Brazil's Amazon

After breakfast, meet your private guide for a whirl around the Amazon's most famous city. Hop on a boat and head out onto the Solimoes River until its coffee-coloured water merges with the dark, glossy Rio Negro (literally translated as Black River). After experiencing this natural spectacle (the first of many) stop off at the ecological park to witness the Vitoria Regia, a lake blossoming with giant water lilies. Take a trip to the bustling municipal market full of fresh fruits and herbs while nearby you can explore the floating docks, a buzzing hub of colour and activity. Last but not least, you can visit the renaissance opera house, a glorious example of the city's opulence during the late 19th century's booming rubber industry.

This morning a transfer will take you to your stylish outpost, immersed in the great Amazon rainforest. From here you can explore its archipelago of wild islands and the awesome Rio Negro. Spend the rest of afternoon relaxing in your bungalow or unwind by the river with an icy G&T. After the sun sets, why not go for an evening jaunt - take a canoe out in search of the resident caiman, whose eyes shine like fireflies in your torchlight.

Brazil's heartland offers some of the most rewarding natural spectacles on the planet, all of which you can discover with a naturalist guide. Make sure to wake up at sunrise one day to watch the amber light melt over an awakening jungle. The river's mirror-like black water is the centre point of Amazonian life, harbouring exotic animals and rich vegetation. In the rainy season, when the kapok trees are up to their branches in water, you can cruise up to weird and wonderful creatures such as opossums, river otters and sloths. The dry season allows hikes into the woodland where you'll also find indigenous tribal villages. You can go exploring in search of the elusive pink dolphin and fish for piranhas (a surprising delicacy). Other activities on offer include learning about medicinal plants, archery lessons from an expert instructor and canoeing and boat tours on the Rio Negro.