Brazil Xingu Payara

The Xingu River

The Xingu River in the Kayapo language is known as the “Butire,” the River King. The Xingu is 1,019 miles long and is one of the largest clearwater rivers in the Brazilian Amazon. After leaving the headwaters in the protected Xingu Indigenous Park, the mighty Xingu River flows northward through 22 million acres of virgin primary Amazon forest. The river is on indigenous land and protected by the Kayapo people.

Xingu River - Exploratory Recap

Quick Recap: During the 2019 Exploratory trip, 30 payara were landed. The fish averaged 12 pounds, and the largest was 20 pounds!"The water levels of the Xingu River rose and dropped during the entire week, but only by small amounts (approximately 10cm). The water remained clear and hot (28-30°C), and the fish were very active. Rock structures were exposed, which meant the fish, including the payara, were very concentrated and active! The best spots for trying to catch payara are the larger and deeper pools, and there were plenty of these within the vicinity of our camp. The majority of the fishing was by boat."

A Typical Fishing Day:
5:30 a.m. - Coffee is hot.
6:30 a.m. - Breakfast.
7:00 a.m. - Head to the fishing grounds.
Noon to 2:00 p.m. - You'll return to camp for lunch.
2:00 p.m. - You'll head out for another round of fishing.
6:00 p.m. - You'll return to Camp.
7:00 p.m. - Enjoy cocktails and appetizers.
8:00 p.m. - Dinners will be served.

Xingu Fishing Seasons:

Fishing Season: The season runs from September to December during the dry season when water levels are at their lowest. Anglers are allowed to fish throughout the entire river system, including numerous tributaries and lagoons.
Payara prefer the deepest parts of the river; during times of high water, the fish spread into the flooded forest and become difficult to find.
The dry season is characterized by hot and breezy days, cool nights, and very few mosquitoes and black flies. In contrast, the rainy season is characterized by torrential rain, the inundation of rivers and creeks, and annoying clouds of biting insects.
The Rainy season here begins in late November or early December, and the rivers reach their highest levels in March. After the rainy season ends, water clarity improves, and the river levels start to drop. Millions of fish begin their migration upstream to find food. Predatory fish follow this migration, and the pulse of life returns to the headwater system.

Xingu River and Species

The waters of the Xingu and Iriri are impressively clear because they drain ancient Brazilian shield granite, in contrast to most large Amazon rivers, which are laden with sediment. While the granite bedrock makes for good sightfishing opportunities, most fishing is from aluminum boats. There is also some wet wading in clear waters.
Species: The Xingu offers a variety of fish species - matrinxa, wolffish, peacock bass, payara, pacu, bicuda, piranha, red-tailed catfish, vampire fish, and more. All fishing is catch-and-release. Barbless hooks are mandatory. Please avoid unnecessary handling of the fish (to protect them and you).
The river offers many habitats, such as pools, channels, lakes, lagoons, riffles, rapids, and waterfalls.

The New Xingu Lodge

The new Xingu Lodge has four comfortable wooden cabins with boxspring beds, a bathroom, hot water, and electric lights. Two anglers per cabin. Free laundry service is provided. The Lodge sits on the banks of the Xingu River, overlooking a gorgeous home pool. Near the Lodge, the traditional Kayapó family raises crops of cassava, cocoa beans, and other plants that constitute the traditional Kayapo diet.
Meals: Delicious chef-prepared meals are served in the dining room. Filtered water, soft drinks, and juices. With advanced notice, the chef can accommodate special dietary needs.
Electricity: Generated electricity with 110-voltage, the same as the U.S., but the plugs are different, so you'll need to bring an adapter/converter.
Communications: Complimentary Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi internet. There is no cell phone service. A satellite phone is available for guests to use at $5.00 per minute.
Lodge Setting: The Lodge setting is very close to trophy payara and catfish, which inhabit the famous pool in this section of the Xingu River. Abundant wildlife and birds in the area. You can expect to see the white-whiskered spider monkey, large parrot macaws, and the brilliant blue hyacinth macaw. About 6,000 Kayapo Indians live in this enormous area that may also be home to small groups who choose to live in isolation. Six Kayapo villages with a total of 750 inhabitants are located along the bank of the Xingu River in the northern part of Kayapo territory.

