Cruise to the Heart of the Amazon

Transcription

1 2018 Trip Dossier Cruise to the Heart of the Amazon TOUR AT A GLANCE: Brazil Length: 7 days in duration Departs: Manaus Trip code: PHA Accommodation: 6 cabin nights on board the Rio Negro cruise boat Group size: Maximum 18 WILDLIFE CRUISING Meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners plus water, tea and coffee Staff: Professional naturalist guides and boat staff Transport: Private Amazon boat, motorised canoes and kayak Please see our website for detailed destination information and insider tips. TRIP OVERVIEW Cruise to the Heart of the Amazon is the most thorough, detailed, and sophisticated boat trip offered in the Amazon, on the Rio Negro. The guides are accomplished naturalists and on the trip you will see creatures almost never observed by other visitors. The trip is an active trip and guests explore the rainforest both on foot and in the ship s smaller launches, or remain on the boat to relax. This cruise is an exploratory expedition and you ll get off the beaten track. Because the Amazon is so big there are thousands of remote rainforest rivers with virtually no settlement. Every trip is a once in a lifetime experience. Small Groups: Each cruise has a maximum of nine cabins. By keeping the group size small, you stay focused on the forest and are not distracted by crowds. A small group also allows guests to spend much more time with the guides, further enriching the experience. Highly Skilled Guides: The guides are some of the very best in the Amazon. They are qualified naturalists which help unlock the secrets of the magnificent wildlife in the rainforest. Exploratory: Each cruise is a little different and you will stop at a particular place only visited a few times per year. This ensures that trips are interesting for both the guests and the guides; never routine tourist traps often seeing wildlife missed by other travellers. Viewing platform: A top floor viewing platform ensures you can have a place to relax and admire the changing scenery around you. HIGHLIGHTS: Launch excursions to explore the Amazon in closer detail Guided walks through the Amazon rainforest Visit to the Lago Janauari Ecological Park Endless wildlife viewing opportunities Cruises deep into the Amazon rainforest Spot Cayman, Pink River Dolphins and toucans Kayaking excursions to get closer to wildlife and nature

2 ITINERARY AND DETAILS Day 1: Manaus Meet at 07:00 hrs in the hotel lobby. Following a brief walk to the port you board your home for your seven day expedition down the mighty Amazon River; cruising the world s largest river island system, the Anavilhanas Archipelago. The view from the custom built observation deck reveals the intricate series of tangled vegetation by the water s edge. By mid-afternoon you travel beyond civilisation and enter the Amazon wilderness area with lush dense rainforest on both sides. It s commonplace to see the stunning fins of the Pink River Dolphins and a multitude of colourful birds communicating through song as you sail deeper into the Amazon. We ensure you are treated to magnificent vistas of virgin forest and vegetation, taller and broader than you have seen anywhere else in the world. Departing the boat in the afternoon you board smaller launches in search of Amazonian wildlife and, weather permitting, the opportunity to swim in some of the worlds cleanest and most refreshing water. Meals: Lunch and dinner included Day 2: Lago Turia This morning you ll have the opportunity to explore deep into the forest on a guided kayak expedition. You ll glide silently along remote small streams shaded by a riot of tropical plants and serenaded by exotic bird song. This helps bring your Amazon experience to life and offers a greater understanding and appreciation of your trip. Around midday you begin sailing again with the possibility of a swim in the afternoon. Boarding the launches again, you head out exploring and listening to a sunset chorus of birds and frogs. The launches offer more than just the chance to leave the confines of the ship, it s a chance for you to get up close and personal to the beauty of the Amazon which helps put the grand scale of the rainforest into perspective, a view that you may not appreciate from the boat. This could well be one of your favourite experiences on the trip. Tonight you will take a launch to search for nocturnal wildlife. Day 3: Lago Buriti In the early hours of the morning you explore the rainforest on a river launch. As it changes from night to day, this is when the wildlife is at its most active and you should be able to see monkeys, birds and more. You return for breakfast followed by a walk in the forest. You travel during the middle of the day in the Motor Yacht Tucano which is the perfect time to sit back with a drink and admire the lush surrounds and enjoy wildlife spotting, a favourite past time of many Amazonian explorers. In the afternoon you stop for an excursion. You may travel into the night which for stargazers and astronomers, reveals a blanket of dotted holes