EXPEDITION AMAZON | FEBRUARY & MARCH 2028
The green heart of South America
On foot and by dugout canoe through the untouched interior of Suriname.
The story of this expedition
You fly from Brussels to Paramaribo. On arrival we transfer to a small aircraft that takes us deeper into the interior, to a grass airstrip in the middle of the green. From that moment the real adventure begins: no roads, no signal, no way out but the river. More than ninety percent of Suriname is covered in rainforest, and this is the part where almost no one goes.
Here the river is the only highway. In narrow hollowed out boats we travel upstream, jumping out at every rapid and pushing the boat over the rocks. Wet, hard, and exactly the kind of teamwork no team building day can match.
Away from the river everything changes. Visibility reaches ten metres, the air stands still and every step has to be earned. You learn to navigate without landmarks, to cut where needed, and above all to hold your pace in a heat that allows no hurry.
Along the way we pass villages of Maroon and Indigenous communities who have lived in this area for centuries. They know every bend of the river and every plant in the forest. You eat with them, sleep in their village and see a way of life entirely attuned to the rhythm of the water.
We deliberately choose February and March: the short dry season, with passable trails, navigable rivers and the lowest chance of sustained rain.
The story of
this expedition
You fly from Brussels to Paramaribo. On arrival we transfer to a small aircraft that takes us deeper into the interior, to a grass airstrip in the middle of the green. From that moment the real adventure begins: no roads, no signal, no way out but the river. More than ninety percent of Suriname is covered in rainforest, and this is the part where almost no one goes.
Here the river is the only highway. In narrow hollowed out boats we travel upstream, jumping out at every rapid and pushing the boat over the rocks. Wet, hard, and exactly the kind of teamwork no team building day can match.
Away from the river everything changes. Visibility reaches ten metres, the air stands still and every step has to be earned. You learn to navigate without landmarks, to cut where needed, and above all to hold your pace in a heat that allows no hurry.
Along the way we pass villages of Maroon and Indigenous communities who have lived in this area for centuries. They know every bend of the river and every plant in the forest. You eat with them, sleep in their village and see a way of life entirely attuned to the rhythm of the water.
We deliberately choose February and March: the short dry season, with passable trails, navigable rivers and the lowest chance of sustained rain.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
From the moment we set off, we are off grid. We filter water from the river, cook our own expedition food and hang our hammocks wherever the forest allows.
You learn to push the dugout over the rocks at every rapid, find your way where you can see ten metres and sleep in a hammock, guided by an experienced X- Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
Safety & guidance
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, safety procedures, an evacuation plan and local support in Suriname.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Guided by real expedition leaders.
You step into nature, away from the
beaten track, but always with the certainty of experienced guidance
and safety first.
Safety & guidance
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold
WFR certificates and have
years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a detailed evacuation plan and local support in Suriname.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
From the moment we set off, we are
off grid. We filter water from the river, cook our own expedition food and hang our hammocks wherever the forest allows.
You learn to push the dugout over the rocks at every rapid, find your way where you can see ten metres and sleep in a hammock, guided by an experienced X-Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
We let no one step into the unknown unprepared.
An expedition of this calibre starts months in advance. The preparation programme consists of an individual phase and a group phase.
Individual phase
Starts immediately after registration. You receive an inspiration pack with practical tips, insights and exercises to start moving like an expedition member. You gather your expedition gear using the packing list (do not buy anything yet: bring what you already have to the kick off). And you share your medical information, because the best preparation is a plan for when things go wrong.
Group phase
Starts 3 to 6 months before departure with the kick off: a full day on which you meet your team, taste the expedition atmosphere and take the first steps as a group. There we plan the follow-up moments together and the WhatsApp group starts. Training includes, among other things: getting to know the group and roles, physical screening and analysis, a personalised training schedule, technical and resilience training, gear, nutrition and sleep setup, and a final check.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
As seen in
Imagine: a dugout canoe working its way through rapids, howler monkeys waking you at five in the morning, and a blanket of night sounds so dense it becomes almost tangible.
On Expedition Amazon you step into a world where the river is the only road, where the forest closes behind your back, and where communities live as they have for centuries.
Imagine: a dugout canoe working its way through rapids, howler monkeys waking you at five in the morning, and a blanket of night sounds so dense it becomes almost tangible.
On Expedition Amazon you step into a world where the river is the only road, where the forest closes behind your back, and where communities live as they have for centuries.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be a top athlete. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition level in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and clearly defined safety protocols. Medical preparation and vaccination advice are part of the preparation programme.
The full expedition programme, gear, workshops, guidance, all local costs and meals are included, plus the full 3 to 6 month preparation programme. Flights, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be a top athlete. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition level in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and clearly defined safety protocols. Medical preparation and vaccination advice are part of the preparation programme.
The full expedition programme, gear, workshops, guidance, all local costs and meals are included, plus the full 3 to 6 month preparation programme. Flights, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Ready for the green heart
of South America?
Taking an option is free and without obligation; your spot is only confirmed after the intake.
Koen De Leeuw
Expedition leader | Element X
“In the jungle you cannot force anything. You do not cut faster, you do not walk faster, and the river moves at its own pace. Those who accept that have a fantastic expedition. Those who fight it have twelve hard days.”
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