Private Amazon Cruise on board the IARA

Hello Mr. Rohmer,

We still draw from our experiences in the rainforest!

We can't imagine that this can be topped. You are welcome to use my report. I am sending you too our photo saying goodbye to the IARA crew. May I advertise you among our friends and acquaintances? Maybe someone from Brazil will contact you soon and would like to come.

With kind regards,

Gisela Neubüser

Good day. Mr Rohmer,

First, I'd like to apologize for not getting back to you until now. But there's a reason for that. We've been back home in Germany on the Baltic Sea for almost a week now, and my thoughts and dreams are still in the middle of the Brazilian rainforest!

The trip moved us so deeply and left a deep impression. Therefore, my sincere thanks for organizing this tour! You raised high expectations in us in your travel description – these were exceeded in reality!

Peter Hagnauer, our city guide in Manaus, quickly introduced us to this city with his local and regional knowledge. It's important to know the historical background of this region, and he conveyed this to us very expertly. The fact that he spoke German was a great advantage for us. Thus, our two and a half days in Manaus weren't too long, which I initially feared.

On the fourth day, Sam picked us up promptly from the hotel and took us to the small ship IARA. It was like a dream on this ship, and that for seven days! The crew was very kind and friendly, and we were always pampered with every possible comfort. Special mention goes to the cook Zi (Zizelia), who did an incredible job in her small galley. Delicious, freshly prepared meals every day (fish for me, meat for my husband), including dessert and a constantly changing selection of fresh smoothies! She even baked her own rolls, made ice cream, and always served a variety of salads with the meal. Simply wonderful! The piranha I caught was on my plate the next day, deliciously prepared!

But now to Sam: You were right, we couldn't have had a better guide! He gave us a very close look at the region, its unique natural surroundings, and the way of life of the animals and people. His indigenous ancestry was a particular advantage. He was extremely knowledgeable about the region we visited. His ability to navigate was absolutely astonishing, especially in the pitch-black night with only the help of his lamp. After hours of driving crisscrossing the jungle, he always brought us back to the ship in a timely manner – a complete mystery to us!

In the jungle, he showed us plants used by the locals for healing, for building shelters, etc. The most impressive part was how he used a flashlight to spot a jaguar in the pitch darkness, which then revealed itself to us in its full size. Even though we communicated in English, he taught us a lot, and we didn't miss a thing!

All in all, it was a truly impressive trip that we will probably never forget. Please excuse my initial skepticism, but your description made everything sound so incredibly beautiful. And our travel experience was indeed even more impressive, unique, and so incredibly beautiful. Both guides are absolutely reliable and knowledgeable.

Thank you again, very much!

Greetings from Germany and wishing you and your family a happy Easter!

Dr. Bernd and Gisela Neubüser - April 19th, 2025

Click on the images to watch the Short on Youtube

  

Dear Peter, the 25 days Amazonia and Pantanal were one of the most impressive trips that we as experienced safari fans have ever experienced. The preliminary talks with you and our clearly defined wishes were very pleasant and creative right from the start, the result culminated in this adventure.

Just the dimensions of Amazonia exceed our imagination, and then suddenly to find yourself in a side arm of the Rio Negro, far away from any civilization, pure nature, the voices of the birds, howler monkeys, the blowing of the pink dolphins, simply indescribable!

The crew of the IARA was kind of helpful and always focused on bringing us closer to the beauties of this still pristine nature during day and night stalking. Sloth, anaconda, various species of monkeys, caimans, fishing for piranhas yourself and then enjoying it, that's what we call pure adventure. The kitchen of Si, the cook, was very tasty and varied.

…………. Saying goodbye to the lovely people and the crew on the IARA was difficult, but the highlight of our trip was still ahead of us, the sighting of the last big cat we were missing - the jaguar, but this is subject of another report at Private Jaguar Photo Safari

Dear Peter, after arriving back home and having solved the most important things that were waiting for us, we would like to thank you for taking care of us. All we can say at this point: well done!

Splendid organization, perfect planning and always somebody at hand to talk to. The Best of the whole trip was without any doubt that week we spent on board the IARA on the Rio Negro in Amazonia. We had the boat just for us, awesome! The crew: Carlos, a super pilot plus an outstanding fisherman, he got them all, left us with nothing…..the dream cook and David who prepared the best caipirinhas ever. Then there was Lucia our German speaking guide, who did not fail to explain with knowledge flora and fauna and much more of the region. Not to forget the boss Jorge, who was our sick chicken, due to a bike accident he had suffered just on the day of our departure.

Peter, our thanks go to your team at Southern Cross & Expeditions and all who hosted us so well in Brazil.

Our best wishes,