in the sky, just don t forget your mosquito repellent! Day 4: Rio Jaueperi After your morning excursion delving into the Amazon forest floor, you navigate the winding watery path along the heavily forested shore, scouting for wildlife. There s the option of stopping at a settler s home carved directly from the forest. In the early afternoon you ll be near an extraordinary river called the Rio Jaueperi. Here you ll see a kind of forest known as the varzea (floodplain). The fertile soils and abundant fish of the varzea have sustained local people for generations, and are vital to the economy of the Amazon region. You scout along the shoreline for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this unique environment. Weather permitting you ll have a night excursion to observe nocturnal creatures. Day 5: West Bank of the Rio Negro Today you depart the Rio Jaueperi and head downstream on the Rio Negro exploring a new collection of rainforest habitats. In the daytime you walk through the forest and in the evening continue your hunt for nocturnal wildlife, often revealing a very different side to that experienced during the day. Day 6: Encontra das Aguas This morning you explore the Lago Janauari Ecological Park where the thick brown water of the Amazon flows swiftly through the forest. This area is traditionally a superb place to view wildlife. Around midday you travel to the `Encontra das Aguas, an area several miles long where two of the world s largest and mighty rivers converge, the Amazon and the Negro. It s a beautiful sight to see the turbulence of nature s forces joining and you ll clearly see the dark waters of the Negro running beside the opaque brown water of the Amazon. In the afternoon go in search of one of the hidden streams in the area to view more of the Amazon s beautiful and bizarre creatures. Tonight you celebrate and have the opportunity to taste the national cocktail of Brazil, the Caipirinha made from the local spirit Cachaça (sugar cane rum). Sip one of these and perhaps try your samba dancing on the top deck under a starry sky, the perfect end to a truly special adventure. Day 7: Manaus This morning you rise to a hearty breakfast before disembarking the Tucano in Manaus at hrs and ending your Amazon expedition. Meals: Breakfast included It is possible by prearrangement to disembark the previous evening to catch early flights. Contact us for further details. Please note as soon as you book this cruise boat, please make Grand American Adventures aware of your arrival flight details, hotel booked and passport number. PHYSICAL RATING/PREPARATION This active tour is suitable for people of all levels of experience and fitness. Active tours are about exploring the places your visit so whether it s sightseeing, walking, hiking or kayaking you ll be out exploring the places you visit. Walks in the forest tend to be fairly easy and in nature and at a steady pace. If you would prefer to stay on the boat during excursions you are more than welcome to. Please note air-conditioning will be switched off during this time and it can become hot. TOUR ITINERARIES Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a highlight of the tour. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local weather conditions and time of year. All details are provided in good faith. Due to the nature of travel, this information can change and should therefore be taken as an indication only and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Grand American Adventures. If you have any questions, please contact us. Please also ensure that you download an up-to-date copy of this dossier before you depart to join your tour to ensure you have the most up to

3 date information as occasionally our itineraries may be amended either in response to feedback from customers or for operational reasons. This dossier is valid for all tours departing in Itineraries may be subject to change with the publication of our 2018/19 brochure in Autumn 2017, at which point revised 2018 dossiers will be made available. ADDITIONAL INFO Please note this itinerary can change from time to time and may alter due to navigational and other scheduling considerations. A good degree of health is necessary and for those guests wishing to remain on the Tucano cruise boat without boarding the launches may do so. There is, after all, plenty to see from the observation deck with a higher view. Participants on the forest walks must be prepared to walk comfortably for two or more hours at a time and a sturdy pair of shoes is recommended. FAQ S How are these trips different from other tours? The benefit of travelling with a maximum of 18 travellers is larger group s scare away wildlife and dilutes contact with the guides; we also go to intact pristine rainforest both on foot, in smaller launches and on board whereas many cruises go only a short distance from civilisation. Another major distinction of our trips is the quality of guiding. As tropical forests are extremely complex environments, without knowledgeable guides it can appear