Mamirauá Reservation - Uacari Lodge The Governor of the state of Amazonas created the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (RSDM) in 1990 as an Ecological Reservation. In 1996, with the completion of the Management Plan, the state government changed its status to that of a Sustainable Development Reserve. The Reserve’s objective is the protection of the várzea at the confluence of the Solimões and Japurá rivers near the town of Tefé. Várzea is forest flooded every year by rivers rich in sediments and nutrients, and it may remain under water for more than four months each year. The turbid waters transport a huge load of sediments, which are deposited during the floods, making the soils of the várzea productive and fertile compared to those elsewhere in Amazon region. With a total area of 1,124,000 hectares (almost a third of the size of Belgium), up to 80km of forest can be submerged between the courses of these two important Amazonian rivers. Each year, the water levels can rise by up to 12 meters. The animals and plants of Mamirauá must adapt for survival in the extreme conditions of this environment. Many trees are entirely submerged. For this reason, the várzea animals are either tree dwellers or good swimmers! During the high water season, fish invade the flooded forest and take on the role of seed dispersal, which in other forests belongs to quatis, squirrels and other terrestrial mammals – absent from Mamirauá – as well as various bird species. The annual flood transforms the life of the whole region. Many animals depend on the fruits and seeds produced by the trees during the floods. Some, such as the Tambaqui Colossoma Macroponum, feed of fruits that fall into the water. More than 300 species of fish have already been catalogued in the reserve, including several ornamentals, such as the Discus Synphysodon Aequifasciatus. Mamirauá is also home to approximately 400 species of bird and at least 45 species of mammal. One of the strangest is the White Uacari Cacajao calvus. A monkey of four kilos feeds almost exclusively on the seeds of unripe fruits. Uacaris live in groups of up to 50 individuals, and travel many kilometers every day, in search of their favorite foods. Also endemic to Mamirauá is the Black Headed Squirrel Monkey Saimiri vanzolinii, and the lakes and rivers provide a refuge for the Amazon Manatee Trichechus inunguis and the Red River Dolphin Inia geoffrensis. Some of the most important tropical timber species are still found in the area protected by the RSDM. Scientific research is one of the principal activities within the Reserve producing and publishing various theses (Masters and Doctoral) and scientific articles about Mamirauá. This research was essential in the drawing-up of a Management Plan for the Reserve. The local human population has not been relocated, and is instead involved in a participate process that aims to secure an improvement in their standard of living and their help in the management and protection of biodiversity within the RSDM. Local communities take a role in research, extension and management, occupying a strategic position in the decision-making process. A unique experience in Brazil when it began, this approach is beginning to be adopted in other conservation projects. Accommodation     Mamirauá is the name of the reserve and the Institute that develop many projects in that area including ecotourism. The Uacari Floating lodge is destined for the ecotourism.  The lodge has 10 simple, comfortable and ample apartments (25 square meters). Private bath equipped with hot shower, solar energy for light and sewage filters. The rooms are connected by floating walkway to the Central floating House. There, guests find the restaurant, video room, library, deck. The restaurant offers a varied menu including regional meals. The Uacari lodge is cozy and comfortable, using alternative technologies like solar energy and an adequate sewage system for minimize the environmental impacts. Transfers Manaus-Tefé - There are two ways to reach Tefé from Manaus: > AERIAL:TRIP Linhas Aéreas using ATR plane MAO-TFF: Mondays & Fridays TFF-MAO: Mondays & Fridays > FLUVIAL in regional boats navigating 40 hours or speed boats for 18 hours by Amazonas River. For further information and tickets sale contact harbor administration in Manaus or Tefé. We are not responsible for flight or boat delay or cancellation. In Tefé, there are two hotels recommended for overnight: Anilces Hotel and Egas Hotel. The air-passes, boat tickets and hotel in Tefé are not included in the Uacari package rate, but you can book it with Viverde. Tefé-Mamirauá (FLUVIAL) - it is included in the rate: 2 hours scenic trip in big and comfortable motorized canoe accompanied by the local guide. Navigating first by Tefé Lake, where it is possible to see the dolphins and then Solimões (Amazonas) river, where you can see tucuxis. This part of the trip to the Reserve is only possible during