Tupaiú
The Tupaiú is the smallest boat in the fleet: a traditional wooden Amazon riverboat that can carry up to ten passengers, equipped with air conditioning and a spacious panoramic deck.
Spanning about twenty meters in length, the boat features five cabins, a wood-paneled dining room, and an upper panoramic deck offering views of the Tapajós River, its sandy beaches, and the rainforest. Because there are only ten passengers on board, the Tupaiú can reach narrow side channels and quiet coves that are inaccessible to larger ships.
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All cabins are air-conditioned and feature warm tropical wood finishes; the master cabin in the bow opens onto the river through wraparound panoramic windows. Meals are prepared with fresh ingredients from the Pará region and served on deck—whether as breakfast over the water or a barbecue on the beach.
The Tupaiú is one of three boats used on Amazon river cruises around Alter do Chão, depending on the group size. Which boat is used depends on the number of registered passengers; the experiences on board are the same on all three.
Like all the boats in the fleet, the Tupaiú is registered with the Brazilian Navy and operates with an experienced crew familiar with the area, as well as its own support boats for the excursions.
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Onboard amenities
- Wood-paneled dining room with open seating
- Upper panoramic deck with a seating area and sun loungers
- Observation deck at the bow
- Five air-conditioned cabins, all made of tropical hardwood
- Private bathrooms with showers (bunk bed cabin with private bathroom)
- Fresh cuisine from the Pará region, meals and snacks on board
- Beverages included on board: water, juices, soft drinks, beer, caipirinha, and more.
- Daily cabin cleaning, high-quality bedding
- Equipment for beach stops: umbrellas, beach mats, towels, coolers, chairs
- Experienced crew familiar with the area, support boats, and safety equipment
What we love about her
- The smallest boat in the fleet —with just ten passengers on board, the Tupaiú reaches narrow side channels and secluded beaches that are inaccessible to larger vessels.
- Panoramic Deck Over the River – An upper deck with beanbag chairs, lounge chairs, and sweeping views of the Tapajós River and the rainforest, ideal for sunrises and sunsets.
- Master Cabin with Panoramic Windows – The bow cabin opens directly onto the water through floor-to-ceiling windows.
- Traditional wooden construction —a genuine Amazon riverboat, built entirely of warm tropical wood, with air conditioning in all cabins and interior spaces.
- Cuisine from Pará on Deck – Fresh, regional ingredients served right above the water, from breakfast with tropical fruits to a barbecue evening on the beach.
- Close to the river and local communities —The small boat docks at sandbars and villages along the route.
ship data
Key data:
- Type: Traditional wooden Amazon riverboat
- Cruising Area: Tapajós , Amazon, and Arapiuns rivers around Alter do Chão (Pará, Brazil)
- Flag: Brazil
- Length: about 20 m
- Max. passengers: 10
- Cabins: 5 (in 4 categories)
- Air conditioning: all cabins and interior spaces
- Crew: Captain , sailors, cook and assistant, steward, and hostess
- Registration: Brazilian Navy
sustainability
A small boat with a crew familiar with the area and a focus on the river communities.
The fleet’s voyages are closely tied to the river communities and indigenous communities around Alter do Chão. A large portion of the crew is from the region; visits to villages, local handicrafts, and projects such as the turtle breeding program in Coroca are an integral part of the itinerary.
Safety: All boats in the fleet are registered with the Brazilian Navy and are operated by experienced crews familiar with the area, accompanied by support vessels and equipped with safety and communication equipment.
Comfort: Air conditioning in all cabins and enclosed areas, daily cabin cleaning, and high-quality bedding.
Cabins on board
Click on a cabin category for more details.
Bunk Bed Cabin
Cabin with bunk beds (two single beds), air conditioning, en suite bathroom with shower, max. 2 people.
double cabin
Outside cabin with a window overlooking the river, double bed, air conditioning, bathroom with shower, max. 2 guests, also suitable for single occupancy.
Convertible Cabin
Outside cabin with a window overlooking the river, double bed or two single beds, air conditioning, bathroom with shower, max. 2 guests, also suitable for single occupancy.
Master Cabin
Outer cabin with wraparound panoramic windows, double bed, air conditioning, bathroom with shower, max. 2 people, also suitable for single occupancy.
Tupaiú on the Amazon River
Wide Waters, Small Boat: The Tupaiú on the Tapajós
Tupaiú Panoramic Deck
On the deck of the Tupaiú, with a sweeping view of the river
Tupaiú Sun Deck
Wooden lounge chairs on the upper deck, the next swimming stop in sight
Tupaiú Dining Room
The wood-paneled dining room where meals are served on board
Tupaiú Set Table
Breakfast with fresh fruit at Parás, right on the water
Tupaiú Master Cabin
Wake up to a panoramic view: the master cabin on the Tupaiú
Tupaiú Double Cabin
Warm wood paneling and a window overlooking the river in the double cabin
Tupaiú Bunk Bed Cabin
Compact and cozy: the all-wood bunk bed cabin
Frequently Asked Questions
How many passengers and cabins does the Tupaiú have?
The Tupaiú is the smallest boat in the fleet and can accommodate up to 10 passengers in 5 cabins: one master cabin, several double cabins (some of which can be converted into two single beds), and one cabin with bunk beds. All cabins are air-conditioned.
Do the cabins have their own bathroom and air conditioning?
Yes. All cabins are air-conditioned. The master and double cabins have their own bathroom with a shower; the bunk cabin has a shared bathroom right next door.
Where does the Tupaiú run?
The Tupaiú cruises along the Tapajós, Amazon, and Arapiuns rivers around Alter do Chão in the Brazilian state of Pará. The departure point is Alter do Chão, about a 30-minute drive from Santarém Airport.
What kind of food is served on board?
Meals on board are prepared using fresh ingredients from the Pará region. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks, are included, as are beverages such as water, juices, soft drinks, beer, and caipirinha. Meals are served in the wood-paneled dining room or on deck.
Is the Tupaiú suitable for solo travelers?
Yes. Cabins can be booked for single occupancy (for an additional fee). Since there are only ten passengers on board, the atmosphere is intimate and friendly.
How safe is a trip on the Tupaiú?
All boats in the fleet are registered with the Brazilian Navy and are operated by experienced crews familiar with the local area, accompanied by support vessels and equipped with safety and communication equipment.
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