to a visitor as one great green blur. We take a thoughtful approach to natural history. These trips are guided by skilled naturalists who help us spot wildlife and offer our guests an informed narrative on tropical forests. Are these trips fun? Our trips are aimed at observing wildlife, but we also want to have fun! The best kind of nature trip is good humoured and light hearted. We are precise about nature and enjoy ourselves at the same time. We have a cocktail hour on the top deck with hors d oeuvres one night and sometime during the trip will have Caipirinhas, the national drink of Brazil with perhaps some samba music. By traveling in a group does that mean we can visit only touristy areas? No, our group size is small and the places we visit are natural areas. Our itineraries are flexible so we can explore interesting places we encounter en route. We are very careful not to disturb the places we visit or the lives of the people we contact in the forest and or along the rivers. We are almost always the only visitors, often the only people to travel to these magnificent natural areas. It is rare to see any other tourists or planes half a day after departing Manaus. We are going to South America; can we book the trip there? Yes! Many travellers join the group once in Brazil, however, during peak seasons full departures can lead to disappointment and it is advisable to book early. Do we get a chance to actually go into the forest? All our Amazon trips spend a considerable amount of time in the forest. We use the motor boat mostly to travel and to sleep; the main part of the natural history program takes place off the vessel in our small boats or walking in the forest. We stop several times a day to explore. Are the walks in the forest strenuous? Our forest walks are primarily to spot plants and animals and are not particularly strenuous. The best way to spot wildlife is a quiet stalk along the forest trail, not crashing through at a sprint. Since different passengers would like to walk at a different pace, we usually divide into two groups, each with a guide. If you would like to get out into the forest for a vigorous hike and work up a sweat, one of the groups will forge ahead through the forest, going for distance. In addition, passengers can remain on the boat at any time, and many will choose to relax on the observation deck with a cold drink, binoculars, and a good book. What is the risk of catching a tropical disease or attack by wild animals? There is very little risk of catching a disease on our trips. We are in the wilderness, far away from areas where diseases are mostly found and far away from people. Our cook s standards of cleanliness are very high and his splendid cuisine is designed for American digestion. Most wild animals are extremely wary of contact with humans. All walks in the forest are accompanied by our experienced guides. What are the accommodations like? Does the vessel become claustrophobic after a few days? The boat is a wonderful boat, cool, comfortable and designed specifically to explore the most remote corners of this magnificent forest. There is enough space for guests to have privacy. All of the cabins are air-conditioned and have private baths. We make several stops each day for our excursions so that guests do not get cabin fever. There is an open sun deck, a dining room for lounging and meals, and a covered balcony around the front of the boat. Does the boat go close to shore or does it stay in the middle of the river? The course of our expedition boat hugs the shore line. We are constantly on the lookout for interesting wildlife which frequently congregates at the river s edge. We make numerous stops to investigate and explore with our launches. Though we remain comfortable, we do not become insulated from the forest. The river itself is interesting to watch since we often see large fish jumping, freshwater dolphins, countless birds, and strange gargantuan trees with hanging vines. Are the areas where the trips take place over-visited? Our itineraries go to places very rarely visited. We are often the only groups ever to stop in the places we select. We go much farther than other groups and it is extremely rare to see other humans except the occasional fisherman. Though our trips visit the same region the actual places visited What is the best time of year to go? Isn t there a rainy and a dry season? Is it hotter in the summer? The best time to travel is really dependent on your own scheduling considerations. Our trips take place in the very middle of the Amazon in the State of Amazonas. In this region the rainy season runs roughly from late January through to early May. There are some advantages of travelling between January and May. Since most riverine plants fruit and flower during this period, it is one of the best times to see birds and monkeys at the water edge. Though it can rain slightly more in the rainy season, it usually rains every day in the dry season too. We operate our expeditions year round and the trips are wonderful any time of year.

