Introduction
The Amazon is the
world’s largest rainforest and the last great wilderness on earth. Though as big as
the continental United States, it has a population only about the size of the State of
Massachusetts. Most of Amazonia is without human settlement and the fantastic beasts that
have roamed its vast rainforests since time immemorial live there still.
Come with us to experience the great beauty and mystery that still exist in the Amazon. From the crystal clear waters of deep forest streams to the massive canopy of the highland rainforest...from tiny leaf cutter ants to the largest mammals swinging by their tails in the trees, we will coax from our observations the marvelous story of the most fantastic collection of wildlife on earth.
Our trips to the Amazon are all very exciting. We often see creatures that are missed by other travelers. This is because our guides are very knowledgeable, we go much farther away from settled areas than any other group and because we keep the size of our group small. Our trips are also exploratory. We visit different places on every trip. We are able to do this because the Amazon is so big that there are thousands of remote rainforest rivers with virtually no settlement. By going to different places each time, the trips are interesting for both the guests and the guides. Every trip is a one of a kind, once in a lifetime experience. While a trip to the real Amazon is not like a wildlife video with creatures in every tree, on our trips we have a good chance of observing many of the animals that inhabit these trackless forests.
This trip is based on the 80 foot excursion boat: The Motor Yacht Tucano. Though we use the boat to cover distances, we are not insulated from the forest. Several times daily we go into the rainforest by launch or on foot to explore. We marvel at the bizarre array of plants and the fascinating survival strategies of animals. Some nights we scout by launch to observe nocturnal animals. Most evenings we have discussions on the creatures we observed that day and on the ecology of the rainforest.
Heart of Amazonia explores some of the
most untouched rainforest in all of the Amazon. We venture far up the Rio Negro to an area
very rarely visited, exploring the mysterious life of the wilderness that stirs in the
forest and in the heart of wild nature. With our naturalist guides we will plumb the
mysteries of the different kinds of forest found in the Amazon.
Our basic plan will be to first explore the Rio Negro upstream as far as the Rio Branco, a very interesting tributary coming in from the north. We end the trip with a visit on the Amazon River itself. It is important to explore the tributaries of the Amazon, since the main river has many settlers along its banks. Over several days we will gradually explore the rainforests for up to 200 miles away from our starting point. This region has some of the most untouched rainforest in all of the Amazon and is the least inhabited place on the planet.
We will visit several kinds of forest including the strange and beautiful
flooded forest known by Amazon Indians as the Igapó [ee-gah-poh]. In the
Igapó, the dark water seasonally floods into the forest, at times for several miles.
Orchids and bromeliads cling to the limbs of overhanging trees, which are home also to
many fishing birds and iguanas. We will also explore the other two kinds of rainforest of
the Amazon: the tall terre firme forest and the fantastically rich varzea forest.
We will see amazingly colorful birds, magnificent rainforest trees draped with vines and
carpeted with orchids, and occasional monkeys chattering and cavorting in the tree
branches.
The rainforest in this area has very unique plants and animals and our aim is to both observe and describe their astonishing habits. We will get out into the forest and explore - not simply watch the river banks from the deck of the boat. We walk in the forest and scout in our launches the small streams that radiate off the main river. We swim off deserted beaches in water as pure and clean as rainwater and be treated to vistas of wild rainforest stretching as far as the eye can see.
On our walks in the rainforest we will observe magnificent plants of every
imaginable shape and size. We will listen to the exotic calls of birds and mammals and
watch them from the shaded forest trail. In the evenings we will have a brief discussion
on creatures that we observed during the day and about the extraordinary ways in which
these plants and animals have evolved to live in this ancient rainforest.
Some nights we will explore the river’s edge with flashlights and we will see caiman, close relatives of crocodiles. Their eyes have a reddish glow in reflected light.
The Rio Negro
The Brazilian Amazon has an area of over 2.7 million square miles. Though there
are a few cities, the continental size floodplain is still almost entirely covered with
primitive tropical forest. Within this vast watershed, the Rio Negro drains over 300,000
square miles, fully ten percent of the entire Amazon basin. From its headwaters in the
Colombian foothills of the Andes, the Negro River flows southeast for over 1,020 miles. At
its confluence with the Amazon River, it has over three times the volume of the
Mississippi. It is the second largest river in the world---second only to the Amazon River
itself.
