Rubber Boom and Indian Village

Upon arrival at Tupé, you’ll be treated to a reception that includes rituals performed by the shaman (priest) and the tribe. 

Afterwards, you’ll continue by boat to visit the Seringal Felicidade, located on the left bank of the Tarumã Mirim Creek. 

Your guide will give you a brief introduction to the rubber industry, then, you’ll have time to walk the trails and learn first-hand the history of the rubber boom, which took place around the turn of the 20th century. 

Discover how the Golden Era began and hear about the incredible money made at the expense of the seringueiros, or ‘rubber tappers’, who lived and worked in appalling conditions and faced very real danger from snakes and other predators. 

You’ll also learn about the simple economic principles that eventually brought the Brazilian rubber industry to its knees. The Rubber Museum opened in 2002 in the middle of the jungle, and is a replica rubber estate inspired by Portuguese writer José Maria Ferreira de Castro’s best-selling book À Selvá (The Jungle). The facility has been used as background scenery for many wide and small-screen productions depicting the boom era in rubber. The plantation also features some Brazil Nut trees and is richly decorated with articles and equipment used in the rubber industry heyday. 

Your tour ends with a boat ride back down the Rio Negro to the ship.