The Rubber Path Cruise takes you back to locations related to the Rubber Boom era in the Amazon. While Manaus, the capital of the biggest state of Brazil – Amazonas – took all the fame as the main port of exportation of Brazilian Rubber, it was in Santarém, a tiny town in the heart of Brazilian Amazon, that the events that changed the course of the history of the world happened. While we’ll tell you the story during the trip, here’s what you need to know about what we put together:

• Taperinha Farm and Riker Ranch. Both are located in the middle of Maicá floodplain, once a Bucket List destination for the world’s greatest naturalists. A fantastic place for wildlife observation, a mysterious archaeological site and the first of 4 different eco-systems you’ll see on this trip. It is also a place that feeds a big part of Santarém, rich in freshwater shrimp and fish of 20+ species. You’re up against cast net fishermen, you’ll fish with the famous Riker family and the descendants of one of the greatest European scientists in the Amazon. 

• Meeting of the waters, Igarapé-Açu and Canal do Jari. The transition from the muddy waters of the Amazon to clear water of the Tapajos begins right in front of Santarem. Igarapé-Açú and Canal do Jari are part of the maze of channels that throw waters of the Amazon into the clash with the Tapajos River, the Amazon River’s 4th largest tributary (1200 miles long and up to 35 miles wide). That forms a unique eco-system for the migration of fish, river dolphins and caimans, while fauna is thriving – parakeets, monkeys, sloths, toucans, hoatzins – you name it. Those are also fantastic places to see giant water Lily pads (Victoria Regia) and even taste them! On canal do Jari we’re also received by a local family, get to do a light, short but fruitful hike, spotting lots of wildlife and seeing the biggest trees of the floodplains – the Paradise nut trees and Strangler figs.

• Tapajos National Forest. One of the largest forest preserves in the world protected since 1973, was once home to prehistoric civilizations, indigenous villages, and rubber tappers. Most of the settlements on the Tapajos River are in this area that today humbles any nature experience in the world. Over 150 miles of white sandy beaches, crystal-clear creeks, thousand-year-old trees, and a diversity of cultures are spread here. September is the month when the sandbars show their best shapes, lagoons become clear and rubber tappers make their handicraft. You’ll see the extraction of latex, a fire ritual by Munduruku people and yes, will be able to go fly fishing, spare fishing, diving, and fishing with bows and arrows. Munduruku is an ethnic group with fascinating history, culture, and great challenges in modern world. Meeting them is a privilege and will give you a great perspective of the Amazon. Fishing in the lagoons is great, doing it as a contest versus locals is simply cool.

• Fordlandia and Belterra. Henry Ford built 2 towns in the Amazon. Their remains are not just a place we visit, but also the best way to learn about the rubber tree, cocoa, and gold rush in the Amazon. The great difference from our trip in May is that we are only visiting Belterra – navigation time to and from Fordlandia in low water season doesn’t allow us to prioritize white sandy beaches, hiking trails and full experience of the Tapajos National Forest.

• Alter do Chão, Carapanari, Aramanai and other beach villages of the Tapajos River. Alter do Chão is a landmark that attracts tons of tourists today, but it is still an authentic village of fishermen. Lago Verde, an inlet separated from the Tapajos River by the most postcard-looking beach in Brazil is where in 2022 a sport fisherman from Santarém, Felipe Machado, caught a record 75 cm (29.5 inches, 18,5 lbs) Pinima Peacock bass. Carimbó dancing, beach parties, beautiful hikes, astonishing gastronomic experience, wildlife observation and fishing with locals is what we’re looking for here.