Amazon River Cruise from Alter do Chão
Planeta Exo
TripsBrazilAmazon

Amazon River Cruise from Alter do Chão

Amazon
4 Nights·5 Days
AmazonAmazon River CruisesFamily Adventures

Overview

Have you ever thought of exploring the largest rainforest on the planet by boat? This Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão is not just any boat trip — you sail aboard Kaiara vessels, among the best river cruises in Brazil, across the Tapajós, Amazon and Arapiuns rivers.

Departing from Alter do Chão — a beautiful little town on the Tapajós riverbanks, known as the Caribbean of the Amazon for its breathtaking beaches beside dense green forest — the journey holds activities you can't experience anywhere else: jungle hiking, relaxing on river beaches, visiting local communities, wildlife watching, canoeing and much more.

Our 5-day Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão is all-inclusive, so you savor delicious Brazilian food prepared daily by talented cooks who know everything about Pará's cuisine. It is one of the best Amazon cruises in Brazil, and a genuinely comfortable Amazon river cruise in Brazil for travelers who want nature and comfort in equal measure. It is also a refined, luxury Amazon cruise in Brazil, and few Alter do Chão cruises pack so much into five days.

👉 Discover more options on our guide to the best Amazon river cruises in Brazil.

  • Beautiful freshwater beaches along the Tapajós River.
  • Visiting different local Amazon communities (Aldeia Atodi, São Marcos, Coroca).
  • Outdoor activities: forest hiking, wildlife watching, canoeing and night tours.
  • Hiking in Tapajós National Forest to see the Samaúma — an ancient, 70-metre tree.
  • A comfortable stay in ensuite cabins and elegant common areas aboard Kaiara cruises.
  • Delicious regional dishes made with fresh local ingredients.

  • Please note: This is an all-inclusive river cruise aboard the Kaiara fleet (three vessels, up to 22 guests). Meals, drinks, transfers and activities are included; itineraries are fully tailor-made and adapt to river levels. Standard departures are shared in small groups.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Tapajós beach / Arapiuns River

  • TransferSantarém Airport (STM) → dock · ~30 min
  • River beachTapajós · swim & relax
  • Set sailJari Channel (Amazon River) → Arapiuns River · sunset

Your journey begins at Santarém International Airport (STM), where Kaiara's staff pick you up and drive you (about 30 minutes) to the docked ship. Kaiara departs around noon, with a first stop at one of the Tapajós beaches to relax on the clear sand and swim in the green waters. The ship then sails to the Jari Channel on the Amazon River — a great spot for birds, piranhas and small mammals — before floating on to the Arapiuns River at sunset over fruity local drinks.

Meals included: Lunch / Dinner

Aerial view of a small boat moored on a winding white sandbar where teal, gold and dark river waters meet during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
A lone wind-shaped tree stands on a wide white-sand beach at sunset during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with fiery orange clouds reflected on the calm water
Aerial view of the Belle Amazon river cruise vessel underway on the Amazon River, with open sun decks, deck chairs, and dining furniture visible across three levels
A three-toed sloth clings to a lichen-covered tree trunk in lush tropical forest, spotted during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Teak deck chairs and a cushioned lounge corner on the upper deck of an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a broad river stretching to the horizon under a soft evening sky and the Brazilian flag flying at the stern
The Amazon Dolphin vessel anchored on a glassy river at golden-hour sunset, part of the Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão fleet, with flooded shoreline trees silhouetted against a warm horizon

Day 2

Medicinal plants (Aldeia Atodi) / Igarapés / Canoeing

  • Community walkAldeia Atodi · medicinal plants
  • Igarapésrefreshing dip
  • Canoeinglate-afternoon lake tour

After breakfast, you dock near Aldeia Atodi, a female-led Indigenous village whose guardians guide you through the forest. These experienced women share stories about the Amazon and the medicinal properties of plants and tree bark, ending with a dip in the area's igarapés (water courses). Back on board for lunch, the afternoon is free before a canoe tour on the nearby lake. Dinner is served on the beach to the sound of Pará's traditional music.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A person swimming in a vast river at dusk, silhouetted against a deep orange sunset sky on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Two travellers wade along a narrow golden sandbar stretching across wide blue river waters on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a forested shoreline and low hills in the distance
A close-up of a large dried and curling leaf or piece of bark on a branch, revealing the layered textures of the Amazon rainforest understory on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
A woman in a white dress kneels among glowing paper lanterns and woven mats on a sand beach at night, part of an outdoor dinner setup on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão

Day 3

Local communities (São Marcos, Coroca) / Freshwater beach

  • CommunitySão Marcos · cassava products
  • River beachcaipirinhas & hammocks
  • ConservationCoroca · Amazon turtle breeding centre

After breakfast you visit São Marcos, a community living from cassava products, including the flour used in farofa. Next comes a gorgeous freshwater beach, where the crew serves authentic caipirinhas, snacks and hammocks. The last visit is Coroca, whose riverside people run a breeding centre for Amazon turtles in partnership with Ibama, helping remove the species from the endangered list. Before returning, browse Galeria Aripó, the community's gift shop, for locally made souvenirs.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

An elder man toasts golden cassava flour in a large iron pan over a clay wood-fired oven, part of a community visit on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Aerial view of a luxury Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão showing two open sundecks furnished with wooden loungers, rattan rugs, thatched shade structures and cushioned seating, cruising across a wide brown river
Handwoven palm-fibre baskets in earth tones hanging from a bamboo structure at a community craft stall visited on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Close-up of hands weaving a small striped basket with natural palm fibre strands during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão community visit

Day 4

Amazon hiking / Samaúma tree / Night tour

  • Jungle hikeTapajós National Forest · Jamaraquá village
  • Samaúmaup to 70 m · believed 900+ years old
  • Night canoestargazing & nocturnal wildlife

Sailing overnight, Kaiara reaches Tapajós National Forest at dawn. After docking near Jamaraquá village, you hike through the jungle to the almighty Samaúma, a giant tree that can grow to 70 metres and live for centuries — one is believed to be over 900 years old, called the Queen of the Amazon. The hike is fully customizable to the group's pace. Back on board to rest, the day ends with an exciting night canoe tour for stargazing and spotting nocturnal animals.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A traveller gazes up at the towering buttressed trunk of a giant Samaúma tree during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, surrounded by dense rainforest palms and lianas
Silhouettes of travellers swimming in a vast, glassy river at dusk on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a fiery orange and red sunset reflected across the water
A hiker carrying a water bottle walks away along a narrow leaf-covered trail through dense tropical rainforest on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
A wide-eyed capuchin monkey peers through dense green leaves during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão

Day 5

Sunrise contemplation / River beach / Departure

  • Sunriseearly-morning contemplation
  • Final beachTapajós · swim & photos
  • TransferAlter do Chão → Santarém Airport

On the last day we recommend waking early to witness the daybreak light up the sky. After breakfast, a final stop at one of the Tapajós beaches lets you swim, take pictures and say goodbye. You arrive in Alter do Chão by around noon (or earlier, according to your flight), and Kaiara's staff drive you safely to Santarém Airport.

Meals included: Breakfast

The Amazon Dolphin cruise vessel moored on a river sandbar at dusk, warm cabin lights glowing against a deep blue and orange sunset sky on an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão
Golden sunrise light reflecting off a wide tropical river during an Amazon cruise from Alter do Chão, with a dense green forest shoreline stretching to the horizon

What is Included

  • Accommodation: High-end accommodation aboard one of Kaiara's ships.
  • Meals: 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), including water, juice, soft drinks, beer and caipirinha on board.
  • Transfers: Round-trip transfers between Santarém International Airport and Alter do Chão.
  • Activities & tours: Activities and tours, support vessel and visiting fees.
  • Guide: Bilingual guides (Portuguese and English) and full crew (captain, sailors, cook and kitchen assistant, maid, host).
  • Insurance: Travel insurance.

Not included

  • Flights: Flight tickets.
  • Drinks: Additional spirits such as vodka, gin and whisky.
  • Personal expenses & tips: Optional tips for the crew and guides, plus personal expenses in Alter do Chão.
  • Any services not previously mentioned: Any services not previously mentioned.

FAQ

Reviews

Trustpilot

Check availability for your trip

Free inquiry – no commitment

Who's joining the adventure?

2
0

Your next trip

Tell us about your trip

Contact details

How should we contact you?*

From

$ 2,250/ per person