Expedition cruise up the Amazon: from Coastal Brazil to the River's Soul

Fortaleza is a major fishing port and fast growing tourist destination in the NE of Brazil. The warm climate, warm ocean waters, and the 25 km of urban sandy beaches are its major attractions. The scenery is complemented by the jangadas, small rafts used by many of the fishermen, while the Beach of the Future is a popular location with many restaurants built in the local style using straw and called Barracas de Praia or beach huts. Read more about Fortaleza, Brazil

Arguably, no other place is more critical for human survival than the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon River, covering almost half of Brazil in South America, is the widest river in the world, the second longest, and plays a key role in global carbon cycles and climate. Due to its thousands of lengthy tributaries - 17 are over 600 km in length – it produces 20 percent of the world’s fresh river water. Read more about Amazon River, Brazil

Arguably, no other place is more critical for human survival than the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon River, covering almost half of Brazil in South America, is the widest river in the world, the second longest, and plays a key role in global carbon cycles and climate. Due to its thousands of lengthy tributaries - 17 are over 600 km in length – it produces 20 percent of the world’s fresh river water. Read more about Amazon River, Brazil

The Brazilian city of Belem lies 100 km upriver from the Atlantic Ocean and is the entrance gate to the Amazon River. The newer part of the city has modern buildings and skyscrapers while the colonial portion retains the rich history as reflected in the charm of tree-filled squares, churches, and traditional blue tiles. Then there’s the restoration project that has changed the area of the old warehouses of the Para Docks Company into a modern complex of 18,000 square meters of urbanised area, with coffee bar services, various restaurants, stores, travel agencies, banks, as well as an auditorium and two memorials. Read more about Belem, Brazil