Itinerary
Highlights
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Visit the restricted Kayapo Indigenous Territory in the Brazilian Amazon: the last large, pristine tract of forest surviving in the southeastern Amazon
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Discover a unique jungle experience with our professional bilingual guides (English/Portuguese)
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Hike trails through the forest with Kayapo guides, learning about their traditional forest practices and stories of the region, while looking for wildlife.
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Visit Kayapo villages and meet community members while experiencing daily Kayapo life including tasting traditional foods, and learning Kayapo songs and dances.
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Watch Kayapo women create their iconic body painting designs and have the opportunity to paint or be painted yourself.
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Take an overnight camping trip, complete with all the basic amenities, to even remoter, wild areas of the Xingu River.
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Experience our world-class jungle lodge with a private chef and host while enjoying the amenities including a riverfront view, beach, swimming area, and shaded hammocks to relax in.
THE KAYAPO & XINGU BASIN EXPERIENCE
The Kayapo protects the largest Indigenous-managed tropical forest in the world. Approximately 12,000 Kayapo Indigenous people live in some 100 villages, practicing their rich traditional culture, lifestyle, and well-developed social organization. They manage and protect their vast territory against illegal gold mining, logging, and land-grabbing- including over 250 km of the Xingu River (known as Bytire in the Kayapo language), and 22 million acres of virgin Amazon forest.
The Xingu Lodge is located on the mythical Xingu River, flowing north through the Kayapo Indigenous Territory for over 200 km. The Xingu Lodge experience offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn alongside the Kayapo People and visit one of the most beautiful and biodiverse areas on earth. This trip provides an immersive introduction to the Kayapo landscapes and livelihoods.
Day 1 | Arrival at the Xingu Lodge
Transfer from the airport where you will catch your charter flight to Xingu Lodge. Upon
arrival, you will be greeted by your host with signature cocktails. After settling in, our
manager will provide a brief tour of the property with an orientation session and an
introduction to the team, made up of Brazilian and Kayapó members. Depending on your
arrival time, you will have an afternoon of activities with a short walk on the jungle trail and
a magnificent sunset.
Accommodation at Xingu Lodge is 4 double rooms, each with box-spring beds, private
bathroom, hot water and electricity. The lodge is located on the banks of the Xingu River,
overlooking a beautiful rapid and a swimming beach. Every evening our chef will present
guests with a gourmet dish in our dining room.
Day 2 | Wildlife with Warriors
After breakfast, we set off on one of the many trails through the forest that lead to areas of
biological or cultural importance. Depending on your interest and experience, the trail can
explore Brazil nut forests, ancient villages, lagoons, hunting grounds, animal viewing and
much more.
Kayapó warriors and elders have incredible knowledge of the natural and cultural history of
the region. During the interpretive walk, Kayapó guides will share knowledge about plants
and help you spot and track different species, such as blue macaws, spider monkeys,
jaguars, peccaries, tapirs or other small animals.
Lunch will be served back at the lodge. After lunch, enjoy some leisure time. Time to swim in
the mighty Xingu or relax in a hammock. After lunch, head out with your guides on a boat
safari along the Xingu River, in search of giant otters, peccaries, and kingfishers. End the
evening with cocktails and appetizers at the lodge, followed by a delicious dinner prepared
by the lodge's chef.
After dinner, listen and learn about the Kayapó Project through a brief presentation from
your guides on how the Kayapo conserve and defend their incredible territory against illegal
deforestation.
Day 3 | Kayapo Culture
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the Kayapó village. The focus of the day will be
learning more about their way of life. First, visit a vegetable garden and learn how they
plant, harvest and process cassava root into flour, one of the staples of their traditional diet.
Together with the Kayapó, you can help prepare a traditional dish, called Berarubu, where
fresh fish and cassava flour are wrapped in banana leaves and roasted under the fire.
While the food is not ready, spend some time with the Kayapó women as they demonstrate
one of the most iconic elements of their tradition – body painting – using natural dyes from
Amazonian plants Jenipapo and Urucum. Try painting yourself before tasting the traditional
food you helped prepare.
