Unfold the Mysteries of the True Brazilian Amazon with Us…
Including La-Ventana-Wall
and 3 nights on the summit
Life, culture and traditions of one of the most interesting
indigenous tribe of the Amazon rainforest
An Amazon rainforest adventure off the beaten tracks

Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions

Explore the Largest Tropical Rainforest on the Planet: Amazonia

OVER 50 YEARS OF ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE

More than five decades ago, a young German left his home country with nothing in his pocket, but was blessed with courage and curiosity to get to know the big world. Over the years he has lived in several European countries and overseas, learning five foreign languages ​​and surviving through determination and willpower.

Peter Rohmer knows how to stand his man even in difficult situations. In over 40 years of brazil experience he did have to overcome tricky situations with a pistol on his head more than once.

A man with many talents, a great love for Brazil, its adventures and its people. Peter Rohmer knows Brazil like no other travel guide and, in contrast to most of the other providers, he always tailors the customers' travel wishes to their individual needs and offers private and unique adventures instead of the usual mass tourism. His passion for the spectacular and largely untouched landscapes, the friendships with the locals and the unique wildlife with which this extraordinary land is blessed, is contagious.

 

DISCOVER BRAZIL WITH US

Since the first European explorers set foot in the Amazon Basin in 1541, the Amazon rainforest has held a mystique that foreigners from around the globe find hard to resist. Almost every die-hard traveller at some point in time has thought about exploring the Amazon Basin. The very mention of it evokes images of dense rainforest, an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, and indigenous tribes. The total area, including neighbouring countries as Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana, Peru, Bolívia and Equador, covers an area of 7,050,000 square kilometres (2,700,000 sq mi), 5,500,000 (2,100,000 sq mi) of which is rainforest.

Often referred to as the "Lungs of our Planet", the rainforest produces an estimated 20 percent of the Earth's oxygen. However, because decomposition of plant matter absorbs much of this, the Amazon's true gift to Planet Earth is its cooling effect. The Amazon rainforest is home to one in ten known species in the world, making it the largest collection of living plants and animal species in the world. Of the nine South American countries over which it sprawls, Brazil is home to 60 percent of this lush, tropical rainforest.

A trip to the Amazon jungle transports you to a world of extraordinary sights and sounds. The towering trees and meandering rivers teem with exotic life. From the rainbow-coloured macaws to the pink freshwater dolphins, you cannot help but be enthralled with the unusual creatures that surround you as you journey through the jungle.

With Southern Cross Tours and Expeditions, you will experience a part of the Amazon rarely seen by the average tourist. Whether you are looking for a tour or an expedition our itineraries are designed and structured for travellers demanding more than just a completion of a round trip. Our expert guides will lead you through the rainforest by foot and along the river by canoe, enabling you to get up close and personal with the diverse tropical flora and fauna. We set up a base camp with hammocks in the middle of the forest that allows you easy access to the rivers, where you can catch fish to cook on an open fire.

 

At Southern Cross Tours and Expeditions, we don't do anything half way! We want you to get the most out of your Amazon experience, so we arrange tours that traverse the most intriguing parts of the jungle.

On a trip with us you will explore three types of forest:

  • Floresta de terra firme (firm earth forest), situated in the high plains of the basin, where there is no flooding
  • Floresta de várzea (field forest), situated in low plains that get flooded by the white water rivers during the rainy season
  • Floresta de igapó (root of water forest), situated in low plains that get flooded by the black water rivers during the rainy season

Manaus is the capital of the state Amazonas, and known as the entrance gate to the Amazon rainforest. It is from here that most foreigners start their journeys into the rainforest, and where you'll be starting your journey with us too! With 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, we take pride in our team of experienced and knowledgeable guides that will ensure you experience the trip of a lifetime!

If you are interested in exploring other parts of Brazil have a look at our other unique travel packages.

What are you waiting for? Let's get started!