Despite the great length of the Negro, there are only a few small settlements large enough to be considered towns. It remains a true wilderness. Beyond the tangle of vines and limbs along the river banks are hundreds of thousands of square miles of primitive forest where the forces that shape plant and animal evolution continue on as they have for millions of years.
Three Different Rainforests
The three rainforest environments that we will observe on Heart of Amazonia
are the igap—, terre firme, and varzea. The igap—
has seasonal variations in water depth of as much as 40 feet. To adapt to this enormous
fluctuation, plants and animals have evolved some of the most bizarre shapes and
behaviors. Also due to these seasonal floods, the wildlife along the rivers is constantly
changing and every trip we see creatures that we have never seen before. Above the high
water mark lies the terra firme forest, roughly "solid ground".
Terra firme is the forest most people have in mind when they think of rainforest. On the hills and stretching for thousands of miles away from the river banks, terre firme is dominated by giant forest trees with buttresses like the fins of rocket ships. Along the shaded forest floor there are wonderfully adapted plants and we will see the trails of wild pigs, agoutis, paca, jaguar, armadillo, and other large animals that live in the rainforest. Though large forest animals are usually wary enough to stay hidden, one terra firme resident that insists on being heard is the largest primate in South America, the howler monkey. At dusk different tribes growl to one another and their howls echo across the trackless forest from stream to river to hill.
The third major type of forest we will observe is the varzea. This
type is also a flooded forest, but the water that rushes through the trees is café au
lait in color and is heavy with minerals and nutrients eroded from the Andes
Mountains. In this tremendously rich system we will see large concentrations of birds,
mammals, and a collection of plants entirely different from igap— or terra
firme.
In addition to our rainforest explorations another important feature of the program will be our visits to the homes of deep forest settlers. We will visit with them and learn what their lives are like, living on the edge of this vast trackless forest. A walk through their gardens is always interesting and we marvel at the skills they possess for living in the complex environment of the tropical forest. All deep forest settlers collect plants for medicines and we will talk with them about which plants they collect and their uses.
On the last day of the boat portion of the trip we will travel to the "Encontra das Aguas", the meeting of the waters of the Amazon and the Negro Rivers. The volume of water is so great at their confluence that Brazilians consider the watercourse created by the joining of these two a completely different river. The light colored water of the Amazon and the dark water of the Negro do not readily mix and the two rivers flow side by side for many miles. We will explore the beautiful and fabulously rich environment at the confluence of these two rivers and visit the Lago Janauari Ecological Park which lies in a wedge-shaped delta that divides the Amazon from the Negro.
The Guides
In addition to several crew members, all of whom grew up in the forest, the
excursion will have a naturalist guide with many years of experience in the Amazon. The
combined experience of these guides will help us make sense out of the great profusion of
plant and animal life that we will see during the trip.
The Daily Schedule
Though the schedule will vary according to navigational and weather considerations, our
days have a basic outline of activities. We get up with the sun every morning and board
the launches in search of birds and wakening howler monkeys. In the late morning of most
days, the boat will get underway and we will travel until the mid-afternoon. We will then
do some exploring using the boat’s launches or walk in the forest. Every evening we
will have an informal talk about the flora and fauna that we have observed during the day.
We will especially focus on the ways that plants and animals have evolved in the
rainforest and the relations between the plants animals and their physical environment.
This is the ecology of the forest---the most fascinating of all ways to look at the
rainforest. Some evenings we will spot wildlife with powerful searchlights.
We will see and do a great deal in the forest, but there will also be plenty of time to relax and have fun during the trip. We will swim in clean and safe water, perhaps have a cookout, and if there are anglers among us, spend a little time fishing some afternoons. Every afternoon we have hors-d’oeuvres on the Observation Deck and are treated to a magnificent sunset. After sunset guests often go to the Observation Deck to look at the millions of stars and constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. Because we are in such an interesting place with exceptional guides, the days are full and exciting.
Best time of year to go
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 early
May. Though it rains more, 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 waters edge. Though it can rain slightly more in the
rainy season, it usually rains some every day in the dry season too. We operate our
expeditions year round and the trips are wonderful any time of year.
Level of activities
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, at times we 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.
Information on the Tucano
The Tucano is a big boat, over 80 feet long. There is plenty of space to
spread out, study the forest nearby, and contemplate the wonders of
nature.
