• Rio Pucurui, a tributary known for good birding and botanizing. Our ornithologist will help us spot the red-billed toucan, orange-fronted yellow finch and the green ibis.

• Tucumanduba a village is a point at which to anchor for a Zodiac expedition to a terra firma forest, or a hike up the hill for jungle vistas.

Our zodiacs take us into narrow tributaries for a closehand look at rainforest plants, animals and birds.

• Rio Curua offers good birding at the entrance to this Amazon tributary, or we can patrol by Zodiac for dolphin.

• Alter do Chao, "the altar of earth," is a charming white-sand beach on the Rio Tapajos. Enjoy a swim or tour the small village and taste guarana, a popular drink made from caffeine-rich seeds. A nearby grove of rubber trees prompts a discussion of the trade which once brought wealth to the Amazon basin and may do so again.

• Lago Carauacu, a beautiful Clearwater lake, is home to two species of freshwater dolphins: small grey tucuxi and pink boto, which can grow to eight feet in length.

• Furo do Moura is a small village, whose welcoming people give us a glimpse of local family life and customs.

Manaus, Brazil

Suddenly our watery pathway splits into two colors: along a five-mile-wide junction, the dark Rio Negro and the coffee-colored Solimoes River run side by side in the famous "Wedding of the Waters." This is our introduction to Manaus, for a brief moment at the tum of the century, the richest city in the world. Swollen with rubber profits, Manaus was a boom town with its own palatial Opera House and an unquenchable thirst for French champagne and Brussels lace. We dock this morning to spend the day exploring a remarkable port city a thousand miles from the sea.

Cruising the Upper Amazon, Brazil

Manaus is about half-way up the navigable length of the Amazon. As we continue upriver, the Amazon narrows, bringing its banks closer to our decks. Our captain and expedition leader plan our daily landings, with stops that may include:

• Rio Badajos, a tributary we'll explore in our Zodiacs with our guides, searching for rare forest birds and the charming Victoria amazonica waterlily, one of the world's largest flowers and a rare botanical species.

• Cuxui Muni, a traditional village whose manioc and bean fields we'll visit to learn about local farming methods. Three-toed sloths live in the forest nearby; we may spot one sleeping in the trees.

• Lago Uara offers an opportunity to explore an Amazon lake. We anchor at the lake mouth and embark in our Zodiacs for jungle walks and fishing expeditions. If conditions are right we may view game in the nighttime jungle, filled with the calls of wild birds and mammals. The eyes of caimans may shine in our flashlight beams.

• Rio Jutai is a pristine stretch of river ideal for swimming, fishing and birding. We may spot a caiman as twilight darkens.

• Vendaval is inhabited by the Ticuna Indians, who welcome our visits. Village crafts include paddles, spears and necklaces.

Tabatinga, Brazil - Leticia, Colombia

After leaving Brazil at Tabatinga, we land at Colombia's only Amazon port. Here we tour a bustling market town, known for the colorful handicrafts of the Ticuna and Yagua Indians who live nearby.

Pevas, Peru

We visit Huitoto and Bora Indian villages, where we may be able to see traditional dances.

Iquitos, Peru-Lima-Miami

Today we sail into our final port, Iquitos. This is Peru's most remote frontier, the region which vanquished the gold-seeking conquistadors in the16th century and defeated Christian missionaries in the 17th and 18th. Iquitos succumbed, however, to the influence of rubber dollars - this is another example of a boom town past its heyday but with the old days of wealth and extravagance still evident. Here we say goodbye to our ship's staff and crew as we disembark this morning for our flight to Lima and further connections bound for Miami.

Local caboclo people live in the midst of exuberant Amazon life.

Extend Your Trip

The spectacular Incan ruins of Machu Picchu make a convenient pre- or post- cruise extension to The River Sea.

• Vendaval is inhabited by Ticuna Indians who welcome our visits. These villagers produce finely detailed handicrafts, including paddles, spears and necklaces.

Our day-to-day itinerary, dictated by river tides and water conditions, is plotted by our Captain and officers.

• Rio Jutai, a pristine stretch of river ideal for swimming, fishing and birding. We may spot caiman as twilight darkens.

• Lago Uara, an Amazon lake which we'll explore in our Zodiacs and on jungle walks and fishing expeditions. We may go game viewing tonight-the nighttime jungle is filled with the calls of wild birds and mammals. The eyes of caimans may shine in our flashlight beams.

• Cuxui Muni is a traditional village in which we'll learn about local farming methods for manioc and beans. The nearby jungle often harbors three-toed sloths - we may spot one sleeping in the trees.

• Rio Badajos, a tributary we'll explore in our Zodiacs with our guides, searching for rare forest birds and the charming Victoria amazonica waterlily, one of the world's largest flowers and a rare botanical species.

Manaus, Brazil