the day for safety reasons. Tips and suggestions Bring in the luggage: - Comfortable long pants, long sleeve shirts, rubber boots, comfortable shoes or tennis, cap or hat, repellent for insects, rain gear, sun lotion, flashlights, camera and binoculars. * In the case of being allergic, do not forget to bring the personal medicine. **Repellent and rain gear are necessary during all year, but January and February are characteristics of the great incidence of mosquitoes and rain. Conduct in the Reserve: - It is not allowed to remove any kind of materials (plants, animals, eggs, etc.) - It is not allowed to throw trash (for this you it will find garbage collectors in the floating house). - Alcoholic drinks are only allowed in the floating house and not during the excursions. - Do not take bath in the rivers, igapós, creeks, lakes, etc. (because of the presence of piranha fish and caimans that live in the waters of the Reserve). - It is not allowed to go on expeditions without assistance of the guides. Conduct on the trails: - Do not to touch in the shrubs, trees, etc., it could be bad surprise the presence of animals' type: scorpion, ant and poisoned spiders, among other small animals, which will be able to cause disagreeable accidents. - So, in order that you can enjoy the beauty of the animals in the tracks, is necessary total silence, using discrete colors clothes and do not take utensils that produce racket. NOTE: In case of not fulfillment of these orientations can cause serious accidents, whose responsibility is exclusively of the guest. Recommendations about the village visits: 1. How does the local population benefit? All workforce used by the ecotourism program in the Reserve is locally resident. The locals participate in ecotourism activities rendering services as guides and kitchen staff, selling agricultural produce, fish and art craft. 2. Where are the villages located? When you visit the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, you will have the opportunity to visit a village located nearby the floating house where you will be staying. There are four villages inside the area destined to the development of the ecotourism program; together they constitute the Mamirauá Sector. 3. Why visit the villages? The idea to offer an opportunity to interact with the local population was born in two ways. On one hand the visitors showed a growing interest in having some contact with the local population, as well as seeing the impacts of the Mamirauá Project on the communities. On the other side, the residents also wished to have contact with the tourists, understanding they would benefit from cultural exchange and selling of products. 4. Locally-made handicrafts: The main marketable product offered to the tourists is handicraft. The production of handicrafts represents more than an economic activity, it is the result of a cultural activity produced mainly by women. The sale of handicrafts provides households with an additional source of income. 5. Different cultures: The population of the villages is not Indian. They are called ribeirinhos, or 'river people', a mix of Amerindian and European peoples. Their culture is very different from the urban one, and it is necessary to pay attention to those differences. 6. There are many advantages that can come from the interaction between the ecotourist and the locals; however, there is a series of observations that have to be borne in mind in order to avoid possible negative social impact from these visits: - Respect the privacy of local inhabitants in their residencies. - Always ask permission before taking photos or filming something or someone that you find interesting. - Avoid taking pictures of children. It is not enough to have their permission; you need to ask their parents' permission as well. There are no pre-determined rules; we believe that common sense can guide the tourist during the visit. In this way we will be avoiding possible negative social impacts as a result of the interaction of such different cultures. In case you come across situations where you have doubts or questions, always ask the person responsible for the visit. Mamirauá Packages PACKAGES: [ 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS ] [ 4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS ] 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS PACKAGE PICK-UP AT TEFÉ AIRPORT ON MONDAYS / CHECK-OUT ON FRIDAYS Day Description 1st. Day Reception at Tefé Airport and transfer to Tefé Port. The speedboat departs from the Jorge Floating dock. During the way to the reservation, you will enjoy the breeze and observe magic scenery, maybe some pink dolphins (Inia geofrensis) and tucuxis (Sotalia fluviatilis) at Tefé Lake in the Amazonas River. Upon your arrival, our staff will give you rapid recommendations and explanations on the running of the lodge (meal times, solar power, water, no swimming, etc) and fill in the visitors registration form. At this time, you will be able to meet all the employees responsible for making an excellent stay. There will always be an English-speaking person at the lodge. A local guide always accompanies the outings. Some of them are naturalist guide, you must listen their recommendations at all the time, in special those regarding your own safety. The local guides do not speak English fluently. 