About Indians - Indian Myths

Brazil is nowadays home to 896,917 Indians from 230 different tribes, which is 0.47 % of Brazil’s population. They live in 688 Indian reservations, also called Terras Indigenas and are spread all over the country.

The Brazilian Amazon region, consisting of the states Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins and 50 % Maranhão (only 50 % of this one) is home to 433,363 Indians. Fortunately, apart from some exceptions, most tribes have been thriving constantly since the 80’s. Fact is that the tribes which have recorded higher growth rates are those who have become aware of the advantage of adapting some aspects of their traditional lifestyle to that of the white population, while maintaining other parts of their culture and traditions.

Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions undertakes activities in Amazonia and in the Mata Atlantica, the Atlantic coastal rainforest, among other destinations in Brazil. There we will take small groups to the Guarany-Mbya, a tribe which has its origin at the triple-frontier between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina; we also visit the Baniwa, Baré, Coripaco, Tukano, Dessano, all situated in the upper Rio Negro region and the Ingariko in Roraima; also the Yanomani in Venezuela make part of our activities in Roraima. Complying strictly with our travel philosophy of sustainability we work together with Indian guides, boatmen and porters, supporting the local economy. A respectful cooperation between Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions and the tribes requires arranging each visit in advance, with the caçique (chief of the tribe) personally. This is necessary, among other reasons, because the spiritual and material world of indigenous people is completely different from the one of the visitors and proper communication is essential in order to avoid misunderstandings. Nonetheless, it may occur that oral agreements lose their meaning due to circumstances that could not have been foreseen, or by simple mind switch based on reasons not easily comprehensible by the visitor, which we will have to accept. However, if we realise that a tribe is losing its authenticity due to negative tourism impacts, as it happened with the Sateré-Maué in Iranduba, we will discontinue our visits there.

The travellers must also be aware of the fact that there is hardly any tribe left which has not at all been affected by introduction of cultural attitudes which are not his own. So is traditional clothing only worn on special occasions; it may appear odd to the visitors to see Indians walking around the village in flip-flops and Adidas shorts.

If you wish to get a deeper insight into a specific tribe’s culture, lifestyle and traditions, Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions can organise that for you, always within the legal framework and our own guidelines for the protection of the natives' traditions and privacy.

Amazon Expeditions

From the lost world of the mystical Roraima tepuis to the unexplored rainforest of the Amazon and its tributaries

Pico da Neblina - Brazil's highest peak

Amazon Neblina Tours is a subdivision and the regional organization of Amazon Travel Brazil which in turn is a division of Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions, Among a variety of tours focusing on nature, cultural and social aspects in Brazil's wild and unknown back country, it is the journey to Brazil's highest mountain, the 2,994 m Pico da Neblina, located amidst the Amazonian rainforest, that is the most demanding – and the most rewarding – for the experienced traveler and hiker. As the only outfitter with an own operational basis in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, we offer to the demanding traveller the best option for expeditions and tours into the deep forest by putting safety and content as top priorities.

Yanomami tribe

Follow the tracks of the famous 18th century explorer, geologist, naturalist, humanist and philosopher Alexander von Humboldt

One of the last great travel adventures of our time.

The Quarup Ritual

Witness the famous mortuary ritual carried out by the native tribes of the Upper Xingú in the Amazon.

- Early reservations required -
 

Rivers - roads of the Amazon rainforest

You will experience the adventure of a lifetime in the deep wilderness of the untamed Amazonian rainforest. Explore the upper Rio Negro and its tributaries in dug-out canoes and on hiking tours along the Curicuriari river. You will sleep under the stars in jungle camps and stay at an Indio village, where the Tukano people will welcome you. Goal of this expedition is the top of the 1,125 m high Bela Adormecida mountain, the Sleeping Beauty Mountain.

 

The urubú-rei waterfalls

The 1,465 m high Monte Caburaí mountain is located in the state of Roraima at Brazil's northernmost frontier, bordering with Guyana and Venezuela. The region is part of the highland of the Brazilian shield which consists of a roughly 600 million old Precambrian landmass.