In the village, you may have the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Kayapó artisans
making beads, working in wood or making baskets, shooting a bow and arrow, learning
songs and dances, playing traditional (and contemporary) sports, learning the language or
giving a refreshing dip. After dinner at the Lodge, enjoy a bonfire on the beach and hear
some Kayapó stories and cosmology.
Day 4 | Fishing and Wildlife
After breakfast at the lodge, head out with your guides for another wildlife viewing
excursion. Traveling upriver by boat, you will explore the narrow channels and tributaries of
the Xingu River in search of birds, monkeys and other mammals. Experience how the Kayapó
fish in the river using a hand line. Try your luck at return fishing using hand line, bait or fly
fishing techniques.
For lunch, your guides will prepare a riverside picnic with fresh fish.
Interested guests can go on a hike with Kayapó youth to see and learn about their camera
trap project. Otherwise, return to the lodge for appetizers at sunset.
After dinner, young Kayapó photographers and filmmakers will present their incredible
work, including photos, camera and audio traps, and short films about their culture, lifestyle
and environment.
Day 5 | Craft fair and farewell
Enjoy a final breakfast at Xingu Lodge. After breakfast, participate in a crafts fair and take
home bracelets, baskets, earrings, paintings, necklaces, war clubs, bows and arrows, oars
and much more, all made by Kayapó artisans from the community.
Your brief and final river safari will take you back to the Kayapo village of Pykararankre. At
the village, you will have the chance to say goodbye to the guides, chiefs and members of
the Kayapó community who were part of your experience.
Board your charter flight back to your final destination (Manaus, Carajás, Marabá).
Day 1 - Arrival at the Xingu Lodge
Transfer from the airport where you will catch your charter flight to the Xingu Lodge.
Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be greeted by your host with fresh signature cocktails.
After settling in at the lodge, our manager will provide a brief tour of the property with an
orientation session as well as an introduction to the staff, both Brazilian and Kayapó
members. Depending on your arrival time at the lodge, you will have an afternoon of
activities with a short trail hike in the jungle and a magnificent sunset at the lodge.
The Xingu Lodge accommodations are 4 double occupancy rooms each with spring box
beds, a private bathroom, hot water, and electricity. The lodge is located on the bank of the
Xingu River looking out over a gorgeous rapid and swimming beach. Every evening, guests
will be delighted by our chef's delicious gourmet cuisine in the dining room.
Day 2 - Wildlife with Warriors
After breakfast at the lodge, depart for one of many trails through the forest leading to areas
of biological or cultural importance. Depending upon your interest and experience, the trail
may take you and your group to explore Brazil nut groves, old village sites, lagoons, hunting
sites, animal viewing, or more.
Kayapó warriors and elders hold incredible knowledge of the natural and cultural history of
the region. Throughout the interpretive hike, Kayapó guides will share knowledge of plants,
and help you spot and track various species such as hyacinth macaws, spider monkeys,
jaguar, peccary, tapir or other small animals.
Lunch will be hosted back at the lodge. Following lunch, enjoy some leisure time at the
lodge. Time for swimming in the mighty Xingu or relaxing in a hammock. After lunch, set
out with your guides on a boat safari along the pristine Xingu River, in search of giant river
otters, tapirs, and kingfishers. End the evening with cocktails and appetizers at the lodge
followed by a delicious dinner prepared by the lodge chef.
After dinner listen and learn about the Kayapó Project through a brief presentation from
your guides about how the Kayapó conserve and defend their incredible territory from
illegal deforestation.
Day 3 - Kayapó Culture
After breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a guided tour of Kayapó village. The focus of the day will
be to learn more about the Kayapó people and their way of life.
First, visit a garden and learn how Kayapó plant, harvest and process manioc root into flour,
one of the staples in their traditional diet. Together with the Kayapó, you may help prepare a
traditional dish, called Berarubu, where fresh fish and manioc flour are wrapped in banana
leaves and baked under a fire.
While the food bakes, spend some time with the Kayapo women as they show one of the
most iconic elements of their tradition - body painting - using natural dyes from Amazonian
plants Jenipapo and Urucum. Experience painting yourself before tasting the traditional
Kayapó food you helped cook.
In the village, you might have the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Kayapó artisans
beading, woodworking or basket-making, shooting a bow and arrow, learning Kayapó songs
and dances, playing traditional (and contemporary) sports, learning Kayapó language,
orgoing for a refreshing swim.
