BRAZIL NUTS
Wild Amazon
May 22 – June 2, 2004
INTRODUCTION
Nothing captures the Western imagination quite like the Amazon region
of Brazil. Devising adequate superlatives to describe it poses a challenge.
The Amazon River itself is known as the “Mother of all Rivers,”
being the largest in the world. The Amazon contains the world’s
largest rain forest. Its land area represents 30% of Brazil’s
territory, 20% of the world’s availability of fresh water, and
30% of the world’s reserve of forests. The Amazon Jungle is crisscrossed
by over one thousand rivers, 20 of them among the largest in the world.
Together they form the Amazon River Basin—the highlight of our
tour to Brazil.
Brazil is the 5th largest
country in the world. It occupies half of South America and is different
in language, customs, culture and environment from its neighboring countries.
Brazil’s climate ranges from temperate in the far south to tropical
in the north. Seasons are reversed, with the hottest months being December/March
and the coolest May/August. It is the only country in South America
that has Portuguese as its language. Brazil was one of the first areas
settled by the Europeans in the New World. Discovered by the Portuguese
in 1500, it was first colonized by Jews, Portuguese, Dutch and the French,
with Germans, Polish, Italians, Koreans, and Japanese arriving in later
years. All these backgrounds, together with the slaves brought from
Africa, resulted in the most interesting and fascinating culture. Brazil’s
cuisine, music, dance, religion and art reflect this Afro-Portuguese-European
melting pot heritage.
Our Brazilian adventure gets off to a
wild start in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s
great cities. Rio has developed a highly advanced culture of pleasure.
It revolves around the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and
is fueled by the music and dance of samba, the beauty of Corcovado and
Sugar Loaf Mountain, the cult of the body beautiful, and a nightlife
that refuses to quit.
From Rio we visit the country’s
most dazzling spectacle: Iguaçu Falls, where
Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina come together. Here the Iguassu River
flows into the Parana River forming a series of awe-inspiring waterfalls
in the middle of a forest. It does not seem to be scenery; it is more
like a happening, something taking place here and now with the greatest
urgency. The roar of its 260 cataracts, some reaching a height of 250
feet, can be heard 20 miles away. There are rainbows, bands of butterflies
and birds, and all around the air vibrates as thundering water dissipates
into clouds. These mighty waterfalls are one of the natural wonders
of the world, and are superior in size and grandeur to both Niagara
and Victoria!
Manaus, our next destination,
is the capital of the State of Amazon. Located on the banks of Rio Negro,
it was founded in 1669, and was a slumbering little equatorial town
until the second half of the 19th century, when it awoke to become a
major supplier of natural rubber to the industrialized world. During
this golden era of rubber, Manaus was one of the world’s most
prosperous cities. Imposing edifices were built using materials imported
from Europe, like the Amazon Theater designed by the Italian Domenico
de Angelis, and considered one of the world’s most beautiful theaters
as well as one of the most important examples of neo classical architecture
in South America. The Rio Negro Palace, once the residence of a rich
German rubber baron, nowadays is the site of the Amazon Government.
The Municipal market, inaugurated in 1882, is a copy of the extinct
Les Halles market in Paris. The Floating Docks, which were a curious
invention of English engineering, rise and fall to accommodate the highs
and lows of the Negro River. Today Manaus is a modern, thriving city,
and the departing point for our exploration of the Amazon Jungle
aboard our floating Jungle Palace Lodge.
Join Toto Tours for a great escape to
the primordial, tropical paradise that is Brazil. You’ll go nuts
over the beautiful, friendly people and the jaw-dropping scenery. Make
this Memorial Day Holiday one you’ll remember forever!
THE ITINERARY
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Departure for Rio de Janeiro
Leave your home today, bound for exotic Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Airfare
is not included in the tour cost, and you are free to book your preferred
airline. There are advantages to flying American Airlines, however.
Our partner agreements will enable us to offer you reduced prices on
your internal flights if your international carrier is American. We
will offer a complete air package from Miami through our air consolidators,
including all international and internal flight segments for approximately
$900. Your final cost is dependant upon the fares available at the time
you make your reservation. Early bookings are rewarded with cheaper
airline seats!
Sunday, May 23, 2004
Arrive Rio / Sugar Loaf Mountain / Welcome Dinner
Upon arrival we are met and transferred to the Excelsior Copacabana
Hotel, rated the best 4-star hotel in Brazil and located on the world-famous
Copacabana Beach. Take leisure time to rest or enjoy the beach.
In late afternoon we tour dramatic Sugar
Loaf Mountain, passing through Rio’s most famous beaches (Leme,
Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon) to the base of the Mountain. We take the
first of two cable cars to the smaller of the mountains, strolling around
the flowered walkways while enjoying the magnificent view and looking
for little monkeys called “Sagui.” Continue via another
cable car to the summit of the second mountain. The view of the city
of Rio from this peak is breathtaking. We will be here to enjoy the
sunset.