The mountain is part of the "Mount Roraima National Park", situated on a huge plateau at 1,000 m altitude. The breathtaking landscape is marked by several peaks and canyons covered with dense tropical rainforest und countless waterfalls. The region offers rich biodiversity and a once in a life time adventure for lovers of pristine tropical Nature.

Mount Roraima seen from Tek River

The expedition to Mount Roraima covers one of the most impressive landscapes of South America: the Gran Sabana, in Southern Venezuela. A huge highland of some 14,000 sq miles, covered by mysterious table mountains, called tepuys (also tepui), with difficult access and many of them still undiscovered by science. A region that has been isolated for millions of years and where nature has developed endemic species on each of the tepuys, with a density rarely seen elsewhere, except Galapagos Islands. A world that has been described in the tale “The lost world” by Scottish writer Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes).The aim of the expedition is the 2,810 m high Roraima table mountain (tepuy), located in the border region between Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. Here we will penetrate one of the oldest regions on the planet. Even for experienced trekkers and natural adventurer, this expedition is a special and unforgettable experience. Not just another hike or outdoor activity, it is instead an unique trip for Nature lovers.

Amazon Tours

Experience nature and culture of the Amazon on tours and trips

The Amazonas confluence

Imagine traveling on ten tumbling Amazon Rivers so remote that you never meet other travelers. Instead, you chance upon enchanted waterfalls. Lagoons, hidden deep in the emerald rainforests. Feel the eyes of the forest animals watching you.

On this tour you have unique opportunities to interact with the river peoples and remote tribes largely untroubled by tourists. On route you meet Waimiri-Atroari, Sataré-Mawe, Tukano, Dessano but also Baniwa, Baré and the Yanomami.. Among them, the Yanomami will include you on their jungle hunting trips. Watch how they have hunted and fished along the Cauaburis River for centuries. Very few get to witness this sight

Swimming with pink river dolphins

Covering an area of 5,849,808 acres of untamed rain forest the Jáu National Park is the biggest National Park in Brazil and the biggest continuous tropical rainforest on the planet. Its name derives from one of the biggest fishes in the Amazonian rivers. Because of its unparalleled biodiversity in flora and fauna it was declared Natural World Heritage in 2000 by UNESCO. Southern Cross Tours & Expeditions has pioneered tours into and around the Jaú National Park for over 20 years. We have acquired intimate knowledge of the region including the adjacent Anavilhanas National Park and have made valuable relationship with the native habitants of that area. Our tours provide intensive and genuine rainforest and river experiences, close-up contact to nature and humans unaffected by modern life amenities. Authenticity is the magic word that describes best our tours to the Jaú National Park.

Preparing for the bullet ant dance

Our contact with the Sateré-Mawé tribe started some 10 years ago in their village at Iranduba, one hour and half by car distant from Manaus. Unfortunately the situation there has developed in a way that does not coincide with our philosophy of authenticity, as the Sateré-Mawé there had become increasingly touristy. So when we were asked by the editor and host of the German TV Series “Galileo” if we could help them to film the rites of the bullet ant dances, we looked at the roots of that tribe and found them at the Marau river in the municipality of Maués, about 1 hour by private air charter from Manaus. 12 villages are scattered over the Reservation. Since our filming in the village Ipakup Ekatup Hap ,now called Nova Esperança  in Portuguese, we have made friends with the tribe and can offer stays from 4-8 days during which the performance of the rite and the with the bullet ant Paraponera clavata is the highlight. In company of the Sateré we will discover other secrets of the Amazon and the Sateré which is their tradition of cultivation and harvest of Paraponera clavata, the Guaraná plant, a high grade stimulant.

