Accommodations
Season
Species
Ideal for
BIG TEETH, BIGGER EATS IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST
Located in the southeastern portion of the Amazon jungle, the Xingu River hosts a wealth of opportunities for the adventurous angler. Settled within the wilderness territory of the Kayapo tribe, Xingu Lodge focuses on sight fishing for various aggressive species. Top of the list is the payara, most notable for its razor-sharp teeth and violent predatory nature, giving it the nickname “vampire fish.” In addition, anglers can target the region’s famed peacock bass, wolfish, matrincha, and more. Anglers fish with both an English-speaking guide and a member of the indigenous Kayapo tribe to ensure a superior fishing experience. The Kayapo tribe’s territory is protected, and spans over 22 million acres, meaning the region is as authentic and untouched of a setting an angler could hope for. Not only do anglers have the opportunity to fish a largely unpressured stretch of a protected portion of the Amazon River, they are also guaranteed a cultural experience to savor. Accommodations for such a remote location are comfortable, with a top-tier and experienced staff in Untamed Angling.
Accommodation Details
Lodging Details
Nestled along the banks of the Xingu River in a small clearing of Amazonian rainforest, the Xingu Lodge was built with both comfort and fishing access in mind. Inside the lodge, a vaulted ceiling covers an open dining room and lounge area, complete with handmade wooden furniture and comfortable seating. The entire lodge is built from locally-sourced Brazilian wood, giving it both an authentic yet modern appeal. Outside, enjoy a spectacular view from the deck overlooking the home pool and the Amazon jungle beyond it.
Simple, but spacious double-occupancy cabins are complete with comfortable single beds, hot water, electricity, and a private bathroom. Four total cabins ensure a quiet and personalized experience, in addition to maintaining low fishing pressure. The lodge offers complimentary laundry service, a rarity for such an isolated fishing program. The staff at Xingu Lodge are English speaking and offer first-class service to meet your needs, despite the remote nature of the Lodge and fishery.
Food and Beverages
An onsite chef treats guest to great cuisine served in the comfort of the dining room. Bottled water, soft drinks, and juices are available, while alcohol is prohibited in the Indian Territory.
Typical Length of Stay
The length of stay is eight (8) nights / six (6) fishing days, including one night in Manaus upon arrival.
Non-Angling Activities and Options
Although this is primarily a fishing-focused location, due to the lodge’s location in 5 million hectares of protected Amazon jungle there are abundant wildlife and birdwatching opportunities. This diverse ecosystem also has mammals that are unique to the Amazon basin like tapirs, wild hogs, peccaries, capybaras, ocelots, and jaguars. With that said, this destination is geared towards committed anglers.
Internet/Communication
Wi-Fi is available for all guests, while a satellite phone is available at additional cost.
Travel Details
How to Get There
Depart from the U.S. to Manaus, Brazil (MAO), arriving in Manaus in the evening. After you pass through customs in Manaus, you will be met at the airport by a representative of Xingu and transferred to the lodge provided hotel to check-in and overnight (included in the package rate). The following morning, you will board a private air charter to the lodge. On your departure day, you will leave the lodge via private air charter in the morning arriving back to Manaus by the early afternoon. You can catch a direct flight back to the U.S. that evening or choose to overnight once again in Manaus.
Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Most flights into Manaus, Brazil (MAO) from the U.S. arrive late at night. Since you will be overnighting in Manaus on your first night, you can arrive at any time the day before your trip actually begins.
Documents Required
U.S. citizens will need to carry a valid U.S. passport. In June of 2019, Brazil waived tourist visas for US citizens! You no longer need a tourist visa to enter Brazil.
Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.
Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership
Fishing
General Information
The Xingu River runs parallel to the Iriri River in the southeastern portion of the sprawling Amazon River Basin. Boasting a prolific multi-species fishery, the waters of the Xingu runs clear as it flows over a granite bottom. While most anglers would expect to find murky water seen elsewhere in much of the Amazon, sight-fishing abounds in a truly remote and protected ecosystem.
Anglers will fish a wide-range of habitats over their week, targeting deep pools, channels, flats, lagoons, and jungle creeks. Over 250 kilometers long, the Xingu River is home to the famous payara, or “vampire fish,” reaching over twenty pounds and lengths of over three feet. A fish you truly have to see to believe, their gratuitous underbite is home to “fangs” that grow close to six inches in length. Payara are famous for their appearance, but their voracious temperament matches their intimidating bite.
