Deluxe Amazon River Cruise/Lodge Experience

Amazon River Cruise and Jungle Lodge Vacation for anyone who has ever wanted to see the greatest tropical wilderness on Earth!

Exclusive Departure for TLC Travel: October 5, 2008 from Florida
12 days / 11 nights $US 4599 per person based on double occupancy.

Tour Highlights:

• 5 days/ 4 nights Cruising the Amazon River
• The Pink Dolphins at Novo Airão
• 5 days/ 4 nights in a Jungle Lodge
• Guided Rainforest Walks and Canoe Trips
• 3 nights in the 5-Star Hotel Tropical
• City tour of Manaus

Trip Description:

This fully escorted journey into the Amazon will thrill and delight you. We fly directly into Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon, and spend the first half of the tour aboard a modern and comfortable river cruise ship. Then we transfer to a specially chosen lodge in a protected part of the rainforest. (It is a little way out of the way, but we know it is worth the extra effort.) In between we will be staying at the amazing Hotel Tropical in Manaus. It is not our regular free booting camping adventure in the jungle that Safari Brazil is famous for, but we have retained a great deal of adventure, while maintaining a high level of comfort and security. We have even built in some time beside the pool to make sure it feels like a real vacation.

Your host: Chuck Scott will guide you through this fascinating world they love so well. We will be along at every step of the way to ensure a trouble-free vacation, and make sure you get the most out of your time in the Amazon.

( Other staff joining the expedition may include; Francisco Andrade Do Carmo, an experienced rainforest biologist, and Mr. Ron Long a professional photographer, who will act as official photographic chronicler of the trip, and also conduct photographic workshops along the way for those so inclined. )

Manaus: Capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, in the heart of the tropical forest. Population 1.405,835 (2000) inhabitants. The city's origin goes back to a Portuguese fortress, the São José da Barra stronghold, built in 1669. From 1500 to 1852, all the Brazilian Amazon was under control of the province of Grão-Pará (today's Pará state - capital Belém). In 1755 the region later to be called Amazonas state became a separated jurisdiction (the São José da Barra do Rio Negro jurisdiction) whose administrative center was Barcelos, upper Rio Negro almost 700Km from Manaus. The jurisdiction then consisted of only some few villages, amongst which Barra do Rio Negro - today Manaus. At last, in 1852 the Rio Negro province separated from Belém and its county town, Barra, took the Indian name of Manaus. In 1889, when the republic was proclaimed, the Rio Negro province became the State of Amazonas. Distances: Manaus to Rio de Janeiro 1700 Miles (3.000 Km) as the crow flies. Manaus to the Atlantic Ocean: about 1000 miles (1800 km)by river. Altitude: 60 feet (35 meters) above sea level.

The Cruise: Using a modern and comfortable cruise ship offering an array of amenities we will cruise the mighty river in style, and comfort. Exploring the main river courses, including the world famous meeting of the waters, and the quiet back water creeks. (often by motorized canoe)Walks into the forest will fascinate you with the wide range of plants, animals and insects.

Your ship, the MV Grand Amazon is a luxury cruise ship of unique style, with capacities for up to only 148 people, all outside cabins, and boasts two pools, a rooftop Jacuzzi and two restaurants. The bar salon for entertainment can be used as a conference room. Other amenities include fitness center, laundry service, valet, drugstore, on-site paramedic and internet access.

Some technical specifications: Tonnage: 1500 ton, Speed: 12 knot, Electricity: 110 V.At 32m (106 feet) long, with a beam of 9m (30 feet). The 72 cabins are situated on three different decks - Mandi, Acará and Tambaqui. The two spacious royal suites are situated in the front of the vessel. Suites and cabins are equipped with private bathrooms, twin beds, private balcony, TV, telephone, hair dryer, air-conditioning and radio.

This all inclusive cruise includes accommodation, all meals, welcome cocktail, all snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, both domestic and imported, safety deposit box located inside the cabins and various guided activities and excursions at the stops.

