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Suggested
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Amazon Dream Cruise
Explore
the aquatic labyrinth traced by the Amazon and its tributaries, live to
the rhythm of emotions offered daily by this incomparable territory, discover
the most beautiful sites, meet the locals living along the shores, observe
the fauna and flora, here the boat is king. Located halfway between Manaus
and Belem, the region of Santarem, home port of the Amazon Dream, is one
of the most beautiful and most surprising in all of Amazonia. Here the
blue waters of the Tapajos river and the sienna-tinted waters of the Amazon
meet and mix for several kilometers, creating an ever-changing spectacle.
Lined by the forests, beaches of fine white sand stretch as far as the
eye can see and the crystal-clear waters of the Tapajos bring to mind
the Caribbean rather than a hostile "green underworld".
Quality accommodations, tailor-made programs,
the fruits of our quest for originality and authenticity, specialized
guides, incomparable natural riches of the sites along the way... These
are among the advantages of the Amazon Dream to help you discover and
love the Amazon.
This is a beautiful boat of traditional design, 27.5 m
/ 90 ft long , built of ype and itaúba woods by the Amazon’s
best shipwrights It left the shipyard in 2006. It carries up to 18 passengers,
and offers remarkable conditions of hospitality, service and security.
Cruising speed - 22 knots.
Its nine cabins, each with a different decoration and finely decorated with indian objects, offer superb view of the landscape. Spacious, 12 by 14 m2 (130 to 150 sq.ft.), ceiling height of 2.10 m (nearly 7 ft), private bathroom and air conditioned. There are even hammocks for abandoning yourself to the easy-going Brazilian way of life! The priority of the interior design is open to the exterior with lots of light, exotic hardwoods, colors of fabrics and furniture arrangement allows each guest to enjoy the cruise at his own pace. In the dining room, where watercolors and engravings bring to life the history of the Amazon, passengers enjoy the accounts of great expeditions of the past.
On
the upper deck, the bar opens to nature’s great show. Delicious cocktails
of exotic fruits of the Amazon: cupuaçu, açai, guaraná,
acerola… and a must - the Brazilian unanimity - the Caipirinha! The
lounge chairs at the solarium is an irresistible invitation to do absolutely
nothing while cruising the gentle waters of paradise!
A Brazilian chef defends with talent the colors and flavors of the local cuisine: try the duck with tucupi; an incredible diversity of fish (pirarucu, tambaqui, tucunaré); and the unique taste of manicoba, jabu, tacacá. Fruits of the forest include the cupuacu, bacuri, acai and pupunha lend themselves to delicious desserts. And last but not least, ice cream prepared with the fruits of the forest: uxi, mangaba, graviola, taperebá and Brazil nut will become your favorites. Breakfast is served that the High Bridge and its display of fresh fruit juices, cakes, breads, cheeses and many other items are an invitation to a feast.
Expert guides are passionate professionals, botanists, biologists share their deep knowledge of the tropical flora and fauna and open for you the mysteries of the Amazon forest. They will pass on to you the centuries old tradition and culture of the “caboclos” and indians, the high economic stakes that this biodiversity sanctuary represents, the reality of a region divided between progress and development and a desire to protect its natural riches. A Cruise Director and 9 nine crew complete the team on board that will see to your needs and expectations throughout the cruise.
Daily
cruises of 3 to 4 hours.... a unique itinerary, several stops along the
way and a number of views and entertaining as you go along.
Nature's at this best, a spectacle wherever you look, majestic flora and
exquisite fauna... visit to forest communities, its inhabitants, explore
the narrow channels (igarapés) and flooded forest (igapós),
handcrafts and the tradition and culture of the river people. After an
enchanting canoe tour of an igarapé, visit one of the many river
beaches with fine white sand and crystal clear waters. When the sun sets,
the Amazonian night brings forth many misteries and invites nature to
a rest, Amazon Dream becomes a safe and cozy place to spend the night.
When visiting the communities, you will be invited to enjoy the music
and dance the catching rhythm of forró, carimbó, or just
enjoy a glimpse of the moon above!
