Wednesday, 25.03.2020 Belem/Brazil, departure 21.00 hrs (subject to the tides)

Thursday, 26.03.2020 Day trip through the Breves Channels

Lush plant life, exotic creatures and untouched native villages – the world of the Amazon is best described in superlatives: no river is as long, and no rainforest is as diverse. The Breves Channels hint at the fantastic wealth of nature and challenging mysteries that motivated famous explorers. On this impressive daytime passage, the greenery that shades the shore seems close enough to touch as the manoeuvrable ships of the new expedition class head ever deeper into this wild Garden of Eden.

Friday, 27.03.2020 to Tuesday, 31.03.2020 Upstream on the Amazon with Zodiac landings (including Rio Pucurui, Guajara, Alter do Chao, Parintins, Canacari)

Depending on the weather and currents, the Zodiacs will bring frequent intensive moments as beautiful side branches with a gorgeous jungle backdrop draw you under their spell. The tropical air rings with the calls of toucans, yellow-headed caracaras and saffron finches, their feathers sparkling in the dense foliage. Lined with buriti and acai palms, the Rio Pucurui offers a picture-perfect panorama home to more than 1,000 species of bird. South America’s lifeline is also home to over 400 mammals, including the sloths that only ever move in slow motion. With luck, you will encounter a truly exotic native creature as you travel by Zodiac in Guajara: the pink river dolphin. Is the legend true that they transform into young men in order to seduce women? Again and again, the jungle surprises with stories and impressions, as Alter do Chao will demonstrate: on the emerald-green Rio Tapajos, you will suddenly find yourself on a seemingly Caribbean beach. Swim and bathe in this green paradise and tune into the easy-going nature of the people of Parintins and their exuberant Bumba-meu-boi spectacle. With colourful costumes and intoxicating music, the dancers relate the legend of the resurrection of a bull. Thoughts of water buffalo raise the question of how deep these creatures wade to graze on floating vegetation. Be it mythology or biology, the experts on board the HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration will have the answer. Board the Zodiacs and head for curious natural treasures: for example, in Canacari, travelling through drifting pastures and past the world’s largest water lilies with gorgeous leaves 3 m (10 ft) in diameter.

Wednesday, 01.04.2020 to Thursday, 02.04.2020 Manaus (Amazon)

Friday, 03.04.2020 to Friday, 10.04.2020 Further upstream on the Amazon with Zodiac landings (including Badajos, Cuxiu Muni, Uara, Rio Jutai, Leticia, Pevas)

Back on the river in the depths of the rainforest, your route will take you through the flooded forests of Badajos: the water reflects treetops filled with creatures, and squirrel monkeys swinging nimbly through the branches draw your gaze to the sky. Keep looking up and you may see one of the colourful parakeets that can both climb and fly short distances. A night-time Zodiac ride near Cuxiu Muni may offer some illuminating moments when the eyes of caimans penetrate the darkness. Explore wonders both large and small on a hike in Uara, where Brazil nut trees tower up to 65 m (213 ft) and the sunlight struggles to pierce the foliage. Whether ashore, on deck or in a Zodiac, this unique voyage of discovery is filled with astonishing sights – for example, on the Rio Jutai, when the cries of parrots ring across the water. Visit the colourful, vibrant markets of Leticia, where aromatic spices and tropical fruits inspire the senses. Away from the hustle and bustle, some people are still said to live in complete isolation. In Pevas, the stilt buildings of the native Peruvian village provide a vivid insight into life in the wilderness.

Saturday, 11.04.2020 -Iquitos/Peru, arrival 7.00 hrs

Charter flight to Lima

Arriving in Iquitos, your mind and soul will be enriched with intensive experiences – from a 4,000 km (2,485 mi.) adventure from the mouth of the Amazon deep into the heart of the river.