4 differ from trip to trip because we prefer not to visit the same areas more than a few times a year. This minimizes our impact as well as offering a great variety of experiences for our guests and crew members alike. Is the water safe to drink? The water is perfectly safe. Our expedition boat is equipped with a large dispenser of bottled water, and we keep it full for the duration of the trip. Please bring a bottle with you to refill. What are most of the participants on the tours like? Our guests come in all ages and from all walks of life. The wonderful variety of their backgrounds enriches the experience for us all. The single thing that all passengers have in common is a curiosity for the tropical forest and the Amazon. Our passengers are some of the most interesting and nicest people in the world. Is the Amazon dangerous? Are there lots of criminals? How are visitors perceived? The large cities of South America are no more dangerous than large cities elsewhere in the world. In the Amazon however, there is much more a sense of community and our guests can be at ease. On the river and in the forest we are in one of the least densely populated areas on the planet and also one of the safest. There is virtually no risk of crime on the expedition. Brazilians are fond of American and European culture which they garner from movies and from large immigrant communities in Europe and the United States. Brazil is a large country with a significant immigrant population and there is an easy going nature to the culture no matter where you are in Brazil. In short, Brazilians are generally quite fond of visitors and when visitors get to know Brazil, the feeling usually becomes mutual. We are very careful to ensure that all our contacts with people in the field are respectful and positive. Do the trips damage the wilderness areas we visit? Ecotourism is one of the very few ways in which income can be generated from undisturbed rainforest. The presence of our groups has a very positive impact on the places we visit by providing income in wages and material and, as importantly, by involving a large number of local people in an economic relationship to forest preservation. On the trips we are very conscious not to disturb the natural areas that we visit. We leave them as wild and undisturbed as when we arrived. BEFORE YOU DEPART FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS For anyone leaving from the UK we would be pleased to book your flight in conjunction with your tour. Please contact us for competitive prices on flights departing from most UK airports. If you are booking your own flights we recommend you arrive into the departure city at least one day prior to your tour s departure; this will allow you some adjustment time and opportunities for sightseeing. If you intend to fly out of Manaus the day the tour finishes, you should return to the Hotel Tropical before 9.00am. There is the option to depart the boat the night before (after dinner) however, please do not book flights until this has been agreed with Grand American Adventures. visas you will need, and apply for each of the necessary visas whilst in your home country. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS On entering a country you will need to proceed through customs. As long as you have a valid passport and the necessary visa/s you will have no problems. You may be asked how you intend to support yourself during your visit, if this happens please present your return airline ticket and tour voucher. VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR BRAZIL Visas are not required by UK and EU passport holders. Holders of Australian, New Zealand Canadian or US passport holders will require a visa in advance, please consult the relevant embassy directly for more information. Nationalities not listed should consult the relevant embassy. We keep this visa information as up to date as much as possible, but it is important that you check this for yourself. TRAVEL INSURANCE It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue service). You will be asked to provide details of your insurance policy, including insurer, policy number and phone number before embarking on the trip. We offer an insurance policy that is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our tours - particularly the many optional activities offered. If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. There may be cheaper policies available, but this does not mean it may be better value - we strongly advise you check fully what will and won t be covered. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS If you have any medical conditions, take prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the tour, you must inform Grand American Adventures or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. All of our vehicles carry a basic first-aid kit, but for everyday use you should bring your own medical supplies, such as pain relievers, antibiotic cream and upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent. VACCINATIONS PASSPORT AND VISAS It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary visas for your tour. As a general rule you will need a passport with at least six months validity following the end of your trip. The visa requirements for your trip may vary depending on where you are going, and where you are from. It is important that you check which