Our Philosophy

Outstanding content and service at a fair price

OVER 50 YEARS OF ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE

More than five decades ago, a young German left his home country with nothing in his pocket, but was blessed with courage and curiosity to get to know the big world. Over the years he has lived in several European countries and overseas, learning five foreign languages ​​and surviving through determination and willpower.

Peter Rohmer knows how to stand his man even in difficult situations. In over 40 years of brazil experience he did have to overcome tricky situations with a pistol on his head more than once.

A man with many talents, a great love for Brazil, its adventures and its people. Peter Rohmer knows Brazil like no other travel guide and, in contrast to most of the other providers, he always tailors the customers' travel wishes to their individual needs and offers private and unique adventures instead of the usual mass tourism. His passion for the spectacular and largely untouched landscapes, the friendships with the locals and the unique wildlife with which this extraordinary land is blessed, is contagious.

 

DISCOVER BRAZIL WITH US

Since the first European explorers set foot in the Amazon Basin in 1541, the Amazon rainforest has held a mystique that foreigners from around the globe find hard to resist. Almost every die-hard traveller at some point in time has thought about exploring the Amazon Basin. The very mention of it evokes images of dense rainforest, an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, and indigenous tribes. The total area, including neighbouring countries as Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana, Peru, Bolívia and Equador, covers an area of 7,050,000 square kilometres (2,700,000 sq mi), 5,500,000 (2,100,000 sq mi) of which is rainforest.

Often referred to as the "Lungs of our Planet", the rainforest produces an estimated 20 percent of the Earth's oxygen. However, because decomposition of plant matter absorbs much of this, the Amazon's true gift to Planet Earth is its cooling effect. The Amazon rainforest is home to one in ten known species in the world, making it the largest collection of living plants and animal species in the world. Of the nine South American countries over which it sprawls, Brazil is home to 60 percent of this lush, tropical rainforest.

A trip to the Amazon jungle transports you to a world of extraordinary sights and sounds. The towering trees and meandering rivers teem with exotic life. From the rainbow-coloured macaws to the pink freshwater dolphins, you cannot help but be enthralled with the unusual creatures that surround you as you journey through the jungle.

With Southern Cross Tours and Expeditions, you will experience a part of the Amazon rarely seen by the average tourist. Whether you are looking for a tour or an expedition our itineraries are designed and structured for travellers demanding more than just a completion of a round trip. Our expert guides will lead you through the rainforest by foot and along the river by canoe, enabling you to get up close and personal with the diverse tropical flora and fauna. We set up a base camp with hammocks in the middle of the forest that allows you easy access to the rivers, where you can catch fish to cook on an open fire.

 

At Southern Cross Tours and Expeditions, we don't do anything half way! We want you to get the most out of your Amazon experience, so we arrange tours that traverse the most intriguing parts of the jungle.

On a trip with us you will explore three types of forest:

  • Floresta de terra firme (firm earth forest), situated in the high plains of the basin, where there is no flooding
  • Floresta de várzea (field forest), situated in low plains that get flooded by the white water rivers during the rainy season
  • Floresta de igapó (root of water forest), situated in low plains that get flooded by the black water rivers during the rainy season

Manaus is the capital of the state Amazonas, and known as the entrance gate to the Amazon rainforest. It is from here that most foreigners start their journeys into the rainforest, and where you'll be starting your journey with us too! With 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, we take pride in our team of experienced and knowledgeable guides that will ensure you experience the trip of a lifetime!

If you are interested in exploring other parts of Brazil have a look at our other unique travel packages.

What are you waiting for? Let's get started!

Further travel modules for your trip at scte-brazil.com

Combine your trip to the Amazon with further fascinating Brazilian destinations

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  5. Colorful and Exotic: Salvador and Surroundings

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  6. Amazon Expedition to the Monte Caburaí in Roraima

    For Nature lovers, adventurers and explorers. The 1,465 m high Monte Caburaí mountain is located in the state of Roraima at Brazil's northernmost frontier, bordering with Guyana and Venezuela.

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