Skip to content

Hosted Pirarucu Lodge Brazil Arapaima fly fishing Amazon

Customer Rating 93%
Tour Code BRZ003

Hosted Fly Fishing

If you have ever wanted an Arapaima fishing Amazon adventure with the opportunity to catch Arapaima all exclusively on the fly, this hosted trip is the answer to your wishes. Each year our host will escort you and five other lucky customers through the whole experience, maximising both your time and fishing opportunities. The significant additional benefit of this hosted trip is that all the specialised gear needed for this trip provided if requested.

All our hosted trips are aimed towards single anglers looking to team up with other like-minded anglers to share the experience. You will also benefit from having one of the Sportquests very own hosts on the trip who be your first point of contact before the trip, during the trip and then once you have returned home. The hosted trips are an ideal place to meet future travelling companions as most of the members of the group will be in the same situation.

Although many might not think of the Arapaima fishing Amazon jungle as the best place to take a non-angling companion, you probably wouldn’t find a better destination for any nature lovers. If plenty of notice is given, travelling non-anglers can experience the best Brazilian rain forest offers. With professional guides leading teams in Boat tours, canoe, bird and dolphin trips up the river each day, you can get up and personal with this incredible waterways wildlife.

Fly Fishing Only Reserve

Pirarucú Lodge is a new Brazilian destination whose primary focus is the preservation and continued prosperity of the mighty Arapaima. The group will have exclusive access to fish inside the world-famous Mamirauá Reserve, Brazil’s first Sustainable Development Reserve. This Mamirauá Reserve totalled more than 1 million hectares. Created first and foremost to preserve Arapaima fishing Amazon and their habitat and the fishing that Pirarucú Lodge provides plays a significant role.

The area for Arapaima fishing Amazon is well renowned for its fantastic wildlife; with 427 species of mammal, 1,300 bird species, 378 species of reptiles, and more than 400 species of amphibians, there is too many to name. Some of the most iconic species of animal that you might see on this trip would be this like Jaguars, Sloths, Anaconda and Poison Dart Frogs, almost like being on a live set of ‘the trials of life.

On our Youtube channel, we have some amazing videos from Arapaima fishing Amazon and is a great way of getting to know the destination you are travelling to. We have also many other freshwater fly destination on the fly channel all worthy of a watch.

What to Expect

We have Arapaima in all sizes, fish between 10-80 pound are common, and you can expect several bites per day from these fish. However, how many you land is up to you and quite often a mixture of angling skill and lady luck, but we have had days with over a dozen fish landed per boat in a single day.

Fishing for these fish is mainly using lighter rods, 10# rods and specifically all floating lines. The larger fish, 80-400 pounds, tend to be found in different areas, so when wishing to target the monsters, the number of takes would be less, but well worth the wait/effort as these fish, when hooked, are going to give you the fight of your life.

Fishing for the larger specimens will require a 12# rod with sink tips and full sinking lines. Fishing comes from our professional flats skiffs with both petrol outboards and electric motors—each boat based on two anglers per boat and guide. The fishing is similar to big Tarpon fishing, these fish produce unique takes, fight extremely hard, do lots of jumps and basically will do everything in their power to mess you up, but that’s half the fun.

As well as the Arapaima fishing Amazon, if you want to lighten your setups to 6# and 7# and 8# rods, there is a fantastic array of super fun species to target. There is no other place where you can catch so many Arowanas on the fly. These beautiful fish are also omnivorous and eat almost about any insect or baitfish presented to them.

Sight casting delight! Tambaqui – The mighty Tambaqui is a round fish close relative to the Pacu and can grow up to 100 pounds; at Mamirauá are usually found in the 8 to 24-pound range. Peacock Bass – Yellow species – These smaller peacock bass range in size from 2 to 8 pounds and act much like their larger cousins found elsewhere in the Amazon.

