Photographing Wild Amazon Pre-Departure Briefing

Transcription

1 With expert guidance from our professional photographer Leonide Principe, learn to capture images of rainforest wildlife, brilliant birds and lush flora on this tropical wilderness adventure. This Amazon photography tour offer you a chance to combine a spectacular vacation with a wonderful creative learning experience. Our casual format provides a unique blend of hands-on learning techniques and skills mastered over many years. Whether you are a beginner, an enthusiast or a semi-pro, we invite you to join us on a truly amassing adventures of a lifetime. Inspired by our Amazon Nature Experience journey, this Amazon photography tour is designed for nature photographers of all levels and improve the most of photographic opportunities. Our primary focus is to photograph the unique Amazon rainforest ecosystem, especially Amazon fauna and flora of terra firma (highland). Trip Details Days: 5 Days / 4 Nights Price: From R$3.200,00 Months: June to September Physical Requirements: Easy/Moderate Journey Highlights > Macro subjects, such as leaf-cutter ants and orchids > On-camera flash and off-camera fill-flash expertly > You will observe and photograph Toucans, Parrots, Hummingbirds and even Macaws > Evening programs will cover various photographic topics including shutter speed and aperture, flash techniques, composition, and many others Tree Climbing Knowledge and Group Training No prior climbing experience is necessary for the Active Wilderness Expedition. Ascending the tree is comparable to hiking a steep trail with a day pack. Our expert guides outfit you in specially designed tree climbing harnesses appropriately adjusted for your personal size. When the climb takes place, our guides will provide adequate training of members during the initial phase of the journey. Before you embark on an experience with us, we ask about your medical information. From this point, Tropical Tree Climbing s team evaluates the best way to give each customer the best experience and help them enjoy the canopy climbs as much as possible.

2 Itinerary Day 1 Depart from Manaus Arrival and Accommodation At 9:00 a.m. you will be met at the hotel by your naturalist guide in Manaus and transferred by car to the Tropical Tree Climbing headquarters 667 acres of natural rainforest within the environmental protection area of Cave of the Maruaga and located at Km 144 of the highway BR 174 (direction Manaus-Boa Vista), in the township of Presidente Figueiredo (the same road that leads to Venezuela). It s about a two-hour drive and along the journey, the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rainforest. You ll arrive to a warm welcome at the Tropical Tree Climbing Jungle Lodge. Meet for an orientation snack with our team. In order to spend more time in the jungle, we serve only two main meals: breakfast and a lunch or dinner. We are happy to provide snacks in between those meals and fresh fruits are always available for your convenience with no additional costs. Not to worry. There s plenty of fresh fruit (and other snacks) so your family will not go hungry! The lodge, tucked deep within the rainforest, is owned and operated by a family as a venture that will allow them to share the wonders of the Amazon with visitors while at the same time preserving the environment. Afternoon Experience, Meet for Classroom Instruction The afternoon session will cover topics and specifics on working with digital photography and will prepare you for the photo assignment and go over techniques on the field. Enjoy your evening dinner at our jungle lodge. (Day 1: B, LB, D) Topics include: > Technique presentations getting back to basics; > Composition, moment, light; > How to work with flash, lenses, tripods; > Making great pictures: methods for better travel photography.