Entertainment on the ship includes field trips, dance classes, fishing and ecological classes where participants are taught about the native fauna and flora. There are also motorboat excursions through the local lakes of Igapos and Igarapes. Evening activities include live music and theme parties.

Items of a personal nature and personal expenses are not included in the package rate. Documents required for boarding: Current passport with a valid Visa.

The lodge: At the remote forest lodge, rustic but comfortable, you will get up close and personal with the Amazon. Day and night walks into the forest offer wonders at every turn in the trail. Located in the Piranha Reserve, with 103 thousand hectares (255 thousand acres), located on the left bank of the Solimões River, (the Upper Amazon River) , near the mouth of the Manacapuru River. The Piranha Reserve was created in 1997 with the objective to protect the richness of the area and the different ecosystems, as well as to promote sustainable development and improvement of the quality of life of the several local communities, also providing an enormous potential for research, eco tourism and environmental education for the local dwellers. Your hosts, Chuck and Neila, will be along to show you the ways of the strange and abundant environment. It is warm, of course, but a comfortable room, and great meals await you at the end of the day. The possibilities for bird watching, and wildlife photography are unsurpassed.  

The lodge consists of a huge barge in the middle of one of the lakes, under the open sky, surrounded by the lush green rainforest and so many different sounds that come out of the rainforest. Only 16 apartments , all with screens for mosquitoes, mosquito nets over the beds and the apartments mostly consisting of two single beds. Air conditioning is available during the evening hours, but in our experience not really necessary when on the open lake. All rooms have a private bathroom, with a naturally heated shower and wash basin. Restaurant seats 40, Reception and bar - with comfortable sofas, hammocks and chairs, ideal for relaxing before and after your trips into the forest with a cool drink. There is also a observation tower on the barge itself to get a view of the area.

A 110V generator is available just for the evening hours. Alternative Sources of energy are also used, like torches or 12 V lights in the bathroom.

The hotel: The Hotel Tropical...well what do I say....on the banks of the Amazon river, is unsurpassed as a destination all by itself. We will stay 4 nights in splendor at the Tropical. It has 594 rooms air conditioned rooms in three classes, surrounded by its own extensive grounds, including 2 pools, 5 bars, tennis courts, an archery range, Orchid-house, workout rooms, soccer pitch, private river beach, even its own zoo. When I am reluctant to leave the hotel, no one is ever surprised. Tropical Karu Grilll Restaurant serves exotic, regional dishes, grilled meats and local fish, accompanied by salad buffet, regional fruits and sweets. Live music every night and most days. The Coffee Shop Tucano offers à la carte and buffet services for 180 people, with specialties of Brazilian and international cuisine. The folklore dinner shows, make the hotel an experience all by itself.

Guests will be required to have in thier possetin a valid passport and obtain a Visa for Brazil. In addition you are required to provide proff of up to date vaccination records. A detailed breifing package will be sent to each participant upon booking.

Please note: Safari Brazil is by no means a non profit organization, but we have decided that the proceeds of these tours will go directly to support our education project called “Last School on Earth”, and you will have the satisfaction of helping with the cause of improving education world wide.

The "Last School on Earth" is a non profit organization mandated to create connections between remote, isolated schools around the world, and more affluent schools in North America and Europe. We believe that establishing and supporting communication facilities directly between students, with such vastly different life experiences can not help but be beneficial to both sides. To garner support and build awareness we plan a video documentary journey to some of the most isolated schools in the world. We hope to produce 8 episodes in 2008. The premise of the production will be; --an 8 year old Canadian boy, Nicolas Scott, spending a week in class at remote and isolated schools all over the world.--Since Nick, our host, speaks English, French, and Portuguese, we have quite a range of possibilities for full participation. This will be the point of course; rather than just a spectator, Nick will fully participate in the day to day classes in the hosting school, and the lives of these students, making a connection between schools. Hosted by, and with the perspective of a child, we believe the approach will be from a totally new and engaging angle.

