Brazil Nuts
Wild Amazon
October 5 - 17, 2007

IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE!

Nothing captures the imagination quite like the Amazon region of Brazil. Known as the “Mother of all Rivers” (a fitting description for the largest river 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—one of the highlights 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 tour begins with wildlife observation in the Pantanal region. Even though the Amazon region is the biggest attraction in Brazil, the Pantanal is a much better place to actually see wildlife. In the Amazon the animals can hide in the dense foliage, but in the open spaces of the Pantanal, wildlife is visible to the most casual observer. If you like to see animals in their natural environment, the Pantanal—with the greatest concentration of fauna in the New World—is not to be missed!
     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 once one of the world’s most prosperous cities as the main supplier of natural rubber to the industrialized world. Imposing edifices were built using materials imported from Europe. Today Manaus is a modern, thriving city, and the departing point for our exploration of the Amazon Jungle aboard our deluxe Amazon Clipper Ship.
     Our Brazilian adventure concludes in wild and wonderful 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.
     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. This is a tour certain to release the animal in you!

ITINERARY

Friday, October 5, 2007
Departure for Brazil

Leave your home today, giving yourself plenty of time to connect with our international flight. Be sure to arrive at the Miami International Airport by 6:30pm as the group flight departs at 9:30pm. Our carrier is TAM Airlines, and we are bound for São Paulo (GRU).

Saturday, October 6, 2007
São Paulo to the Pantanal

Our flight arrives at 6:30am this morning in São Paulo. We immediately connect with a domestic flight to Cuiabá in the Pantanal region, departing at 9:00am and arriving at 11:05am. We are welcomed by our bilingual guide, and we begin the scenic drive to our secluded lodge, Pousada do Rio Mutum.
     The Pantanal is the world’s largest floodplain, influenced by the Amazon, which creates a vast mixture of ecosystems. We pass through the small village of Mimoso, where Marshal Cândido Rondon was born. On the way we see many kinds of birds, small mammals and typical landscapes. The transfer takes about three hours and a half. After check-in, we are given an introduction to the lodge and its surroundings, then enjoy free time to rest and freshen up from the long journey.
     This evening we gather for a welcome cocktail and personal introductions. Just before dinner a delicious piranha soup is served. After dinner we will learn more about our planned activities for the following days.     (Dinner)

Sunday, October 7, 2007
The Pantanal

After breakfast, saddle up for a horseback ride on a trail through the jungle, up to the edge of the Siá Mariana Bay. A great variety of birds, animals and reptiles can be observed here all year around. Return to the lodge for lunch.
     In the afternoon, take a boat ride for a photographic safari on the Mutum River. In its crystal clear water it is possible to see giant otters, stingrays and huge schools of small fish. On the river banks, a large variety of birds can be observed. Return to the lodge for dinner, then nocturnal animal spotting by jeep in the area surrounding the lodge.     (All Meals)

Monday, October 8, 2007
The Pantanal

After breakfast, take an ecological walk through the jungle and open fields to observe animals and birds. Having the largest diversity of bird species in the world, the Pantanal is specially interesting for bird watching. Return to the lodge for lunch.
     In the afternoon, take a boat trip to Siá Mariana Bay and Chacororé Bay. Return by boat to the lodge, stopping to see the sunset at the Siá Mariana Bay. In the evening, go cayman feeding and nocturnal animal spotting or just kick back and relax at the lodge.     (All Meals)

Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Manaus

Those who would like can arise very early this morning to enjoy canoeing in the Mutum River to see the sunrise and the beauty of wildlife at the break of dawn in the Pantanal. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check-out. We can enjoy the facilities through lunch, then transfer to the Cuiabá airport for our onward flight departing at 5:00pm, connecting through Brasilia, and finally arriving in Manaus at 11:24pm. Upon arrival in Manaus, transfer to our hotel at the gateway to the Amazon Jungle!     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Amazon Cruise

After breakfast, the morning is at leisure. We check out of our hotel rooms in late morning, then head to the hotel’s pier where we board our cruiser. Our Amazon Clipper Ship departs the pier at 2:30pm. A light lunch will be served when we board, followed by a presentation of the staff, an explanation of our route of travel, and a tour of all the facilities on board our deluxe vessel.
     Today the boat navigates to the Pagodão River (a tributary of the Rio Negro). Take a canoe trip shortly before sunset, returning after dark, with the possibility of observing nocturnal animals and experiencing the change in the forest as night falls. This evening the boat continues navigation to Acu Creek or nearby tributaries.     (All Meals)

Thursday, October 11, 2007
Amazon Cruise

After breakfast, take a walk in the forest with commentaries by our nature specialist as we observe the flora and fauna. Visit a “caboclo” family, which is a great opportunity to see the local way of life, preparation of manioc flour (the staple foodstuff of the Amazon), and the health and education situation of the children, etc.
     Returning to the boat for lunch, the next portion of our cruise takes us through the Anavilhanas, the world’s largest fresh water archipelago, more then 1000 miles from the ocean. Visit the village of Novo Airao, with its hand-tooled boat yards (where our Amazon Clipper was built), sawmills, market and other interesting features.
     After dinner, embark on a nighttime excursion to see caimans and possibly frogs, sloth, snakes and other species. Overnight onboard.     (All Meals)

Friday, October 12, 2007
Amazon Cruise

Today we navigate to Praia Grande or some other white sand beach, where we hope to go swimming if conditions permit. Take a canoe trip on Lake Acajatuba and adjacent waters to see typical flora (rubber trees, Brazil nuts, useful palm trees of various types). You might even try fishing for piranhas. Finally, we stop at the Paricatuba community to see abandoned rubber-boom buildings, now overgrown with strangler fig trees. Final night onboard.     (All Meals)