3 The forest is transformed completely during the night, the sounds and smells are intensified and other senses are awakened. On this night experience, unlike others, our guests find the beauty in the small details, the croaking of frogs or the hum of insects. And if you turn off your flashlight you can observe the sparkling of fireflies in the woods, or hear the flutter of bats and if you look carefully to the ground, you might see the faint glow of bio luminescent fungi surrounding you. When you turn on the lights again you can see the reflection of hundreds of tiny eyes of insects all around. As we come down from the tree and continue our way to the lodge you can hear the call of cicadas, owls and other night birds. No doubt, this is an overwhelming experience! Enjoy your evening dinner at our jungle lodge, learn about the family s efforts to preserve the land and the traditions of the local people. (Day 1: B, LB, D) Evening Experience Every evening, for all our guests interested in learning more on their own, there is an opportunity to spend the evening exploring the area around the jungle lodge learning more about the local life in the jungle. Day 2 Exploring the Tree Tops Outdoor Photo Assignment Morning/Afternoon Experience, Wilderness Tree Climbing Prepare for an exciting tree climbing adventure! From our lodge you will embark on a guided walk along a trail that meanders underneath the Amazon rainforest s thick canopy. Our tree climbing adventure begins with an Angelim Tree (Dinizia excelsa), ranging from 200 feet tall, specially selected for your adventure. You ll receive thorough instructions in tree climbing techniques, and your guide will be alongside you as you ascend into the canopy. Once high up in the tree, there will be a canvas hammock waiting for you to rest, relax and observe Amazon nature life from a bird s eye view. Ahhh we call this Tree Time! The canvas hammock is safely and securely tied to the tree and your safety rope remains locked and secured, permitting you to relax and enjoy your experience in this marvelous tree top canopy. The forest is transformed completely during the night, the sounds and smells are intensified and other senses are awakened. On this night experience, unlike others, our guests find the beauty in the small details, the croaking of frogs or the hum of insects. And if you turn off your flashlight you can observe the sparkling of fireflies in the woods, or hear the flutter of bats and if you

4 look carefully to the ground, you might see the faint glow of bio luminescent fungi surrounding you. When you turn on the lights again you can see the reflection of hundreds of tiny eyes of insects all around. As we come down from the tree and continue our way to the lodge you can hear the call of cicadas, owls and other night birds. No doubt, this is an overwhelming experience. Enjoy your evening dinner at our jungle lodge. Evening Experience, Interactive Workshop with Participants Evening class will be devoted to reviewing and discussing images taken during the outdoor photo assignments. You will be asked to download your photographs on your computer. Prepare a selection of images from your photo assignments, that can be projected in the classroom. (Day 2: B, LB, D) Day3 Exploring the Rainforest Outdoor Photo Assignment Morning Experience, Edible Forest Gardening We will gather at the jungle lodge before heading over to the Edible Forest Gardening Experience in the Garden. This trail starts at the side of the main road, across areas where the forest is regenerating and there are large patches of pristine forest. For this reason this trail is ideal to show the ecological succession processes and the importance of forest conservation for the Amazon region. In the Garden we consciously apply the principles of ecology to the design of home-scale gardens that mimic forest ecosystem structure and function for our food production systems. Learn how the locals use the plants and fruits of the jungle on this cultural excursion. Experience local tradition, and learn about Amazon nature, history and culture. Afternoon Experience, Wilderness Living Skills Venture out into the jungle with your local guide for a great opportunity to spot unusual insects and animals. You and your guide have the day to explore the forest, and focus on living in the wilderness. Learn how to climb the palm tree without any ropes, and (depending on the time of year) how to retrieve the fruit and enjoy making a delicious, exotic juice from it. This is an experience not to be missed. Thereafter, you are invited to enjoy a dinner and meet with our team at the jungle lodge.

5 Photographing Wild Amazon Evening Experience Interactive Workshop with Participants Evening class will be devoted to reviewing and discussing images taken during the outdoor photo assignments. You will be asked to download your photographs on your computer. Prepare a selection of images from your photo assignments, that can be projected in the classroom. (Day 3: B, LB, D) Day4 Hike to a Waterfall and Bird Watching Tour Outdoor Photo Assignment Morning Experience, Presidente Figueiredo After breakfast we will leave the jungle lodge and make a drive of just 30 km, for a refreshing visit to a rainforest waterfall. The hike to the waterfall then takes 10 minutes, and the landscape is beautiful with moss-covered trees, bromelias and orchids everywhere. This trail ends with a beautiful waterfall over 10 m high. On your way back to the jungle lodge, discover some amazing local art, tapestries, books, bows, arrows and other one-of-a-kind souvenirs at Waimiri Atrorari s indigenous store, located in the small town of Presidente Figueiredo. Afternoon Experience, Cock-of-the-Rock Observation On this half-day excursion, after refreshing in the waterfall in the morning, lunch is included at Presidente Figueiredo, an atmospheric local restaurant specializing in Amazonian fish. We travel on a 15-min drive from the waterfall into the Cock-of-the-Rock Municipal Park in the small town of Presidente Figueiredo to learn about one of the world s most exciting birds of the Amazon the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola rupicola). Accompanied by an expert local guide using playback equipment, we ll track the bird in their native habitat on an interpretive walk in the rain forest. We return to our jungle lodge in plenty of time at a welcome dinner with our journey leader this evening. Evening Experience Interactive Workshop with Participants Evening class will be devoted to reviewing and discussing images taken during the outdoor photo assignments. You will be asked to download your photographs on your computer. Prepare a selection of images from your photo assignments, that can be projected in the classroom. Final Technique Presentations. (Day 4: B, LB, D)

