Brazil Xingu Payara River Fishing Lodge

The Xingu River

The Xingu River in the Kayapo language is known as the “Butire,” meaning “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 River and Species

The Xingu and Iriri run crystal-clear over ancient Brazilian Shield granite—unlike most big Amazon rivers that carry heavy sediment. That granite base creates excellent visibility for sight-fishing, though most days you’ll fish comfortably from aluminum boats with some wet-wading in clear side channels.

Expect a mixed bag: matrinxã, wolffish, peacock bass, bicuda, payara (also known as vampire fish), pacu, piranha, and red-tailed catfish. All fishing is catch-and-release with barbless hooks required. Handle fish minimally and release promptly to protect both the fish and you.

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 challenging to find.
The dry season is marked by hot, breezy days and cool nights, with very few mosquitoes and black flies. In contrast, the rainy season is characterized by heavy rainfall, flooding in rivers and creeks, and persistent 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.

The Xingu River Lodge

The new Xingu Lodge features four comfortable wooden cabins equipped with boxspring beds, private bathrooms, hot water, and electric lights. Two anglers per cabin. Complimentary 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 grows crops such as cassava, cocoa beans, and other plants that form the basis of the traditional Kayapó 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. Approximately 6,000 Kayapo Indians reside in this vast area, which may also be home to smaller groups that choose to live in isolation. Six Kayapo villages, with a total of 750 inhabitants, are located along the banks 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 are equipped with satellite phones for emergency use and have 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 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 detailed packing list is in our confirmation packet.
Flies: Flies are available for sale at the camp for $10 to $15 each; however, 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.) You'll fly to Manaus, Brazil. Once you arrive at the Manaus International Airport, you'll be greeted by a Lodge representative who will transfer you to the 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 Pukararãnkre 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: A 40-pound baggage weight limit is strictly enforced 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 River Payara

Rates and Dates

2025 USD RATES:

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

7 nights / 6 days guided fishing
Two anglers per room and boat:
$7,155 per person
+ $585 Native Community Fee
= $7,740 per person

One angler per room and boat:
$11,960 per person
+ $567 Native Community Fee
= $12,545 per person

Non-Angler Companion:
$4,630 + $465 Native Community Fee
= $5,095 per person

2026 USD RATES:

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

7 nights / 6 days guided fishing
Two anglers per room and boat:
$7,155 per person
+ $700 Native Community Fee
= $7,855 per person

One angler per room and boat:
$11,960 per person
+ $700 Native Community Fee
= $12,660 per person

Non-Angler Companion:
$4,630 + $700 Native Community Fee
= $5,330.00 per person

The Packages Include:

• Ground transfers in Brazil per itinerary
• One hotel night in Manaus upon arrival
• Roundtrip charter flight between Manaus and Pukararãnkre
• 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, we will send it to you 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 coverage
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Saturday - Day 1: Enjoy a 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 with an opportunity 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 aims for fewer navigation hours and more fishing time.
Saturday - Day 8: In the morning, guests will be transferred downstream by boat to the Pukararãnkre 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 in the 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: All activities require you to sign an indemnity and responsibility terms once on location.

Deposit Policy: Reservations will be held for 10 days. We require a 50% deposit to confirm the booking. Final payment must be made 90 days before arrival.

Cancellation Policy: The Deposit required to confirm your reservation is NON-REFUNDABLE unless the customer is replaced. A 10% trip fee shall be levied if the reservation is moved to an alternative date within the same season.

Jungle Trip Policy: Fishing in the Amazon jungle represents one of the last frontiers in the fly fishing world. As with any such hyper-remote destinations, there can be challenges associated with offering a first-class experience in the ‘back of beyond’. In the Amazon, water level conditions will, on occasion, present such challenges.The Amazon River annual water level cycles are not a simple equation, even for the most experienced local experts. Normally, high and low water levels here follow a fairly predictable monthly cycle, but climate changes and the effects of stronger or weaker El Niño and La Niña cycles can directly and immediately affect those levels.Specifically, these El Niño and La Niña events tend to impact the amount of rain in the headwaters of Amazon Rivers, which in turn affects the entire Amazon basin.The Xingu system has more than 400 kilometers of rivers and tributaries. This unique and extensive water system allows for incomparable flexibility. Though Xingu season has been chosen to coincide with the best water conditions annually, specially for Payara fishing; it’s difficult to predict water levels, and this is one of the risks associated with fishing in the Amazon. If you are not comfortable with the risk of the river levels being too high or low during your trip, then it is probably not the trip for you. You will not be refunded for water conditions that may not meet your expectations.

Travel Insurance: The Lodge highly recommends that guests take out travel insurance that covers part or full cancellation of a trip due to flight delays, health, weather, force majeure, or any other reason.
Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing trip insurance and Global Rescue medical evacuation coverage. Click here for our Travel Insurance page.