Amazonas by Viverde - Aldeia dos Lagos

Aldeia dos Lagos was built as a part of the Project "Silves: a Project of Ecotourism of local Community in the Brazilian Amazon" executed by ASPAC with technical support of WWF and sponsored by the Austrian Government and WWF.

The purpose of the project was to develop the first project of an undertaking in Ecotourism community based in Amazon Region. The profit has been used in the benefit of preservation of fishing lakes system, and to improve the life quality of Silves community. Know the project at WWF Brazil site. The strategy of preservation was to define three types of fishing areas:

The Silves town is located 200 km far from Manaus in straight line and 250 km by river with 3.747,2 km² of area in a region of Amazon lakes of many different sizes and shapes. This aquatic ecosystem is so sensible as rich. It is sensible related to the biological process which control the flora, fauna and the traditional communities of riverines living on the riverbanks, known as "ribeirinhos", which has been living in the region for centuries ago respecting the balance between vital environmental needs and natural resources available.

Transfers from hotel or airport in Manaus to Aldeia dos Lagos are proceed into 2 parts:
1st. Part - Ground transfer (around 3 hours): the pick-up is between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM following by van/car until the second bridge of Urubu River by AM010. The AM010 is a paved road connecting Manaus to Itacoatiara passing by Rio Preto da Eva City. Along the road you will observe many farmers specially close the Manaus. The Urubu River crosses the Road first time close the Rio Preto da Eva City. In Rio Preto da Eva is possible to taste some regional products such as regional cheese and type of cake "Pé de moleque". Following in the highway, it will be possible to see the Amazonat Resort in the right side of the road.
2nd. Part - Water transfer (around 1:30 hours): with a motor boat following the Urubu River (Itacoatiara) until Silves island.

The transfer from Aldeia dos Lagos back to Manaus departs after breakfast arriving in Manaus in the afternoon. If necessary, it can leave earlyer for the drop-off directly at airport in time for the flights departing from Manaus in the afternoon.

*Note: Due to safety reasons, the luggage is limited to 15 Kg per person.
*In the waters low level - "drought time", the transportation can be done also by ground. Using Manaus - Itacotiara (AM010) in 230 Km in paved road and then 120 Km in a ground branch by inter-municipal road to AM010 to Itapiranga.

The hotel has a main building which hosts the lodge administration, a visitor's shop, the restaurant, the kitchen and a lookout. There are 2 lodging modules with a total of 12 apartments with private bathroom, screened window, fan and veranda.

The hotel has restaurant, laundry, handicraft shop, meeting room, recreation patio and lookout area. The electricity is 110 volts and main building has telephone.

Bring: trousers, long sleeved shirts, T-shirts, hat, walking boots, tennis shoes, sneakers, sun lotion, swimming suit, shorts, light sweater, mosquito repellent, rain gear, sunglasses, camera and accessories, binoculars and flashlight.

The suggested activities are subject to change due to meteorological conditions or environmental interference. Also, they respect water rules which determine two main seasons in Amazonas: "Cheia" time (waters rise, flooding the forest from January to June) and "Vazante" time (rivers drained and forest and beaches appear from July to December).

Tour in motorized canoe to observe herons, parrots and other birds looking for a shelter to spend the night on the island far from their predators.

Tour 2 - Preserved Lakes (All year, with duration of 3 hours)
*It is possible to overnight in the floating shelter in middle of the lake with place for 6 people and with extra cost of US$ 20 per person to help in preservation.

Excursion to preserved sanctuary lakes. Propitious occasion to observe a large variety of flora and aquatic fauna. Caimans, dolphins, fish, birds and small animals are present in the region.

Tour 3 - Flooded forest (Igapós) of ground forest (terra firme) (December to September, with duration of 6 hours)

Excursion in motorized canoe at labyrinth of flooded forest, knowing fruit trees, ornamental flowers and fauna, discovering the secrets of fish feeding. In addition, it is possible to swim in the clean, clear and fresh water of the Igapó.

