4-day Amazon survival tour from Manaus: Jungle camping

You sleep in a hammock in the forest, not a lodge.

A 4-day Amazon survival tour from Manaus based in the Juma area, 100 kilometres south of the city, where you camp in the jungle and learn the forest from a live guide. All nights are spent in hammocks with mosquito nets at a camp deep in the rainforest. Hotel pickup from Manaus is included, as is tourist insurance and mineral water throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to camp

• Transfer from hotel to Ceasa port
• Boat ride to Meeting of Waters
• Boat to Careiro da vazea village
• Car transfer to River Paraná do Mamori
• Speed-boat to lodge and lunch
• Boat to camping site and set up hammocks

Day 2: Forest canoeing and jungle walk

• Canoe trip to watch sunrise
• Breakfast at camp
• Jungle walk with guide
• Afternoon canoeing in flooded forest
• Night boat trip for caiman spotting

Day 3: Local visit and fishing

• Visit local family house
• Boat trip for piranha fishing
• Prepare and eat fish for dinner

Day 4: Jungle hike and return to Manaus

• Morning jungle hike
• Breakfast at camp
• Boat navigation through channels and creeks
• Lunch at lodge
• Departure to Manaus

The experience

The journey starts at 8am with pickup from your hotel and transfer to Ceasa port. A 40-minute speedboat ride takes you to the Meeting of Waters, where the Negro and Solimões rivers converge, then across to Careiro da Vazea village. From there a 50-minute drive and another 45-minute speedboat ride through the Paraná do Mamori river bring you to the lodge by 11:30am for lunch. At 2:30pm you head by motorized boat to the camping site where you'll set up your hammock for the night.

Each day follows a rhythm built around what the forest offers. A 5:30am canoe trip catches the sunrise and the forest waking. Breakfast follows at 7am, then a jungle walk from 8am to 11:30am where the guide points out medicinal plants, spiders, trees and occasional monkeys. Afternoons bring canoeing through flooded forest and narrow channels to spot wildlife, and nights include caiman spotting by boat before returning to camp. On day three you visit a local family's house to see how they live in the forest, then fish for piranhas and other species in the afternoon. You clean and cook what you catch for dinner. The final morning is another jungle hike to explore deeper into the rainforest and spot birds and wildlife, followed by a boat trip through channels and creeks before heading back to the lodge for lunch and the 1:30pm departure to Manaus, arriving around 4:30pm.

The guide speaks English or Portuguese and travels with the group throughout. Hammocks and mosquito nets are provided, along with tourist insurance and mineral water for the four days. The camp itself is your base. You're not moving between lodges or towns. This is maximum contact with the forest on its terms, not a guided walk from a comfortable hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Manaus and drop-off back to your hotel or airport.
• all transport by speedboat, car and motorized canoe.
• hammocks and mosquito nets for all four nights.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• a live guide in English or Portuguese.
• tourist insurance.
• and mineral water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Joshua's Amazon Expeditions

Is this one for you?The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, so you don't need a car or your own transport to reach the forest from Manaus. The 100-kilometre journey south is handled for you, and the guide speaks English or Portuguese, making it accessible whether you're staying in the city or arriving without local knowledge.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Meeting of Waters and why do we stop there on the first day?

The Meeting of Waters is the point where the Negro River and the Solimões River meet near Manaus. It's the first major landmark on the boat journey south. The two rivers flow side by side for a stretch without mixing, creating a visible line in the water, and it marks the transition from the city to the deeper forest you'll explore for the next three days.

How much of each day is spent in a boat versus walking or at camp?

The first day is mostly travel by boat and car to reach the camp. Days two through four split between early-morning canoe trips (around an hour), mid-morning jungle walks (three to four hours), afternoon activities like canoeing or fishing (two to three hours), and evening boat trips before returning to camp. You're active most of the day, with rest time at camp between activities.

What happens if I'm not comfortable sleeping in a hammock?

Hammocks with mosquito nets are the accommodation for all four nights. There is no alternative lodging at the camp. The hammocks are set up at the campsite, and the mosquito nets protect you from insects. If hammock sleeping is not feasible for you, this tour may not be the right fit.

Do I need to bring my own fishing gear, or is everything provided for the piranha fishing?

The tour includes fishing for piranhas and other species on day three. The guide provides the gear and instruction. You catch the fish, return to camp, and prepare them for dinner that evening.

What wildlife might I actually see, and is spotting animals guaranteed?

The guide points out monkeys, birds, caimans, spiders and other forest wildlife during walks, canoe trips and evening boat outings. Sightings depend on the time of day, water levels and animal activity, so they are not guaranteed, but the itinerary is designed to maximize your chances across multiple habitats: sunrise canoe trips, daytime walks and night spotting.