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"Swallows
and Amazon"
Tania
& Mark Aitchison
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Seven Day Complete
Tours from Manaus - with 
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is the principal tour and takes in as much river and jungle action as
possible. Our boats are traditional regional riverboats, which are two-decked,
with dining/ living/ sleeping area, toilet, engine room, kitchen, shower/wash
area and sun deck. On board is your captain, cook and guide. Guides
are local, registered and knowledgeable. Food includes fresh river fish,
tropical fruits and regional vegetables. Accommodations on tour include:
3 nights sleeping in hammocks on boat, 1 night jungle camping (optional),
1 night with a traditional "Caboclo" river family and accomodated
in the "Over Look Lodge", a rustic Amazon jungle lodge operated
by the Vianas family. 3 nights hotel in Manaus, 2 wonderful dinners,
1 lunch and a city tour are also included. |
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The
first day tour takes in the "sights and sounds" of Amazonia;
the meeting of the waters (the brown Amazon with the black Negro),
Victoria Regia waterlilies, piranha fishing, alligator hunting. Second
and third days include long jungle walks and canoe trips in the igarapes
(sm. creeks) and igapo (flooded forest). Your ultimate destination
is the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the largest group of freshwater islands
in the world (and a Rio Negro wildlife reserve). We will spend time
with the Viana family, a traditional Amazon river family, at a jungle
lodge at Arara just before the Anavlihanas Islands. The tour price
includes all food, mineral water and english speaking (multi-lingual)
guide.
Day
00 - Depart Miami @ 9 pm, Monday
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| Day
2- |
We
depart from the floating port in our boat, a classic Amazon houseboat,
fully outfitted with food, drink, and crew. From Manaus we travel
half an hour to the stunning meeting of the waters, where the
Rio Negro meets the Amazon, but the two do not mix due to differences
in velocity, density and temperature. At the meeting of the waters
we often see grey and pink river dolphins, and the local fishermen.
Second stop is Lake Janauary, a watershed receiving water from
both the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers. We will visit a restaurant
run by local "caboclo" river people and walk through the treetops
on a walkway to view giant Amazon waterlilies. We might see monkeys,
hawks, alligators, morpho butterflies, toucans etc. After lunch
in the boat we make our way to the Amazon river, here called the
Solimoes. We arrive at a group of islands called Iranduba, an
area full of birds and other wildlife. We will visit some local
familes, see how they live, and have a look at some rubber trees
and guava trees full of parrots and parakeets. Later we take to
the canoes and go fishing for piranha and other fish in the igarapes,
or small creeks, which dominate the area. We have dinner on the
boat and then take to the canoes once more in the evening to go
"alligator hunting"- but only to see and photograph them. We will
spend the night at Iranduba in the boat sleeping in hammocks.
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| Day
3- |
Early
in the morning we will make our way up the Solimoes (Amazon) river
to Lake Janauca, a giant lake famous for their herons and egrets.
We will spend the better part of the day in this region boating
and canoeing before returning to the Rio Negro for a second night
sleeping in the boat. |
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4- |
Now
on the Rio Negro we make our way up river to the village of Arara,
the homestead of Tania's family, and our lodge, The Over Look
Lodge. We will see how a typical "caboclo" river family lives.
We will spend 2 nights at our lodge and in the company of Tania's
family. Our lodge features 10 single beds w/ mosquito nets, oil
lanterns etc., bathroom, shower, meals on the veranda with sunset
views of the Rio Negro and the first of the Anavilanhas islands.
During our stay we will go for a long trek deep into the jungle
to study the biodiversity of the rainforest, medicine plants with
Tania's father ( a ocal medicine man) etc. We will go canoeing
in the igarapes (small rivers) behind Tania's home looking for
tarantulas, bats, alligators, night birds and other creatures
of the night. From the lodge we will visit the Anavilanhas islands,
the largest group of freshwater islands in the world, and go walking
and canoeing to see monkeys, toucans, iguanas and dolphins. In
the rainy season we will explore the "flooded forest", the unique
treetop world above the flooded islands. |
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Our rustic
jungle lodge
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| Day
5- |
Explore
islands in the Anavilhanas Archipelago and visit the flooded forest.
Overnight at lodge. |
| Day
6- |
After
breakfast we will set out for a second jungle walk from Tania's
family's property through the jungle to the end of the Arara river.
Our boat will pick us up and we will continue up river to the
Jaraqui river, another tributary of the Rio Negro. After lunch
and a siesta we will explore the end of the Jaraqui river beneath
the rainforest canopy and trek (dry season only) to its source
located near a set of waterfalls deep in the jungle. Overnight
sleeping in the boat on the Jaraqui river (or in the jungle).. |
| Day
7- |
In
the morning we will visit The Isana settlement of Terra Preta
above the next tributary of the Rio Negro, the Tucuman. Here
live 8 Indigenous Peoples brothers and their familes. While
they do not live as traditional Indigenous Peopless they do
inhabit a beautiful settlement high above the Rio Negro facing
the Anavilhanas islands. Return to Manaus. Transfer to Hotel.