2nd. Day Animals in the forest wake up at sunrise, so if you are interested in sighting as much wildlife as possible, you have to wake up early. The breakfast is at 06:30AM, at 7:00 the activities begin; you will be ready to go on a walk (during the dry season) in one of the trails. The group will do an Interpretative Trail. The naturalist and the local guide, joining scientific and traditional knowledge will help you to interpret the várzea environment (flooded forest). The design of the trails is not to be physically straining and most of them can be follow by walking in three hours maximum. During the flood (May-July), all trails will be done in a small paddle canoe (your guide will paddle you through the trail). In the afternoon, you have a choice to accompany a researchers team and participate of their field works and supplementing the technical information given last night. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can go to another wildlife viewing tour, travelling around the landscapes, channels and lakes system that compose part of the várzea ecosystem. After the dinner, be ready to do a night tour with high chances to see the nocturnal fauna, as tarantula spiders, opossum (Didelphis marsupialis and Philander opossum), two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) and brown throated three toated sloth (Bradypus variegatus), Amazon bamboo rats (Dactylomys dactylinus), bats (Rhynchonycteris naso and Noctilio leporinus), etc. 3rd. Day This morning, you will visit a local village. The local communities have informal itinerary with a series of attractions they would like to show and talk. A person from the community will meet your group and show you around (please see the detailed information sheet about village visits). Depending on the village, you might have the opportunity to buy locally produced handicrafts - take cash with you. The lunch is at 12:30. After lunch, you can rest in a hammock; watch a video about researches done at Mamirauá or an award-winning BBC documentary on Mamirauá, read a book, or just chat - outings when the sun goes down a little. In the afternoon, you will go to another hiking or canoe tour, always exploring a different region of the reserve. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to hear a talk about the ecosystem and about the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute work, its research, etc. 4th. Day You are more used to the forest, if you are really quiet and set out early enough, you might see even more wildlife like capuchin monkeys (Cebus paella)), howlers (Alouatta seniculus), uakaris (Cacajao calvus calvus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus and Saimiri vanzolinii), three toed sloths (Bradypus variegates), hoatzins (Opistochomus hoazin), etc. If you prefer, you can practice a traditional fish or piranha fishing. In this afternoon, a motorized canoe ride to lake Mamirauá, a beautiful lake inside the total preservation area of the Reserve. At the lake, you will probably have memorable encounters with pink river dolphins (Inia geofrensis), hoatzins (Opistochomus hoazin) and perhaps the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) fish. You will stay there until the sunset and on your way back you will spot black caimans (Melanoschus niger), bats (Rhynchonycteris naso and Noctilio leporinus), and night birds and with luck the jaguar. The Dinner is at 20:00. You can enjoy your last night to talk to the staff, to see another kind of documentary or just pack for the next morning. 5th. Day Breakfast. The checkout is at 8:30AM. Before leaving, we would be grateful if you could fill in the assessments form. It is very important for us to know your thoughts about the trip; in this way, we can always improve our services. 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS PACKAGE PICK-UP AT TEFÉ AIRPORT ON FRIDAYS / CHECK-OUT ON MONDAYS Day Description 1st. Day The package starts with reception at Tefé Airport and transfer to Tefé Port. The speedboat departs from the Jorge Floating dock. During the way to the reservation, you will enjoy the breeze and observe magic scenery, maybe some pink dolphins (Inia geofrensis) and tucuxis (Sotalia fluviatilis) at Tefe Lake in the Amazonas River. Upon your arrival, our staff will give you rapid recommendations and explanations on the running of the lodge (meal times, solar power, water, no swimming, etc) and fill in the visitors registration form. At this time, you will be able to meet all the employees responsible for making an excellent stay. There will always be an English-speaking person at the lodge. A local guide accompanies all outings. Some of them are naturalist guides, you must listen their recommendations all the time, especially those regarding your own safety. The local guides do not speak English fluently. 