5 Recommended vaccinations for Latin America include Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Rabies, Yellow Fever and Dengue but please consult your doctor or vaccination centre for up-to-date information. We recommend that you contact a physician or travel medicine clinic at least two months before travel in order to allow enough time for any immunisations that may be required to be completed. This is especially true for those planning travel to tropical areas or developing countries. A health professional will be able to assess your individual need for immunisations or preventative medication depending on your health situation, previous immunisation history and your travel itinerary. Information prior to your consultation with a doctor can be obtained from the Fit for Travel website There are malarial regions in Latin America and it is recommended to consult your GP vaccination centre for the most up to date information. Zika fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR SPENDING MONEY Before and after your cruise, whilst in cities, we recommend you take at least US$65 dollars per person per day to cover local expenses, but it s better to bring more than you need rather than run short on tour. Whilst on the cruise, although your meals are covered, you should carry cash for purchases made at the bar, souvenirs and for staff tipping. TIPPING Although it may not be customary in your country, it is normal and expected in Latin America to tip staff. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend upon their tips for their livelihood. The cruise staff work long and hard for you, and a recommended gratuity is between 5-10% of the cruise fare, in appreciation of the service you receive. LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE We do not have any restrictions on the amount of luggage on personal items, however storage can be an issue so we advise not to bring too much. Cabins are small and space is of a premium so worth keeping this in mind. Plus the nature of our casual attire makes for less packing. TEMPERATURE CHART HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES IN CELSIUS (ºC) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Manaus HIGH LOW Rio Negro HIGH LOW C / F Conversions: -10ºC = 14ºF 0ºC = 32ºF 10ºC = 50ºF 20ºC = 68ºF 30ºC = 86ºF 40ºC = 104ºF PACKING TIPS CLOTHING Please keep in mind that our dress tends to be informal. It is advised that you take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates to suit the season. Please see the temperature guide showing the highs and lows that can be expected in key locations that your tour visits. However please remember that this is just a guide and you may encounter a wide variety of temperatures en route due to altitude and unforeseen weather conditions - so it s best to be prepared! Besides your essential clothing, here s a checklist of other items you should take: Waterproof jacket and trousers Day pack Waterproof camera bag for jungle walks Full length waterproof poncho Warm sweater / fleece Hiking / boots Comfortable day shoes Sandals or flip-flops Swim wear Sun hat / sunglasses Camera / binoculars Small flashlight / torch Sunscreen / insect repellent (20% Deet - please note there are much fewer mosquitoes on the Rio Negro due to the acidity of the water) Travel power adaptor (optional) Toiletries / personal medicine Please note airlines have various rules on what can be carried in your luggage - if in doubt check with your airline before travelling. FOOTWEAR We recommend comfortable walking boots with ankle support for jungle walks and thick socks to prevent blisters. We will provide Gaitors to prevents bugs and water entering your boots. If you do not own a pair of boots then sports trainers will suffice but your footwear is likely to get muddy and wet, after all they don;t call it the rainforest for nothing. BATTERY CHARGING Many of our travellers bring mobile phones (which will not work due to lack of reception), music devices and cameras that require frequent battery charging during a tour. Your cruise cabin will have electrical chargers and we recommend that you bring an electrical converter. To avoid missing out on that incredible photo, it may be useful to bring along extra batteries just in case! DRINKING AND DRUGS Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board, and you will not doubt sample local specialities such as Caipirinha. Please ensure you drink responsibly. The possession of drugs without a proper medical prescription will not be tolerated.

6 JOINING YOR TOUR TOUR AND ACCOMMODATION VOUCHERS A tour voucher will be ed to you once your balance has been paid in full. Vouchers for any hotel nights you have booked before or after your tour as well as any additional day tours will also be sent to you. You can print off the PDF vouchers or download to your smartphone. For those without access your vouchers will be posted. Please make sure that these vouchers are correct. PRE/POST TOUR HOTELS Grand American Adventures tours begin and end at our gateway hotel, which is conveniently located in the departure and arrival city. We offer you the option to book additional hotel nights before or after your tour however, they should be booked prior to departure with our reservations team. See below for joining and end hotel details. Please note some hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible. JOINING POINT You will need to make your own way to the joining hotel for your tour. Please find the details below: Tropical Manaus Eco-resort Av. Coronel Teixeira, 1320 Ponta Negra Manaus Brazil Tel: + 55 (92) Transfer: The Tropical Manaus Eco Resort is in the heart of the Amazon jungle on the banks of the Rio Negro in the northern part of Brazil, approximately 10km from the Brigadeiro International Airport and 16km from Manaus Theatre. A taxi will cost approx. US$ Hotel Tropical is the meeting point hotel for your Amazon cruise. If you would prefer to stay in a downtown historic hotel, we are also able to reserve the Hotel Villa Amazônia Hotel Villa Amazônia Rua 10 de Julho Centro Manaus Brazil Transfer: If you are staying at this hotel, we do have a pickup from the Villa