Kayapo’s Territory

Arrive in Manaus. A country of mythical proportions, Brazil enchants with natural beauty, friendly people and an intoxicating, unique mix of European, African and Indigenous influences. Discover the very best of this captivating destination on your journey, whether you visit its sun-kissed beaches or travel deep into the lush Amazon. Manaus is located in the North of the country, the capital of Brazil’s largest state Amazonas. It is an ideal starting point when visiting the rest of the Amazonic region. Boats depart from Manaus for tours and are the main means of transportation to the jungle hotels. On arrival your private driver and guide will be waiting for you to provide a transfer to your hotel in the center of Manaus. Juma Opera Hotel is a unique boutique hotel that provides all the comforts you need to rest and relax, with spacious accommodations, a restaurant mixing regional and international cuisine, gym and rooftop pool.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Manaus. Transfer to the airport where you will catch your chartered flight to the Kayapo Camp. The camp is located down the river from a remote and small indigenous community (15 Kayapo families) right in the middle of most preserved Kayapo land, the epicenter of the Kayapo Indigenous Nation. This region is approximately 5 million hectares of pure virgin Amazon forest. Only 700 indigenous people live in this enormous area, creating one of the most isolated portions of Tropical Jungle on earth.

The Kayapos are one of the most important indigenous amazonic ethnic groups, but no more than 8,000 Kayapo people remain living in the Amazon. Their cosmology, ritual life and social organization are extremely rich and complex, while their relations with non-indigenous society and environmentalists from the world over are marked by their intensity and ambivalence. This untouched environment has more than 800 kilometers of rivers, and three major tributaries inside our new and exclusive operation area. The Iriri River is a hidden treasure protected for centuries by the last guardians of the Amazon jungle: the Kayapo warriors.

Flight from Manaus to the Kayapo Camp is operated by an 8-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan plane, and normally departs around 7am. The flight duration is 3:15hs to 3:30hours. The village is located 550 miles southeast from Manaus and the plane will land on the airstrip right in the Kayapo Village Community. On arrival to the village you are immediately greeted by the community with a special welcome ceremony headed by the community chief. The event takes place in the warriors hunt in the middle of the circular village and all those gather around. A light lunch will be served at the village prior to going to the lodge. After lunch we’ll be transferred down the Iriri river in a speedboat to the pristine location of our Kayapo Tented Camp. The Kayapo Tented Camp accommodations are a comfortable Serengeti Style Safari tented camp with 4 double occupancy tents with spring box beds, private bathroom, hot water and electric light. The camp is located in a wonderful sandy beach area in front of a gorgeous pool of Iriri river, 45 km downstream the community.

Every evening guests will be delighted by wonderful cuisine in a well-fashioned living and dining room. Bottled water, soft drinks, spirits, wines and juices will complete the beverage list on camp. Very good satellite Internet wireless connection and phone service are provided for all our guests. Solar panels provide full electric power every night and each tent has 110-volt plugs so remember to bring your 110v to 220v converter if needed. You may charge batteries and use an electric shaver in every tent. We provide laundry service at the camp at no additional cost.

On arrival at the lodge you will be greeted by your host with fresh signature cocktails. After settling in the lodge, the manager will provide a brief tour of the property and orientation session as well as introduce the staff including both Brazilian and Kayapo members. Dinner is served at the lodge, specially prepared by the specialist chef.

Breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast depart for a wildlife trail with the Kayapo warriors, your specialist wildlife guide. On the trail you may see various species of privates including, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and capuchin monkeys as well as various other small animals and birds. Throughout the interpretive trail, the Kayapo warrior will share some of their hunting techniques and their knowledge of the jungle Lunch will be hosted back at the lodge. Following lunch, enjoy some leisure time at the lodge with the stand up paddle board and kayaks. After lunch, set out with your guides and Kayapo warriors on a boat safari along the pristine Iriri river, in search of great river otters, tapirs, and Macaws. End the evening with cocktails and appetizers at the lodge followed by a delicious dinner prepared by the lodge chef. After dinner embark on a brief night safari, along the river, in search of nocturnal animals.

After Breakfast at the lodge enjoy the picturesque morning on the river as you boat up the Iriri to the indigenous village. The focus of the day will be to learn more about Kayapo people and their way of life. At the village there are several activities. First spend some time with the Kayapo women as they show one of the most iconic elements of their tradition: Body painting. Using natural dyes from amazon ingredients, called Jenipapo and Urucum. Also learn how they harvest and process the manioc root into a flour, which is one of their main starch staples for their diet. Next, spend some time with the hunters and learn some of their unique hunting techniques. Also learn about some of the unique dances and ceremonies of the Kayapo. For the truly active guests there is an opportunity to climb the large granite hill that is the iconic landmark of the village. Enjoy lunch in the village. After lunch join the Kayapo children for a refreshing swim in the river. Return to the lodge for dinner by speedboat in the look out for some of the elusive animals that can be found in this pristine natural environment such as the jaguar and black puma. After dinner, enjoy the bonfire on the beach to hear some of the traditional Kayapo stories.

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge. Set out with your naturalist guide and Kayapo warriors for another wildlife outing this time heading down the river. This time in search of other monkeys and mammals. Enjoy a fresh picnic lunch on the river prepared by your guides and Kayapo warriors. Return to the lodge in the evening for a sundowner and appetizers. Following dinner your specialist guide has prepared a special astronomy session to take in the impeccable night sky of the Amazon.

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge. Enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge. Transfer in speedboats for your final river safari back to the indigenous Kayapo village. At the village you will have a final chance to say your farewells to the Kayapo members that were part of your experience. Board your charted turboprop plane back to Manaus. On arrival in Manaus you will be transferred to your hotel or to the international airport. End the evening with a special farewell dinner at the Caixiri restaurant overlooking the famous Manaus opera house. End of services.