Xingu Fishing Facts:

Group Size: The maximum group size is eight anglers; no groups will ever fish the same water on the same day. Each day, you'll move up or downstream in aluminum boats, exploring new waters and following the best fishing.
Boats: Aluminum boats with 40 to 50 HP motors. The boats have satellite phones for emergency use and all the necessary safety equipment.
Guides: Two anglers per boat with one professional English-speaking fishing guide and one Kayapo native guide.
Fishing Equipment: Flies or Lures. Single hooks only, no treble hooks. Fly-fishing outfits are provided to guests upon request (Thomas & Thomas rods, Nautilus Reels, and Scientific Anglers Lines). Most of the payara fishing is in surface to deep water levels. They are aggressive predators, and you'll need to be prepared for all situations. Plan on bringing at least two rods; 6 to 10-weight single-handed rods are the norm. Weight Forward lines designed specifically for the tropics and saltwater are what you want. Scientific Anglers Jungle Custom Sink tips are great lines for Payara. You will need a fast sinking sink tip for some specific spots. We recommend a 24-foot 300 to 450-grain sink-tip fly line. You'll also need to bring at least three spools of 40-50 lbs knotable wire leader for the toothy Payara. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is provided in our confirmation packet.
Flies: Flies are available for sale at the camp for $10 to $15 each, but be sure to bring a good selection as well.
A Fishing License is included in the package.

Xingu River Lodge

View from the Deck

Eight-passenger Grand Caravan plane

Getting to Xingu Lodge:

1.) If you are flying from the USA, there are two non-stop daily flights from Miami to Manaus, Brazil; American Airlines is the best option. Once you arrive at the Manaus International Airport, you'll be greeted by a Lodge representative who will transfer you to the Tropical Executive Hotel. (The first-night hotel is included in the package.)
2.) Early Saturday morning, the host/driver will pick your group up at the hotel and drive you to the domestic airport. At 6:30 a.m., you'll take a private charter flight on an eight-passenger Grand Caravan plane to the Kayapo village of Pukararãnkre on the right bank of the Xingu River. The flight duration is 3.5 hours, depending on whether a fuel stop is needed. The Pukararankre village is located 590 miles southeast of Manaus. The plane will land on the Indian Community airstrip. A meet-and-greet will introduce anglers to the Kayapo Indian chiefs.
3.) Your group will head upstream to the Lodge, a 15 to 20-minute boat ride.
Baggage Weight Limit: There is a strictly enforced 40-pound baggage weight limit per person for the charter flight.
Brazil eVisa Required: As of April 10th, 2025, travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia will need a visitor visa (VIVIS) to enter Brazil. (The Brazil visa fee is $80.90 for US citizens.)
• Click here for the Brazil eVisa website.

Xingu 2025 Rates:

2025 USD RATES:

Season: September to December.
Rates include one hotel night in Manaus.

7-nights at the Lodge and 6-days guided fishing
Two anglers per room and boat:
$7,155 per person
+ $585 Native Community Fee
= $7,740.00 per person

One angler per room and boat:
$11,960 per person
+ $567 Native Community Fee
= $12,545.00 per person

Non-Angler Companion:
$4,630 + $465 Native Community Fee
= $5,095.00 per person

The Packages Include:

• Ground transfers in Brazil per itinerary
• One hotel night in Manaus upon arrival
• Roundtrip charter flight between Manaus and Pukararankre
• Boat transfers per itinerary
• 7-nights at the Lodge
• All meals at the Lodge
• Wine and spirits with dinner
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Daily laundry service
• 6-days guided fishing
• Fly outfits, available upon request
• Fishing license
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass by Larry and Guy Schoenborn, upon request.

