customized trips throughout south america
about us auroraeco
is a premium tour operator (on-site) in South America.
Headquartered in São Paulo (Brazil) and with operating offices in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Santiago de Chile, AuroraEco offers its clients and partners the finest travel programs in the region. It is not by chance that companies such as Butterfield and Robinson, DuVine Adventures, The Travel Network Inc. and others, partner with AuroraEco in South America. We organize travels focused on: • Wildlife and nature • Wines and gastronomy • Active trips (Biking, Walking and Multisport) • Culture and history • Family retreats • Private Villas and yachts • Executive retreats
what differs us from other companies? 1. We are small, our owners and directors are on the front line, and always accessible. 2. Quality, not quantity - we only serve what our structure can support; we never serve a client if we are already saturated. 3. We are experts in every location we serve, we personally know every place, museum, vessel, house (private villa), restaurant, hotel, etc. we offer. We never offer third-party services if we have not trained them. We also work with small YPO and Renaissance Executive Forums executive groups, organizing retreats at exclusive locations, with balanced programs and dedicated teams to meet the highest expectations.
what makes a trip perfect? over the past eight years ,
that was the opening question of the daily morning team meetings at AuroraEco. We know, through your feedback and other clients’, that our active trip itineraries not only meet, but exceed, the highest expectations. Whichever they are: • to know a location on foot or by bike, interacting with the environment and the locals; • to lodge at strategically-located boutique hotels; • to enjoy gastronomic experiences that translate the essence of each region; • to be accompanied by local hosts and guides who care about every detail.
Yet, we are always looking to improving the services we provide you. Now, we have decided to go a step further. Therefore, we have changed our meetings’ opening question: what makes your trip perfect? And no-one is better empowered to answer that question than yourself. For that reason, from now on, regardless the active trips we continue offering, you are the one who will tell us what your wants are. Through our knowledge of the regions where we operate, we will see to every detail. It might be a trip to Fernando de Noronha to relax, without a hint of a physical activity. It might be an itinerary focused on the Colchagua Valley wines, in Salta or in Mendoza. Or whatever location in South America you may choose. The destination does not matter. What does matter is that you know that we, at AuroraEco, will always be searching for your perfect trip.
Warm regards, Guilherme Padilha e Roberto Bitelman
Index argentina
13
Mendoza
14
Argentinean Chateaux
15
Patag么nia
16
7 Lakes
17
Salta
brazil
19
The Amazon
20
Pantanal
Gold Route
21
22
Len莽贸is Maranhenses +Jericoacoara
Fernando de Noronha
23
24
Chapada dos Veadeiros
Southern Bahia
25
26
Chapada Diamantina
chile
28
Atacama
29
Colchagua
peru
31
33
34
Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley
uruguay The Uruguayan Coast Main Cities
our hosts As obvious as it might seem, it is not so simple to explain how important the role of our hosts is during your trip. Think about a village or a region where you arrive and a friend is there to greet you. Instead of asking for assistance at the airport or bus depot information desk, you are immediately whisked off to dine at a small restaurant he is used to going. During your stay, you go, for instance, to open-air markets, secluded stores, museums, other restaurants, and, almost everywhere, you are warmly greeted by someone who knows your friend. Eventually, you might even go to his friends’ homes, who welcome you with open arms and are extremely interested in telling you what they do, or even knowing what it is that you do. When choosing our hosts, we think of a good friend. A lively, curious, courteous, communicative friend, and one who (at least) is passionate for traveling and for the new. Someone who, whether or not living at that locale, has the right connections, and who uses them to connect you to every locale, mostly to its people, its habits and its history. That friend might always, or almost always, be present, but he might also be a ghost friend, whom you will only see whenever (and if) you so desire. The trip is yours to enjoy; our host’s sole role is to make it exceptionally enjoyable, dynamic and enriching. Nothing feels nicer than traveling and feeling at home...