Guests meet the Amazon Dream at the port of Santarém, mid Amazon. A city of 350 thousand inhabitants is reached by plane from either Belém or Manaus. There are 3 cruise programs available: The 10 Day / 9 Night Cruise is complete and includes Santarém, Jari river, Alter do Chão, Tapajoara reservation. The 5 Day / 4 Night Cruise starts with the 10 day package out of Santarém and drop-off will be on the 5th day at Alter do Chão. Highlights are Jari river and Alter do Chão as well as many stops along the way before reaching Alter do Chão. The 6 Day / 5 Night Cruise starts when the 10 day cruise arrives in Alter do Chão. Highlights are Alter do Chão and Tapajoara reservation as well as many stops along the way returning to Santarém.
10 Day / 9 Night Cruise on the Tapajós river - Cruise program
Day
1 - Arrival in Santarém Cruise director
meets guests at airport: while being transferred from the airport to the
Santarém port, discover this city in the middle of the Amazon,
where the Tapajós river meets the mighty Amazon! Boats of all sizes
and shapes criss-cross the river, this is a place where vehicles have
a restricted used. Boats carry merchandise and people to and fro. Loading
and unloading is continuous... on deck the unmistable hammock - an invention
of the Amazonian indians. Navigation may take days and people are accostumed
to carry their own hammocks and spend one or two nights and sometimes
more, on board to go places.
Boarding the Amazon Dream, cabin assignment and meet the crew! Welcome drink, a Caipirinha - a delicious Brazilian cocktail served all over the country and fresh fruit juices prepared with Amazonian fruits. Presentation of the cruise and you are given a cruise diary where you will be able to note down your impressions, etc. Cast-off time is set for 15h30/16h30 whe the Amazon Dream glides towards a strange bicolor line in the middle of the river. This is the meeting point of the blue waters of the Tapajós and the yellow Amazon - the waters meet but only mix several kilometers down river. From the sun deck the view of Santarém is lovely. The boat heads to the mouth of Curuá-Una river, east of Belém. As you leave Santarém behind, the noises of the Amazonian forest grow!
Day 2 - Pacoval, Monte Alegre - At sunrise, the forest comes to life: birds fly out of their nests and the noisy parakeets, toucans, ibises and a large number of birds pass overhead in a multicolored ballet. You are in the Amazon. The on board guide invites guests to an expedition to see the forest this early in the morning. It is the best time of the day to see wildlife. Return to the boat for a hearty breakfast while the boat cruises to Pacoval, a village on Curuá-Una river. Visit to the community and return to the boat for lunch. Cruising on the Amazon to Monte Alegre. At the banks, the houses of the "caboclos" (as the locals are called) built on stilts. Caboclos are a result of intermarriage in the 16th and 17th centuries between Portuguese and indians. Arrival in Monte Alegre by the end of the afternoon and dinner on board.
Day 3 - Ireré Mountain - After breakfast visit to the public market of Monte Alegre: tastes, colors, perfumes, the Amazon is here! At 10h00 departure on 4X4 vehicles to visit "Serra da Lua" and "Serra Ireré", mountains sculpted by the winds and where one finds a number of wall paintaings dated more than 12 thousand years! Archaeologists say that the Santarém area is the craddle of a very advanced civilization, called Tapajós, well before the Incans and Mayans. Picnic lunch under the trees by the Monte Alegre lake. Return to the boat at the end of the afternoon, boarding the Amazon Dream. Dinner served on board.
Day 4 - Santarém and Jari river - Early in the morning, cruise to Monte Alegre lake. On the way, motor canoe expedition to explore the creeks and channels that link the Amazon to Monte Alegre lake. Return to the boat for breakfast. Cruise back to Santarém to visit the city, the herbalists selling all types of roots and leaves, the bazzars and the small hammock manufactures and the busy life of its people. Return to the boat cruising to Jari river. A smalll river linking the Amazon and Tapajós rivers, but a niche of wildlife for its rich environment. Dolphins, alligators, iguanas, birds of all sizes and colors and much more. Dinner on board and night spent at the mouth of Jari river.
Day 5 - Alter do Chão, the Amazonian Caribbean - Breakfast at sunrise. A grand nature tour on motor canoes, cruising on the Jari river from the Amazon to Tapajós. Visit to the Arapixuna community that lives on the banks of Jari, observation of fauna and flora. Return to the boat and cruising to Alter do Chão, the Amazonian caribbean. Dock at Cururu point (September to December) or close to the Lago Verde (Green lake). An indian legend tells us that the blue-green waters of the lake are due to a magic stone, hidden at its bottom. Short hike to "Serra da Piroca", a small hill. From its top one can see a fantastic panorama of its surroundings - Alter do Chão, Tapajós river, the Green lake and much more. At the end of the day, explore the village its many stores selling the local handcraft and much more.
