LUXURY EXPLORATION, INTIMATE BY DESIGN
Experience a luxury Amazon river cruise aboard the Zaltana, a ten-suite riverboat designed for travelers who want to discover the Rio Negro in depth without giving up comfort.
With expert naturalist guides, small-group excursions and meaningful encounters along the river, each expedition brings you closer to the wildlife, landscapes and people that make the Amazon extraordinary.
| 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS | 10 SUITES | APRIL–AUGUST |
|---|---|---|
Rio Negro Expedition |
Maximum 20 Guests |
Scheduled Departures |
NATURALIST-GUIDED |
WILDLIFE & RAINFOREST |
LOCAL CONNECTION |
Small-Group Exploration |
Canoes • Walks • Observation |
Indigenous & Riverside Encounters |
Small-ship by Design
With only ten suites and a maximum of twenty guests, the Zaltana offers a quieter, more personal way to explore the Rio Negro. Small-group excursions allow more time with your guides, wildlife and the places you visit.
Closer to the Amazon
Leave the main vessel aboard expedition canoes and enter flooded forests, narrow channels and quiet riverbanks. Walk rainforest trails, search for wildlife and experience life along the Rio Negro at river level.
Luxury with Purpose
Comfort aboard the Zaltana is designed to deepen the journey, not distance you from it. Thoughtful service, regional cuisine, Citizen Science and long-term local partnerships connect each expedition to the Amazon in a more meaningful way.
EXPERIENCE THE AMAZON FROM THE RIVER
The Rio Negro is not simply the route. It is the way into the experience.
At first light, follow wildlife along quiet riverbanks. Later, enter flooded forests in silent expedition canoes or step ashore where rainforest trails begin. Meet people whose lives are shaped by the river and watch the sky change as another day ends over the Amazon.
Because river levels, weather and wildlife change throughout the season, no two departures unfold in exactly the same way.
LIFE ON BOARD
A FLOATING SANCTUARY ON THE RIO NEGRO
Between excursions, the Zaltana becomes your home in the heart of the Amazon.
Spacious decks, air-conditioned interiors and panoramic social areas give you room to slow down between explorations. Watch the river from the observation deck, share stories over dinner or find a quiet corner with a book while the landscape moves around you.
Here, luxury is not about separating you from the Amazon. It is about giving you the comfort, space and care to experience it well.
SOCIAL AREAS
• Panoramic dining room
• Air-conditioned indoor lounge
• Observation decks
• Sun deck
• Outdoor showers
• Lecture room
• Bar
• Starlink Wi-Fi in social areas
> WATCH THE ZALTANA EXPEDITION FILM
BOUTIQUE SUITES
YOUR PRIVATE RETREAT ON THE RIVER
After a day exploring flooded forests, quiet waterways and rainforest trails, your suite becomes a calm place to rest.
The Zaltana has only ten air-conditioned suites. Each combines privacy, contemporary comfort and large windows that keep the Rio Negro close throughout the journey.
Suites can be configured with one double bed or two twin beds.
EVERY SUITE INCLUDES
• Private bathroom
• Hot shower
• Air conditioning
• Premium bedding
• Daily housekeeping
• Safe deposit box
• Charging points
• Eco-friendly bath amenities
TASTE THE AMAZON
The Amazon is also discovered through flavour.
Meals aboard the Zaltana are prepared daily by our onboard team using fresh regional ingredients and inspiration from Amazonian and Brazilian culinary traditions.
River fish, tropical fruits, native herbs and seasonal ingredients bring the region to the table. Breakfast begins with the awakening river, lunch fits naturally between explorations, and dinner offers time to gather after a day in the forest.
On selected evenings, weather and location may allow for dining outdoors beneath the Amazon sky.
Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
YOUR EXPEDITION
EVERY JOURNEY FOLLOWS THE RHYTHM OF NATURE
The Zaltana follows a carefully designed 5-day / 4-night expedition through the Rio Negro region. However, the Amazon is always changing.
Water levels rise and fall. Wildlife moves freely. Weather and local conditions can open new possibilities from one day to the next. Therefore, your expedition team may adjust the timing or order of activities to make the most of each journey.
Depending on conditions, your expedition may include:
• The Meeting of the Waters
• The Anavilhanas Archipelago
• Silent canoe exploration through flooded forests and hidden channels
• Wildlife observation with expert naturalist guides
• Rainforest walks
• Indigenous and riverside community encounters
• Citizen Science activities
• Sunsets, night sounds and outdoor dining experiences
• Time to relax aboard the Zaltana between excursions
Nothing in the rainforest is staged. That is precisely what makes every encounter meaningful.
2027 SCHEDULED DEPARTURES
FIVE DEPARTURES. TWENTY GUESTS MAXIMUM
Each departure offers a different perspective on the Rio Negro as water levels and landscapes change through the ecotourism season.
With only ten suites aboard, we recommend planning early if you have preferred dates or cabin requirements.
DEPARTURE — RETURN
April 18, 2027 — April 22, 2027
May 30, 2027 — June 3, 2027
June 13, 2027 — June 17, 2027
July 18, 2027 — July 22, 2027
August 15, 2027 — August 19, 2027
ASK ABOUT YOUR PREFERRED DEPARTURE
TRAVEL THAT PROTECTS THE AMAZON
The places we explore are not simply the backdrop to our journeys. They are part of what we work to protect.
