NOVO AIRAO
Novo Airao, located 130 km upstream from Manaus in front of the achipelago of Anavilhanas, was called Jau
by the native populations refering to the neighbouring river. The are was populated formerly by indigenous tribes of the Manaos,
Carmelites, Tacus and muras.
Main economy is besides coffee and organge plantations and tourism the extraction of wood resin and manufacturing
of regional boats. The emblem of the village is the Manatee or Pink Dolphin. Visitors can feed and swim with semi-domesticated
dolphins from the Matilde fluctuante in the port area.
Novo Airao can be reached twice per week by regional boat (leaving Tuesdays and Fridays at 20.00 hours
from Sao Raimundo port - price 15 Reais per trip) and twice a day by bus from Manaus (leaving at 6 a.m and 13 p.m - price
22,50 Reais). The village has a good touristic infrastructure with several pousadas and restaurants.
Recommended Pousada: Pousada Bella Vista, price per room from 50 Reais.
For Jungle Tours around NOVO AIRAO and to JAU NATIONAL PARK make DIRECT CONTACT WITH OUR RECOMMENDED GUIDE:
CICO guide - phone: +55 (92) 33651159
Novo Airao is a excellent starting point for excursions to the Archipelago of Anavilhanas and Jau National
Park.
ARCHIPELAGO OF ANAVILHANAS
The archipelago of Anavilhanas is located on the Rio Negro, approximately 70km upstream from Manaus; at
this point, the river becomes 27km wider. It is the biggest fresh water archipelago in the world, with about 400 islands,
extending over 90 kilometres. During the rainy season, half of them are submerged, thus forming the floating forest, a boundless
area of creeks and channels awaiting discovery. The compact vegetation serves as a shelter for diverse birds, butterflies,
iguanas, rodents, monkeys and snakes. With its impressive black waters, it has an extremely abundant aquatic life with several
species of fish, like the famous Pirarucu, the Tucunaré; piranhas, as well as crocodiles, dolphins and manatees !
JAU NATIONAL PARK
The National Park of Jau is considered the largest area in the world of sheltered tropical forest, with an estimated coverage
of 2,2 million hectares. It is formed from the basin of the River Jau (with black waters) and it comprises of large areas
of « mainland », and forests flooded during the rainy season. The park shelters a wide range of birds and wildlife including
the Jaguar. Visitors will need a permission from the IBAMA in Manaus. You can arrange your visit to the JAU National Park
with a local guide from Novo Airao (for example CHICO +55 (92) 33651159) or with a tour operator from Manaus (for exampe
www.amazingtoursagency.com)