This is the end of the 5 Day / 4 Night cruise - with return to Santarém airport or hotel by motor vehicle.
This is the beginning of the 6 Day / 5 Night cruise - who were transferred from Santarém airport by road to Alter do Chão. Boarding the Amazon Dream, cabins assignment and introduction of the crew and cruise as well as the booklet for guests own notes along the way. Lunch on board, a swim, a stroll or just sit at the sun deck and enjoy the view!
Departure from Alter do Chão by 15h00, cruising toward Arapiuns river. Sailing on the Tapajós - at this point is is more than 20 km wide! In the evening, arrival at Urucureá bay, a small channel inside the forest. Dinner on board. Boat will be docked for the night at Urucureá.
Day 6 - Arapiuns and Vila Ana village - After breakfast, visit to Urucureá community. The women of the village are famous for lovely straw handcraft pieces. Departure at 10h00 cruising the Arapiuns as far as Vila Ana village. Meeting with its inhabitans for lunch at the beach -"piracaia" (grilled barbecued fish). After lunch (3:30hr cruise) to Bom Futuro point and Anuma lake and Vista Alegre village. Docking at the lake for overnight. The Amazonian indians preferred hour, is that of the end of the day. It is always a celebration: the water changes its color to gold! Meeting Vista Alegre community members and enjoying a presentation of traditional danses. Dinner on board.
Day 7 - Tapajoara Reservation - 7h00 breakfast on board and hike to the heart of the Tapajoara Reservation, a place where its inhabitants extract produce from the forest. Visit to the village and see how they live: how the cassava root flour is prepared - their staple food - milking of the rubber trees by the "seringueiros", getting medicinal roots and leaves from the forest. Flora and fauna observation while cruising an "igarapé", small channel that links rivers and lakes and crisscross the forest.
Return to the boat for lunch. After lunch the boat cruises the left bank toward Amorim lake. Swimming and bask at the sun deck. By 16h00, navigation to Bragança lake (2:30 hr). Here the cruise is following the footsteps of the Langsdorff Expedition, very close to the village of the Munduruku indians, portraited by Hercule Florence in 1828. The descendants of this tribe have returned to this place of their ancestors and work on the restoration of their culture and traditions, welcoming small groups of ecotourists. Dinner on board.
Day 8 - Meeting the Munduruku indians - After breakfast on board, an hike to the Primary Forest with the guide. Lunch on board. In the middle of the afternoon, departure on motor canoes to birdwatching at Bragança lake. Waiting until sunset, one will be able to see the birds returning to their nests for the evening. At 20h00 - a Muduruku Bragança ceremony and alligator spotting tour with the indians, riding their canoes. Navigation during the night to Maguary, a community living on the bank of the Tapajós National Forest. Dinner on board and overnight at Maguari.
Day 9 - Maguari Village and Tapajós National Park - breakfast at sunrise and forest hike with the local Maguari community native guides looking for giant trees. Birdwatching, looking for blue butterflies, maybe monkeys and sloths. After this long hike, lunch on board, swim and time to relax. Canoe tour on Jamaraqua lake. Towards the end of the day, cruisiing to Alter do Chão and your last night in the Amazonian forest! In the evening, join the dance and musicians at one of the beaches at Alter do Chão.
Day 10 - Alter do Chão / Santarém
- Depending on departure flight, after breakfast, navigation to Santarém
or transfer by vehicle direct to the airport in Santarém. If departure
is scheduled for after lunch, lunch will be at a restaurant in Santarém.
For guests on board Amazon Dream, arrival close
to the end of the day in Santarém and transfer to the airport.
Lunch will be on board.
FACILITIES ADAPTED TO THIS FULL-SCALE ADVENTURE - The Amazon Dream is equipped with two powered canoes to explore the heart of igarapés for a closer observation of the forest, plants and animal life. Explore the translucent waters of the "aquarium lakes" wearing a mask, flippers and snorkel always available for a dive with an experienced diver. Fishing tackle and bait allows fishing fans to have a go at fishing the “tucunaré” (peacock bass) a great prize catch or a tambaqui or even a black piranha.