Professional Guiding

Using a mixture of local and professional fishing guides gives Pirarucú Lodge the ultimate combination of knowledge of the surrounding area and its waterways and how to manage and approach modern sports fishing. Having two anglers and a guide on the skiffs means that your guide can easily control the boat whilst you and your boat partner can search the water with casts in perfect harmony. When these mammoth fish hooked, your guide will instruct you both on what to do so that the fish can be safely landed and then released back to its watery lair.

Accommodation

Pirarucu Lodge also known as Uacari Lodge is simple but very comfortable and beautiful. It is a floating lodge constructed of local woods. It is utilized during other times of the year as an ecotourism lodge for bird watching and wildlife viewing and is one of the top five bird-watching areas in the Amazon. It is also a perfect destination for guests interested in ecotourism activities such as bird safaris, jungle tracks (with professional guides) and visiting the local communities.

All of the buildings are supported by a type of very large tree that floats in the water and is found in the jungles around the lodge. In the centre is a dock for boats to pull up, with a covered “palapa” and a large table and some chairs to relax out on the front deck.

Beyond that is the main lodge building, a two-story structure housing the kitchen, dining room, bar, and a few couches for lounging. The lodge and all of the cabins are connected by a series of wooden walkways.

To either side of the main dock and deck wooden walkways run to both directions connecting to the guest rooms. There are a total of 5 floating cabins, two on one side and three on the other, all connected with these floating wooden gangways. Each building has two rooms, for a total of 10 rooms. All rooms have en suite full bathrooms with flush toilets and good hot-water showers.

The lodge is eco-friendly, so entirely run on solar electricity. The rooms are spacious with lots of screened-in windows for airflow, and there are fans by the bed and ceiling fans to help with additional airflow at night. There are no plugs in the rooms, but a couple of multiple plug outlets are available in the main lodge for charging electronics. There is fairly reliable, albeit slow, wifi that is best in the lodge but does also reach the rooms.

The lodge location is in the heart of the reserve, with short-run times to the fishing. Most days, you will return to the lodge for a well-prepared lunch before returning for an afternoon fishing session. Satellite phone and the internet are available. Hearty meals served in the main lodge.

Book with confidence

We have worked hard to be able to provide you with the best prices possible. If you are quoted a lower price we will endeavour to beat it.
>
We take the stress out of the holiday planning process. All of our holidays include flights, transfer and accommodation making booking a holiday simple.
All our destinations our meticulously researched by our expert team, who take pride in planning and tailoring your holiday to your exact needs.
We are ATOL protected. This means you have the financial security on your holiday when booking through Sportquest Holidays.
When your trip benefits others, you gain too. All our trips support communities and preserve nature - which helps you get closer to both. So when you travel with us, everyone wins.
Covid-19 Promise
We recognise that flexibility is important when booking a holiday. Our Covid-19 promise provides an unprecedented level of flexibility.

Itinerary

TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS

Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.

DAY 1: (Friday)

Depart Any international Airport (See Details)

DAY 2: (Saturday)

Arrive Sao Paulo Depart Sao Paulo

Arrive Manaus

Once you have arrived and collected your luggage, you will need to transfer/taxi the short 10-minute drive to your overnight accommodation.

After check-in, you can relax around the hotel, enjoy the infinity-edge pool, or stroll around the local shops.

Overnight accommodation: The Juma Opera Hotel (Twin Room)

DAY 3: (Sunday) Half Fishing Day

In the morning, our representative/transfer driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the internal airport for your flight to Tefe.

Depart Manaus with Azul Airlines

Arrive Tefe

On arrival, the lodge will meet you and transfer you the rest of the way to the port and then by fast boat to Pirarucú Lodge. (Approx 50 mins) Once you arrive at the lodge, you will meet the fishing team and staff and settle in your room. After cold beer and lunch, there will be a brief explanation of the daily fishing plans before preparing your tackle for the first-afternoon session of guided fishing in the Pirarucú area, its tributaries and or lagoons.

