it occurs when the waters of the Amazon and Tapajos rivers meet, but do not mix because of different densities - and continue for miles. Stay tuned for "botos" (speak like botox, w/o "x") may appear (river dolphins).
After reading numerous reviews of famous Amazon guide Gil Serique on Trip Advisor, we booked a meeting of the waters (Santarem) and Tapajos National Forest (Alter do Chao) excursions with him in March 2014. Our Amazon guide, Gil Serique, is one of those people that truly live up to their reputation and actually deliver more than what they promise. He is the real deal, and a trip with him is a destination in itself. A trip with Gil should be a "must do" when visiting Santarem or Alter do Chao. At Santarem, Gil met us at the dock with his chartered boat, and was ready to lead us on our expedition as soon as we got off the cruise ship. From the first introduction you know that you are in for a real treat. He has an immensely charming, open, enthusiastic and friendly personality that is captivating from the first handshake. He has a very good command of English, is easy to understand, and very approachable for questions. Gil also has a never ending supply of interesting and humorous stories about the Amazon, his family's exploits in the region, and everything you want to know about the history, culture, and nature in the Amazon. The boat he chartered for us far exceeded our expectations, being about the same size as the one used by the ship's excursion, but we only had 14 people plus a very friendly crew on board. After a stop to see the pink dolphins, we headed into the Amazon flood plain for a full day of seeing the magnificence of this small part of the Amazon basin, meeting to the waters, and a 45 minute canoe trip into the flooded rainforest. Gil told us by email that because of the short time available to us and the many things he wanted to show us, we would not have time to stop for lunch, but instead he would provide some nuts, fruit, fish bits, and beverages. What an understatement! Picture a large platters of cashews and Brazil nuts, pineapple, olives, and perfectly fried fresh fish nuggets with limes and hot sauce all prepared by his mother on the boat. Beverages were soda, water, beer, and the best Caipirinhas we had in Brazil. We certainly did not go away hungry. If you have the opportunity to do this excursion with Gil Serique, do whatever it takes to make it happen. I will post a review on our excursion with him to the Tapajos National Forest in the Alter do Chao destination.
My first trip to the Amazon and was I surprised when I looked out the stateroom and saw a "big muddy river"---the Amazon. Then as we approached the Rio Tapajos there was "magic" as the two rivers came together however each retained its own color. A fabulous sight. I don't know how it might look from the shore but on deck 10 of a cruise ship you can see for miles this "marriage" of the waters.
Make sure that you are up high so you can look down on the River to see this better!!! As one reviewer said it is to do with temperature but it is also to do with speed and density (i have just realised the speed bit) but it is quite extrordinary to see both colours side by side!!! In all my time here the sheer SIZE and SCALE of the AMAZON is just AMAZING!! TOTALLY!!!
I noted a number of other reviews of Gil Serique. Another passenger on our ship found him as a guide via this web site and we were lucky enough to be invited to go along.Gil is very enthusiastic and speaks decent English. He met us at the dock as we embarked and the boat he hired was over sized for our group and just steps away. There was plenty of room and great hospitality.The trip started with a good sighting of the pink dolphins being attracted by throwing fish at the local market. We then proceeded down a feeder river of the Amazon to view wildlife and explore the flooded jungle. Gil was a very active guide pointing out sights and answering questions. The local snacks and drinks served were very good. The option was provided to board a canoe and enter a flooded forest. this part is not conducive for the mobilely challenged.
While on an Amazon river cruise, we (6 adults) independently booked a guided tour with Gil Serique. He was so good that we also booked him when we arrived at Alter Do Chao (see review). He lives in the area, is aware of the local sights to see, is extremely knowledgeable of area wildlife and is friends with many of the local merchants. Gil, a native of the area, is very personable, eager to share his knowledge and his ecological concerns. He will fit the tour to your time lines and your interests, We had opportunity to have an in depth tour of the fish market, travel by boat down tributaries to observe wild life - as well as farming areas - eat lunch on one of the islands, observe a home where the family demonstrated harvesting of rubber and, in general, receive continual information about the sites we viewed, the concerns of the locals and the growth of the area. We would highly recommend him for his enthusiasm, knowledge and his ability to give you a feel for his country. His english was easily understood, he loves to tell you stories of the area and he is both charming and well read.
May I thank you and your entire team for one of the best days we ever had on our journey with you on the 30th. JanuaryThe whole experience was just fantastic.Could you please forward some photos that you took as I am sure they are far superior to anything I was snapping at.I shall be telling everyone about our adventure and pointing them to your hospitality if they get your way.
When our ship docked in Santarem Gil was there to meet us promptly at 8:30. Touring with Gil is the best way to see the area. Gil and I communicated on a regular basis with him often sending videos and articles which I passed along to others who were going on the full day tour. Gil mentioned up front that our day would be too intense and time consuming to stop for lunch but that he would provide snacks and water for us. There was a cook on our boat that prepared fresh fish tidbits, the freshest pineapple I have ever had as well as beverages other than water. He provided a perfectly orchestrated day that started at the fish market and ended with a visit to a family demonstrated turning manioc into tapioca and tapping a rubber tree with the Meeting of the Waters in between. I am not sure who got more excited about siting indigenous birds, Gil or those of us on the tour. It was a great day with a great guide who shared the history, culture and ecology of the area.
Esse fenômeno é visitado por milhares de pessoas todos os anos, se você vier ao Pará. Tem que visitar o encontro das águas, ainda mais fazendo um passeio de barco. é maravilhoso. Eu mesmo já mergulhei la.
One of the many wonderful natural attraction in this part of Brazil, Truly a enjoyable spectacle as you see the two rivers coming together but not mixing. The Tapajos in blue and the Amazon in brown. Adding to the mix are the botos or river dolphins that will surround your boat and follow you looking for hand outs. I would recommend taking small pieces of fish with you to feed them thus drawing them closer to your boat.