TESTIMONIAL
Miguel
Gustavo
Dear Gustavo, already back to Montevideo and ready to return to São Paulo, I want to send you these lines. At our farewell, we mentioned to you we were very pleased with the trip, that it had exceeded our expectations. What I might not have said with enough emphasis and clarity was that a key element to this “Patagonia Crossing” that pleased us so was the human quality of the staff who traveled with us, led by you. Be sure – and I am greatly experienced in that area, as I led companies with more than 7,500 employees – that what makes the difference in a company is not its technology, its brand, its financial resources or its products. Of course all of that helps. Yet, what truly makes a company’s difference are the people working in it. Many companies might bring tourists to
Patagonia, and there they’ll have, at their disposal, the Viedma glacier, Mount Fitz Roy, Victoria Island. But few will have people such as Gustavo, Marcelo and Rodrigo to escort, support and guide them. Therefore, Gustavo, many thanks to you and all of AuroraEco’s staff, on my behalf as Stella’s. It was a wonderful tour, and you were directly responsible for making that possible. I remain at your disposal to anything I might help you with, whether in Montevideo or São Paulo. Do not hesitate in contacting me if you need anything. I send you my warmest regards. Miguel R. B. p.s.
I hope we will meet soon!
9
with activities. or not each region has its characteristics and offers unique conditions to certain activities. If you enjoy physical exertion, nothing compares to cycling around landscapes such as those found in the Seven Lakes or Chapada dos Veadeiros. If you prefer to relax, whether in nature or with all the amenities of a luxury hotel, we’d suggest Jericoacoara, Fernando de Noronha, the Argentine Estates or Pantanal. Want to travel with your children? Why not go to Atacama Desert or to Lençóis Maranhenses? A lover of wine and good food? Colchagua Valley, Mendoza and Salta cannot stay out of your list. You will interact with enologists and sommeliers who will introduce you to the finest every place has to offer. Diving? Horseback riding? Trekking? We know each of our destinations so well we will help you pick exactly what you want. 10
gastronomy
hotels We always start our research on a given region by finding the best hotels and finest inns for your sojourn. Small and exclusive, privileged locations, excellent rooms, exceptional service, charm and integration with the environment. All of that is the least a lodge must feature so that we will consider offering it to you. Rest assured that we personally know every hotel we offer.
A place and its people may be very well know through the cuisine they offer. The ingredients, the way of preparing and serving food all tell a lot about the history and the people in a region. For that reason, whenever it is in your interest, we will strive to offer a unique gastronomic experience. It might be a restaurant headed by a famous chef, a meal made at the home of a local, or a picnic in the country with fresh local specialties.
argentina
If you are pass ionate about wines, extend your tr ip for a few m ore days and know the Maipo and Co lchagua Valleys in Chile , on the other side of the Andes Mountains.
MENDOZA is one of the pioneers in Mendoza’s wine production, a city located in Western Argentina, at the foot of the Andes Mountains. It was in 1902, four years after landing from Italy, that Nicola Catena planted the first malbec vine. Eight decades later, his grandson, Nicolás Catena, then an Economics professor at Berkeley, California, started a small revolution in Argentina when he drove wine production to international levels. The quick results achieved by Bodega Catena Zapata soon caught the attention not only of other producers in the Mendoza region - who were forced to raise the quality of the local product - but of the world, who started paying attention to the wine produced in the so-called “New World”. Today, the over one thousand Mendoza wineries account for 70% of all wine production in Argentina. In Mendoza, it is possible to taste exceptional wines, such as Nicolas Catena Zapata 2003, Primus Pinot Noir 2004 (Bodega Salentein), Andeluna Gran Reserva Pasionado 2003 (Bodega Andeluna), and many others. the catena family
HIGHLIGHTS • Private tastings at bodegas • Bike rides or walks around the vineyards • Meals harmonized with Mendoza’s finest wines • Chats with Eduardo, our sommelier • The sights of the Andes Mountains • Small charming hotels set amidst vineyards
13
ARGENTINEAN CHATEAUX “ the
south ”,