Our Welcome Dinner will be at the famous,
gay-owned Marius Restaurant. This establishment offers a buffet
fit for a king, featuring a superb variety of meat (25 different cuts),
salads and seafood in a sophisticated atmosphere. Tonight you might
choose to visit one of the many fantastic gay bars of Rio, and we’ll
help you with suggestions and directions. (Dinner
Included)
Monday, May 24, 2004
Corcovado Mountain
Corcovado Mountain and the Christ Statue is one of the “must”
places to see when in Rio. This morning we travel through downtown Rio
to the base of Corcovado Mountain. There we board a cog rail train that
takes us through the Tijuca Rainforest to the top of the mountain. At
the top stands the famous 125ft statue with its arms outstretched over
the city. The views of the ocean, city and lagoon are spectacular from
this vantage point. Lunch is provided at the beautiful Art Nouveau Colombo
Restaurant, and the afternoon and evening are free. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Tropical Island Adventure
Our guide meets us at the hotel soon after breakfast to commence a
full-day excursion to an uninhabited tropical island. We drive approximately
65 miles along the beautiful shoreline, where the green lush mountains
and blue sea compete for our attention. Our destination is the fishing
village of Itacuruça where we embark on a schooner for a cruise
in the waters of the Sepetiba Bay with its 300 islands. We stop at one
of these picture perfect islands for swimming and sunbathing. Later
we visit another lovely island for a delicious seafood lunch with a
selection of salads, hot dishes, breads and tropical fruits. We return
to the hotel in the late afternoon, and the remainder of the day is
free. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Rio to Iguaçu Falls
Today we say farewell to Rio and fly to Iguaçu Falls. Upon arrival
we are met and transferred to the Tropical Hotel, a gorgeous property
inside the National Park and in front of the falls on the Brazilian
side. We arrive in the mid-afternoon, with the remainder of the day
at leisure. Dinner is provided beside the pool this evening. (All
Meals)
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Brazilian Side of the Falls / Macuco Safari
After breakfast this morning we tour the Brazilian side of Iguaçu
Falls. Neither words nor photographs do these falls justice—they
must be seen and heard! They are the sort of thing the Romantic poets
had in mind when they spoke of the awesome and the sublime.
Our afternoon adventure is named for the
Macuco Trail in the Brazilian National Park, just three kilometers from
Iguaçu Falls. We clamber aboard an open-air wagon that is pulled
by a jeep. The wagon affords an unhindered and unhurried view of this
lush, subtropical ecosystem, and our bilingual guide points out its
wealth of birds, mammals, orchids and butterflies. After a short ride,
hike through the canyon to where the Macuco Falls tumble over basalt’s
cliffs into the Iguaçu Basin. Arriving at the river, we board
specially designed inflatable boats for a 20 to 30 minute ride through
the canyon. The Iguaçu River forms the border between the Brazilian
and Argentinean National Parks and our boats are the only means of penetrating
this wilderness environment. We maneuver through the rapids for a breathtaking
view from below the falls. Prepare to get wet!
This evening you have the option to attend
a beautiful folkloric show with dinner. (Breakfast)
Friday, May 28, 2004
Argentine Side of Falls / Transfer to Manaus
This morning we take advantage of a late flight to Manaus by touring
the other side of the Falls, departing the hotel for Argentina at 8:00am.
The Argentine side is noted for its close-up views of the falls and
the forest, and the Garganta do Diablo (Devil’s Throat).
After lunch we are transferred to the
airport for our flight to Manaus. Upon arrival we are met and transferred
to the Tropical Hotel, the largest 5-star hotel in Brazil. Situated
on the banks of the Negro River it has a beautiful pool, a mini zoo,
fantastic massage at its spa and delicious food. (Breakfast)
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Meeting of the Waters / Amazon River
Sleep late today and enjoy the amenities of our fantastic hotel. This
afternoon we check out and begin our transfer by boat to our floating
jungle lodge on the Amazon River. First we visit the place where the
Solimões River (Amazon River) and the Negro River come together.
Because of differences in density, velocity and temperature, they flow
together side by side for many miles before finally merging to become
the mighty Amazon. As the waters of the Negro River are indeed black
and those of Solimões clay colored, it is easy to see and to
photograph this amazing phenomenon. Enjoy sunset over the Negro River
upon arrival at the Jungle Palace Floating Lodge. (Dinner)
Sunday, May 30, 2004
Amazing Amazon Adventures
Early morning (6 - 7am) is an excellent time to get out of bed in the
Amazon in order to watch the sun rise and observe local birds. After
breakfast we take a hike in the jungle. After lunch we explore Igarape
do Cumaru (Cumaru Creek) and fish for piranha. We also visit Paricatuba
Village and the ruins of an ancient prison and later school, dating
from the beginning of 20th century. After dinner, the evening is reserved
for alligator spotting and listening to the sounds of the Amazon night. (All
Meals)
Monday, May 31, 2004
Amazing Amazon Adventures (continued)
After breakfast we depart to the Arara River and proceed from there
to visit the Indian Community of Terra Preta. Learn about their culture
and everyday life, and shop for original handcrafts. On the return journey
we visit the Anavilhanas, the largest fluvial archipelago in the world.
It is a braided chain of hundreds of islands stretching for ninety kilometers
on the Negro River. Tropical forest birds and animals, especially monkeys
and sloth, abound on theses islands as do a rich variety of plant and
tree species. After lunch we visit Tatu Igarape (Tatu Creek) before
returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight. (All
Meals)
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
Departure
Early birds will have time to enjoy the jungle for a few hours this
morning. We depart the lodge around 10:00am and take a boat back to
the Tropical Hotel in Manaus where a bus awaits to take us to the airport
for our flight to São Paulo. Connect there for a late international
flight to the United States. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Return Home
Our group flight arrives in Miami very early this morning, where you
clear customs and continue on to your home destination. (No
Meals)
|