We will make efforts to endow the hosting school with books and school supplies to show our support, and reinforce the connection. It is our hope to attract the support of schools in the developed world, and pair them with one of our remote schools. We believe this can be a situation that would benefit both schools in very special ways. To read more click here....

Amazing culture, scenery, plants, animals, great local food, comfortable accommodation, small groups, lots of local colour and the opportunity to support world education.
Not your average tourist excursion!

Tour fees include just about everything you need:

• Return Flights: Miami/Manaus/Miami
• All transportation including transfers
• All Breakfasts and most meals.(See itinerary for details)
• Cruise and Lodge Activities; wildlife spotting, fishing, visits to local villages, bird watching and nature lectures
• All Accommodations, Hotel, cruise ship, and Lodge
• Services of skilled and experienced forest guides in addition to the cruise and lodge guide staff
• City tour of Manaus

Itinerary:

Day 1	Saturday	Depart Miami 7:15 PM for evening flight aboard the regular weekly flight to Manaus. Arrive Manaus 12: 20 AM Transfer to Hotel Tropical Check in, Standard Rooms Overnight in Hotel Tropical
Day 2	Sunday	Cruise DAY 1 - Sunday Hosted "Welcome Breakfast" and trip briefing, followed by a free morning to enjoy the pool and get over any jet lag issues. Depart for ship from the Hotel Tropical . 6:00pm Ship departs Manaus for Novo Airão. Classical Music watching the sunset from the upper deck, as we cruise the mighty river. This evening will include the Captain´s welcome cocktail party, presentation of officers and crew in the Lua salon, lecture on safety. Followed by a welcome dinner in the Kuarup restaurant. Live music in the party salon, and open bar on the top deck Dinner and overnight aboard Ship
Day 3	Monday	Cruise DAY 2 - Arrival at Novo Airao Sunrise Lovers Breakfast at the upper deck or breakfast in the Kuarup restaurant Embark on motorized boats for Trekking through the forest and visit to pink dolphins at Novo Airão; where you will get a chance to feed and perhaps even pet Amazon river Dolphins in the wild. In addition to the cruise staff, our own staff will be along every step of the way exclusively available to guide you. On returning to the ship you will be treated to a theme lecture by one of the onboard naturalists on the way to Lago (lake) Aracari. Lunch in the Kuarup restaurant A Photo safari at Lago Aracari which will include catch and release Piranha fishing on Lago Aracari. Back on board, Dinner in the Kuarup restaurant Classical Music watching the sunset at the upper deck then "Alligator spotting" after dark. Embarking in small boats your guides will catch the native species of Crocodilian call Caiman in the beams of powerful spot lights. Sometimes they get close enough to dive in and bring the smaller Caiman aboard for a closer look. Depart for Rio Puduarí, Overnight aboard Ship
Day 4	Tuesday	Cruise DAY 3 - Early morning bird watching at Río Puduari. The Amazon is home to thousands of bird species. Sunrise Lovers Breakfast at the upper deck Breakfast in the Kuarup restaurant Embark on the tender(boats) for trekking ( Rio Puduari) Natural history theme lecture, on the way to Ilha de Jacaré Lunch in the Kuarup restaurant Arrival at Ilha de Jacaré Afternoon natural history theme lecture. Tender cruise and Photo safari on Igarapé (small river) Aturiá. Classical Music watching the sunset at the upper deck On the way to Rio Cuieiras, Dinner in the Kuarup restaurant. Music in the party room and open bar on the Sol deck, under the star filled Amazon night sky. Overnight aboard Ship
