and marks the formation of the
Amazon River the world's second longest
river and its largest by volume of water. The
meeting of the Negro's black waters and the
muddy waters of the Solimões is a spectacular
sight. For six kilometres the waters steadfastly
refuse to mix and thanks to their unique
colouring the disparate waters of each river
remain clearly delineated black on the one
side, clay-coloured on the other.
excursions up narrow tributaries with foliage so
dense your tour guide will have to hack a way
through it; swimming with pink dolphins in the
Amazon River; piranha fishing; tours to the ruins
of the abandoned city of Airão Velho on the Rio
Jaú; visiting native Amerindian villages; or bird
watching in a region that is home to one in five
of all the world's bird species.
treetop hotels. Built on stilts to be at tree level,
these accommodations offer a truly immersive
and original jungle experience. The Ariau
Amazon Towers, located 60km northwest of
Manaus on the right banks of the Negro, is
the largest treetop hotel in the world and an
excellent springboard for your adventures.