River, Rubber & the Indigenous Village
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Port
Manaus, Brazil
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$130
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Take a regional riverboat up the Rio Negro to visit an indigenous village. Upon arrival, you'll be treated to a reception that includes rituals performed by the shaman (priest) and the tribe.
You'll continue by boat to visit the Seringal Felicidade, located on the left bank of the Tarumã Mirim Creek part of the river. Your guide offers a brief introduction to the rubber industry here; then, you'll have time to walk the trails and learn firsthand the history of the rubber boom, which took place around the turn of the 20th century. Discover how the Golden Era began and hear about the incredible money made at the expense of the seringueiros, or rubber tappers, who lived and worked in appalling conditions and faced very real danger from snakes and other predators. You will also learn about the simple economic principles that eventually brought the Brazilian rubber industry to its knees.
The Rubber Museum opened in 2002 in the middle of the jungle, and is a replica rubber estate inspired by Portuguese writer Ferreira de Castro's best-selling book The Jungle. The facility has been used as background scenery for many wide- and small-screen productions depicting the boom era in rubber. The plantation also features some Brazil nut trees and is decorated with articles and equipment used in the rubber industry heyday.
Your tour ends with a boat ride down the Rio Negro back to the ship.
Please note: Eat a hearty breakfast, as this tour includes no meal. Wear light clothing. The riverboat is boarded by way of a gangplank and there may be a couple of steps to negotiate in order to board the boat. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. The boat does not have restroom facilities on board; there are restrooms at the Rubber Museum. Minimum age is 12 years. The rainy season in the Amazon extends from December through March. Bring a light waterproof outer layer on tour with you. Your guide will do his/her best to speak English, but please keep in mind that the limited tourism infrastructure of Manaus is part of the city's charm, and bear with any language difficulties he/she may encounter.
As an extension of the Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, this Mindful Living tour is designed to deliver the experience that contributes to mind and body wellness. You are invited to visit the on-board spa to speak to the Mindful Living coach to learn more about Dr. Weil and our holistic wellness program.
Tour duration varies depending on the river's water level. The water level is low in November and duration is normally 5.5 – 6 hours. The water level is high in March and duration is normally 4.5 – 5 hours.