Overnight accommodation: Pirarucú Lodge (Twin Room) F/B

DAYS 4 to 9: (Monday to Saturday) Fishing Days

Spend the next 6 days enjoying fly fishing for Arapaima and many other exciting species. Each day two anglers will share a fly fishing guide and a local native guide in a specifically designed fly fishing boat with two large casting platforms. Both anglers are constantly fishing all day long from these perfectly designed boats. The fishing is split into two sessions; you will head back to the lodge around 12 pm for some lunch, then head back out for your afternoon session. Back to the lodge for 6 pm

Overnight accommodation: Pirarucú Lodge (Twin Room) F/B

DAY 10: (Sunday)

After breakfast, you will take the fast boat ride back to Tefe and then transfer to Tefe airport for your return flights.

Depart Tefe

Arrive Manus

On arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you back to the Opera Juma Hotel, where we will have booked you the day use of a room to rest. You then have the day to relax and/or explore.

Our driver will then transfer you back to the international airport for your return flights in the evening.

Depart Manaus

Arrive Sao Paulo

DAY 11: (Monday)

Depart Sao Paulo

Arrive
Home

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Satisfaction Score 93%

View all reviews

FISHING Seasons

The season runs from 15th September to 30th November.

Arapaima

Season: September to November
Peak: September to November
Weight: 20lb to 400lb
Average Weight: 80lb

Arowana

Season: September to November
Peak: September to November
Weight: 2lb to 10lb
Average Weight: 4lb

Tambaqui

Season: September to November
Peak: September to November
Weight: 8lb to 24lb
Average Weight: 12lb

Peacock Bass

Season: September to November
Peak: September to November
Weight: 2lb to 8 lb
Average Weight: 4lb

Package Details

Prices from
£8,008
per person

Included

  • All international flights
  • All internal flights
  • Ground transfers in Manaus upon arrival
  • Overnight stay Opera Juma Hotel
  • Day stay Opera Juma Hotel
  • Ground and boat transfer from Tefé airport to the Lodge
  • 6,5 days fishing with one pro guide and one local guide per two anglers
  • 7 nights at Pirarucu Lodge

Excluded

  • Personal holiday insurance
  • Meals and Beverages in Manaus Hotel
  • Fly fishing leaders, wire and flies (Flies available at lodge $10 each)
  • Personal items
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Airport Departure tax
  • Indian Communities Fee. US$590

Optional extras

  • Restaurant Shuttle: Round Trip from Hotel to Dinner - $20 p.p. (does not include dinner)
  • Full Day City Tour: 8 hour tour - $120 per person
  • Half Day City Tour: 4 hour tour - $50 per person
  • Additional nights in Manaus
  • Flight Upgrades
  • Add on fishing tours for Peacock Bass

Price Supplements

N/A

View Latest Availability

Dates, Prices & Availability

Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.

From To Duration Price Availability

Price Notes

Prices are per person and based on 2 people sharing a twin room and 2 anglers per guide/boat. (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.

Make an Enquiry

To speak to an expert or receive more information about when is the best time to travel? What can you expect from your holiday? Who are the tour guides? Will someone be there to meet me? Plus, many more questions. Either call our offices, e-mail us or fill in the form, and we will get back to you asap.
+44 (0)1603 407596
sales@sportquestholidays.com
16 Alston Road
Hellesdon Park
Norwich
Norfolk
NR6 5DS

Reviews

Lawrence

I'd been debating Brazil for probably 2-3 years and finally last year I bit the bullet and booked it up! One week on from my trip, I'm so glad I did! The fishing, accommodation, staff, guides, food and drink were all fantastic. It's a very, very long way to travel but in my opinion it's totally worth it.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Simon

I'm just back from my trip to Pirarucu Lodge and I just wanted to say a huge thank you. My week was absolutely superb from start to finish. The fishing was unreal and I caught some stunning Arapaima to over 2m in length and a whole boatload of Arowana. It's a long way to go, but I would 100% recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Paul