Day 5	Wednesday	Cruise DAY 4 - Arrival at Rio Cuieiras Sunrise Lovers Breakfast at the upper deck or Breakfast in the Kuarup restaurant Photo safari at Rio Cuieiras and visit to Cambebas Community a local native tribe. Natural History theme lecture On the way to Praia Grande. Lunch in the Kuarup restaurant Arrival at Praia Grande Tender cruise through Igarape del Pato Free time at Praia Grande (Big Beach) Music in the upper deck and open bar on the Sun deck Goodbye dinner in the Kuarup restaurant Folklore show in the party room and music in the party room with open bar on the Sun deck. Overnight Onboard
Day 6	Wednesday	Cruise Day 5- On the way to "encontro das águas" (the world famous meeting of river Negro and river Solimôes). The dark water of the Negro swirl and bounce against the clear waters of the Solimoes for miles before they mix to become the main course of the acual Amazon. Sunrise Lovers Breakfast at the upper deck. Breakfast in the Kuarup restaurant. 8:00 AM Arrival at Manaus, Passengers disembark for a morning city tour, including the city markets, parks and the famous Opera House. Tour concludes at the Hotel Tropical. Remainder of day free in Manaus to enjoy the city, or by the pool. We strive to balance activities with relaxation to ensure a comfortable vacation. Overnight in Hotel Tropical
	Manaus Opera House
Day 7	Thursday	Lodge DAY 1 Breakfast at hotel with free morning The journey to this remote lodge is an adventure all by itself. We · depart at 14:00 hrs from Hotel Tropical in Manaus transferring to Lodge in 4 hours in 4 stages: A) Manaus—São Raimundo Port ( van ) B) São Raimundo to Cacau Pirera port ( speedboat ) on the Amazon C) Cacau Pirera to Manacapuru ( 86 km paved road, van ) D) Manacapuru—Lago do Piranha (speedboat ) · 18.00 hrs arrival at the Lodge. Welcome drink and orientation talk. · 19.00 hrs Buffet style dinner. Overnight in lodge
Day 8	Friday Simple comfortable Rooms	Lodge DAY 2 · 05.30 hrs Depart for early morning bird watching by canoe. In the cool of the morning the forest is the most active. We must adjust our habits to take best advantage of this natural rhythm. The lodge is right in the middle of the forest so we may easily return for breakfast. · 06.30 hrs Brazilian Breakfast · 07.30 hrs Depart for morning excursion by canoe. The guide will decide on the best location at the time based on his experience. · 12.00 hrs Return for a buffet style lunch · Siesta during the heat of the day is another adaptation to the natural rhythm of the forest. · 15.00 hrs Afternoon excursion by canoe again at the guide's discretion. · 18.30 hrs Buffet style dinner Nighttime hikes into the forest will be available based on interest. · Overnight in Lodge
Day 9	Saturday	Lodge DAY 3 · 06.30 hrs Brazilian Breakfast · 07.30 hrs Another full day in the forest starting with a morning excursion by canoe. · 12.00 hrs Buffet style lunch · Free time for Siesta during the heat of the day · 15.00 hrs Afternoon excursion by canoe · 18.30 hrs Buffet style dinner · 19.30 hrs Caiman watching · Overnight in Lodge
Day 10	Sunday	Lodge DAY 4 · 06.30 hrs Brazilian Breakfast · 07.30 hrs Full day excursion to special forest locations requiring a longer trip away from the lodge. (Boat and walking) Your hosts Neila and Chuck will be along every step of the way ensuring small well lead groups for the most interesting experience. · 12.00 hrs lunch box · 18.30 hrs Return to lodge for a buffet style dinner, and last night party. · Overnight in lodge
Day 11	Monday	Lodge DAY 5 · 06.30 hrs Brazilian Breakfast · 07.30 hrs Departure for return to Manaus · 4 hours return transfer with 4 stages. · Estimated time of arrival : 12.00hrs Afternoon Free. Staff will be available to accompany guests on walking adventures in Manaus on an ad hoc basis to take advantage of any opportunities that may present themselves. Overnight in Hotel Tropical
Day 12	Tuesday	Breakfast at Hotel Tropical Transfer to Airport Depart Manaus 12:50 PM Return Flight to Miami