Amazonia, to the group meeting point at Hotel Tropical. Pick up time will be in the A lobby at 6:15 am for transport to the Tropical for 7:00 am. We do not pick up at the other hotels, but most are a short walk or taxi ride from the meeting point. This transport is complimentary and must be specifically booked with your travel agent at the time of booking. There is no post tour transfer however, this can be booked for the price of US$40 per person. ARRIVAL COMPLICATIONS Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it! If you have missed your tour departure, first check with the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy t help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to you missing your tours departure, so please be on time. FINISHING POINT Tropical Manaus Eco-resort Av. Coronel Teixeira, 1320 Ponta Negra Manaus Brazil Tel: + 55 (92) All tours end on arrival into Manaus early in the morning of day seven. The hotel reception staff can assist you in calling a taxi for the airport which should cost approximately US$ EMERGENCY CONTACT In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour please do not hesitate to call our toll free 24-hour emergency contact number. Remember, if we don t know about it we won t be able to do anything about it but please call only in the event of an emergency. Phone number for family to contact you in case of emergency: International: ABOUT OUR TOURS The information below can also be found on our website: /pop-up/amazon-cruise-boat.html TRANSPORTATION Tucano cruise boat Your cruise boat has the appearance of a traditional riverboat, yet it is still a thoroughly up to date and modern yacht. From the electrical and water systems to the advanced propulsion and navigation systems, you are offered all of the convenience, security, and comfort of a modern yacht. There are individual air-conditioning thermostats in every cabin. The vessel has state of the art communications and navigation equipment so that no matter how far into the world s greatest wilderness the vessel may explore, there is still contact with the outside world. The traditional design has another wonderful advantage, the beautiful finishing touches from the 19th Century.

7 Please note this is not a luxury cruise boat, although it does contain everything you need to enjoy your time thoroughly. ACCOMMODATION There are two twin share cabin categories on the cruise boat: Green Category cabins have bunk beds with top and bottom berths. Yellow Category cabins are larger and have beds side by side. The cabins and main corridors are crafted of exquisite solid wood raised panelling. The deep amber colour of the varnished wood is accented by polished brass hardware found throughout the vessel. The walls are decorated with framed botanical prints as well as antique maps from the great era of exploration. The Tucano experience offers the classical elegance of a bygone era but combined with the capability and the spirit of modern exploration. Built in the tradition of the steamboats that navigated the Amazon in the late 19th century, this traditional design has several crucial advantages for Amazon River travel. The two most important of these are shallow draft and large volume of the interior space. As the boat is very wide at its base and has a flat bottom, it draws only five feet at its deepest point. This enables the vessel to explore remote Amazon Rivers where V hulls cannot navigate. The boat routinely crosses the sand bars that cover the entrances of many rivers in Amazonia, and continues on for tens or hundreds of miles farther into the wilderness. We are able to explore the small meandering rivers where wildlife is abundant but which are closed to almost all other passenger vessels. are three feet high and can be opened and closed. Though the vessel is air-conditioned, many passengers choose to open the windows in order to enjoy the scent of Amazon blossoms. Every cabin has at least four of these windows which make the vessel bright and airy, which is a very different experience than yachts with port holes and sealed skylights. Tucano s large interior space enables the guest to relax in comfort on our expedition cruises. SECURITY No matter where you find yourself in the world, you need to look after your valuables. We would like to remind you that you are ultimately responsible for your safety and well-being. Whether you are taking public transport, The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit us at /travelaware The advice can change so check regularly for updates. going for a hike or taking part in an optional activity, we request that you carry yourself in a mature and responsible manner - not only for your own personal safety, but for that of the group and other travellers. The traditional design is by far the most practical for nature exploration. The riverboat design of the vessel with three full decks gives the vessel a large interior space. This extra space goes into ample overhead ceilings, large cabins, and full size bathrooms. The vessel is not a luxury vessel and some of the cabins are larger than the others, but most travellers agree that the boat is comfortable and elegant. An especially important feature of the vessel is that the riverboat style has a large number of windows. There are over seventy windows all of which MEALS Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We do our best to accommodate for various dietary requirements but in certain parts of South America certain food types can be limited. THE CREW Your cruise staff will take care of all the planning and organisation throughout your tour, they will navigate you from A to B and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your guides are there to make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular interests or

