Pico da Neblina Expedition

Rio Negro, Brazil - 16d

Join us as we commemorate an extraordinary farewell adventure to the enchanting Pico da Neblina alongside top-class local conservationists!

Home to Brazil’s highest peaks, the Pico da Neblina is an extraordinary mountain range located in the Amazon rainforest, 2994m (9,822 ft) above sea level. Since the first ascent in 1965, the Pico da Neblina has become a popular trekking destination for adventurers worldwide – and the location of some spectacular hiking challenges!

Overall, the Pico da Neblina trekking is an unforgettable experience that combines adventure, nature, and culture.

Highlights

  • Interact with the Yanomami, gaining insights into their traditions, customs, and way of life, creating meaningful connections along the way.
  • Challenge yourself by reaching the summit of Pico da Neblina, Brazil's highest peak at 2994m. This awe-inspiring achievement rewards you with panoramic vistas of the vast Amazon rainforest and surrounding mountains.
  • Trek through pristine rainforests teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Marvel at towering trees, vibrant orchids, exotic wildlife, and cascading waterfalls as you navigate through the dense and captivating Amazon jungle.
  • The expedition operates in full partnership with the Yanomami people and is designed with a commitment to responsible and sustainable travel. Proceeds from the expedition contribute to local community associations, ensuring that your journey positively impacts the communities and environment.
  • Benefit from the expertise of highly experienced, English-speaking expedition leaders who provide guidance and support.

Itinerary

Start: Manaus Airport
Transport to Manaus
1
Days 1 - 2

Exploring Manaus

Manaus, Brazil
ABOUT Manaus

Welcome to the Amazon rainforest!

Day 1Manaus, Brazil
Day 2
Transport to São Gabriel da Cachoeira
2
Days 2 - 4

Exploring São Gabriel da Cachoeira

São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Brazil
ABOUT São Gabriel da Cachoeira

Reach São Gabriel da Cachoeira by plane, then get ready for an exhilarating experience along the mighty Cauaburis River, as you get closer to Yanomami Territory.

The Bawary is a charming guest house with easy access to the beach and the downtown of São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Owned and operated by an Amazonian family, the guest house sits on 2.47 acres within a private property and includes a reforested area with gardens. The lodge has 05 rooms.

The rooms are surrounded by tropical fruits filled with heliconia, orchids and flowering trees, providing couples and families with an environment of style and utmost privacy. The rooms are equipped with AC, bathroom with a spacious shower stall, hair dryer, and amenities. There are also hammocks on the balcony to admire the forest. Each one of the five Superior Rooms are harmoniously incorporated into its natural surroundings and give a sensory pleasing experience maximum comfort.

Day 2Manaus / São Gabriel da Cachoeira
Day 3São Gabriel da Cachoeira / Ya-Mirim / Base Camp 1 Maturacá
Day 4
Transport to maturacá
3
Days 4 - 5

Exploring maturacá

Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, Brazil
ABOUT maturacá

On a thrilling two-hour speed boat journey deep into the Amazon, we reach the starting point of our trekking adventure towards Pico da Neblina.

Day 4Base Camp Maturacá / Base Camp 2 Irokae
Day 5
Transport to Pico da Neblina
4
Days 5 - 12

Exploring Pico da Neblina

Rio Negro, Brazil
ABOUT Pico da Neblina

Pico da Neblina is a mountain peak located in the Serra do Imeri, in the northernmost part of Brazil, near the border with Venezuela. It is the highest point in Brazil, with an altitude of 2,995 meters. The Pico da Neblina region is known for its unique biodiversity, with numerous species of flora and fauna that are found nowhere else on Earth. The area is part of the Amazon rainforest, which is the largest tropical rainforest in the world and is home to more than half of the world’s species. The indigenous peoples of the region have lived in harmony with the forest for centuries and have developed a deep understanding of its ecosystem. The Yanomami tribe is one of the most well-known indigenous groups in the region and has a population of around 35,000 people. They rely on hunting, fishing, and agriculture for their livelihoods and have a strong cultural identity. The Pico da Neblina National Park was established in 1979 to protect the region’s biodiversity and indigenous communities. It covers an area of more than 2 million hectares and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, and giant otters. The region faces several threats, including deforestation, illegal mining, and land grabbing. These activities can cause irreparable damage to the environment and can harm the indigenous communities that depend on the forest for their survival. Efforts are underway to protect the Pico da Neblina region, including the implementation of sustainable development projects as ecotourism to prevent illegal activities.