by Argentinean writer Jorge Luis Borges, the leading character thinks, pleased: “Tomorrow I will awaken at the estate”. Once there, he sees “horses on the earthen paths”, “lagoons and farms” and “great luminous clouds that seemed marble”. Poetic. Such are the Argentine Estates. Most of them were built in late XIX century, when, living its economic bonanza thank the massive beef and grain exports, the country was known as the “world’s barn”. It was at that era of affluence that the grand farmers started hiring the most renowned foreign and local architects to build their palatial homes near Buenos Aires. Two good examples of the golden years experienced by Argentines are Villa Maria and La Candelaria estates. Lying only 45 minutes away from the capital city, Villa Maria had its Norman-style manor house designed by celebrated architect Alejandro Bustillo, build in 1919. La Candelaria, in its turn, one hour away from Buenos Aires, presents its guests a genuine château, laid in stone, such as the French castles, built in 1894. in the tale
HIGHLIGHTS • The estates’ imposing and historical buildings, of which Villa Maria, La Candelaria and La Figura stand out • Bike or horseback rides from estate to estate • The pampas culture, very present in local habits and cuisine
the nearness Take advantage of km/50 mi) to (80 es Air to Buenos Plata and know cross the Río de la Colonia del the historical city of uay ug Ur Sacramento, in
Vast plains of wheat, soy and pastureland for cattle comprehend the bucolic vista connecting the manor houses of the argentine Estates in Buenos Aires province.
PATAGÔNIA
HIGHLIGHTS • Perito Moreno and Viedma glaciers • Boating across the Beagle Canal, in Ushuaia, and on Viedma lake, in El Chaltén • Walks in the woods and on Patagonia’s glaciers. • Chats with Manolo, a centolla (king crab) fisherman in Puerto Almanza, close to Ushuaia • Patagonia’s cuisine
80
(50 miles) away from the city of El Calafate, in the Argentinean Patagonia, Los Glaciares National Park spans 600 thousand hectares of sub-antarctic forests and shelters many species of animals on the verge of extinction. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981, Los Glaciares does not have that name for no reason: in the park, there are over 300 imposing glaciers. One of the most famous is Perito Moreno, named after Francisco Pascacio Moreno (1852-1919), one of Patagonia’s earliest explorers. Regarded as one of the main freshwater reservoirs of the planet, Perito Moreno glacier stretches approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) and its snout stands 60 meters high – the ice calving off its snout provide a unique sight. Existing for at least 30 thousand years, it is one of the only glaciers in the world that continues expanding.
only
kilometers
If you enjoy walks in “glacial” settings, Torres del Pa ine National Park, in Chile (a 5-hour car ride from El Calafate ), is a great suggestion to round out your passage through Patag onia
15
The 7 Lakes area includes the cities of San Martin de los Andes, Villa La Angostura and San Carlos de Bariloche. And there are many more than 7 lakes in the region, of which the most famous are Hermoso, Moreno, Traful, Lacar and Nahuel Huapi lakes
7 LAKES 1901,
thern known as Nor district is also ke la uth s a’ So in ed nt Arge away, head w hours’ flight at th t ou ab e Patagonia. A fe mor t, you may know s ke la , ns of the continen ai nt ou on. Glaciers, m t fascinating regi e world’s mos th of e on up e ak m s t er in riv po d an gonia. Its stinations, Pata impressive de te city of El Calafa of entry is the
detective agency received the news outlaw Butch Cassidy had fled the United States aboard the British vessel HMS Soldier Prince. Accompanied by professor Etta Place and its culprit, Sundance Kid, one of America’s most infamous outlaws was on its ways to Argentina with the millions robbed from the First National Bank of Winnemucca. Pinkerton’s heads promptly assigned detective Frank Dimaio to the pursuit. As soon as he got to Buenos Aires, Dimaio learnt the trio had purchased six thousand hectares of land near Cholila, in Patagonia. Bewitched, nonetheless, by the Argentinean lifestyle, the detective gave up the hunt and opened a shoe store. In February 1902, sheriff Martin Sheffields landed in Buenos Aires with the mission of capturing the trio. No-one ever knew for sure the terms of the deal persecutor and persecutees cut when they met. The fact is that, in 1907, Sheffields also purchased land near El Maitén, in the province of Chobut, in the area of Los Arrayanes National Park, in the region of the Seven Lakes. Watching that scenario, it is easy to understand why Sheffields, Butch Cassidy & co. decided to live peaceful times in Argentina. in
16
the north american pinkerton
HIGHLIGHTS • The scenery along the Seven Lake road • Sailing on a private boat on Nahuel Huapi lake • The stories of illustrious characters that were, and are, part of the region • The excellent hotel choices, such as El Correntoso, Las Balsas and Llao Llao • Walks around woods, bike loops bordering turquoise lakes or horseback rides through the mountains
SALTA HIGHLIGHTS • Strong influence of the “Calchaqui”, an indigenous tribe that peopled the region of the High Plateau; today extinct • Excellent altitude wines in the region of Cafayate, South of the Salta Province • Small and very charming hotels, such as Pátios de Cafayate (Cafayate) or Casa de las Jasminas (Salta) • Nearness to Bolivia and Chile • Land of the delicious empanadas salteñas