The Motor Yacht Tucano has gone through a major refit over a seven week period. We removed all of the furniture and revarnished all of the raised wood panneling with which the walls of all the cabins and salon are covered. We added hot water pressure showers in all of the bathrooms, where previously the system was a gravity fed system. We replaced most of the furniture on board the vessel in addition to the chairs and tables in the Salon. These we had custom made out of a wood called Cerejeira in the State of Rondonia. The vessel is only six years in operation, but the changes that we made have made it even more beautiful and functional.
The
top deck is open and has a large sun canopy --a wonderful place to
spot wildlife or soak in the vastness of the Amazon. There is also
space to catch some sun and watch the Macaw parrots screeching
across the afternoon sky.
The
middle deck has a wide balcony around the entire front of the boat.
Passengers can see where we are going and observe monkeys jumping
from one vine to another. The Salon is also air-conditioned, though
in the cool of the day we generally leave the windows open to
breathe the fresh air scented by Amazon blossoms. There are lots of
windows on the boat and all of them open and close.
All
of the 9 cabins on Tucano are outside cabins with large windows and
private bathrooms. Each cabin is air-conditioned with its own
thermostat. All of the cabins are comfortable and all have private
baths. The Salon is at the front of the boat affording splendid
views of the rainforest throughout the day.
Itinerary for 2005
Day 1
Early
this morning we will board the Amazon expedition vessel the Motor Yacht
Tucano and depart upstream on the Rio Negro. Through the morning we will
cruise through the world’s largest river island system, the Anavilhanas
Archipelago. From the observation deck we will scan the magnificent
tangle of vegetation at the water’s edge.
By mid-afternoon the vessel will have gone beyond the frontier of
settlement and enter a wilderness area. Both shores will be covered by
dense rainforest. Though we never know what we will see, we have a good
chance of observing pink river dolphins and a large collection of exotic
birds. Most certainly we will be treated to magnificent forest vistas
and the spectacular trees themselves. In the late afternoon we will
embark in the launches and search a small stream for wildlife. We may
also go for a swim is some of the world’s most clean and refreshing
water. (BLD)
Day 2
Early this morning we will explore the rainforest along the
waters edge in our launches. We should hear and perhaps see howler
monkeys and there should be a morning serenade of toucans along with a
many other kinds of birds. After breakfast we will go for a walk in the
forest where we will get a good start on understanding Amazon ecology.
Around midday we return to the vessel and get underway, perhaps stopping
at a place to swim. In the late afternoon we will explore the forest in
our launches and listen to the sunset chorus of birds and frogs. (BLD)
Day 3
This morning there will be an early exploration of the
waking forest. We will keep our eyes open for monkeys--they are
sometimes not easy to see, but on most trips we see them often. We
return for breakfast followed by either a walk in the forest or an
excursion in the launches. Tucano will travel during the middle of the
day stopping mid-afternoon for an excursion. Tonight we will travel some
and marvel at the night sky crowded with stars. (BLD)
Day 4
After our morning excursions we will navigate along the heavily forested
shore, scouting for wildlife. We may stop for a visit at a settler’s
home carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon we should be near
an extraordinary river called the Rio Branco. Here we will for the first
time see a kind of forest known as the varzea. We will scout along the
shoreline for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this
kind of environment. Weather permitting we will do a night excursion to
observe nocturnal creatures. (BLD)
DayS 5 & 6
We depart the Rio Branco and for the next two days proceed
downstream on the Rio Negro exploring along the way. We will scout along
the wilderness shore in our launches, walk in the forest, and we may
also stop and visit the homes of some forest settlers and marvel at
their tremendous pioneering skills. (BLD)
Day 7
Today
we will cross to the west bank of the Rio Negro, exploring as we go. We
will stop at the substantial boat building village of Novo Airão. As we
walk through the streets we'll marvel at how the 19th Century thrives in
this remote corner of the globe. Tonight Tucano will journey through
most of the night to arrive at daybreak near the confluence of the
Amazon and the Rio Negro. As we glide through the starry darkness this
is a good night to sip the national drink of Brazil, the "Caipirinha". (BLD)
Day 8
This morning we will explore by launch the Lago Janauari Ecological Park
where the thick brown water of the Amazon flows swiftly through the
forest. This area is usually a very good place to observe wildlife.