Huge Arapaima, stunning Peacock Bass and bucket loads of Arowana - what a trip! The Pirarucu Lodge was fantastic and the guides and staff were brilliant. It's a long way to travel and took nearly three days to get there, but it was totally worth it.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Simon

The fishing was exciting and explosive and throughout the course of a week, I had a tremendous amount of fish including Peacock Bass, Arowana, Tambaqui, Pacu and Arapaima. The destination is incredibly remote and the humidity was extreme, but I loved every second of it. The guides and all the staff at Pirarucu Lodge were first-class too and couldn't do enough for us. I'd certainly love to return one day.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

David

The Arapaima fishing was brilliant and over the course of my trip, with the help of the guides, I managed to land over 12 of them. The biggest going just over 100lb. They possess some incredible power and in the heat, the battle really takes it out of you! Pirarucu Lodge was cosy and comfortable and it was nice to return back there after a busy day on the water. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making my trip possible.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Tony

The trip to The Amazon exceeded expectations with regard catch of the primary target fish, Arapaima. Caught nine ranging from 1.5m to 1.86m.. Very powerful and exhilarating fights lost quite a few too. The number of fish rising to the surface singularly or in groups was incredible. The lodge and waters were full of caimans to 4m who are not shy and are not to be taken lightly they are the top predator and they act like it. Arowana were plentiful and gave relief from the #12 weight rod and line casting..taking sight casted popper flies readily. The heat and humidity make it an energy sapping trip you will sleep well and the food and drink is great at the lodge. The guides are very good and have great experience. No mosquitoes to speak of ..only a few bites average one a day. Advice buy your Arapaima flies at the lodge you wont need many..eight of my fish fell to one fly which was not lost on the trip. Bring #8 weight rod line / gear and 1/0 popper fly yellow or white work well.. again flies battered but not lost. (Min 30lb fluorocarbon leader) Arowana have sharp teeth. Drink plenty of water before leaving the lodge in the morning plenty of sweat will be no surprise to you after the first session. Enjoy the birds and wildlife bring a good camera.. you may capture lots of photos including howler monkeys which provide a daily chorus. All in all a fantastic experience ..the fishing is a bonus. Tony Quine.

Response from Sportquest Holidays

Tony

So glad that you and Ali both had a great time and congratulations on all the Arapaima, still gutted that we missed you guys and that you had all the fun on your own. I have sent a memory stick and am already looking forward to the pictures and videos. Until next time my friend Warm Regards Peter.

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Tim

Pirarucu Lodge was a bucket list "top ten" for Tim Hudson and who better to share the adventure with than his son and keen fisherman Robbie Hudson. To fly fish for such amazing fish in such extreme conditions that only the Amazon can gives you is a daunting challenge to say the least – even more so when you are not fly fishermen as in our case.. Mad but determined is probably nearer the mark.
The whole experience was amazing and sometimes surreal, the Amazon is so much more than you see on TV documentaries - alive with life, expect the unexpected as you witness nature at its raw naked best. With Caiman watching your every move whilst either at the lodge or on the pontoon boat fishing – word of advice – it is best not to fall in! A bit difficult when a huge Arapaima grabs the fly and it feels like you have hooked the bottom.
In total we both caught five Arapaima, more than exceeding our expectations, albeit we missed a few we enjoyed every moment. In all truth it is a physical challenge and you need to be prepared for casting heavy lines on slow retrieve all day long in +30*C sometimes in direct sun other times in pouring rain..On the last afternoon Robbie hooked into a very large Arapaima which he beached successfully Andre the expert guide informed us the Arapaima was approaching the magical 2 metre mark and had an estimated weight of 300lb (136Kg) what a great way to cap the week off – unbelievable.
You can fish for other species which we did and enjoyed the fun of catching Arowana, Tambaqui, Red Bellied Piranha and other species some of which I can't remember their names. The Arowana smash all types of poppers and insect imitations such as Chernobyl Ants and Robbie even caught them on salmon flies as an experiment. I loved using the imitation nuts trying to catch the more elusive Tambaqui ( plop, plop, plop, sink - bang) – well worth it when you get one on the hook. On 8 weight gear the fight was fantastic fun and came as a useful break to targeting the huge Arapaima.
We both caught Arapaima on 10 weight rods (Big Daddy 9' fast taper) but 12 weight is a safer option – we used sinking lines but take note the black colour attracts the interest of the Piranha – Robbie lost a large Arapaima when playing the fish, on inspection the line had been bitten through. Intermediate line proved successful as well, the last and largest Arapaima fell on the intermediate set up.
The fishing guides were all excellent and did all they could to assist, this included a local village guide with every boat trip which is all part of the agreed transformation and careful management of the Arapaima local environment and ecology – in our case also useful guidance and fly fishing lessons!
Snacks and drinks served at 6pm proved to be very successful and the head guide Rafael and his wife Ali went out of their way to look after you.
We had no issues with mosquitoes or no-see-ums but we may have been lucky. Accommodation was very good.

