Brazilian Amazon

This trip departs every other Sunday and explores some of the most untouched rainforest in all of the Amazon. On our expedition vessel, the Motor Yacht Tucano we venture far up the least inhabited river in the Amazon Basin: The Rio Negro. We explore areas very rarely visited and seek out the mysterious life of the wilderness that stirs in the forest and in the heart of wild nature.

Itinerary

8 days / 7 nights

Saturday to Saturday

Day 1

700AM Meet on the lobby of hotel Tropical Manaus your tour guide for transfer to the M/Y Tucano. Briefing on the next day activities and do's and dont's aboard this river cruise. (L,D)

Days 2-3

In our well equipped expedition boat The Motor Yacht Tucano, we explore far up the least inhabited river in the Amazon, The Rio Negro. We explore the forest by foot or in our launches, go for swims in the cleanest water in the world, visit with local settlers that live deep in the forest, and spend a great deal of time hunting for and observing the greatest collection of wildlife on earth. (B,L,D)
Day 4

We arrive at extraordinary river called the Rio Jauaperi and spend the day in this unspoiled and lovely rainforest area. (B,L,D)
Days 5

Today we proceed down the southwestern bank of the Rio Negro observing the different wildlife found on this side of the river. Our walks and explorations of the forest continue and our list of creatures observed gets larger and larger. (B,L,D)
Day 6

Today we visit the village of Novo Airão. We will walk through the streets and marvel at how the 19th Century thrives in this remote corner of the globe. We travel through the night to the confluence of the Amazon and Negro Rivers. (B,L,D)
Day 7

This morning we visit the Lago Janauari Ecological Park where the thick brown water of the Amazon flows swiftly through the forest. This area is thick with life and we are almost guaranteed to see monkeys. We then travel to the “Encontra das Aguas” the stark several mile long line where the world’s two largest rivers, the Amazon and the Negro, join in a turbulent maelstrom. In the evening we will return to Manaus and overnight on the boat. . (B,L,D)
Day 8

8AM After breakfast passengers will disembark from the Tucano and in the afternoon or evening, transfer to the international airport. (B)

(Note: It is possible by prearrangement for guests to disembark the evening prior to the last day to catch early morning flights)

Degree of Difficulty: Passengers must be able to get in and out of small boats and walk comfortably for up to two hours at a time in the forest.
Group Size: Maximum of 18 passengers

Departures 2011:

(Saturday-Saturday): Jun 25-Jul 02, Jul 09-16 (Family Departure), Jul 23-30, Aug 06-13 (Family Departure), Aug 20-27, Sep 10-17, Oct 01-08, Oct 15-22, Oct 29-Nov 05, Nov 12-19, Nov 26-Dec 03, Dec 10-17, Dec 24-31

Departures 2012:

Jan 07-14, Jan 21-28, Feb 04-11, Mar 03-10, Mar 17-24, Mar 31-Apr 07, Apr 14-21, Apr 28-May05, May 12-19, Jun 02-09, Jun 16-23, Jun 30-Jul 07, Jul 14-21, Jul 28-Aug 04 , Aug 11-18, Aug 25-Sep 01, Sep 15-22, Sep 29-Oct 06, Oct 13-20, Oct 27-Nov 03, Nov 10-17, Nov 24- Dec 01, Dec 08-15, Dec 22-29

Cruise Cost per passenger double,
2011: US$ 2,650

2012: US$3,200 & 3,500

Itinerary: Amazon Odyssey

5 days / 4 nights

Monday to Friday
Day 1

This afternoon we embark on the MOTOR YACHT TUCANO in Manaus, Brasil. We depart upstream on the Rio Negro and as thevessel glides upstream we will have our first talk about Amazon environments. By late afternoon we enter one of the world’s largest river island systems, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. The boat will weave along a winding channel with rainforest on both sides in a riot of brilliant vegetation. Weather permitting, we will go for an excursion in the gnarled and dense flooded forest known as the Igapó. Along the river bank we may see some Squirrel Monkeys and we may hear the other-worldly growls of Howler Monkeys echoing through the primitive rainforest. The Amazon has one of the greatest collection of birds in the world and we are sure to see some of these brightly colored jewels perched in the treetops.
We return to the M/Y TUCANO for hors d’oeuvres on the observation deck and a toast to the rainforest sunset. Following dinner we will embark in our launches in search of nocturnal creatures such as the Caiman, the Amazon’s crocodilians. We may also see one of the large night birds such as a Potoo with its bulging eyes and large mouth adapted to swallow the huge Mariposa Moths,
Later this evening our vessel will weigh anchor and we will voyage downstream through the night to the Xiborena Peninsula that divides the two of the world’s most storied rivers: the Rio Negro and the Amazon River. (D)
Day 2

Rising early, we will excursion in the Lago Janauari Ecological Park, a dense forest that is flooded with the coffee colored water of the Amazon River. We explore a labyrinth of small channels overhung with gargantuan trees and vines. Listening to the chatter of creatures in the undergrowth we also keep our eyes open for monkeys, Three Toed Sloths, and the occasional Collared Anteater. By mid morning we return to the M/Y TUCANO for a hearty breakfast and some time to relax. By late morning we foray off the vessel again to explore this environment rich in life. Near midday, following lunch, we navigate downstream to the “Encontra das Aguas”, the several mile long joining of two of the world’s greatest rivers, the Rio Negro and The Amazon. The dark and light waters run side by side for several miles without mixing. Often Pink River Dolphins and also Grey River Dolphins leap and cavort along this stark line of contrasting currents. We then will begin to navigate upstream on the Amazon River until the late afternoon.
On Brasilian maps this river is given the name Rio Solimões - but it is the same vast, turbulent, mighty river that we know of as the Amazon. At this point in its course, it has truly become the most magnificent river on the planet and carries fully 20% of all the fresh water on Earth. We will travel upstream on the Amazon River into the late afternoon when we should reach a channel on the south bank of the Amazon where, conditions permitting, we can access a large lake called Lago Janauacá. Here we encounter a new and fascinating environment known as the Varzea. In our launches we glide down narrow channels where we expect to see creatures found only on the South side of the Amazon River. Tonight we will foray out in our launches to hunt for nocturnal life. In the beam of our powerful spotlights we should see the glowing eyes of Caiman, the Amazon’s crocodiles. (BLD)
Day 3