The Salta and Jujuy provinces, very close to Bolivia and Chile, feature sceneries that mingle incredibly reddish canyons and beautiful fields for wine production at high altitudes, in addition to offering small and sophisticated hotels
(such as are called Buenos Aires’ locals, whose influence, from physical traits to habits, is markedly Spanish), the population from Northwestern Argentina has its roots deep-seated in the pre-colombian cultures settled in that region located at an altitude of about three thousand meters far before the arrival of the settlers. In their behavior, the inhabitants of Argentina’s high plateau are usually more reserved, not very prone to excesses, as if they were still wary of the visitor’s intentions. Not seldom, when in the presence of strangers, they speak in quechua, a language spoken at the ancient Inca empire. To compensate, at traditional feasts such as carnival and the folkloric peñas, the latter typical from Salta, it is common to see them partying for days and days on end, at the sound of charangos (a string instrument), quenas (flute), caixas and bombos (percussion instruments), wearing most of the times clothes made of alpaca, lamb and llama wool. To have an idea of the cultural diversity of that region - larger than Italy, although peopled by only 5% of the Argentinean population - in the rural communities of the Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja and Santiago del Estero provinces it is also curious to observe the physiognomic differences of indigenous heritage. very different from the porteño figure
If your spirit is cross adventurous, ntains the Andes Mou night e (spending on psite), m ca ry at a luxu ude of 5 tit al e th ng reachi before s, er thousand met ama ac At to descending ile Ch in Desert,
brazil
THE AMAZON environmental NGO in Brazil, IPÊ, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (Ecologic Research Institute), has operated for 8 years in the Amazon region, more specifically in Anavilhanas, on the lower Negro River (in 2003, UNESCO declared the region a Natural Heritage Site). The projects IPÊ carries out have basically two purposes: biodiversity conservation and social-environmental sustainability of the riverside population. For these and other reasons, IPÊ has put into practice, for instance, Project Manatee, which not only implements a conservation program of that species in its habitat as also sensitizes the people living around Anavilhanas’ Ecological Station to fight poaching. When it comes to ecotourism, IPÊ offers a boat, Maíra I, which allows for the performance of social-environmental diagnoses and also offers environmental education activities. All that to keep untouched the life and landscape of that region, one of the richest in the planet, from an ecological standpoint. regarded as the third largest
HIGHLIGHTS • The vastness of the Amazon Forest and its biodiversity • Private cruises on the Negro and Tapajós Rivers • Seeing up close and in practice IPÊ’s (Ecologic Research Institute) socialenvironmental projects • Knowing the Amazon’s riverside communities • The labyrinth of islets forming Anavilhanas Archipelago
on lies of the Amaz A little south m, the te ys rich ecos another very advantage lands). Take sh ar (M al Pantan ese regions ss to know th ne ar ne r ei of th e is king where wildlif
Here you will see some examples of the bountiful fauna and flora of the Amazon Region. This vessel, Aqua, is an excellent choice for those willing to know the Peruvian Amazon in much style and comfort
PANTANAL from november to mid - may
it rains a lot in Pantanal – and this couldn’t be better for the ecotourist. Rivers, lakes and lagoons flood, forming canals connecting one to the other. The floods cover up to two-thirds of this unique ecosystem spanning 250 thousand km2 (97 sq.m.), in Southern Mato Grosso and Northwestern Mato Grosso do Sul. The result of so much rainwater covering broad expanses of land is an abundance and variety of fauna and flora as cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. That region, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site, is home to 650 species of birds (for an idea, in the whole of Brazil approximately 1,800 species are listed), amongst which the arara-azul-grande (large blue macaw) and the tuiuiú (a type of stork), regarded as Pantanal’s emblematic bird. The vegetation, in its turn, is a complex of three distinct systems: amazon, cerrado (wastelands) and chaco (such as the marshlands in Paraguay and Bolivia are called). From May, the flooded waters begin to subside. It is the start of the ebbing season, when the lands dry and bloom and the fish are caught in pools and bays, providing a generous feast to birds and carnivores alike – amongst which, of course, the traveler fond of the good pantaneira cuisine.