Saturday, October 13, 2007
Meeting of the Waters

This morning, rise very early to take a sunrise canoe trip on Lake January for bird watching. Afterwards, our boat continues on to a point where we can observe the phenomenon known as the “Meeting of the Waters,” where the dark water from one river flows alongside the clay-colored water of another for several miles until they join together to form the mighty Amazon.
     Our boat returns to the hotel pier in Manaus, arriving at 11:30 am. We check in, then enjoy lunch at the Toro Loco restaurant, followed by a city tour of Manaus. The evening is free to enjoy the amenities of our beautiful hotel in Manaus.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Sunday, October 14, 2007
Manaus to Rio de Janeiro

After breakfast, the morning is free until we must check out of our hotel and transfer to the Manaus airport. Our flight departs at 3:45pm, arriving in Rio de Janeiro around 9:40pm by way of Brasilia. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and the rest of the evening is free. Our guide will assist those who are interested in exploring the legendary gay nightlife! Overnight in Rio.     (Breakfast)

Monday, October 15, 2007
Corcovado Mountain

Corcovado Mountain and the Christ Statue is one of the “must see ” places to visit 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. After our tour, enjoy lunch at the famous all-you-can-eat Marius Crustaceos seafood restaurant. The afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the beach and nightlife.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sugar Loaf Mountain / Farewell Lunch / Departure

After breakfast, those returning to the US today check out of their rooms and put their luggage on our bus. The entire group enjoys one final tour of the 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.
     After our tour enjoy an amazing feast at Churrascaria Porcão restaurant, an historic Rio establishment whose style of service has become known around the world. We’ll remember special moments we shared during our adventure and say a fond farewell to Brazil. Those who are continuing on the Iguassu Falls extension will return to the hotel, and those who are heading home tonight will go to the airport for the return flight to Miami. The flight departs Rio at 8:35pm, and we are required to be at the airport three hours before.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Return Home

The group flight arrives in Miami at 5:40am. You may arrange return flights to your home city at any convenient time today, maintaining a sufficient allowance of time to collect your luggage and clear customs. We suggest you book a flight departing at 8:40am or later, just to leave some wiggle room.

TOUR EXTENSION TO IGUASSU FALLS / BUENOS AIRES

Please click on the link above to read the full description of our exciting tour extension to one of the most amazing waterfalls in the world, and beautiful Buenos Aires, Argentina.

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Pantanal:  Pousada do Rio Mutum

Manaus:  Tropical Hotel Manaus

Amazon Jungle:  Premium Amazon Clipper

Rio de Janeiro:  Ipanema Plaza Hotel

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements: For citizens of the United States and Canada, both a valid passport and a visa for travel to Brazil are required. Visas must be obtained through a Brazilian embassy or consulate here in the U.S. prior to departure. Detailed instructions for your visa application will be provided upon receipt of your deposit. The process can take 3 to 4 weeks, so please don’t wait until the last minute to book!

Immunizations: No immunizations are required, but it is wise to have your inoculations up to date. Is your tetanus booster current? A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers who have been in Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Venezuela or any of about a dozen African countries within three months prior to arriving in Brazil. We encourage you to consult with your doctor and to check the website of the Centers for Disease Control for its latest immunization recommendations for travel to Brazil.

Exit Requirements: Your international airline ticket will include taxes, but not departure taxes levied by the airport to be paid directly. At this time there are no departure taxes in Brazil.

Suggested Viewing:

• Fitzcarraldo (1982) with Klaus Kinski, filmed in the Amazon
• Black Orpheus (1959) filmed in Rio
• Bossa Nova (2000) filmed in Rio
• The Mission (1986) filmed at Iguassu Falls

WHAT TO BRING

During this extensive tour we will be traveling to several far-flung destinations. To avoid lugging around huge pieces of heavy luggage, try to pack clothing which can be worn repeatedly or put together in mix-’n’-match fashion. It is unwise to flaunt personal wealth here, so we recommend that you leave expensive clothing and jewelry at home. Daily high and low temperatures will range between 68 and 90 degrees F, with high humidity in the Amazon.

Suggested Packing List:

____ Proof of citizenship. Passport and Brazilian Tourist Visa required.

____ Comfy walking shoes for day tours and walks.

____ Polo shirts / T-shirts.

____ Shorts.

____ Lightweight long pants for dinners.

____ Cool sleepwear.

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / bug spray.

____ Sunglasses / sun hat with tie-on.

____ Windbreaker or water repellant jacket.

____ Personal toiletries (Bring an anti-diarrheal remedy just in case!)

____ Swimsuits.

____ Camera & plenty of film or digital memory / extra batteries.

____ Ziploc Bags (sandwich size for documents, gallon size for wet items or toiletries).

____ A good book for the long flights.

MONEY MATTERS

The currency unit in Brazil is the Real (pronounced as “hey-ow”). The plural of Real is Reais (“hey-ice”). You may exchange currency upon arrival at the airport or in an official money exchange office. Bring your bank card with its PIN stored in your memory only. ATMs are almost everywhere, so obtaining local currency with your bank card will not be difficult. As of December 6, 2006, the interbank exchange rate was 2.16 Brazilian Real to the U.S. $1.00.

Tipping: Workers in most services get tipped 10%, and as they make the minimum wage (not enough to live on) you can be sure they need the money. In restaurants a 10% tip is customary, but it might be included in the bill. Look for a service charge. Most people round taxi fares up to the nearest real, but tipping is not expected. We will present a group tip to drivers and guides before departing each destination, and guidelines for this amount will be provided prior to departure. Budget between $20-$40 U.S. each day for miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses.

RESERVATIONS