Our History
The Katerre Expedition began its voyages in 2004, inspired by a desire to develop ecotourism in partnership with the communities of the Rio Negro in the Amazon. The company is headquartered in the municipality of Novo Airão, located 200 km from Manaus—the starting point for exploring the entire length of the Lower and Middle Rio Negro, whether on regular monthly expeditions of 3 to 7 nights, or on customized charter trips available year-round. The shorter regular itineraries (3 nights) travel through Anavilhanas—the second-largest river archipelago in the world—and the longer ones (7 nights) travel up the Rio Negro to the Rio Jauaperi, on the border with the state of Roraima.
For over two decades, the Katerre team has traveled the Rio Negro and its tributaries (Jaú, Apuaú, Jauaperi, Aracá) to find and map points of interest for their river expeditions. One of these stops is the Madadá Reserve, a magnificent set of caves nestled among vines and flowing water, reached by a little over an hour's hike through the forest. There, the Katerre Expedition also welcomes visitors at a 6-meter-high lookout shelter with hammocks, and invites them to spend the night in the jungle, listening to the sounds of the animals. Other points of interest include the ruins of Airão Velho, a city abandoned after the rubber boom that peaked between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the Carabinani River waterfall—a refreshing stop on the Jaú and Jauaperi-Xixuaú itineraries. Not to mention the daytime and nighttime animal sightings, including alligators, monkeys, sloths, giant otters, macaws, and other birds. As for the legendary pink dolphins, you might be lucky enough to see them up close, as they tend to approach boats and floating structures during activities.
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Perhaps the most memorable experience is the welcome and kindness of the riverside dwellers in their communities, revealing a glimpse of their way of life, customs, and knowledge. At the Casa de Farinha (Flour House), you'll learn how cassava flour, the staple food of the Amazonian people, is made from wild cassava. In their stilt houses, residents always welcome you for a cup of coffee or even to play soccer with the children. It's an experience you'll cherish forever.
Katerre's vessels were built on-site, drawing on the local expertise of Novo Airão's now-defunct shipbuilding industry. Their design is truly Amazonian: well-divided and cozy spaces; spacious, airy suites; and décor that incorporates natural elements and cultural references from the surrounding area, such as the tucumã fiber weave finishes from AANA (Novo Airão Artisans Association).
Jacaré-açu. Made of solid hardwood, it houses eight air-conditioned suite cabins; a dining room; a common room and cinema with sofas and a projector; and on deck, a sundeck with a retractable roof and hammocks for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
The smaller, hardwood caiman features three air-conditioned cabins, a dining room, and a covered sun deck.
La Jangada. A 29-meter-long steel catamaran with 12 air-conditioned suite cabins, it houses an elegant lounge bar, restaurant, and sundeck. Unlike the others, its route is based on the Solimões River, with 12-night itineraries to Tabatinga, traveling along the mouth of the Purus River, the Mamirauá Reserve, and visiting indigenous villages of the Ticuna ethnic group between Bethânia and Santa Rita (Brazil) and Porto Narinho (Colombia).
Authenticity is completed by the crew, who welcome visitors with kindness and genuine friendliness. Katerre employs local people so they can contribute their talent and local wisdom—whether preparing the homemade food served on board, maintaining the vessels, or serving as expert tour guides of the forest, among other tasks and duties.
