"Finding the location is just the first step for me," said Dan Bollinger of Survivor Maps. "Mapping it comes next. Topological maps of Amazonia are difficult to obtain. Instead, I went to Space Imaging and searched their online satellite image archives. I was surprised to find high-resolution images of the Ariau Towers Hotel area. In about ten minutes I selected an image and called in my purchase order."

"Space Imaging provides high-quality, map-accurate imagery from our IKONOS satellite, said Mark Brender of Space Imaging. "While most of our customers are from state and local governments and the forestry and environmental communities, we are pleased that our space-based imagery is useful for Survivor sleuths like Dan Bollinger so he can better see the world."

"This is the first time the crew will sleep in hotel room on real beds. After the rigors of Thailand, this will feel luxurious," said Bollinger "The hotel is a collection of buildings on stilts high in the Amazon rain forest canopy connected by catwalks and located at the juncture of the Rio Negro and Ariau Creek, about 40 km west of Manaus. I’ve heard the entire resort is reserved for ‘Survivor’ production between September 22nd through December 22nd."

"It appears that the owner of Ariau Towers has secured the rights to some land in the area," said Melton. "Already rumors are flying that Survivor doesn't want to pay the extortionate amount that Ariaua is trying to charge ($500,000 per month was mentioned), and there are rumblings from the local translators who are refusing to work for the daily rate that is being offered."

Other sources say the two Tribal Camps will be located on the Rio Negro's Praia Grande (Great Beach) west of Ariau. The beach is 4-5 kilometers long. Annual flooding washes the white sand clean. The Rio Negro, a major tributary of the Rio Amazon, is 10 miles wide at this point and is known for its piranha and rose-colored freshwater dolphins.

Tribal Council is rumored to be deep in the Amazonia rain forest on the Rio Acajatuba near the small village of Nossa Senhora de Perpétuo Socorro (also called Acajatuba Village) founded in 1977 by then sixteen year-old native Marlene Alves de Costa.

This is the third time Survivor has considered the Amazon as a filming location. South America is the only equatorial continent that the show hasn’t filmed on. Reportedly, negotiations between Survivor Entertainment Group and Ariau Towers Hotel had stalled at times over leasing charges.

Not the Philippines - around the globe Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said on Wednesday that the hit U.S. television show, Survivor, will hold its next challenge in an undisclosed location on Siquijor Island. Survivor Maps contacted Philippine Tourism Minister Richard Gordon’s office who said, "Secretary Gordon, during his trip to the United States, met with producers of the Survivor Series who intimated interest in filming episodes in the Philippines. On another note, a Japanese crew is filming its version of Survivor in Siquijor Island since September 1st.