More than 2 thousand years ago, when Africa and South America was one continent, the Amazon began to take shape. During it’s evolution, South America separated, and connected with the Andes. It was then that this Equatorial forest (the Amazon) acquired its present shape.
In fact, it covers 7 million kms², that is to say 2/5 of South America (half of it belonging to Brazil). It is the biggest fluvial basin in the world, with 15% of the planet’s fresh water. The temperature is practically constant at 26°C, and the humidity peaks at nearly 80% during the season of high rainfall. The Amazon is also the most important biological reserve in the world with 5.000 species of trees, 2,500 species of fish, and 300 species of mammals. Still, a large part of this region remains unexplored.

There are 200,000 native people in the Amazon. Most of them have managed to survive until today by isolating themselves as much as possible from our world. There is not much chance of you meeting them and it’s definitely better that you do not attempt to find them. They live deep inside the forest, and your mere presence can contribute to the mechanism of their destruction.

There are two different types of rivers in the Amazon:
- Black waters (Rio Negro and Rio Tapajos Basins). The acidity of black waters prevents the reproduction of larva. Sandy shores and the absence of mosquitoes as well as flies characterized these regions.
- White waters: such as Rio Solimões and the Amazon.
These bodies of water have muddy shores and the surroundings are propitious to agriculture (the color of the river is due to the large quantities of nutrient full alluvium it carries). Mosquitoes exist here mostly at sunrise and at sunset. During the day, they are dormant.

They can be just as dangerous as they are pretty to observe.
Please be careful: do not leave the route designated by the guide and respect his safety warnings.

Horror movies have painted a monstrous picture of these poor animals! Many piranhas are frugivorous (they eat fruit from the trees). They do not become really wicked until low tide when their vital space diminishes as well as their food supply.
It is possible to swim most of the time without any problem but we suggest you check with the locals before doing so. If you see locals swimming, you can join them without risks. In any case, always wear a bathing suit so as not to expose yourself to the "candiru", a small fish with the irritating habit of introducing itself into any orifice available.
The experience is painful and the extraction calls for surgery.

Risks exist in the Amazon, of course, but they are limited when you are only here for a few days.
We advise you to
- consult with your physician before your trip
- be vaccinated against yellow fever and  the basic vaccinations (Diphtheria Tuberculosis, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B…) before your trip.  The vaccine for yellow fever lasts 10 years and the risk of contracting this disease is, in some area, omnipresent (anywhere in Brazil as a matter of fact).
- While here, immediately disinfect the smallest injury.