Response from Sportquest Holidays

Wow Tim

Thanks for the great feedback looks like you all had a great time, what a shame due to flight issues I missed you guys and did not get to share in the enjoyment.

However there will always be a next time. Also a huge thanks for the pictures they will come in handy and you will see yourself on the internet. Thank you for your custom and support it is very much appreciated. Tight Lines Peters

Fishing
Guides
Accommodation
Meals
Staff & Service
Flights
Would use Sportquest again
Would recommend Sportquest

Alternative destinations

Hosted Rio Marie Lodge Brazil

Hosted by our CEO Peter Collingsworth, this exclusive trip to the depths of the Brazilian Jungle at Rio Marie Lodge offers travelling anglers the chance to fly fish for some of the largest Peacock Bass found anywhere in the Amazon Basin and the world. This fishing operation is undoubtedly one where anglers can pursue and conquer the dream of a world record on the fly.

Xingu Lodge Brazil

Across this spectacular wilderness territory, the protected, mythological Xingu River, flows over granite bedrock, running clear and allowing for sight-fishing opportunities for a wide variety of species. But what sets Xingu apart from anywhere else in the Amazon are the impressive numbers of large Payara - one of the hardest-hitting and strongest fighting fish in the Amazon.

Kendjam Lodge Brazil

Kendjam Lodge in the Xingu basin, which the Iriri River is part of, is now the first official sport fishing operation in Brazil, located inside an Indigenous Territory. It offers the most intense jungle fishing experience found anywhere in South America and the World, giving freshwater fly anglers the chance to enjoy some truly wild, explosive mixed fishing.

Rio Marie Lodge Brazil

The fishing at the Rio Marie Lodge is some of the best found anywhere in Brazil, and this isn't just a guess; it's a fact. The river holds at least double the quantity of trophy-sized Peacock Bass compared with any other destination in the Rio Negro basin and offers travelling rods the chance to sample some explosive sport.

Gillhams Fishing Resort Thailand  

The beautiful Gillhams fishing lake resort is located in the stunning area of Krabi Southern Thailand and is surrounded by limescale Karsts which are covered in a protected tropical rain forest. The resort can cater for single anglers, pairs, groups and we can also arrange full lake exclusivity.

Latest Reports

Pirarucu Lodge Fishing Report 27th November 2023

Water Conditions: Water level just started to rise up for the first time in the season. Weather Conditions: We had a couple of storms but no time lost as far as fishing goes. Fishing conditions: For the 11th...

Pirarucu Lodge Fishing Report 21st November 2023

Water Conditions: Water Level very low and still dropping! Weather Conditions: Couple fast storms in the afternoon, definitely not bad. Fishing conditions: In the Week 10 of the season, we cannot believe how low all Mamirauá systems reached....

Pirarucu Lodge Fishing Report 9th November 2023

Water Conditions: Water Level very low and still dropping! Weather Conditions: Only one evening of rain. Fishing conditions: At Week 9 we hosted a group of ladies that have fished together for over 25 years. They did an amazing...
Contact Us