Although the vast and fragile ecosystem known as Amazonia covers only half of the Brazilian territory, it is responsible for supplying over half of the planet's oxygen, it contains a fifth of the earth's fresh water and houses a tenth of the world's animal species and plant life. No collection of statistics can adequately describe the enormity of it. Its gateway is Manaus, a hot, humid, yet fascinating city with an opera house of such colonial magnificence that it would not seem out of place in 18th century Spain.

The way of life is boats and the pace of life is governed by the flow of the river. Cruise on a clipper, trek in the forest, fish for piranhas and experience this unique and fascinating lifestyle.