BOUTIQUE EXPLORATION ON THE RIO NEGRO
Experience a private Amazon river cruise aboard the Manakin, a four-cabin riverboat reserved exclusively for you and your companions.
With private naturalist guiding, flexible daily exploration and access to waterways larger vessels cannot reach, every journey follows the rhythm of the Rio Negro.
4 CABINS • PRIVATE CHARTER • UP TO 12 GUESTS • 4+ DAYS
Small by Design
With only four cabins, the Manakin can explore narrow waterways, hidden channels and remote corners of the Rio Negro beyond the reach of larger vessels.
Entirely Yours
No crowds. No fixed group departures. The boat, crew, naturalist guide and daily experiences are reserved exclusively for you and your companions.
Freedom to Explore
Wildlife, weather and river conditions change every day. Your private expedition has the flexibility to respond, allowing the Amazon itself to help shape the journey.
EXPERIENCE THE AMAZON AT RIVER LEVEL
The Rio Negro changes completely when experienced from a small boat.
Glide quietly into narrow igarapés and flooded forests. Step ashore where rainforest trails begin. Follow wildlife at first light or navigate beneath a sky filled with stars.
There is no need to experience the Amazon from a distance. Aboard the Manakin, the river becomes the path that takes you deeper into it.
BOUTIQUE COMFORT WITHOUT LOSING THE CONNECTION TO THE AMAZON
Between explorations, the Manakin becomes your private floating home on the Rio Negro.
Return from the forest to an air-conditioned cabin, a freshly prepared meal or a quiet place on deck. Here, boutique comfort is not about separating you from the Amazon. It is about giving you everything you need to experience it well.
Mornings begin with birdsong across the river. Afternoons may invite a quiet moment on deck, while evenings unfold beneath the Amazon sky.
- Four air-conditioned cabins
- Private bathrooms
- Premium bedding
- Daily housekeeping
- Observation deck
- Guest lounge
- Dining area
- Starlink Wi-Fi in social areas
- Solar-powered energy
- Amazon field-guide library
Maximum capacity: 12 guests
Whether you travel as a couple, family or small group of friends, the entire Manakin is reserved exclusively for you.
YOUR PRIVATE CABIN
After a day exploring flooded forests, hidden waterways and rainforest trails, your cabin becomes a quiet retreat on the Rio Negro.
The Manakin offers four thoughtfully designed, air-conditioned cabins, each with a private bathroom and everything you need to rest comfortably between explorations.
TWO FLEXIBLE MODULAR CABINS
Designed for couples, families and groups of friends, these cabins can be configured according to your group.
Available configurations:
- Double bed
- Twin beds
- Bunk beds for up to four guests
CLASSIC DOUBLE CABIN
A comfortable and private cabin designed for couples.
PANORAMIC SUITE
Oversized windows overlooking the Rio Negro create an uninterrupted connection with the river and surrounding rainforest.
ALL CABINS INCLUDE
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Premium bed linen
- Eco-friendly amenities
- Daily housekeeping
- 110V outlets
- Storage space
TASTE THE AMAZON
The Amazon is also discovered through flavour.
Meals aboard the Manakin are freshly prepared by our onboard chef using regional ingredients and inspiration from Amazonian and Brazilian culinary traditions.
Local fish, tropical fruits and seasonal ingredients accompany the journey, from early breakfasts before wildlife excursions to relaxed dinners beneath the evening sky.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
HOW FAR INTO THE AMAZON WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLORE?
With a minimum private charter of 4 days, each Manakin expedition is designed around your interests, preferred pace and the experiences that draw you to the Amazon.
Rather than following a fixed itinerary, we create a route specifically for your group. Depending on the length of your charter, season and river conditions, journeys may explore the Anavilhanas Archipelago, venture into the remote Jaú National Park, or travel even deeper into the Upper Rio Negro, reaching the extraordinary region of São Gabriel da Cachoeira.
Wildlife, photography, birdwatching, rainforest walks, riverside and Indigenous cultures, or simply more time immersed in nature can all help shape the journey.
The longer you stay, the deeper into the Amazon we can take you.