6 Day5 Return to Manaus Rise and shine to enjoy your breakfast at the lodge. From here, you will return to Manaus at 9:00 am. We will drive you to the hotel in Manaus, or to catch your flight home. This is the end of our services. (Day 5: B) B: Breakfast LB: Lunch Box D: Dinner Itinerary Modifications The weather in Amazon is unpredictable. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on safety/weather operational considerations. Getting There & Getting Home This trip begins and ends in Manaus. The Amazon photography tour starts with pick-ups and ends with drop-offs in the city of Manaus, capital of the State of Amazonas, Brazil. We do recommend that you arrive a day early into Manaus before coming to Tropical Tree Climbing. The regular pick-up (hotel) for this journey is at the latest 9:00 am and the drop-off in the afternoon is 16:00 pm at the earliest. If flight schedules fall outside of these recommended times we can organize custom arrival and departure. Activity Level This trip is rated moderate, with an average of 1-3 miles per day with daily ascents and descents. Walking in the heat and humidity of the tropics can make the walks more challenging than expected, and the terrain is very diverse and very different than walking on pavement. Footing is often uneven with slippery roots through rainforest. The daily walks are flexible according to the

7 changing weather patterns and seasonal differences of the regions visited. The pace on this experience is leisurely to allow time for optimal wildlife viewing. Lodging & Services Situated deep within a private rain forest conservation area, this jungle lodge is owned and run by a family for whom nature conservation is a way of life and constructed using traditional materials and designs, inspired by the traditional house in the Amazon and it s situated on 667 acres of natural rainforest within the environmental protection area of Cave of the Maruaga. The lodge offers 3 rooms (two bedrooms with en suite bathroom and one bedroom with shared bathroom) designed to accommodate up 7 people per night, a bright and airy sitting veranda, dining room area, a wood fire kitchen and oven, and a fridge-freezer. The idea is to have fun and to feel at home. Impeccable service and a staff eager to deliver an awesome experience for visitors, makes our lodge an oasis of simplicity and comfort within the remote infrastructure. The lodge s beauty is in its minimalist style, ideal for a family or a small group of friends who want a little privacy and independence during their stay in the Amazon rainforest. Home-Style Cuisine Tropical Tree Climbing generates approximately 50-70% of food for us and guests onsite. We avoid purchasing processed foods of any kind. Our breads contain gluten but we are always able to make special gluten-free preparations when requested. We offer self-serve breakfast, snacks and dinner, with meals prepared by a local cook. The kitchen is on a raised and open platform, fully equipped with a wood stove and oven. We harvest fresh vegetables and fruits by hand, all within walking distance of our kitchen. The processing that occurs between our farm and kitchen is minimal, but the attention to detail is extensive and ensures freshness and quality. Needless to say, it also greatly reduces waste. Just take a peek into our kitchen. It s easy, as the open layout invites you to watch us work!

