Amazon Peacock Bass: Where fishing becomes expedition / Fishing for peacock bass in the Amazon offers a uniquely immersive wilderness adventure that goes far beyond the angling itself. This is sport fishing elevated to true exploration—a rare opportunity to experience one of Earth’s last untouched frontiers while pursuing one of freshwater’s most explosive gamefish.
Pristine Wilderness & Extraordinary Wildlife / You’ll access waters that remain exactly as they were centuries ago: crystal-clear jungle rivers flowing through protected rainforest, untouched by development or commercial pressure. Every day on the water surrounds you with extraordinary biodiversity. Giant river otters glide through the shallows, caimans bask along muddy banks, and if you’re fortunate, a jaguar may appear at the water’s edge. Hundreds of bird species fill the canopy above, creating a symphony of calls that shifts from dawn to dusk. The environment itself becomes an integral part of your experience, offering a genuine expedition feel that’s increasingly rare in modern sport fishing.
Cultural Connection & Complete Immersion / Many of our partner operations work closely with indigenous communities, connecting you with local guides who possess generations of intimate river knowledge. These guides don’t just find fish—they share their homeland, reading the water with instincts passed down through centuries. The Amazon wraps you in a total sensory experience: the rhythmic pulse of jungle sounds at night, unexpected wildlife encounters around every bend, and the adventure of reaching these remote waters by boat and foot. The explosive strikes of peacock bass become the punctuation marks in a larger story of discovery and connection to one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems.
MARIÉ HEADWATERS CAMP: THE LEGEND OF THE MOTHER OF ALL FISH / Since 2014, the Rio Marié has redefined Amazon fly fishing. This is where serious anglers come to test themselves against the ultimate challenge: trophy-sized peacock bass that regularly exceed 20 pounds. Known throughout the fly fishing world as the “Rio de Gigantes”—the River of Giants—the Marié has earned its legendary status by consistently producing some of the largest peacock bass specimens ever recorded on fly tackle.
Protected Waters, Unmatched Potential / The Rio Marié flows for 600 miles through protected Indigenous Land, ensuring these waters remain as pristine and untouched as they were centuries ago. This protected status creates something increasingly rare in modern sport fishing: a completely wild fishery with minimal pressure and maximum potential. The river’s location within Indigenous territories means it will remain preserved for generations, safeguarding both the ecosystem and the extraordinary fishing it provides.
Access to the Headwaters / Marié Headwaters Camp provides exclusive access to the most remote sections of this legendary river system. Here, in the uppermost reaches where few anglers have ever cast, pristine waters and virtually untouched populations create ideal conditions for encountering truly massive peacock bass in their natural habitat. This isn’t just great fishing—it’s the opportunity to experience trophy peacock bass fishing at its absolute pinnacle, in waters that represent the species at its most powerful and pristine.
STAY ABOARD THE UNTAMED AMAZON: WHERE SOPHISTICATION MEETS ADVENTURE / Your Marié expedition is carefully designed to balance authentic wilderness immersion with genuine comfort. This unique approach combines the luxury of the Untamed Amazon mothership with the raw, expedition-style experience of the Headwaters Camp—giving you the best of both worlds.
The Perfect Balance / Your journey begins with two nights aboard the Untamed Amazon, our floating basecamp that serves as your comfortable gateway to the upper river. This mothership provides air-conditioned cabins, proper beds, hot showers, and chef-prepared meals—ensuring you start your adventure well-rested and ready for the days ahead.
From there, you’ll transition to five nights at the Headwaters Camp, where you’ll be fully immersed in the pristine fishing grounds of the upper Rio Marié. This is expedition camping at its finest: permanent tented structures situated directly on the riverbank, surrounded by pristine jungle, and positioned for maximum access to the river’s most productive waters. You’re not just visiting the wilderness here—you’re living within it.
A Restful Return / After five days of intense fishing and jungle immersion, you’ll return to the mothership for a final evening of comfort and relaxation. This allows you to decompress, share stories with fellow anglers, and enjoy one last night of luxury accommodations before your departure the following morning. It’s a thoughtful conclusion that brings your expedition full circle—from comfort to wilderness and back again.