Tell us when you would like to travel, who will be joining you and what draws you to the Amazon. We will help you shape a private river expedition around your interests, pace and time. Send us your travel plans and we will personally help you choose the right journey.
YOUR RIVERBOAT. YOUR JOURNEY.
No two travellers experience the Amazon in the same way.
Because the Manakin is available exclusively as a private charter, your journey can be shaped around your group’s interests, travel style and preferred pace.
Focus on wildlife and photography. Spend more time birdwatching or walking in the forest. Explore riverside life, kayak when conditions allow or simply leave more space in the day to enjoy the river.
Routes remain flexible so your crew and naturalist guide can respond to weather, water levels, wildlife activity and seasonal opportunities.
EVERY PRIVATE CHARTER INCLUDES
- Exclusive use of the Manakin
- Dedicated Amazonian crew
- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Full-board accommodation
- Personalised daily excursions
Minimum charter: 4 days / 3 nights
A SMALLER BOAT. A LIGHTER WAY TO EXPLORE.
The places we explore are not simply the backdrop to our journeys. They are part of what we work to protect.
The Manakin was created around a simple idea: exploring the rainforest should leave as little trace as possible.
Its small scale, solar energy and responsible onboard practices support a lower-impact way of travelling through the Amazon. Our expeditions also connect guests with Citizen Science, biodiversity conservation, scientific research and locally rooted tourism.
By travelling with us, you become part of a wider relationship between exploration, science, local knowledge and conservation.
DISCOVER OUR CONSERVATION WORK →
IS THE MANAKIN RIVERBOAT FOR YOU?
The Manakin was created for travellers who value privacy, nature and meaningful exploration more than conventional cruising.
You may feel particularly at home aboard if you are:
- A couple looking for a private and immersive Amazon journey.
- A family or group of friends wanting to experience the river together without sharing the boat with other guests.
- A wildlife lover, birder or photographer who values private guiding and flexible schedules.
- A curious, experienced traveller who wants to understand the Amazon rather than simply cruise through it.
If that sounds like the way you like to travel, we would love to help create your expedition.
EXPLORE WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE AMAZON
A meaningful Amazon journey depends on much more than the boat 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 journey 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.
PRIVATE GUIDING
Exploration adapted to your interests and the conditions of the river.
PURPOSEFUL TRAVEL
Tourism connected to conservation, science and local knowledge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the Manakin completely private?
Yes. The Manakin is available exclusively as a private charter.
The vessel, crew, naturalist guide and daily experiences are reserved for you and your companions throughout the expedition. There are no other guests sharing the boat.
How many guests can stay aboard?
The Manakin accommodates up to twelve guests in four air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms.
Flexible cabin configurations make the boat suitable for couples, families and small groups of friends.
What is the minimum length of a Manakin expedition?
The minimum private charter is 4 days / 3 nights.
Longer expeditions allow you to travel deeper into the Rio Negro and spend more time exploring at the natural rhythm of the river.
What is included?
Your private charter includes exclusive use of the vessel, full-board accommodation, selected beverages, dedicated crew, bilingual naturalist guiding and personalised daily excursions.
Your final itinerary will clearly specify all inclusions before confirmation.
What wildlife might I see?
Wildlife varies with season, habitat and river conditions.
Guests may encounter pink river dolphins, giant otters, monkeys, macaws, toucans, caimans and many other species. Because all wildlife lives freely, sightings can never be guaranteed.
Private guiding and flexible timing allow us to make the most of each day’s conditions.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. Every Manakin expedition is private, giving us the flexibility to adapt the journey to your interests and preferred pace.
Wildlife photography, birdwatching, rainforest walks, community encounters, fishing, kayaking and slower days aboard can all be considered when shaping your itinerary.
Is there air conditioning and Wi-Fi?
Yes. All cabins are air-conditioned.
Starlink Wi-Fi is available in the social areas, although connectivity may occasionally vary in remote parts of the Amazon.
What happens if weather or river conditions change?
Flexibility is part of the experience.
Your crew and naturalist guide may adjust the route or timing 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 offers each day.
Are dietary requirements accommodated?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
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.
Prefer a scheduled expedition with more onboard amenities? Discover our Luxury Amazon River Cruise aboard Zaltana.