The Packages Do Not Include:

• International airfare to and from Manaus, Brazil
• Native Community Fee
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Flies, $10 to $15 each
• Meals and beverages in Manaus
• City tours in Manaus
• Satellite phone calls ($5 per minute)
• Extra hotel nights in Manaus
• A Brazilian eVisa is required as of 04/10/2025.
• Global Rescue
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Saturday - Day 1: Breakfast buffet at the hotel. The host will pick up the group at approximately 5:30 a.m. and head to the local airport to board the private charter 8-person Cessna Grand Caravan plane to Pukararãnkre. After 3.5 hours of flight, you'll arrive at the Pukararãnkre Indian Community landing strip, where the guides and staff will be waiting for your group. There will be a “Meet and Greet,” providing anglers time to discover the Kayapo culture, social organization, and more. The group will be introduced to the Indian chiefs, followed by a brief orientation of the fishing week. After that, the group will head upstream to the camp, a 15-20 minute boat ride. It’s a great opportunity for anglers to see river scenery, birds, animals, and some fish in the clear waters of the Xingu. After arriving at camp, you'll settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch in the dining area. Anglers will use this first afternoon to get situated and prepare their tackle for the following day. In the evening, the guide team will give a brief orientation.
Sunday to Friday - Day 2 to Day 7: Each day, individual teams (2 anglers per guide team) will head out for the day, fishing the Xingu River, its channels, rapids, lakes, and tributaries. Two anglers share a fluent English-speaking fishing guide along with a local native guide in an aluminum boat. Both anglers can fish all day. The schedule will aim for less navigation and more fishing hours.
Saturday - Day 8: In the morning, guests will be transferred downstream by boat to the Pukararankre community landing strip to fly back to Manaus. On the return flight, you'll refuel at the Itaituba Airstrip and then head back to Manaus. You'll arrive in Manaus mid to late afternoon, assuming there are no flight delays. You'll be driven to the international airport or the hotel for day use. If you are departing that day, please book flights after 6:00 p.m.
Extra Night or Day Use Rooms: If you would like extra night accommodations in Manaus at the Hotel on arrival or departure or would like a day room on your departure day, please let us know. All extra nights and day-use bookings will be paid directly to the hotel.

Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.

Xingu River Lodge POLICIES:

A Signed Indemnity Release is Required: The Lodge requires that all guests sign a KNOWLEDGE LETTER. All guests, without exception, must sign the knowledge letter and the terms of responsibility prior to their trip.

Deposit Policy: Booking trips less than a year out requires a deposit of 50% of the total price and must be received within five days from the reservation date to confirm a package. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the trip. If your trip is more than one year out, a deposit of 25% of the total price must be received within five days from the reservation date to confirm a package. 25% is due one year prior to the trip, and the remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the trip.

Cancellation Policy: The Deposit required to confirm your reservation is NON-REFUNDABLE unless the customer is replaced. If there is no other replacement, the individual is responsible for the full costs, and no refund will be made to the customer. Additionally, there are no refunds for any unused part of the travel package. The Company and its subsidiaries are not responsible for cancellations resulting from weather conditions, river levels, or a Force Majeure event, and shall provide no refunds for such an event. The Company may opt to provide alternate dates, as set forth further below, in its sole and absolute discretion. In addition, the indigenous tax costs must be reviewed in the pre-trip itinerary and must be paid in cash upon your arrival in Brazil on the agreed-upon arrival date. After making a reservation, you will be deemed to have given your consent to their terms and conditions, as well as their cancellation policy detailed here.

“Force Majeure” shall be defined herein as circumstances beyond Company's reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; weather conditions; wars; civil or military disturbances; acts of terrorism; sabotage; strikes; epidemics; pandemics; viral or bacterial outbreaks; riots; power failures; computer failure and any such circumstances beyond our reasonable control as may cause interruption, loss or malfunction of utility, transportation, computer (hardware or software) or telephone communication service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority; governmental actions; or inability to obtain labor, material, equipment or transportation. To be clear, any amounts paid to the Company for your travel package are non-refundable under any conditions. You hereby acknowledge and agree to the refund and cancellation policy.

Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing trip insurance. Click here for our Travel Insurance page.

Xingu River Payara

Xingu River

Variety of Species

Exploring runs and flats areas for peacock bass (3-15 pounds) is also fun using big streamers and poppers, but watch out for the bicudas, a fast, powerful barracuda-like freshwater predator that, once hooked, will burn your fingers in a second.

Xingu Peacock Bass

Xingu Catfish Species

Xingu Redtailed Catfish

Guided Fishing

Payara Flies

Numerous Species

Local Guide and Angler with Large Wolffish

Abundant Large Payara

The defining feature of the Xingu sport fishery is the abundant large schools of Payara during the end of the dry season. They stay deep in large pools, mixed with larger catfish and other species like freshwater drums and pacus.