THE UNTAMED AMAZON / The Untamed Amazon represents a breakthrough in river expedition design—the first deluxe vessel purpose-built for the Marié project and a new standard for Amazon fishing operations. Every element of this innovative mothership was thoughtfully designed to enhance your experience, from the layout of common spaces to the integration of sustainable technology.
The vessel utilizes solar power to supplement its electrical systems, reducing environmental impact while maintaining the comfort and amenities you expect from a premium expedition. Air-conditioned cabins provide genuine rest after long days on the water, while spacious common areas offer the perfect setting for sharing stories, tying flies, or simply watching the river flow past. This is expedition fishing elevated—where adventure doesn’t require sacrificing comfort.
THE HEADWATERS CAMP / The Headwaters Camp offers a refined glamping experience that brings you directly into the heart of the Amazon wilderness. Spacious, single-occupancy tents are set on pristine white sandbanks, each featuring proper beds, cooling fans, and private bathrooms with camp showers. This is far from roughing it—it’s wilderness accommodation done right.
Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy hearty breakfasts to fuel your mornings, riverside lunches between fishing sessions, and satisfying dinners prepared by local chefs who understand both traditional flavors and the appetites of hard-fishing anglers. Ice-cold drinks are available throughout the day, while generator-powered electricity and Starlink internet ensure you can stay connected even in this remote corner of the Amazon. It’s the perfect balance: authentic jungle immersion with the essential comforts that allow you to focus entirely on the fishing.
Most packages operate Sunday to Sunday, beginning with your arrival in Manaus on Saturday morning or midday. You’ll spend your first night at a boutique hotel, which is included in the package price, allowing you to rest and prepare for the journey ahead. An Untamed Angling representative will be waiting for you upon arrival to handle all transfers and ensure a smooth start to your expedition.
Each morning after breakfast, guests board their boats and head out for a full day of fishing. The typical fishing day runs approximately eight hours, including breaks and a riverside lunch, with boats generally returning to camp around 4:00 PM. The fishing grounds are roughly 30 minutes from camp, though your experienced guides may choose to work closer waters depending on current conditions, fish activity, and weather patterns. This schedule provides ample time to thoroughly cover productive areas while ensuring you return with enough daylight to relax, share the day’s stories, and prepare for dinner.
On your final day, you’ll fly back to Manaus aboard the float plane, concluding your Amazon adventure with a scenic aerial perspective of the rivers you’ve just fished. Depending on your international flight schedule, you’ll either spend one additional night at the boutique hotel in Manaus or connect directly to your departure flight the same day. This flexibility allows you to choose the option that best suits your travel arrangements and personal preferences, ensuring a smooth and stress-free return journey.
International Connections to Manaus / There are multiple convenient flight options to Manaus International Airport, including non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale, Panama City, Lisbon, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. When planning your journey, we strongly recommend booking international flights with ample connection time in Brazil, allowing for any potential delays before your onward connection to Manaus.
Critical Timing Requirements / You must arrive in Manaus at least one day before your scheduled departure to Rio Marié. The charter flight to the mothership departs Sunday morning, and if you arrive in Manaus later than 5:00 AM on Sunday, you will miss the scheduled departure. Missing this charter flight will require arranging a private floatplane transfer at an additional cost of approximately $9,000 USD, so advance arrival is essential to protect your investment and ensure a smooth start to your expedition.
Charter Flight Details / Untamed Angling charters Cessna Caravan aircraft fitted with amphibious floats to transport guests directly from Manaus to the Untamed Amazon mothership, located more than 500 miles upriver. The total flight time is just over three hours each way, offering spectacular aerial views of the Amazon basin. The aircraft typically stops in Tefé to refuel on the return journey to Manaus, completing the final leg of your extraordinary Amazon adventure.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY / A deposit of 25% is required to confirm your reservation and secure your space on the expedition. The final balance payment will be due approximately 90 days prior to your departure date.
Please note that within 90 days of departure, all deposits become non-refundable unless you are able to find a replacement guest for your spot. Once the final payment has been made, the full amount is non-refundable unless a replacement guest is secured by you. We recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances that might prevent you from traveling.