Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
by narrow creeks, hidden
among forests full of sloths,
monkeys, and colorful, noisy
tropical birds. The river and
lake offer the opportunity to
see both pink and gray river
dolphins, as well as go
piranha fishing. Nearby, the
Lago Arara is great for fishing,
and home to a pink dolphin-
feeding ground. The local
people, known as caboclos ,
have been here for gener-
ations and live in scattered
riverside communities,
occasionally coming together
for celebrations. They earn
their living by making farinha
(manioc flour), rearing cattle,
and fishing. Visits to the
caboclo homes can be
organized by Gero's Tours .
Run independently by
English-speaking Gero
Mesquita, it can book hotels,
arrange transport, and
meticulously plan tours.
Farther upstream and
deeper into the forest from
here, the Rio Juma region
offers better access to wild
life, but requires expedition-
type preparation and
several days.
Nature Safaris , a tour
company based in Manaus,
can arrange expeditions in
Amazônia, offering short
package tours, as well as
longer safaris. It is possible
to stay either in a floating
lodge, or one of the many
jungle lodges along the Rio
Juma. Most of them offer
jungle hikes, piranha fishing,
and caiman spotting at night.
Limpid blue sky mirrorred in the clear waters of Lago Mamori
} Lago Manaquiri
40 miles (64 km) SW of Manaus.
www .amazonastur-en.am.gov.br
A five-hour boat ride from
Manaus, the backwater lake
of Manaquiri is best entered
first via the Rio Solimões,
then upstream to a tributary
that leads to the lake. Its
waters rise and fall with the
seasons. Relatively isolated,
the Lago Manaquiri is usually
a good spot for seeing water
birds, including the great
egret ( Casmerodius albus )
and fish eagles. It is not
unusual to see caimans and
large Amazonian alligators
basking on the sandy shore.
The lake provides
sustenance to the small
fishing town of Manaquiri.
Local economy depends more
on fishing than on tourism. In
1995, however, both were hit
by the worst drought in over
40 years, when the lagoons
evaporated, and thousands
of dead fish lay on the bed
of the dried-up lake. The
changed climatic conditions
continue to deplete fish in the
area. Nonetheless, fishing
remains the main activity, and
there are many tour operators
based in Manaus, offering
budget fishing packages.
It is always best to go
through a travel company
registered with the Brazilian
Tourism Bureau (Embratur)
(see p425) . Some of the tour
agencies provide typical
Amazon riverboats, which
may come fully equipped
with kitchen, dining area,
canopied sundeck, bathroom,
and shower. Fishing is best
in the dry season, which
usually lasts from August
to December or January.
} Lago Mamori
60 miles (96 km) SE of Manaus.
Gero's Tours Rua 10 de Julho 679,
Manaus. Tel (092) 9983 6273 .
Nature Safaris Rua Flavio Espiritu 1,
Manaus. Tel (092) 3656 6033.
Easily accessible by road
and boat from Manaus, the
elongated and breathtaking
Lago Mamori is located
in a lush rainforest setting.
Much of it is surrounded
Caimans luxuriating on the sandy riverbank of Manaquiri, with a great egret in the foreground
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp383-4 and p408
 
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