Day 5Base Camp 2 Irokae / Base Camp 3 Bebedouro Novo
Day 6Base Camp 3 Bebedouro Novo
Day 7Base Camp 3 Bebedouro Novo / Base Camp 4 Laje
Day 8Base Camp 4 Laje / Base Camp 5 Areal
Day 9Base Camp 5 Areal / Pico da Neblina—Summit / Base Camp 5 Areal
Day 10Base Camp 5 Areal / Base Camp 4 Laje / Base Camp 3 Bebedouro Novo
Day 11Base Camp 3 Bebedouro Novo / Base Camp 2 Irokae
Day 12
Transport to maturacá
5
Days 12 - 13

Exploring maturacá

Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, Brazil
ABOUT maturacá

Descent to Maturacá.

Day 12Base Camp 2 Irokae / Base Camp 1 Maturacá
Day 13
Transport to São Gabriel da Cachoeira
6
Days 13 - 16

Exploring São Gabriel da Cachoeira

São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Brazil
ABOUT São Gabriel da Cachoeira

Reach São Gabriel da Cachoeira by plane, then get ready for an exhilarating experience along the mighty Cauaburis River, as you get closer to Yanomami Territory.

Reach São Gabriel da Cachoeira by plane, then get ready for an exhilarating experience along the mighty Cauaburis River, as you get closer to Yanomami Territory.

The Bawary is a charming guest house with easy access to the beach and the downtown of São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Owned and operated by an Amazonian family, the guest house sits on 2.47 acres within a private property and includes a reforested area with gardens. The lodge has 05 rooms.

The rooms are surrounded by tropical fruits filled with heliconia, orchids and flowering trees, providing couples and families with an environment of style and utmost privacy. The rooms are equipped with AC, bathroom with a spacious shower stall, hair dryer, and amenities. There are also hammocks on the balcony to admire the forest. Each one of the five Superior Rooms are harmoniously incorporated into its natural surroundings and give a sensory pleasing experience maximum comfort.

Day 13Base Camp 1 Maturacá / São Gabriel da Cachoeira
Day 14RESERVE DAY
Day 15RESERVE DAY
Day 16São Gabriel da Cachoeira / Manaus
Transport to Manaus Airport
End: Manaus Airport

WHAT TO EXPECT

We keep our schedule flexible to take advantage of the unexpected. This expedition has a strenuous physical activity level and has been designed to have daily early mornings, hiking 6 to 10 hours per day on uneven terrain in hot and humid conditions. Yanomami porters will transport our gear during the trek. A top leader english-speaking as well as a Yanomami guide will accompany you throughout the trip. We will set up camp every night in the middle of the forest, often by the banks of the river, where we will set up our hammocks according to the Amazon tradition. As we move deeper into the forest, with our guides, we will select a new spot to set up camp each day. Our camps will be built when we arrive at each spot, with our local guide. Our camping sites are selected for their beauty, their location, or sometimes because they are the only possible place. Comfort is simple and rudimentary but it always makes for an exceptional experience and atmosphere. We will eat the provisions that we have brought along with us. Fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, meat and fish will provide our basic diet, which will be complemented by Yanomami typical dishes.

What's included?

Internal round-trip flights from Manaus to São Gabriel da Cachoeira, 2 professional guides proficient in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, 1 night accommodation in Manaus before the flight to São Gabriel da Cachoeira, 4 nights in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, pick-up from the airport or hotel in Manaus on Day 1 and drop-off at the hotel or airport on Day 2, pick-up from the airport or guest house in São Gabriel da Cachoeira on Day 3 and drop-off at the guest house or airport on Day 16, all meals during the expedition, welcome dinner on Day 1, breakfasts at the hotel in Manaus and guest house in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Porter service during the trek, Mandatory COVID PCR test and Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance (MEE).

What's not included?

Internal transfers by car or van in the cities of Manaus and São Gabriel da Cachoeira, accommodation in Manaus on Day 16, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, mineral water, juices, mandatory travel and medical insurance, communication via satellite phone, laundry services, gratuities, and any extensions before or after the expedition.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Pico da Neblina Trekking Expedition has a strenuous physical activity level and has been designed for hikers who have experience in mountain hiking or trekking. This active trip is designed to have daily early mornings, hiking 6 to 10 hours per day during the 10-day trek, on moderate to very steep grades. General physical fitness and mobility are required, also feeling comfortable swimming in moderate currents. Yanomami porters will transport part of our gear during the trek. Before you leave for Brazil, ensure that you have confirmed with a medical professional that you are medically fit to embark on the expedition.

MEALS

Fish-based meals form a significant part of the culinary experience during our expedition since is the primary source of sustenance in the Amazon rainforest , reflecting the abundance of aquatic life in the region. However, we are also able to accommodate vegetarians by providing suitable alternatives to fish-based dishes. For individuals with specific dietary requirements or those who prefer additional supplements, we recommend bringing your own supplementary food items to ensure your nutritional needs are fully met throughout the expedition. This proactive approach allows us to cater to individual preferences and dietary restrictions more effectively.