8 Photographing Wild Amazon Dates: January to December Location: Brazil, Amazon Group Size: Approximately 7 Travelers High Season: June to September Single Room Double Room Triple Room R$5.040,00 R$4.200,00 R$3.200,00 Prices are per person based on single, double or triple occupancy and are given in Brazilian Reais. Prices in US Dollar, Euro or other currency will depend on the exchange rate of the day. Children Hosting and Payment Policy The experiences are recommended for children over 6 years old. There is no babysitter or childcare available at the lodge. Children under 11 years old stay for free at the lodge. Maximum two children per room when sharing with one adult and maximum one child per room when sharing with two adults. For two children under 11 years old accompanying with two adults will be charged 50% of Double Rate; For one child with more than 12 years-old staying in rooms with 1 adult, they are charged 100% of Double Rate for each. For two children with more than 12 years-old staying in rooms with 2 adults, they are charged 100% of Double Rate for each.

9 Photographing Wild Amazon Included 4 Nights at the Tropical Tree Climbing Jungle Lodge based on single, double or triple occupancy; English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French speaking specialist guide, with you 24/7; Daily breakfast, snacks, dinner; All ground transfers as indicated in the itinerary; Drinking water and juices; Standard wine, beer or caipirinha included with dinners; Basic equipment for the excursion; Personal insurance. Not Included Flight tickets and local airport taxes; Activities, accommodations and transfers not listed in the itinerary; Soft drinks; Photo equipment and binoculars please bring your own; Voluntary tipping of guides and staff; Personal nature items (laundry, souvenirs, etc.); Any costs arising from unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, flight cancellations, lost baggage or any other. Solo Travelers If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you. This program allows you to pay the per person doubleoccupancy rate whether we find a roommate to share with you. This is subject to availability. How to Book Guests are required to fill a Credit Card Authorization Form, with charges of a deposit amount of 30% in order to book an experience. The remaining payment is charged at check-in, or processed based on our terms and conditions. If your booking is made in the High Season within 30 days of departure, the entire tour cost must be paid when we confirm the trip with you.

10 Additional Optionals River Excursion Get your cameras ready, as this is a favorite feeding spot in search of the region s freshwater pink dolphins, piranas and the giant water lily in this unique area of the Amazon. Half Day / Jun - Sep, From R$350,00 Tree Top Camping Towering above the forest floor in our tropical rainforest, you will partake in an awe-inspiring, rare event few get to experience in their lifetime of tree top camping. One Night / Jun - Sep, Please ask for price. What to Bring A Daypack a small bag which you can access during the day and carry items like your: Lightweight and breathable, wash-and-wear long pants; synthetic materials are best as cotton stays wet; zip-off pants are suggested for maximum comfort. T-shirts, shorts, bathing suit and hat. Insect repellent and sunblock. Waterproof hiking boots or sturdy shoes and sandals or flip flops. Water bottle or canteen (equivalent of one liter). Filtered mineral water will be provided daily to refill your personal water reservoirs.

11 Terms and Conditions Low Season: Check-ins from 01/02 to Check-out until 05/31 + Check-ins from 10/01 to Checkout until 12/31 (mm/dd): Booking cancellations or changes requested up to 15 days prior to check-in are not charged, pre-payment is refunded, discounting bank charges and taxes; Booking cancellations or changes requested less than 15 days prior to the check-in date are considered no-show and charged 100% of the total package; Changes requested during the stay in the lodge that imply reduction in the number of nights, will not be refunded; Reservation changes requested less than 15 days before check-in will be analyzed case by case, subject to the rules applied in the cancellation policy. High Season: Check-ins between 06/01 to 09/30 (mm/dd): Booking cancellations or changes requested up to 30 days prior to check-in are not charged, pre-payment is refunded, discounting bank charges and taxes; Booking cancellations or changes requested less than 30 days prior to the check-in date are considered no-show and charged 100% of the total package; Changes requested during the stay in the Hotel that imply reduction in the number of nights, will not be refunded; Reservation changes requested less than 30 days before check-in will be analyzed case by case, subject to the rules applied in the cancellation policy. No refunds will be provided for any unused portion of a tour once the tour begins, including if you leave a tour for any reason or have to be removed from a tour. There are no exceptions to this cancellation and refund policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, personal, family or medical emergencies or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance.