Amazon Boat Tours: Explore the Flooded Forest and Waterways of the Mamirauá Reserve
- Lábia Comunicação
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
Discover what boat tours in the Amazon are like as you navigate the igarapés of the Mamirauá Reserve. Find authentic experiences, wildlife encounters, and sustainable ecotourism in the heart of the flooded forest.
Boat tours in the Amazon offer one of the most immersive and enchanting ways to experience the rainforest. In particular, canoeing through the igarapés of the Mamirauá Reserve reveals a submerged world during the flood season where trees, animals, and riverine communities adapt to the rhythm of the waters. Whether by paddle canoe or motorboat, visitors can spot pink river dolphins, caimans, rare birds, and the astonishing biodiversity of the Amazon forest.
The Igapó Landscape: A World Beneath the Water
When the flood season arrives from December to July, peaking in June, the várzea forest transforms into igapó*. Trails that were once dry land become waterways, and boats become the primary mode of transportation. The landscape takes on a dreamlike quality with light filtering through the treetops and reflecting on calm waters. The expertise of local guides in navigating this aquatic labyrinth is key to the experience. During the flood, areas that are explored on foot during the dry season are accessed by canoe.
*Igapós are areas of Amazonian forest that are seasonally flooded due to rising river levels. These ecosystems are home to aquatic-adapted vegetation and abundant biodiversity and are a hallmark of the Amazon’s flooded forest regions.
Gliding Through the Channels: Silence and Discovery
To explore the igarapés, Uakari Lodge uses both paddle and motor canoes, choosing the most suitable option based on the type of excursion and water conditions. For wildlife observation, where silence and proximity to the environment are essential, paddle canoes are ideal. Their quiet movement fosters an intimate connection with the forest, minimizing disturbance to animals. In other situations, motorboats are used to cover longer distances or access different areas of the reserve. The choice between paddle and motor, or a combination of both, is made to optimize the guest experience while minimizing environmental impact.
In certain stretches, the silence of a canoe gliding near the treetops allows the natural sounds of the forest to take center stage. The calls of howler monkeys, the songs of birds, the splash of aquatic animals moving through the water. This quiet, attentive navigation is key to the most memorable sightings.
Life Along the Channels
Canoeing through the igarapés offers a window into the rich biodiversity of the Mamirauá Reserve, home to over 350 species of birds, mammals, and aquatic animals. From the canoe, it’s possible to closely observe life thriving in the water and among the flooded trees.
The diversity of birds is especially remarkable. The Birdwatching Tour, a program focused on Amazonian birdlife, highlights how the best sightings during the flood season happen by canoe, since trails are underwater and visitors move near the treetops where birds are easier to spot. Species such as the Razor-billed Curassow, the Slender-billed Kite, the Hoatzin, and the shy Agami Heron are part of the region’s avifauna.
In the waters, pink and grey river dolphins are frequently seen. Black caimans may also appear, and fish like the iconic pirarucu inhabit the reserve. Primates such as squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, and the iconic white uakari, endemic to the region and namesake of the lodge, are often seen in the treetops or moving through the igapó.
Sustainable Ecotourism in the Channels of Mamirauá
The canoeing experience at Uakari Lodge is deeply rooted in our Community-Based Tourism model. The floating lodge, designed to adapt to the water cycle, operates in partnership with the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute and local riverine communities. Activities are led by trained local guides and bilingual ecotourism interpreters who offer a scientific and cultural perspective.
Choosing Uakari Lodge and its boat tours is a way to directly support conservation of the reserve and the sustainable development of local communities who are actively involved in managing the lodge.
Exploring the Igarapés on Our Tours
Boat navigation through the igarapés and rivers is a core part of the Uakari Lodge experience, with itineraries adapted to each season
In the 3-Night Package from Friday to Monday, guests enjoy a paddle canoe tour on the second afternoon to explore the igapó during the flood seasonpasseio de canoa a remo na tarde do segundo dia permite explorar o igapó durante a cheia.
The 4-Night Package from Monday to Friday includes either a paddle canoe tour during the dry season or traditional piranha fishing during the flood season. The night excursion, a trail in the dry season, becomes a boat tour for nocturnal wildlife spotting.
The 7-Night Package from Monday to Monday or Friday to Friday offers multiple water-based experiences, such as canoe trips to set up camera traps, a sunrise boat tour on the Japurá River to spot dolphins and tucuxis, and early morning paddle canoeing focused on wildlife observation.
These tours offer a powerful way to experience the flooded forest, witness its rich biodiversity, and connect with local culture and conservation efforts. To check prices and book your stay, follow the simple steps on our website.
Read also: How Long to Stay in the Amazon? A Mini Guide to Make the Most of Your Trip (2025 Edition)
Your Aquatic Journey in the Amazon
A journey through the Amazon’s waterways is one that awakens the senses and deepens your understanding of this vital biome. At Uakari Lodge, this adventure is guided with respect and purpose, offering an authentic connection with nature and the communities that depend on it.
Access to the lodge is via Tefé, Amazonas, with speedboat transfers from the city’s port. We offer fixed itineraries starting on Mondays and Fridays, and all activities are adapted to the flood and dry seasons to ensure the best possible experience year-round. A minimum stay of four nights is recommended for meaningful immersion, or seven nights for a deeper exploration of the reserve.
To plan your journey through the igarapés and rivers of the Mamirauá Reserve, visit the official Uakari Lodge website. Learn more about life in the Amazon and follow us on Instagram to see what awaits you.
Come navigate the waterways that shape the forest and experience the Amazon in full.
We’ll be here to welcome you.
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