Terra Nova Travel

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NTBG Amazon

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TRIP OVERVIEW

SunsetThis exciting journey for adventurers begins with an overnight stay at the Tropical Manaus Hotel, followed the next day by a morning tour of Manaus. From there, the group will board the ship, Victoria Amazonica, where we will spend the next eight nights.

We will depart from the pier of the Hotel Tropical on the Rio Negro in Manaus. At that place the river is six miles wide although over one thousand miles inland. The trip will focus mainly on the beautiful Rio Negro with its black water. June is high water time so we will be able to make many canoe excursions into the tops of the trees of the floodplain forest.

The Rio Negro has many positives. It is beautiful with the mirror-like reflections in the water, but because it is very acid water there are no mosquitoes there and it is safe to swim in. We will also visit some of the small villages and towns along the river to learn about local life. Two days of the trip will be in the completely different ecosystem, that of the main Amazon River which has muddy water the colour of white coffee. Here we will see many birds and also be able to fish for piranha and other fish, but there will be a few mosquitoes. However the boat takes care to anchor away from the insects as far as possible.

Canoe expeditionThe high waters of June also diminish the number of insects. By visiting the two different rivers, one with black water and the other with white water, we will be able to see a huge variety of Amazon life. Iain Prance will tell you all about the plants and Anne will identify the birds and tell you about the people, and boat Captain Moacir Fortes is full of local knowledge, natural history and legends. The crew takes good care of you throughout the trip and you will enjoy many Amazonian foods, especially from the fish we catch.

Each day we make at least two excursions, some by large stable canoes and some on land in the forest or at villages. We tend to make an early morning excursion, come back on board during the heat of the day and then another in the late afternoon or even at night to watch the caiman and other nocturnal life.

ITINERARY

Day 1: C1=June 7. C2= June 16. Arrive in Manaus

Arrive in Manaus and transfer to your hotel. (If you use the TAM flight directly from Miami to Manaus, you will depart the evening of Jun 6th (C1) or June 15th (C2) and arrive just after midnight the next day). Day at leisure.

Overnight at Tropical Manaus Hotel.

Day 2: Manaus

Morning sightseeing tour of Manaus.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 3: Manaus –Board Victoria Amazonica

After breakfast, you will transfer to the dock at the Tropical Hotel where you will board the Victoria Amazonica where you will spend the next eight nights.

Meals: Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner Overnight: Victoria Amazonica.

Day 4-10: Victoria Amazonica

Note: Due to constantly changing river conditions, a day by day itinerary will not be provided. Please refer to Professor Prance’s Trip Overiew above.

Meals: Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner Overnight: Victoria Amazonica.

Day 11: Victoria Amazonica- Manaus

You will arrive back at the Tropical Manaus Hotel’s dock sometime today. As the arrival time is always subject to river conditions, you will overnight again at the Tropical Manaus Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast Overnight at Tropical Manaus Hotel.

Day 12: C1=June 18. C2=June 27 Manaus-US or continue touring

Depart on flight back to USA or continue touring. Note if you depart for the US you will arrive back the following day.

HOTEL DESCRIPTION: Five Star Tropical Manaus Hotel

Tropical Manaus HotelGuests arrive at this spot in the heart of the Amazon jungle to find the largest luxury hotel in Brazil. Located on the banks of the Rio Negro, Tropical Manaus is 10 miles from the center of Manaus. This property opened in 1976 and was expanded and remodeled in 1988, 1990 and 2006. It makes extensive use of dark Brazilian wood throughout the property.

The large lobby features an atria bar with cafe tables and a conversation area. This space adjoins the business center and shopping arcade. Sitting and lounging areas are present on all floors where the halls intersect.

Dining options include the Tropical Karu Grill, which serves international and regional dishes including local fish; live music plays in the evening. The complimentary buffet breakfast is spread in the Tucano Coffee Shop, which also offers a la carte selections for lunch and dinner. A light snack menu is available in all the bars. The Lobby Bar Tropical proffers a wide selection of beverages, and the afternoon tea is accompanied by live music. A snack menu is available. Bar Aquatico, located by the main pool, has libations and snacks. Adjacent to the Tucano, Cafe Brasil serves drinks and snacks.

Elevators in two separate locations access the three floors of accommodations. Guests can select from colonial or modern decor with a choice of bed sizes. All accommodations are large with cable TV, desk, minibar, voice mail, blackout curtains, and a choice of garden or pool view. The combination tub-and-shower baths come with a hair dryer and standard toiletries. There are several suite options, with some offering a balcony, whirlpool and other upgrades. Two-level suites include a private rooftop pool, living room, dining room and two baths.

Guests can enjoy two pools, one of which is a wave pool. Further diversion can be found in the sports complex, jogging track, playground, volleyball court, children's club, five tennis courts and game room. A tour desk arranges transportation, tours and jungle adventures. The Tropical's zoo has a veterinarian and is approved to accept rescued wild animals.

The shopping court includes a drug store, beauty shop, and other tourist-related shops offering national and imported goods in a colonial setting. The hotel presents an elaborate folkloric show each week, and guests can choose to partake of the accompanying buffet.

Smoke-free and wheelchair-accessible rooms are in the mix. Segways are made available to guests as necessary. Room service runs round the clock.

SHIP DESCRIPTION: Victoria Amazonica

Victoria AmazonicaThe Victoria Amazonica is a small 100 foot motorized vessel with 12 cabins that can accommodate up to 24 passengers plus crew. While not a luxury yacht, all cabins are air conditioned and have a private bathroom with a shower en suite. Please note that each cabin has a lower and UPPER bunk bed only. The dimension of the upper bed is 1.95 metres (6ft 4in) long and 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) wide. The lower bed is 1.95 metres long and 1.10 metres (3ft 7in) wide. The ship also has a Restaurant where meals are served as well as a small bar. The Victoria Amazonica has two decks, Main and Upper Deck which are accessed only by short, steep staircases with good hand rails.

 

Victoria Amazonica cabinModern navigation equipment such as Global Positioning Systems, and satellite telephones, enable the crew to contact their home base with the ship’s location at all times. Should they encounter a situation that might require assistance, engine parts, or transportation of clients to or from Manaus, they have an experienced bush pilot and float-plane standing by to provide whatever service is required.

The crew are professional, licensed mariners and our chefs are superb. Each boat driver brings along with them two kits. One with first aid medications and the other with motor tools in case the outboard motor breaks. The crew members are trained for simple medical emergencies. The “canoes” are 24 foot boats with outboard motors crewed by experienced guides for your daily trips into the interior. The crew are all river people, Coboclos, who are accustomed to the ways of the rainforest.








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