Around midday the vessel will travel to the “Encontra das Aguas” a stark
several mile long line where the world’s two largest rivers, the Amazon
and the Negro, join in a turbulent maelstrom. Here the dark water of the
Negro runs beside the opaque brown water of the Amazon. In the afternoon
we will scout one of the hidden streams in the area to try to see more
of the Amazon’s beautiful and bizarre creatures. Tonight there will be
one last excursion looking for nocturnal Life. (BLD)
Day 9
In the morning all guests disembark from Tucano. Some guests will
transfer to a hotel in Manaus and others will go directly to the airport
for their return flights.
Itinerary for 2006
Day 1
This morning all guests board the vessel the Motor Yacht
TUCANO and depart upstream on the Rio Negro. Through the morning we will
cruise through the world's largest river island system, the Anavilhanas
Archipelago. From the observation deck we scan the magnificent tangle of
vegetation at the water's edge. By mid-afternoon the vessel has gone
beyond the frontier of settlement and entered a wilderness area. Both
shores are covered by dense rainforest. Though we never know what we
will see, we have a good chance of observing pink river dolphins and a
large collection of exotic birds. Most certainly we will be treated to
magnificent forest vistas and the spectacular trees themselves. In the
late afternoon we embark in the launches and hunt for wildlife. We may
also go for a swim in some of the world's most clean and refreshing
water. (LD)
Day 2
Early
this morning we explore the rainforest along the waters edge in our
launches. We should hear and perhaps see howler monkeys along with a
morning serenade of toucans. After breakfast we go for a walk in the
forest where we will get a good start on understanding Amazon ecology.
Around midday we return for lunch and the vessel will get underway,
perhaps stopping at a place to swim. In the late afternoon we will
explore the forest in our launches and listen to the sunset chorus of
birds and frogs. (BLD)
Day 3
This morning there will be an early exploration of the waking forest. We
will keep our eyes open for monkeys- on most trips we see them often. We
return for breakfast followed by either a walk in the forest or an
excursion in the launches. TUCANO will travel during the middle of the
day and we stop in the afternoon for an excursion. Tonight the vessel
may travel a bit more as we marvel at the night sky crowded with stars.
(BLD)
Day 4
After
our two morning excursions TUCANO will navigate along the heavily
forested shore, scouting for wildlife. We may stop for a visit at a
settler's home carved out of the forest. In the early afternoon we will
be near an extraordinary river called the Rio Jauaperi. Here we will see
a kind of forest known as the varzea. We will scout along the shoreline
for some of the extraordinary creatures found only in this unique
environment. Weather permitting we will do a night excursion to observe
nocturnal creatures. (BLD)
Day 5
Today we depart the Rio Jauaperi and for the next two days
proceed downstream on the Rio Negro exploring a new collection of
rainforest habitats. In the daytime we will continue to scout in our
launches, walk in the forest, and at night hunt for nocturnal wildlife.
(BLD)
Day 6
After a walk in the forest we cross to the West bank of the Rio Negro,
exploring as we go. We will stop at the substantial boat building
village of Novo Airão. As we walk through the streets we'll marvel at
how the 19th Century thrives in this remote corner of the globe. Tonight
TUCANO goes downstream to arrive at daybreak near the confluence with
the Amazon River. As we glide through the starry darkness this is a good
night to sip the national drink of Brazil, the "Caipirinha". (BLD)
Day 7
After a walk in the forest we cross to the West bank of the Rio Negro,
exploring as we go. We will stop at the substantial boat building
village of Novo Airão. As we walk through the streets we'll marvel at
how the 19th Century thrives in this remote corner of the globe. Tonight
TUCANO goes downstream to arrive at daybreak near the confluence with
the Amazon River. As we glide through the starry darkness this is a good
night to sip the national drink of Brazil, the "Caipirinha". (BLD)
Day 8
In the morning all guests disembark from TUCANO. Some guests will participate in an optional tour of the city of Manaus before transferring to the airport. (B)
| M/V Tucano 2007: 8D/7N | ||
| Double occupancy |
Single occupancy |
|
| $2100 | on request | |
|
||
| Please note that the day to day schedule must
be considered approximate. The exact order of the days and specific features may be
altered due to navigational considerations.
All of our trips family friendly, but
the scheduled "family departures" have some additional activities
suitable for children. On these departures children 14 years and
younger can travel at half price. Please inquire for updated prices. Prices generally include accommodations, transfers and meals as indicated and do not include airfares, departure taxes, visa fees, items of a personal nature. Subject to change. |