After dinner at the Lodge, enjoy a bonfire on the beach and hear some Kayapó stories and
cosmology.
Day 4 - Fishing and Wildlife
After breakfast at the lodge, set out with your naturalist guides for another wildlife outing.
Heading upriver by boat you will explore the narrow channels and tributaries of the Xingu
river in search of birds, monkeys, and other mammals.
Experience how the Kayapo catches fish from the river using a handline. Try your luck at
catch-and-release fishing using handline, bait, or fly-fishing techniques.
For lunch, your guides will prepare a riverside picnic complete with fresh fish.
Interested guests can hike with Kayapó youth to see and learn about their camera trap
project. Otherwise, return to the lodge for sunset appetizers.
Following dinner Kayapó youth conservationists, photographers, and cinematographers will
present their incredible work including photos, camera and audio traps, and short films
about their culture, lifestyle, and environment.
Day 5 - Upstream Expedition
For our adventurous guests, we offer an upstream expedition experience where participants
can travel and explore more remote areas of the Xingu River.
After breakfast at Xingu Lodge, we will depart at 6:30am and set off on a 1.5 hour boat ride
down the beautiful Xingu River, followed by a 10-minute hike through open forest to reach
Imoti Lagoon. Once there, we will explore the area, hiking trails surrounding the two inner
lagoons, paddling through shallow lakes for incredible bird-watching and photography
opportunities.
A traditional Kayapó lunch is part of this adventure. After lunch, we will cross the Xingu by
boat to visit Kikretum Kawatire, a recently abandoned village. Pick fresh mangoes and
coconuts from the many fruit trees while learning about how Kayapó communities migrated
through the Xingu region and the region’s history of deforestation and rubber. A short walk
from Kikretum Kawatire provides great views of the mighty Xingu.
Snacks and dinner prepared by the lodge's chef will await you when you return to Xingu
Lodge.
Day 6 - Artisan Fair & Farewell
Enjoy a final breakfast at the Xingu Lodge. Following breakfast, participate in an artisanal fair and go home with Kayapó bracelets, baskets, earrings, paintings, necklaces, war clubs, bows and arrows, paddles, and more, all made by Kayapó artisans from the community.
Your short (25-minute) final river safari will take you back to Pykararankre Kayapó village. At
the village, you will have a chance to say your farewells to the Kayapó guides, chiefs, and
community members who were part of your experience.
Board your charter plane back to your final destination (Manaus, Carajas, Maraba).
Day 1 - Arrival at the lodge
Transfer from the airport where you will catch your charter flight to Xingu Lodge. Upon
arrival, you will be greeted by your host with signature cocktails. After settling in, our
manager will provide a brief tour of the property with an orientation session and an
introduction to the team, made up of Brazilian and Kayapó members. Depending on your
arrival time, you will have an afternoon of activities with a short walk on the jungle trail and
a magnificent sunset.
Accommodation at Xingu Lodge is 4 double rooms, each with box-spring beds, private
bathroom, hot water and electricity. The lodge is located on the banks of the Xingu River,
overlooking a beautiful rapid and a swimming beach. Every evening our chef will present
guests with a gourmet dish in our dining room.
Day 2 - Wildlife with warriors
After breakfast, we set off on one of the many trails through the forest that lead to areas of
biological or cultural importance. Depending on your interest and experience, the trail can
explore Brazil nut forests, ancient villages, lagoons, hunting grounds, animal viewing and
much more.
Kayapó warriors and elders have incredible knowledge of the natural and cultural history of
the region. During the interpretive walk, Kayapó guides will share knowledge about plants
and help you spot and track different species, such as blue macaws, spider monkeys,
jaguars, peccaries, tapirs or other small animals.
Lunch will be served back at the lodge. After lunch, enjoy some leisure time. Time to swim in
the mighty Xingu or relax in a hammock. After lunch, head out with your guides on a boat
safari along the Xingu River, in search of giant otters, peccaries, and kingfishers. End the
evening with cocktails and appetizers at the lodge, followed by a delicious dinner prepared
by the lodge's chef.
