The Amazon Jungle in Manaus
This time, exceptionally, it was a trip without kids – because it was our honeymoon! The Amazon rainforest might not be the most obvious destination for such an occasion, but it had been my truly enormous dream ever since childhood. And we made it come true on an absolutely fascinating journey through Brazil and Argentina ❤️
Manaus – the starting point
Our adventure in the Amazon Lowlands begins in Manaus, a large city located in the very heart of the Amazon. It lies on the Rio Negro, and just after leaving the port by boat, this river meets another called the Solimões, together forming the mighty Amazon River. At their meeting point, you can witness an extraordinary phenomenon: for many kilometers, the waters refuse to mix, clearly dividing the surface into two distinct colors, black and light brown. Before setting off, it’s worth grabbing something filling at the port, for example, cassava with dried beef (definitely with something to drink, as it’s just a tad dry 😉). After all, a long journey lies ahead.
The Mighty Amazon
The Amazon is a river of legends! Its drainage basin – the largest in the world – nurtures the biggest tropical rainforests on Earth, stretching mostly across Brazil and Peru. We begin our journey by boat, only to switch three more times, first to a jeep, then to a motorboat, and then to a smaller boat. Traveling by water, we navigate its tributaries cutting through lush mangrove forests. The entire trip to our lodge takes nearly three hours and is dazzling in its own right. Sailing the Amazon at sunset is practically a mystical experience, one that truly stays in your heart forever ❤️
A World of Flora and Fauna
Along the way we pass giant water lilies, ever-present lianas, and towering kapok trees. In the jungle itself, vegetation grows in layers, and its distribution depends largely on access to sunlight. In the lower levels, dense, vibrant greenery thrives mostly in mosses, lichens, and climbing plants. One fascinating species is the sensitive mimosa, which reacts to even the gentlest touch by folding and hiding its leaves. The flora of the Amazon rainforest is breathtaking – both in the rain and bathed in sunshine. As for wildlife, some species are certainly easier to spot during the wet season. Still, the sheer diversity of life in the jungle allows you to observe everything from large mammals to magnificent birds soaring in the treetops, as well as countless insects. One of them, living under tree bark, serves as an excellent source of protein and is eaten alive (yes, really!) straight from beneath the bark.
A Cabin in the Heart of the Jungle
A modest, slightly rickety wooden cabin on stilts in the vast Amazon jungle. A place to wash? Check. A place to sleep? Check. A roof over our heads? Absolutely. That’s really all you need! Built right on the river, far from other people, with no phone signal whatsoever. The only neighboring cabin belonged to the owners, who served us delicious local fish and pancakes for breakfast and dinner, allowing for warm, genuine contact with the local community. From our cabin, we took a motorboat to observe pink river dolphins and piranhas. Yes, I accidentally fell into water where hundreds of piranhas were swimming. Yes (as you can see!) I survived 😉 On our way back along the river, we experienced a truly unforgettable, proper tropical downpour. Life in the jungle is ruled by sunlight, which means evenings are blissfully calm and peaceful. True, a large, brick-red, hairy spider on the ceiling as you lie in bed at night doesn’t necessarily make falling asleep easier… but a tired traveler can sleep soundly even with that image in mind.
If you want to experience a real adventure and see the Amazon you once read about as a wide-eyed child, the jungle near Manaus is the place for you. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have seen it and fulfilled one of my biggest dreams. Maybe you shouldn’t postpone your dreams either – write to me today, and let’s plan such a journey together.