HIGHLIGHTS • Both “Pantanais”: the dry season’s and the rainy season’s • The charming farms, to lodge in the middle of nature • The greatest diversity of bird species on the planet, and one of the largest in terms of mammals • The pantaneira culture and the locals’ relationship with the ecosystem
po Grande, ght from Cam fli s’ gion) ur re ho al w A fe to the Pantan s or h do ry nt ht be throug or Cuiabá (e mazon.It mig A e th e r or lte pl A of you may ex in the village e’s Amazon, s River, jó pa the Pará Stat Ta e th the banks of do Chão, on e Negro River anaus, on th M h ug ro th ou
The best way to explore the region is to lodge at some of the private properties we have chosen, which provide exclusive accommodation. That way, you will feel as if you were on your own farm
If you enjoy m ore cultural trips wi th historical cont ent, know São Luis do M aranhão, the city of Portu guese wall tiles
To go deeper into Minas Gerais’ historical and cultural riches, you might visit the homes of some of the region’s legendary characters
GOLD ROUTE was born in 1746 on Fazenda do Pombal (Pigeonhouse Farm), at that time a stretch of land vied over by the villages of São João del Rei and São José do Rio das Mortes. He had no regular schooling. He was educated by two brothers who were priests and remained under the custody of a godfather, who was a surgeon. He worked as a peddler, a miner and an engineer. He also dedicated to pharmaceutical practices and to the profession as a dentist, what gave him the non-complimentary nickname Tiradentes (Tooth-puller). At 34, he enlisted in the captain’s troop of Minas Gerais. One year later, he was appointed patrolling commander of the Caminho Novo (New Road), one of the roads used to bring gold to Rio de Janeiro. This is when he came into contact with groups that were dissatisfied with the Portuguese exploration of Brazil. After resigning from the cavalry, where he only reached the post as second lieutenant, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he envisioned the canalization of Andaraí and Maracanã rivers. The execution of his projects was, nevertheless, dismissed, furthering his independence ideals to the colony. Having read the United States’ Declaration of Independence (proclaimed in 1776), he organized a movement against the Portuguese Crown which is known as Inconfidência (Disloyalty). In 1789, the same year as the French Revolution, he was arrested in Rio. On April 21st, 1792, a Saturday, he was hanged, and his body was dismembered in public. joaquim josé da silva xavier
HIGHLIGHTS • Visits to museums and churches led by a history professor • The fusion of contemporary and Minas Gerais traditional cuisines, found at restaurants Traga Luz and Theatro da Villa • The charm of Pousada Solar da Ponte • The wood and cast-iron crafts of Bichinho village, where Oficina de Agosto stands out • Minas Gerais hospitality, along with chats, coffees, pães de queijo (cheese breads)...