ON BOARD SERVICES - Fly bridge equipped with modern navigation systems: GPS, UHF and VHF radio, vertical and horizontal sounders, telephone and internet by satellite link. The Amazon Dream complies with the Brazilian navigational postures. Hot water system provided by solar panels. Electrical current on board is 220 V. Smoking is restricted to the open decks.
ETHICAL AND ECOLOGICAL COMMITMENT - The Amazon Dream cruises are designed considering the ecology and ethical behavior when visiting the rainforest communities. IBAMA - Brazilian Institute of Environmental Protection issues the Tapajoara Reservation visitors’ right at the Tapajó National Park. The unique character of these cruises is a close and privileged relationship established through the years with village leaders. Amazonian Navigation Co. further this relationship supporting local projects.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Flight Connections: Santarém airport
is serviced by the following Brazilian airlines: TAM, Gol, Rico, Total,
and comfortable connections from Belém and Manaus
Formalities: Valid passport for citizens from the EEC and the USA
Currency: Brazilian real. Leading Brazilian banks have branch offices
in Santarém with ATM machines for withdrawal by bank card
Language: language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese
Telephone: There are phone booths that accept cards for international
and national phone calls. On board the Amazon Dream, telephone connections
are by satellite.
Climate: Average temperature in Santarém is 26°C/ 79°F.
During the day there is always a pleasant breeze. Nights on the boat can
be cool and air-conditioning not necessary. Rains are scarce from July
to January and it is the best time of the year to discover the white,
sandy beaches. From February to June, rains begin and most of the time
at night. As the water level rises, it allows the Amazon Dream to sail
further upriver and its tributaries reaching the heart of the forest.
Vaccinations: It is strongly recommended to take the yellow fever vaccine,
valid for 10 years. Due to the water acidity, there are very few cases
of malaria in this region. Nonetheless, a preventive treatment is recommended.
RATES AND CONDITIONS FOR 2012
Cruise 6 days / 5 nights " Tapajós,
Tapajoara reserve & Alter do chão"
-Rate per person in DBL cabin: US$ 1780.00 -Rate per person in SGL cabin:
US$ 2670.00
Cruise 10 days / 9 nights " Amazon & Tapajós"
-Rate per person in DBL cabin: US$ 3200,00 -Rate per person in SGL cabin:
US$ 4800.00
Cruise 5 days / 4 nights " Amazon , Monte Alegre,
Jari river & Alter do chão "
-Rate per person in DBL cabin: US$ 1420.00 -Rate per person in SGL cabin:
US$ 2130.00
* Children 12 to 16 years old pay 50% staying in extra bed with 2 adults. -Children under 12 are not allowed onboard
RATES INCLUDE:
- Accomodation (09 suites) with all meals and non alcoholic beverages
during meals, tours during the cruise, assistance of specialized guides,
transfers aiport/ship/airport.
RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare to and from Santarem
- Alcoholic beverages during meal time
- Non alcoholic beverages out of meal time
- Personal expenses such as satellite telephone or fax or mail
- Laundry
- Insurance
CONDITIONS:
- operator reserves the right to change the
program for safety or weather reasons before or during the cruise ,
always in order to offer the best condition of discovery of the region.
- operator reserves the right to cancel any cruise
prior departure if the minimum number of 10 passengers is not confirmed
( EXCEPT FOR GUARANTEED DEPARTURES BOOKED AT LEAST 120 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE
WITH 30% DEPOSIT ) the passenger will be advised at least 30 days before
departure and the full refund of all payments will be done , if other
date not accepted by passenger .
-A suggested clothing and packing list of the
Amazon will be sent to all passengers at final confirmation.
-Booking will be confirmed and held for 10 days
upon payment of 30% deposit.
-Full balance to be paid at least 45 days before
departure
-Reservations made within the 45-day limit must
be accompanied by full payment.
CANCELLATIONS:
1- US$ 300.00 for cancellations received 60 or more days prior to
the departure date
2-Cancellations received between 59 and 45 days prior departure date
incur a cancellation fee of 35% of the amount of the cruise
3-Cancellations received between 44 and 30 days prior departure date
incur a cancellation fee of 45% of the amount of the cruise
4-Cancellations received between 29 and 16 days
prior departure date incur a cancellation fee of 65% of the amount of
the cruise
5-Cancellations received between 15 days or less prior departure date
incur a cancellation fee of 100% of the amount of the cruise.
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