Tour 4 - Flooded forest (Igapós) in floodplain (várzea) I (September to January, with duration of 3 hours)

River tour in motorized until the flowered fields of the floodplain (Várzea), knowing its fauna and flora at the dry season and walking in the shadow of centennial trees.

Tour 5 - Flooded forest (Igapós) in the floodplain (várzea) II (March to August, with duration of 3 hours)

Tour in motorized canoe by the aquatic trail, navigating between trees and observing the rich avi-fauna of this ecosystem during the flood season.

Tour 6 - Amazonas River by Canaçarí River (February to September, with duration of 6 hours)

Using motorized canoes to cross the large flooded floodplain ("várzea") of Canaçari Lake until Liberato canal, one of the entrance doors of Amazonas River. Observing the river characteristics and a tour in Amazonas River feeling the stream power. Stopping at Santa Maria community to walk through Cacao crops until a typical house of the community. Keeping in contact with local people and their habits, tasting many fruits of the region and homemade chocolate, their products and the raw material.

Tour 7 - Amazonas River II (September to February, with duration of 7 hours)
*This program has an extra cost of US$ 15.00 per person with minimum of 4 people and limited to 8 people maximum

During the dry season the excursions to Amazonas River is more difficult as the Furo do Liberato (Liberato canal) is dry and it is possible to use horses to cross through it.

Tour 8 - Night picnic with the community (All year, with duration of 4 hours)

Visit to the Santa Luzia Community. From there departing in small paddle canoes accompanied by native guides, the guest can practice the primitive fishing, using small networks or spotting and shooting fish with arrows. The product of fishing is cooked and tasted during a big picnic at Sanabani River beach close to the community village, similar to past traditional meetings. At the beach, around the fire, local people tell traditional folk stories and mysteries of the Amazonas River.

Visiting the Silves City to know social and cultural aspects. After that, going to a small community to know about the "caboclos" (local people) behavior, life-style, economic activities, family structure and natural medicine knowledge. At the manioc flour place, a light meal based on manioc will be served. In the afternoon, a sport meeting and at night, a party provided by the community with typical music and dance.

Tour 10 - Day recognizance - Geography (All year, with duration of 3 hours)

Tour of geographical recognition of Silves Island surround in motorized canoe. It will be possible to see dolphins and other curiosities from the region. During the period of January to July, it is possible to see water lilies (Vitória Régia).

The long trails cross the different landscapes like villages, crops, camp and jungle, requiring more physical skills. These trails are designed to meet precious woods of the Amazon forest or distant and pleasant places:

Tour 11 - Pau-rosa Tree Trail
(February to September. Difficult level: difficult, duration: 3 days with minimum 5 people and maximum 10 people)

Tour 12 - Bed & breakfast in the Anebá
(All year, with duration of one and half day, minimum of 6 people, surcharged in US$ 100 for the group)

Tour 13 - Angelim Tree Trail
(All year. Difficult level: medium, duration: 5 hours)

The "Associação de Silves pela Preservação Ambiental e Cultural"- ASPAC - is a non-profit Brazilian non-governmental organization, composed of local communities and their members are the riverines who live in the region of Amazonian lakes around the Silves Island.

The ASPAC works on the development of Ecotourism with the traditional communities of Silves to assure that the resources and benefits from this activity can return for the protection of the local lakes.

The WWF is an international conservation organization with 5 millions members and present in the 5 continents.

WWF works with other conservation organizations, governments, industries, media and the public in general to protect the natural environment, minimize the negative impacts of human being activities and provide the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem of the planet.

Children

Up to 6 years old	Free
7 to 12 years old	70%
From 13 years old on	100%

Packages includes: transfer Manaus - Aldeia dos Lagos (Silves) - Manaus, accommodation, excursions respecting the restrictions described, bilingual guide and full board (except drinks).
It does not include: aerial ticket until Manaus, travel insurance, carriers, tips, drinks and everything what it is not described in the program above.
The mentioned excursions can be changed due to climatic conditions.

Come to live the experience of Ecotourism in Local Community at Aldeia dos Lagos!