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LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES + JERICOACOARA National Park, close to the Parnaíba River delta, stretch approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) along the coats and 50 kilometers (31 miles) inland. It is, without a doubt, one of the most striking natural phenomena on the planet. Mostly during the rainy season, along the whole first half of the year, when innumerable lakes, lagoons and pools of plentiful and crystalline fresh water further enhance the surreal scenery of that real seaside desert. One does not visit the same Lençóis Maranhenses twice – every year, the wind erases and redesigns the landscape of thousands of existing dunes (also called morrarias hills), some standing over 40 meters high. Dunes and lagoons are not the only attractions. In the city of Barreirinhas, the major point of access to Lençóis, visitors may delight on beaches such as Ponta do Mangue, Moitas, Vassouras, Morro do Boi and Barra do Tatu. From the top of the Mandacaru lighthouse, a small fishing village, one glimpses the Preguiças River and the desert vastness of the approximately 300 km2 (115 sq.m.) of the Park. the sands of lençóis maranhenses
HIGHLIGHTS • A flight in a single-engine plane to admire that unique scenery, formed by millions of dunes and lagoons (an extension equivalent to the city of São Paulo) • Discover the Preguiças River with all of its bends, surrounded by rich fauna and flora • Tour the lagoons in the region of Santo Amaro, visited by extremely few tourists. • Know Pequenos Lençóis, on a narrow strip of land separating Preguiças River from the ocean.
. And since you nçóis is enough Four days in Le ggestion is to y there, our su will go all the wa ba River delta aí rn know the Pa extend the trip, in Jeri, relaxing Piauí) and end (in the state of en, enjoy other g beach. Or, th on that amazin te or windsurf; ities, such as ki tiv ac l fu ht lig de es k and buggy rid walks, horsebac
Brazil’s Nor theastern co ast offers st little-exploite ill d beaches, su ch as São Miguel do G ostoso, in th e state of Rio Grande do N orte, and Bar ra de Camaratuba, in the state of Paraíba.
fernando de noronha
HIGHLIGHTS • The marine fauna • Diving expeditions on private boats • The daily rendezvous with spinning dolphins at Baía dos Golfinhos • The beaches and rocky formations • To more experienced divers, the Ipiranga Corvette shipwreck • The historical fort of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
on fernando de noronha , one of the most visited areas is Baía dos Golfinhos (Dolphins’ Bay). The reason lies in the very name of the cove, a wellknow resting, reproduction and breeding area for spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). An ocean species, these permanent residents of the waters of that archipelago in the state of Pernambuco may grow two meters long. In their natural habitat, they may live 30 years. Their back is dark grey with light grey stripes, and their belly is white. Gestation period is about 10 months and offspring are born 80 centimeters long. Their most appealing trait, nonetheless, are their airborne acrobatics – hence their nickname, “spinners” – easily reaching three meters above water level and that are a joy to tourists. Usually, the schools of that species start swimming into Baía dos Golfinhos at sunrise, spend there most of the day, and return to the open ocean at day’s end in search of food. Around Fernando de Noronha, it is common for schools of spinner dolphins to follow vessels. According to the island locals, such closeness is a defense mechanism, as if they wanted to say: “We are friendly, do not attack us, respect our home”.
