Given the remote areas we are travelling to, we ask you to visit your doctor for a medical clearance. We also advise to have a dental check and a visit to the TM+VC travel doctor for all your required inoculations. A yellow fever certificate is required for entry into Brazil. It is advisable to have tetanus and hepatitis A. The Amazon is considered a malaria zone with low risk. It is recommended to take sufficient medicine with you. There is an emergency kit on board, but no doctor or medical facility. In the event of a medical emergency, the vessel will sail to the nearest local doctors clinic or hospital.

Australia, Canada and US citizens no longer require a Visa to enter Brazil. The government of Brazil have implemented a visa-free regime starting on 17 June 2019. Travellers can enter Brazil for a stay of up to 90 days.

US Dollars are useful in most tourist areas. The best place to change money is at the airport or at branches of Banco do Brazil. ATM’s are common in Manaus, but they do not always work and sometimes don’t accept non-Brazilian cards. Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary, so consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping.

Make photocopies of all your important documents (passport, visa, airline ticket, credit cards, emergency contacts, travel insurance policy with emergency hotline numbers etc.) Leave one set of copies with a friend or relative at home and keep another in your main luggage, in case your hand luggage with the originals goes missing. Please leave any non-essential valuables at home (jewelry, expensive watch etc.) Money belts worn underneath clothing are useful. Don’t take all your money with you when out sightseeing. We advise utmost caution at popular tourist spots and especially at airports – don’t leave luggage unattended. The cabins on M/S Dorinha are lockable, but do not have any safes.

To remind you of your Amazon adventure, you will find some really interesting items to purchase including handmade goods from local artisans. By buying locally you will be supporting these isolated communities, as well as taking home a unique and quality souvenir.
DO – Buy from the Artisan: For many local artisans this is often their only means of income, so instead of buying from one of the “tourist shops” try to buy directly from the artisan.
DO – Carry cash in small denominations: Make sure you have small denominations so you don’t have to ask for change from the vendor.
DON’T– Try not to haggle too much: While haggling may be common place in most of Latin America be mindful and support the local communities you are visiting, don’t do them an injustice by offering them too little for their unique product.
DON’T– Buy animals or anything made from animals: By buying animals, dead or alive, or souvenirs made with animal teeth, fur, or other body parts you are supporting and encouraging the illegal trade of killing and selling endangered species in the region
DON’T– Just purchase from one vendor: If there are a number of vendors on the same street, try not to purchase all of your souvenirs from just one. You may get a better deal by buying your items in bulk, but you will not be supporting the other independent sellers. Share the wealth and browse all of the options.

Please do not give money, presents, or sweets to children. If you wish to make a contribution we suggest bringing along: educational material (pens, markers, note-books, coloured pencils, rubbers and chalks), soccer balls and children’s clothes. In consultation with our Captain and guides, we will organise where best to distribute these items.

Amazon Standard Time: Time zone in Manaus, Brazil is (GMT/UTC -4)

We recommend you keep your baggage to a comfortable minimum. Pack simply and lightly.
Clothing that you can layer will prepare you for all kinds of weather. In packing your carry-on bag for the flight, we suggest you pack essential toiletries (no bigger than 100 ml), medicines, and a change of clothing in the event you reach your destination without some of your checked luggage.
Shorts and lightweight shirts are most comfortable during the day. In the evening it is best to wear light, long-sleeved shirts and long pants in a natural, lightweight fabric (e.g. cotton, linen). They offer protection against the sun and insects. For women, a loose cotton dress (or cotton skirt/top) is comfortable and cool. Dress on board is casual for the entire voyage!
The following clothing list is designed to assist you in preparing for your voyage:
• 2 pair of shorts/skirt, loose &
comfortable
• 3 T-shirts or short sleeve shirts
• 2 long-sleeved quick dry shirts
• 2 pairs of comfortable travel pants
• A light sweater, light fleece jacket or a
shawl
• A raincoat or poncho
• Socks, underwear etc.
• Sunhat with brim or a cap
• Bathing suit / sarong
• Handkerchiefs
• Walking shoes with good
soles
• Closed in sandals or slip-ons

The following items may come in handy during your adventure:
• Binoculars (essential for bird watching)
• Travel umbrella
• Small flashlight or head torch
• Travel alarm clock
• Traveller’s clothes line
• Backpack suitable for carrying your
photographic equipment and safety
kit during the day.
• Spare set of prescription eye glasses
or contact lenses for emergencies
• Sunglasses with a strap (and an extra
pair in case you lose yours)
• Camera, camera bag, video camera
• Plenty of memory cards, batteries and
chargers
• Notebook and pencil
• Personal water bottle
• Nail clippers, scissors, small sewing
kit and safety pins – NB. Please
remember that these “sharps” must
be packed in your checked luggage
on all flights for airport security reasons.
• An electrical adaptor for any
appliances you wish to take
and a power board can be
handy for multiple charging.
• Battery power pack
• Waterproof dry bags – to protect your
photo equipment during boat trips
• For protection against mosquitoes you
may want to carry a mosquito head net.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE KEEP ALL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS PASSPORT,
AIRLINE TICKETS AND TRAVEL VOUCHERS, WITH YOU DURING YOUR FLIGHTS.

Personal first-aid kit:
The following suggested supplies and medications are intended to handle the problems that happen most often on a trip. Please talk to your doctor to modify the kit for your individual preferences and allergies. We will carry a group first aid kit, but you should have your own supply of these frequently used items.

• Sunscreen factor 30 or above
• Lip Balm with sunscreen protection
• Insect repellent and insect-bite relief
• Throat lozenges
• Assorted Band-Aids or similar plasters
• 1 course of broad-spectrum antibiotics: Should you have an allergy to a particular antibiotic please make sure you bring a course that is safe for you to take.
• medication against diarrhoea
• anti-nausea medication
• Decongestant
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Cold & Flu tablets
• Alcohol hand sanitiser to disinfect your hands
before eating & toileting
• Personal medications

We expect that everyone will bring some kind of camera, be it a mobile phone or a professional SLR with all the bells and whistles. Remember to take extra memory cards and some spare camera batteries. Be careful with photographs or video recordings. Ask your local guide first if it is appropriate to take photographs or to make video recordings in communities. Photographs should not be taken of military or strategic buildings or airports. Avoid close up shots, and never remunerate people with money for a photograph. Below are a few simple tips and suggestions that may help you get sorted before you go. Whatever camera you bring it is possible to get good images.

• Get to know your camera, make sure it is working correctly and that you understand all its main functions
• Read and bring the instructions manual. Download an electronic version onto your laptop
• Remember to pack the battery charger
• Have some way of keeping your camera equipment dry and safe from dust. Lightweight nylon dry bags work well and are available in many sizes
• Tripod and Monopod: A quality tripod is invaluable for the serious photographer. However they can be big, heavy and cumbersome to carry during our walks. A monopod is lighter and can be used as a walking stick for support
• If you bring an SLR camera, a good zoom lens for wildlife photography will be handy. 200mm –300mm is a good focal length. (Remember that on an SLR camera with a 1.5 crop-factor sensor a 200mm lens is equivalent to a 300mm lens on full frame sensor)
• We recommend that you carry all photography equipment, cords, chargers and storage devices in your carry-on luggage in case your main luggage is left behind somewhere