After dinner, listen and learn about the Kayapó Project through a brief presentation from
your guides on how the Kayapo conserve and defend their incredible territory against illegal
deforestation.
Day 3 - Kayapó Culture
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the Kayapó village. The focus of the day will be
learning more about their way of life. First, visit a vegetable garden and learn how they
plant, harvest and process cassava root into flour, one of the staples of their traditional diet.
Together with the Kayapó, you can help prepare a traditional dish, called Berarubu, where
fresh fish and cassava flour are wrapped in banana leaves and roasted under the fire.
While the food is not ready, spend some time with the Kayapó women as they demonstrate
one of the most iconic elements of their tradition – body painting – using natural dyes from
Amazonian plants Jenipapo and Urucum. Try painting yourself before tasting the traditional
food you helped prepare.
In the village, you may have the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Kayapó artisans
making beads, working in wood or making baskets, shooting a bow and arrow, learning
songs and dances, playing traditional (and contemporary) sports, learning the language or
giving a refreshing dip. After dinner at the Lodge, enjoy a bonfire on the beach and hear
some Kayapó stories and cosmology.
Days 4 and 5 - Night Camp at Imoti Lagoon
For adventurous guests, we offer an overnight camping experience at Imoti Lagoon,
complete with all basic amenities, where participants can travel and explore more remote
areas of the Xingu River. After breakfast at Xingu Lodge, travel an hour and a half by boat
down the beautiful Xingu River, followed by a ten-minute walk through open forest to reach
Imoti Lagoon Camp.
Once at camp, spend the afternoon exploring the area, hiking the trails that surround the
two inner lagoons, paddling through the shallow lakes for incredible birdwatching and
photography opportunities, swimming or fishing on the rocky Xingu coast, or simply
relaxing at the campsite . Dinner and a campfire complete the day before falling asleep to
the sounds of the jungle in your canvas tent and comfortable camp bed.
The next morning, cross the Xingu by boat to visit Kikretum Kawatire, a recently abandoned
village. Harvest fresh mangoes and coconuts from the many fruit trees while learning about
how Kayapó communities migrated through the Xingu region and the regional history of
deforestation and rubber. A short walk from Kikretum Kawatire provides a great view of the
mighty Xingu. Snacks and dinner prepared by the lodge's chef will be waiting for you when
you return to Xingu Lodge.
Day 6 - Kayapó culture and art
After breakfast, take a trip downstream to meet another Kayapó village and the community
members who live there.
You will also have the opportunity to spend the morning with Kayapó artisans making
beads, working in wood or basket weaving, trying your luck at archery, learning songs and
dances, practicing traditional (and contemporary) sports, learning the language and giving a
refreshing dip.
After a picnic lunch, the Kayapó community will prepare a crafts fair, allowing you to take
home your own bracelets, baskets, earrings, paintings, necklaces, war clubs, bows and
arrows, oars and more, all made by artisans Kayapo.
Return to Xingu Lodge and relax with a sunset cocktail before dinner. Complete Kayapo culture day by watching the film "Nhakpoti - Estrela Menina" about Kayapó cosmology, made and presented by Kayapó cameramen from Coletivo Beture.
Day 7 - Fishing and wildlife
After breakfast at the lodge, head out with your guides for another wildlife viewing
excursion. Traveling upriver by boat, you will explore the narrow channels and tributaries of
the Xingu River in search of birds, monkeys and other mammals.
Experience how the Kayapó fish in the river using a hand line. Try your luck at return fishing
using hand line, bait or fly fishing techniques.
For lunch, your guides will prepare a riverside picnic with fresh fish.
Interested guests can go on a hike with Kayapó youth to see and learn about their camera
trap project. Otherwise, return to the lodge for appetizers at sunset.
After dinner, young Kayapó photographers and filmmakers will present their incredible
work, including photos, camera and audio traps, and short films about their culture, lifestyle
and environment.
Day 8 - Artisan Fair & Farewell
Enjoy a final breakfast at the Xingu Lodge. Your short final river safari will then take you back to Pykararankre Kayapo village. At the village you will have a chance to say farewell to the Kayapo guides, chiefs, and community members that were part of your experience.
Board your charter plane back to your final destination (Manaus, Carajas, Maraba).