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CHAPADA DOS VEADEIROS Chapada dos Veadeiros, set in the wastelands of the state of Goiás, to the word mysticism. There are explanations to that. One of them is its mountainous nature, crossed by Parallel 14, the same as Machu Picchu’s, the Incas’ sacred city in Peru. Also, the fact the region sits on an immense depository of quartz crystal, turning the place, according to experts, into one of the world’s largest energy centers. The relationship of Chapada dos Veadeiros with mysticism started in 1957, when a group of people from the state of Pernambuco, “on a spiritual mission”, landed there to found an Esperanto school, Bona Espero Farm. Six years later, Oscal, a spiritist organization from Minas Gerais based on Allan Kardec’s principles, set up in its Cidade da Fraternidade the region (Fraternity City - which had 400 residents). In 1980, the Encontro Nacional de Comunidades Rurais (Rural Communities’ National Summit) chose Alto Paraíso as a headquarters of sorts of those organizations. Starting there, the consolidation of Chapada’s mystic aura only grew. Today, Alto Paraíso is regarded as Brazil’s mysticism capital. Between one meditation and the next, it is possible to be dazzled by the canyons, rock faces, crystalline water rivers, natural pools and waterfalls in the Chapada National Park, whose point of access is Vila de São Jorge. it is hard not to associate
days r trip to spend a few Take advantage of you ing rm cha to In addition in quaint Pirenópolis. the to me ho is y that cit squares and streets, folkloric feast inspired a , da ha val Ca s ou fam ns tia ris Moors and Ch by the battles between s nth in the mo that takes place yearly e. Jun d an of May
HIGHLIGHTS • Waterfalls plunging from over 100 meters high, several featuring excellent pools for swimming • Hills and mesas where one can admire the beauties of the region • Good choices of therapeutic practices, mostly relaxing massages after physical activities • A bike ride around Brasília, providing a new perspective of that very special city
Extend your trip to Salvad or and discov with our loca er, l experts, th e secrets of that cultural capital. You may lodge at charming hotels at vari ous locations of the city
SOUTHERN BAHIA in the morning of
HIGHLIGHTS • Bahia’s typical cuisine. From Dona Isabel’s acarajé, in Caraíva, to the sophisticated dishes at Japaiano, in Trancoso • Bahia’s hospitality • Beaches of green and calm seas • Historical ingredients, such as a class at Quadrado, Trancoso’s central square, about the arrival of the Portuguese caravels to the region • Flight in a double-engine plane from Corumbau to Porto Seguro. Or to Salvador
April 22th, 1500, Pero Vaz de Caminha, scribe of the
armada led by Pedro Álvares Cabral, scribbled to King D. Manuel of Portugal: “On this same day, at sunrise, we saw land! More specifically, at first a very large mount, very high and round; and other lowlands to its South; and flatlands, with large woods; the captain named the mount Monte Pascoal (Easter Mount) and the lands Terra de Vera Cruz (Land of Vera Cruz)!”. After spending the night anchored in open seas, the fleet, comprising 10 ships and 3 caravels, sailed northward along Bahia’s coast, searching for calmer waters. “And we sailed along the coast, and the small vessels found a reef surrounding a port, very good and very safe, with a very broad entrance”, wrote Caminha. After a brief reconnaissance on land, pilot Afonso Lopez took two natives on board, for all due introductions: “Their complexion is dark, a tad reddish, featuring good faces and good, well-shaped, noses. They live naked, without any cover. They are very innocent in that regard.” In the morning of April 26th, a Sunday, the Indians witnessed the Portuguese faith by attending the first mass, delivered by Friar Henrique de Coimbra. The 1,500 men led by Cabral remained on the new land until May 2nd, when they headed to the Indies, their trip’s final destination. Two exiles and two defecting cabin boys stayed with the natives on the new land – Brazil’s first four immigrants. 25
CHAPADA DIAMANTINA the legend says that , around
HIGHLIGHTS
1844, a certain Cazuza de Pra-
do and his slave left Mucugê, in the interior of the state of Bahia, looking for diamonds. The discovery of precious stones where today we call Chapada Diamantina soon started attracting miners and tradesmen to the region. In 1856, the human concentration settled there was named Vila de Lençóis (Bed-sheet Village). Some say the name comes from the sequence of tents next to each other: seen from above, it gave the illusion of a true “city of bed sheets”. Another version refers to the rock slates through which a certain river flowed, forming a sheet of froth on the riverbed. Leaving legends aside, the fact is that, at the peak of its mining cycle, Lençóis was the world’s largest diamond producer, a position currently held by Angola. In 1870, thank the wealth created by mining, the city already imported fashions, styles and novelties from Europe. At saraus (social gatherings where music was played and poems were read), it was common to see diamonds sewn onto guests’ garments. Declared a National Heritage Site in 1973, Lençóis preserves its colonial houses built during the diamond mining era. Amongst the major attractions, Senhor dos Passos Church (not altogether incidentally the miners’ patron), built in adobe by slaves in 90 days.
