Trans-Amazonian Highway – Brazil

RoadNomad

Trans-Amazonian Highway

This is South America’s ultimate jungle road trip, cutting across the Amazon. Expect red dirt roads, jungle rivers, and remote communities. Wild and challenging — best for experienced overlanders and adventure seekers.

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The Route

Distance: ~4,000 km

Duration: 2–3 weeks (dry season only)

Recife

Start on Brazil’s Atlantic coast in Recife, known for its beaches, colonial architecture, and vibrant culture. Explore nearby Olinda, a colorful UNESCO town filled with baroque churches and street art.

Altamira

A frontier town on the Xingu River and one of the major hubs of the Trans-Amazonian Highway. It’s a key access point to the rainforest and indigenous communities — remote, raw, and vital.

Santarém

At the confluence of the Amazon and Tapajós rivers, Santarém offers river beaches, jungle lodges, and unique Amazon culture. Visit Alter do Chão, known as the “Caribbean of the Amazon.”

Itaituba

Located in Pará state, Itaituba is a major river town deep in the jungle. Known as a gateway to Amazon conservation areas, it’s a stop rich in local flavor and ecological importance.

Lábrea

The end (or start) of the Trans-Amazonian route, Lábrea is extremely remote. With its stilted houses and jungle edge location, it’s a true frontier town marking the edge of the Amazon's vast green ocean.

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