Heart of the Amazon Leg 1

Leg 1 — SBEG → SBSN

Mission: Transport an international research team from Manaus to Santarém to begin a basin-wide biodiversity survey.**

📖 Gateway to the Jungle

Manaus rises from the rainforest like an island of civilization surrounded by an endless sea of green. The expedition gathers at dawn inside the terminal, loading crates of scientific equipment, camera gear, weather sensors, and enough supplies to sustain months of field work. The lead scientist, Dr. Elena Costa, explains the mission during the flight briefing. Their goal is ambitious: document environmental changes occurring throughout the Amazon Basin before the next rainy season arrives. As the aircraft climbs away from Manaus and follows the Amazon River eastward, the researchers stare out the windows in amazement. Below them stretches a forest so vast that even from cruising altitude it appears endless. Somewhere within that wilderness are answers that scientists have spent decades searching for.