8 things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your guides know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best to help you. THE GROUP The maximum group size is 18. Passengers come from a range of countries worldwide (average of four nationalities per group) and many will be solo travellers. You will find you have many things in common with your fellow travellers, including a passion for discovery. Grand American Adventures tours are designed for adults (the minimum age is 13 years old). While most passengers are aged 25-55, every year we get many people both above and below this age range. All travellers over the age of 70 will be requested to complete a self-declaration of fitness form prior to travel. Our tours are a unique holiday experience and much of your enjoyment will come from the team spirit of your group and the fun you ll have together, as well as from the local setting. We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you on tour; a sure guarantee to enjoying each and every moment, even in the adversity of the odd rainstorm! Grand American Adventures travellers will join our trusted sister company for this cruise. AFTER YOUR TOUR FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS We want to hear about your experience and stories from the road, so please feel free to us any comments, feedback or reviews whilst you are on tour or when you return home to: comments@grandamericanadventures.com. We value your feedback and tour reviews, which help us in developing and improving our programme. It s input and suggestions from travellers like you that has helped make Grand American Adventures what it is today. WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS! We can always use your holiday snaps and short videos to better depict and promote all the fascinating places we visit. So if you just want to send over a couple of your best shots (max 10MB) please them to comments@grandamericanadventures.com. You know what they say, a picture s worth a thousand words! HOW TO BOOK Contact us by telephone, or via our website to check availability for the tour you are interested in. We can normally hold a seat on option for up to three days to allow you time to finalise your travel arrangements. In order to secure your place we require a deposit (full payment within eight weeks of travel) and an agreement from you to our terms and conditions. Check availability early to avoid disappointment: FURTHER QUESTIONS Please contact our UK Sales team on: Responsible Tourism on the Cruise to the Heart of the Amazon... The Amazon cruise is designed not only to be interesting but also ecologically sensitive and to assist with rainforest preservation. Contributions to preservation are primarily through environmental education and importantly through providing a substantial income to local communities in a way that places high value on preserving wild rainforest. All staff are local Brazilians who are selected for their forest knowledge and enthusiasm, and weekly payroll goes towards supporting families and communities. Our guides are skilled naturalists and dedicated conservationists while coming from forest backgrounds, have also had the dedication to study the more academic details of Amazon ecology. Itineraries are designed to enable clients to make purchases of locally produced products which have the greatest benefit to the local economy. The majority of produce is purchased directly from local markets. To reduce the carbon footprint the cruise ship has modern diesel generators with lower hydrocarbon emissions to create less air pollution and greater fuel efficiency. Outboard motors have been replaced with the newest four stroke designs to consume less fuel and pollute less. The cruise minimises environmental impact by ensuring waste materials return to Manaus at the end of the cruise, including recyclable material which is separated on board. Where possible disposable packaging is avoided and bed linen is changed on board only every other day (unless requested by clients for more frequency). We also do not heat water 24 hours a day for showers, relying on solar heated water and an on demand auxiliary system. We observe a zero impact policy on this trip which includes not removing anything from the forest, leaving nothing behind, staying on defined trails, not creating new trails, keeping noise to a minimum, and leaving no waste behind. We take considerable measures not to disturb creatures that we observe including not getting too close, leaving an area if an animal becomes disturbed, and not handling creatures that we encounter. We recycle our waste, we haul our trash back to landfills in the city, and we use as many natural products as possible. The cruise company has always been a strong advocate for Amazon conservation and this is one of the founding ideas of our company. Monetary contributions have been made to conservation NGO s in Brazil with the major contribution being environmental education. This trip is very aware of the group s interaction with local peoples, to avoid turning the villagers we meet into trinket vendors. By varying the places visited it reduces the interactions with local peoples whilst being respectful and not economically disruptive. Materials are given to benefit the entire community such as diesel fuel for the village generator or writing materials to the village school. Common practices which we actively discourage are the capture of wild animals for photo displays and the sale of handicrafts which are made of animal parts. We never orchestrate manufactured or artificial cultural experiences for our visitors. Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Enquiries: info@grandamericanadventures.com This dossier was last updated 13/03/2018