Farewell dinner at Galo Carijo fish restaurant.
Transfer
to Airport @ 1.30 am Depart Manaus @ 4 am, Tuesday (VARIG Airlines)
Arrive Miami @ 9 am, Tuesday
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The Motorboat
- Tour #2
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| If
you would rather travel on the rivers and igarapes of Amazonia in a
covered motorized canoe, we can organize the same tour as above in one
of our fast covered motorboats. Travellers take in all the sights of
our regular tours, go for jungle walks, piranha fishing, alligator hunting,
plus spend more nights with Cabclclo river families as there are no
sleeping accomodations on the boat. This tour follows the same route
as No. 1 and includes the same things. |
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| The Caboclo
- Tour #3 |
| For
travellers who wish contact directly with the culture and environment
of Amazonia. We are able to offer visitors the opportunity of living
with a traditional "Caboclo" river family. The owner's family
lives 4 hours from Manaus Just before the Anavilhanas Archipelago. They
are a traditional, "Caboclo" river family. Accomodation is
In a 10 bed lodge which features kitchen, bathroom with shower, electricity,
stand-up fans, screened doors and windows, meals on the veranda with
river views, hammocks in the shade. This is an unequalled opportunity
for the serious traveller who wants to "meet the locals" and
see their way of life up close. We shall place special emphasis on the
observation of medicine plants and their popular usage amongst the Amazonian
people. All food and drink is included, as is city tour, meals + hotel
in Manaus as in No. 1. Tour includes a variety of trekking, canoeing
and camping sidetrips, including a visit to the Anavilhanas Archipelago.
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| The Hiker
- Tour #4 |
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Manaus one of our riverboats will transport travellers up the Rio Negro
to our starting point just before the Anavilhanas Archipelago at Acajatuba
(opposite side of the river from the homestead at Arara). From here
you will trek 5 days through the jungle till we reach the village of
Manacaparu. Here a bus will transport the group back to Manaus. In search
of wildlife and waterfalls, you will make camp each night in the jungle
and listen to the "symphony of green". Survival skills and
wildlife tracking are highlights of this tour. This is a real adventure
and is not for the timid or lazy. Includes all extras as in No. 1 also.
Free day in Manaus includes city tour and afternoon meeting of the waters
tour. |
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| From
Manaus one of our boats will transfer the group up the Rio Negro to
the heart of the Anavilhanas Islands and the Cuieras river. From the
headwaters of the Cuieras you will embark on a 5 day canoe trip amongst
the islands and tributaries of this secluded region. One of our boats
will pick the group up and bring you back to Manaus on the last day.
Includes all extras as in No. 1. Free day in Manaus includes city tour
and meeting of the waters tour. |
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| Using
one of our houseboats as your base of operations, you will travel onto
the Amazon river below Manaus and spend as many days as you wish fishing
for Tucunare and other delicious river fish. You will also enjoy jungle
walks and canoeing side-trips. Food, mineral water, english speaking
guide and all extras as in No. 1 are included. |
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| The Cabin
Cruiser - Tour #8 |
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itinerary is the same as our houseboat and motorboat tours. Your boat
however is a cabin cruiser with air conditioned cabins. This tour is
for those that want as much comfort as they can get but still want to
visit all the spots the other tours go to. |
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| By
popular demand, we have recently added to our program a tour specially
for birdwatchers. Join professional ornitholigist and naturalist Andrew
Whittaker, formerly of INPA (National Research Institute of Amazonas)
for a very special 9 day tour. Program covers popular birding areas
on the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers and employs one of our classic riverboats.
This tour is for birdwatchers exclusively. Bird lists are provided by
INPA. |
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| The
Riverboat "Plus" - Tour #10 |
| In
one of our classic houseboats, outfitted to take you as far from Manaus
as posssible in the time allotted, our destination is the headwaters
of the River Cueiras.. The "plus" is a 2 day/1 night motorboat
and camping venture deep into the heart of the jungle towards the source
of the Cuieras river. Small boat side trips, excellent wildlife possibilities,
jungle camping, waterfalls, petrified forest are features. |
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11
Day Complete Tours
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eco-adventure involves additional air travel up to the town of San a
Isabel on the Upper Rio Negro river. From here one of our guides will
lead clients by motorboat on a tour of the magnificent mountains, rivers
and jungles of this beautiful and "undiscovered" region. Besides
daily hikes and canoe trips clients will also have opportunities to
meet with local river people in villages and homes where we will camp.