Zaltana expeditions connect travel with biodiversity research, Citizen Science, environmental education and long-term relationships with Indigenous and riverside communities.
Responsible onboard practices also help reduce the expedition’s environmental footprint while keeping guests connected to the landscapes they have come to experience.
OUR COMMITMENT
- Citizen Science supporting biodiversity research
- Collaboration with researchers and conservation partners
- Long-term relationships with Indigenous and riverside communities
- Responsible navigation and onboard practices
- Reduced use of single-use plastics
- Environmental education for guests, crew and local partners
By travelling with us, you become part of a wider relationship between exploration, science, local knowledge and conservation.
DISCOVER OUR CONSERVATION WORK →
IS THE ZALTANA FOR YOU?
The Zaltana was created for travellers who want to explore the Amazon deeply while enjoying the comfort and ease of a small luxury riverboat.
You may feel particularly at home aboard if you are:
- A couple looking for an immersive Amazon journey with refined comfort.
- A wildlife lover, birder or photographer who values expert guiding and small-group excursions.
- A family with children aged six or older who enjoys nature, wildlife and meaningful discovery.
- A curious, experienced traveller who wants to understand the Amazon rather than simply cruise through it.
- A traveller who values conservation, local knowledge and experiences that contribute positively to the places visited.
If that sounds like the way you like to travel, we would love to help you choose the right departure.
EXPLORE WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE AMAZON
A meaningful Amazon journey depends on much more than the riverboat you travel aboard.
Our expeditions grow from years of living, exploring and working in the Brazilian Amazon alongside naturalist guides, local people, researchers and conservation partners.
We shape each departure around four things that matter: curiosity, comfort, safety and respect for the places and people we encounter.
LOCAL EXPERTISE
Deep knowledge of the Brazilian Amazon and the Rio Negro.
EXPERT NATURALIST GUIDING
Small-group exploration shaped by wildlife, river conditions and what each day reveals.
PURPOSEFUL TRAVEL
Tourism connected to conservation, science and local knowledge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many guests can stay aboard the Zaltana?
The Zaltana accommodates up to twenty guests in ten air-conditioned suites with private bathrooms.
Its intimate scale creates a more personal atmosphere aboard and allows for small-group exploration throughout the expedition.
How long is a Zaltana expedition?
Scheduled Zaltana expeditions are 5 days / 4 nights.
Each journey is designed to balance wildlife observation, rainforest exploration, meaningful local encounters and time to enjoy life aboard the riverboat.
What is included?
Your expedition includes accommodation aboard the Zaltana, all meals, selected beverages, shared transfers in Manaus, expert naturalist guiding and the activities described in your confirmed itinerary.
Your final travel documents will clearly specify all inclusions before departure.
What wildlife might I see?
Wildlife varies with season, habitat and river conditions.
Guests may encounter pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, macaws, toucans, caimans and many other species. Because wildlife lives freely, sightings can never be guaranteed.
Our naturalist guides follow local conditions and wildlife activity to make the most of each day’s exploration.
What happens if weather or river conditions change?
The Amazon follows its own rhythm, and flexibility is part of every Zaltana expedition.
Your expedition team may adjust the timing or order of activities according to weather, water levels, wildlife activity and local conditions. This helps us keep the journey safe while making the most of what the Amazon reveals each day.
Is there air conditioning and Wi-Fi?
Yes. All ten suites are air-conditioned.
Starlink Wi-Fi is available in the social areas, although connectivity may occasionally vary as the Zaltana travels through remote parts of the Amazon.
What are the suites like?
The Zaltana has ten air-conditioned suites designed as comfortable private retreats between explorations.
Each suite features a private bathroom, hot shower, premium bedding and large windows that keep you connected to the river and surrounding landscape.
Suites can be configured with one double bed or two twin beds.
Is the Zaltana suitable for families?
Yes. The Zaltana welcomes families with children aged six and older who enjoy nature, wildlife and active exploration.
Our excursions combine discovery and comfort, while the small scale of the riverboat creates a relaxed environment for families travelling together.
Are dietary requirements accommodated?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Please let us know about any dietary requirements or allergies before your expedition so our onboard team can prepare accordingly.
Are transfers included?
Yes. Shared airport and hotel transfers in Manaus are included according to your confirmed itinerary.
Private transfers and additional services before or after your expedition can also be arranged on request.
What is the best time for a Zaltana Amazon river cruise?
The Zaltana operates ecotourism departures from April to August, when changing water levels reveal different sides of the Rio Negro.
During higher water, expedition canoes can enter flooded forests and hidden waterways. As water levels gradually recede, beaches begin to appear and different areas become accessible.
There is no single best moment. Each departure offers a different perspective on the Amazon.
What makes the Zaltana different from a larger Amazon cruise ship?
With only ten suites and a maximum of twenty guests, the Zaltana offers a more intimate way to explore the Amazon.
Small-group excursions provide more time with naturalist guides, while expedition canoes take you into narrow channels, flooded forests and quiet waterways that cannot be explored from a large cruise ship.
The experience combines thoughtful comfort with wildlife, local knowledge, Citizen Science and a deeper connection to the Rio Negro.
What should I pack?
Bring lightweight, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sandals, swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a light rain jacket.
Binoculars, a camera, reusable water bottle and small daypack are also recommended.
Looking for a completely private journey? Discover our Private Amazon River Cruise aboard Manakin.