2nd. Day Animals in the forest wake up at sunrise, so if you are interested in sighting as much wildlife as possible, you have to wake up early. The breakfast is at 06:30AM, at 7:00 the activities begin; you will be ready to go on a walk (during the dry season) in one of the trails. The group will do an Interpretative Trail. The naturalist and the local guide, joining scientific and traditional knowledge will help you to interpret the varzea environment (flooded forest). Our trails design is not to be physically straining, and most of them do not take more then three hours walking. During the flood (May-July), all trails will be done in a small paddle canoe (your guide will paddle you through the trail). After lunch, you can rest in a hammock; watch a video about researches done at Mamirauá or an award-winning BBC documentary on Mamirauá, read a book, or just chat - outings starts when the sun goes down a little. In this afternoon, a motorized canoe ride to the Mamirauá Lake, a beautiful lake inside the total preserved area of the Reserve. At the lake, you will probably have memorable encounters with pink river dolphins (Inia geofrensis), hoatzins (Opistochomus hoazin) and perhaps the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) fish. You will stay there until the sunset and on your way back you will spot black caimans (Melanoschus niger), bats (Rhynchonycteris naso and Noctilio leporinus), and night birds and with luck the jaguar. After dinner, be ready to do a night tour with high chances to see the nocturnal fauna, as tarantula spiders, opossum (Didelphis marsupialis and Philander opossum), two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) and brown throated three toated sloth (Bradypus variegatus), amazon bamboo rats (Dactylomys dactylinus), bats (Rhynchonycteris naso and Noctilio leporinus), etc. 3rd. Day You are more used to the forest, if you are really quiet and set out early enough, you might see even more wildlife like capuchin monkeys (Cebus paella)), howlers (Alouatta seniculus), uakaris (Cacajao calvus calvus) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus and Saimiri vanzolinii), three toed sloths (Bradypus variegates), hoatzins (Opistochomus hoazin), etc. In the afternoon you have a choice to accompany a researchers team and participate of their field. Or if you prefer, you can go to another wildlife viewing tour, travelling around the landscapes, channels and lakes system that compose part of the varzea ecosystem. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to hear a talk about the ecosystem and about the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute work, its research, etc. 4th. Day Breakfast. The checkout is at 8:30AM. Before leaving, we would be grateful if you could fill in the assessments form. It is very important for us to know your thoughts about the trip; in this way, we can always improve our services.

ATTENTION: The activities described above can be changed due to environmental factors, water level variation and climate conditions. During high season (July-Aug), the return to Tefé is by regional boat. During the flood (May-July) all trails will be done in a small paddle canoe (your guide will paddle you through the trail). The local guides don’t speak English fluently. Uacari Lodge - Rates (US$ Dolar) valid to june/2010 per person PACKAGE Individual Room Double or Triple Room 3 Nights (Fridays to Mondays) US$ 885.00 US$ 660.00 4 Nights (Mondays to Fridays) US$ 1,060.00 US$ 760.00 7 Nights (Departures on Mondays/Fridays) US$ 1,615.00 US$ 1,090.00 4 people or more US$ 1,000.00 Uacari Lodge - Rates (R$ Real) valid to december/2010 per person PACKAGE Double or Triple Room 3 Nights (Fridays to Mondays) R$ 1.200,00 4 Nights (Mondays to Fridays) R$ 1.450,00 7 Nights (Departures on Mondays/Fridays) R$ 2.250,00 4 people or more R$ 2.150,00 ATTENTION: For safety reasons, only children older than 12 years old are applied for booking. Maximum luggage per person is 15 Kg. If necessary leave your extra luggage in Mamirauá office in Tefé Single Suplement R$ 150,00 per night. Packages including: Transportation (Tefé-Mamirauá Reserve-Tefé), accommodation, full board, water, juice, coffee and tea, standard excursions and bilingual guide(English speaking). It does not include: Air pass Manaus-Tefé-Manaus, hotel and other expenses in Tefé, other expenses in Mamirauá (cooling and alcoholic drinks, handcrafts, books, etc...), any travel insurance, and anything else not mentioned as included. Visit the Mamirauá Reserve, inner of the Amazon forest, staying at Uacari Lodge! [ Versão em Português ] [ Versión en español ] [ Tourist Info ] [ About us ] [ Back to the Ecotourism page ]