Anavilhanas National Park

The easiest way into the Brazilian Amazon from Manaus. Anavilhanas protects about 400 islands and 60 lakes on the Rio Negro, starting roughly 40 kilometers upstream of the city, and ranks as the world's second-largest river archipelago. The season shapes the trip. From about March to August the river rises into the trees and boats slip along channels through flooded forest; from September to February white-sand beaches appear along the banks. Lodges and licensed operators around Novo Airão run the boat trips, trails and night outings, and the park itself has few facilities, so go with one of them. UK advice against travel on some Amazon rivers covers stretches far upstream, not this area.