In addition to payara, anglers can target a wealth of other prime game species including peacock bass, wolfish, matrinxas, pacu, and more. Happy to devour both topwater and subsurface flies, peacock bass demand the utmost from any angler. Acrobatics, long runs, and the intellect to break your line, peacock bass are the perfect game species. Other aggressive streamer-eaters include wolfish and bicuda, or cast dry flies to the elusive pacu beneath overhanging fruit trees. Each day offers adventure in this unique location, where the primal elements of the Amazon have demanded species grow large, aggressive, and downright intimidating.
Boats and Equipment Required
Guides utilize specially designed aluminum skiffs to access the variety of water on offer at Xingu Lodge. Both fishing from the boat and from foot are common, depending on the conditions and target species. Anglers are encouraged to bring their own gear, in addition to flies and terminal tackle. However, the Lodge does have some loaner rods available if needed, and a limited supply of flies for sale.
Rates and Terms
Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in US dollars. Trips of any length can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.
Package Rates
All packages based on eight (8) nights / six (6) days of guided fishing (based on double occupancy).
2023 Rates: $6,625 + $560 Native Community Tax
Native Community Tax
The Kayapó Natives (where Kendjam is located) have formed a board to protect their interests moving forward. This board includes representatives from all communities inside the Makrangnoti Indigenous Territory, as well as other communities of the Kayapó Indigenous Territory. The leaders of the association have made the decision to implement a significant user tax on all visiting anglers. The funds from the tax will be used primarily for social projects, infrastructure development, transportation, as well as medical and education projects. The tax will be $560 per person for a full lodge trip. The tax will be payable in cash in Brazil. This fee represents an important step in the continuing effort to protect the ability to continue to share this amazing and unique part of the world.
What’s Included:
- Double-occupancy accommodations
- Six (6) days daily guided fishing with local, English-speaking guides
- All meals while at the lodge
- All charter flights, boat transfers, and necessary ground transfers in Brazil
- One night at boutique hotel in Manaus upon arrival (double occupancy, single occupancy at additional cost)
- All non-alcoholic beverages
- Laundry service
- Wi-Fi and use of satellite phone ($5/minute)
- Fishing licenses
- Fly rods & reels (if needed)
What’s Not Included:
- International airfare
- Food and beverages in Manaus
- Airport taxes and Indian Communities Fee
- Extra nights of accommodations in Manaus
- Flies, terminal tackle (Flies can be purchased at the lodge – $10/each)
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
Xingu Lodge (Brazil)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides for all Xingu packages. In the case of cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. Because of the lodge’s strict no refund policy, we highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip. Xingu will not refund payments in the event poor weather, or for unused portions of any package. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing. All baggage and personal belongings are the sole responsibility of its owners at all times. We highly recommend obtaining a comprehensible travel insurance covering loss and robbery of baggage and personal belongings. In no event will the lodge or agent be responsible for any losses. The lodge and agent will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury arising while practicing sportfishing or any other activity, or for any loss damage or injury suffered aboard an airplane or a charter plane. The operator reserves the right to make changes to the trip itinerary whenever judged necessary by circumstances beyond the operator’s control, or major force circumstances. In this case, no refund will be made, although the trip itinerary, dates and/or destination can be changed by Untamed Angling and a trip credit could be made with or without extra costs at the sole discretion of the operator. Please be aware that all guests will be required to sign and return an Untamed Angling Indemnity Form prior to the trip, and there will be no exceptions to this. No refunds can be made for unused arrangements or fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these Amazon packages.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW YELLOW DOG GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES
Payment Terms For All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
In order to lock in your trip reservation, we ask that you please remit payment at the time of receipt of invoice. For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Note that all Yellow Dog invoices include a live link that takes you directly to the Yellow Dog ACH platform for fast and easy payment. For open and existing invoices with a remaining balance, payment reminders also include this easy link to the ACH page.
Other customary forms of payment that are accepted are checks or wire transfers. If you would like to pay in a different way or have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (888) 777-5060 or (406) 585-8667. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Beginning September 1st, 2020, Yellow Dog will apply a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions.
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Standard Forms For Payment
- ACH online payments (for US banking institutions only).
- Traditional checks (sent via mail)
- Electronic wire payments (client is responsible for any wiring fees)
*Please contact us if you prefer or require a different payment option. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods.
**Please be aware that the ACH platform is only available for US financial institutions and bank accounts. International payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.