Clients will be limited to one medium backpack for their personalgear(clothes,
boots,etc.) and hammock/mosquito net which can be obtained upon arrival
in Manaus). This tour features trekking, canoeing, climbing, wildlife
and fishing with locals and Indigenous Peopless in a pristine rainforest
environment |
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1- |
Arrive
Manaus , transfer to hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, you
will be taken on a city tour to visit the famous Opera House,
the Municipal Market, the Museum of Natural Sciences and INPA
(National Research Institute of Amazonas). Lunch will be had at
a typical tropical fruit bar. Afternoon is free. Welcome dinner
at Buffalo BBQ Restaurant, overnight at hotel. |
| DAY
2- |
Transfer
to Airport, depart Manaus at 6am, arrive Sao Gabriel at 8:30am.
Upon arrival you will transfer to motorboat for first leg of journey.
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| DAY
2-9- |
You
will boat and trek to a Indigenous Peoples Maloca (lodge) and
spend 6 days/5 nights visiting with The Isanas. You will explore
the jungles and rivers of this beautiful area as much as possible,
though the focus is on visiting The Isanas. |
| DAY
10- |
Return
to Sao Gabriel, depart at 8:50am, arrive Manaus at 11:20am, transfer
to hotel. Afternoon free in Manaus, farewell dinner at Galo Carijo
fish restaurant, overnight at hotel. |
| DAY
11- |
Transfer
to airport. Depart. |
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"Swallows
and Amazon"
Tania
& Mark Aitchison
Fiveteen Day Complete
Tours
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| The Trekker
#20 |
| This
longer trekking tour involves a boat or bus trip up the Rio Negro into
the middle of the Anavilhanas Archipelago and the town of Nova Airao.
From here your group will travel by motorboat to Jau Park, the starting
off point for an adventurous 10 day trek through the jungle towards
the Amazon river and the town of Codajas. A public boat returns travellers
to Manaus. Please check available dates as this tour is subject to public
transportation scheduling from Codajas. |
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| The Angler
#21(longer fishing
tour) |
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is a longer version of our Fisherman's program and involves a 13 day
tour of many of the beautiful lakes of the Amazon basin. Again one of
our houseboats is your base, and food, mineral water and expert guide
are included. |
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| The
Explorer #23 |
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longer adventure up the Rio Negro involves a flight from Manaus to Sao
Gabriel da Cachoeira. There the group transfers to a motorboat for a
trip into the interior of Pico de Neblina National Park. From the dropoff
point the group will then begin an unforgettable trek amidst mountains
and rivers, exploring lost canyons and pristine rainforests. |
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| The Climber #24 |
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also offer a rugged trip into the same region that involves climbing
the mythical Pico de Neblina mountain (the highest in Brazil). |
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Add-On
Four Day Modules!
A. The Riverboat
B. The Motorboat
C. The Caboclo
D. The Hiker
E. The Canoeist
F. The Fisherman
G. The Cabin Cruiser
H. The Treetop Lodge (Ariau Jungle Towers, Rio Negro river)
I. The Headwaters tributaries of the Rio Negro; Cuieiras and
Apuau)
J. The Birdwatcher
K. The Caverns
! Each module costs $450
per person complete
Notes
*
Because The Isana, Border, Rio Negro "Plus", Trekker, Explorer,
Lost World and Climber tours involve additional transport and, in
the first two cases, visits with culturally sensitive indigenous peoples
these tours should be arranged at least a month ahead of time. ANDETUR
& SWALLOWS and AMAZONS further reserve the right to alter slightly
the form, though not the content, of these programs. There may even
be times when we cannot organize these tours at all due to airline
scheduling, political instability, low water levels, FUNAI (Indigenous
Peoples Bureau of Affairs) or IBAMA (Federal Wildlife Agency) restrictions
etc.
# Note: This tour requires a return public boat ride to Manaus. The
scheduling for this boat is erratic at best. It would be best therefore
if the interested client let us research and coordinate their air
scheduling with them before organizing this tour.
*** 7 and 14 day tours revolving around VARIG
airlines currently depart Miami Saturdays at 10 pm and return on the
following Sundays. It is not unusual however for VARIG to change their
scheduling without warning. Before committing yourself to a VARIG
schedule (and one of our 7 or 14 day tours) I advise that you (or
we will) check the airline scheduling before finalizing a reservation.
7 day tours with 4 day extensions and our 11 day programs involve
around domestic scedules. If other airlines are to be used or connections
are being made through Rio de Janeiro or another gateway city some
schedules may have to be altered. ANDETUR & SWALLOWS and AMAZONS
will do their best to abide by advertised programs and their costs.
We can also of course put together unique and private itineraries
involving any combination of elements suggested by these tours should
there be an interest.
**** Detailed itineraries for all of our tours
are available upon request. Most revolve around existing VARIG and
TAM airlines scheduling, though any tour of course may be customized
to fit a particular client's schedule or desires.
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