We begin our day with an early launch excursion, but for our mid-morning excursion will go for a walk in a small village. We will appreciate the slow pace of life that follows the rhythms of the seasons and river cycles. About midday the M/Y TUCANO will return to the deep brown and forceful current of the Amazon River. Our destination this afternoon depends on the vessel’s Captain. We will go either to the north or south side of the Amazon River depending on the season and the weather. Our choice will be whichever offers us the best chance of observing wildlife. Late afternoon we will further explore the wilds of this tropical paradise. (BLD)
Day 4

This morning we will scout for more of the bizarre creatures of the Amazon. On our mid-morning excursion we visit a local homesteaders and walk through their gardens and learn how traditions help families survive in the remote interior. Time permitting we will also visit one of the river towns where trade still thrives in goods that have been grown, caught, or collected in this vast rainforest.
During lunch we turn the bows of the M/Y TUCANO downstream on the Amazon River and we will navigate east with the swift current. Through the afternoon we weave in and out of islands that dot the North bank of the river and we will enjoy vistas of forest and homesteads along the river banks. In the late afternoon we should be near the Rio Negro and we will venture out for one more excursion along a narrow channel called Parana Xiborena or we will return to Lago Janauari Ecological Park. At sunset we slowly ascend the Rio Negro, passing along but not stopping at the Porto de Manaus, one of the world’s great ports. More than a thousand miles from
the sea, Manaus is the major port for much of the entire Amazon.
We will see boats of every imaginable shape and purpose that serve this continent sized forest. Tonight we will sample the national drink of Brasil, the Caipirinha and have a farewell dinner. (BLD)
Day 5

Early this morning travelers will disembark the vessel at the riverside dock of the Hotel Tropical. (B)

Meal Codes : B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner.
Please note that the day to day schedule must be considered approximate.
Due to changing river levels and weather considerations, features and vessel
course are altered and adapted to fit existing circumstances.
Degree of Difficulty : Good health is necessary. Though the trip does not
include endurance hiking, participants should be able walk for at least 2-3 hours.

Cruise Cost per passenger double,

2011: US$ 1,650

2012: US$ 1,650 Green Cabins (US$1,850 Yellow cabins)

Schedule 2011
Jul 04-08; Jul 18-22; Aug 01-05; Aug 15-19; Sep 05-09; Oct 10-14; Oct 24-28; Nov 07-11; Nov 21-25; Dec 05-09

Schedule 2012
Jan 16-20; Jan 30 Feb.03; Feb 27-Mar 02; Mar 12-16, Mar 26-30; Apr 09-13, Apr 23-27; May 07-11; May 21-25; Jun 11-15; Jun 25-29; Jul 09-13; Jul 23-27; Aug 06-10; Aug 20-24; Sep.10-14; Sep 24-28; Oct 08-12; Oct 22-26; Nov 05-09; Dec 03-07; Dec 17-21

Prices Include: Prices above are per person, double occupancy. Accommodations, transfers as indicated in the itinerary, meals as indicated in the itinerary. Bottled water served free of charge on the M/Y Tucano. Prices and itineraries are subject to change without notice.

Prices Do Not Include: Any airfare, departure taxes, visa fees, items of a personal nature, Insurance. (Airfare available upon request...about $700-800 from Miami, plus taxes)

Single Travelers: No single supplement will be charged if the passenger is willing to share with another same sex passenger. Guests may request single occupancy with a fare supplement of 40% of the cruise cost. Single accommodations on the cruise may not always be available. The single cabins on the boat are not as large as the double cabins.

Triple Cabins: Some of the cabins on the M/Y Tucano can accept three travelers. This is helpful for families. In cabins "3" and "4" a third narrow bed can be placed between the single beds. Cabin "0" has a queen size bed and also a single bed. There is no discount for triple occupancy; passengers pay the double rate.

Discounts for Children: On regular departures children 12 years and under who share a room with an adult are eligible for a discount of 50% off the Cruise Rate, subject to cabin availability.

Family Departures: All of our trips are family friendly, but the scheduled "Family Departures" include some additional activities suitable for children. On these departures children 12 years and younger can travel at a discount of 50% from the Rack Rate.

NOTE:

Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included in the cruise cost. Please call for rates or email us at tara@taratours.com

Hotel Nights
We strongly recommend that passengers spend one night in Manaus in a hotel prior to the cruise. On request, we can book reservations at the five star Hotel Tropical where the Motor Yacht Tucano boards passengers. Check-in time is 12:00pm. Early check-in is available at additional cost.

The Motor Yacht Tucano

Specifications
Cabins: 9 cabins with private facilities
Group Areas: Large forward facing salon and a full Top Observation Deck
Length: 80 feet
Maximum Width (beam): 21 feet
Standard Passenger Capacity: 18
Charter Passenger Capacity: 18-25
Crew: 7
Engine: 315 HP Diesel
Cruising Range: 1000 miles
Air-conditioning: Central to all cabins
Electricity: 110 volt/ 60 cycle
   Onan Marine generator 25KVA
   Onan Marine generator 27KVA
   Korbach direct drive 20KVA
Vessel Launched: September 1997