• The historical cities of Lençóis and Xique-Xique do Iguatu • Breakfast at Estalagem do Alcino • The hospitality and friendliness of the people who live in the region • Baked tucunaré (bass) at Seu Neco’s home • Pati Valley trail • The hundreds of waterfalls throughout Chapada Diamantina, amongst them Sossego and Fumaça • The region’s unique geomorphology, with its plateaus, valleys, grottos and caves
life, the outdoors If you enjoy a scenery bike rides in d an ks out al w long do not miss lls and hills, íso, ra Pa lto full of waterfa A Jorge and o Sã of s tie on the ci s dos Veadeiro in Chapada
chile
a trip. t per se is quite Atacama Deser e Andes th s extend it, cros Yet, you could orthwestern N in , go to Salta Mountains and ng ovince with stro Argentina, a Pr ude wines tit al t ea gr , ce en indigenous influ ed canyons. and multicolor
ATACAMA 200
(125
miles ),
Atacama Desert, in Northern Chile, is the world’s highest and most arid. The first settlers in the region were the atacameños, who arrived there around 13 thousand years ago. For centuries, they were the most developed of all pre-colombian peoples. Such development was greatly due to the harshness of the region. Because of the extreme soil aridity, for instance, they created the system of terrazas, contention walls to improve the use of land for agriculture, which would later on be used by the Incas. The archeological legacy left by the atacameños, may be enjoyed today at museums such as Padre Le Paige, in San Pedro do Atacama – regarded, not by chance, as Chile’s archeological capital. Created in 1955 by the initiative of the Belgian priest the museum is named after, it displays a large collection with over 300 thousand pieces of ceramics, clothing, hunting tools, mummies and other relics. The history of that pacific people that worshipped the forces of nature, and that met its end with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, may also be admired in the ruins of Tulor Settlement and in the pukaras, fortified buildings in the cities of Quitor and Lasana. stretching
28
kilometers
HIGHLIGHTS • The world’s driest desert, with impressive salt deposits • Large mountainous region, yet full of plains, ideal for walks, bike or 4x4 rides • The charm of the tiny town of San Pedro de Atacama, with very cool options of restaurants and bars • A world’s center of astronomical observatories, since there are practically no clouds, the high altitude and the absence of cities nearby
Around Santiago you will find Chile’s main wineproducing valleys and wineries: Maipo, Colchagua and Cachapoal.
Colchagua
HIGHLIGHTS • The never-ending landscape of vineyards in Colchagua Valley • Hacienda Araucano’s white wines, of which Gran Araucano Sauvignon Blanc stands out • The charm and comfort of Clos Apalta Exclusive Guest House • The possibility of knowing the wineries by bike • Meals harmonized with the finest Colchagua wines
2005,
colchagua valley ,
in Chile, was nominated the world’s finest wine-producing region by the prestigious North American magazine Wine Enthusiast. That award was the most accurate response to the region’s generous soil (stretching from the foot of the Andes Mountains to the Pacific) and to the perfect micro-climate for growing vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon (accounting for half of all vineyards), Merlot, Carmenère and Shiraz. But that’s not all. The recognition of Colchagua Valley as “Premium Land” celebrates, mostly, the strategy by local producers of investing high in technology to get to the foreign market with appealing prices. The result: 95% of the current production is exported. Not incidentally, some of the local wineries today bring to the rest of the world the expertise of traditional European names in the world of wines. Such examples are the French Eric de Rothschild (Los Vascos) and the couple Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle and Michel Rolland (Casa Lapostolle) with their made-in-Colchagua wines. in
Leaving the Colchagu a Valley and crossing the Andes Mo untains, you come to Mendoza, a wine-producing region in Argentina ren owned for its Malbec vines. 29
peru
To cross the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, nothing can be more charming and comfortable than the 4 recently-built luxury lodges on the Salkantay trail, set apart by walks that last from 3 to 6 hours a day.
Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley aboriginal from the mountains in peru ,
DESTAQUES • Trail from Soraypampa to Águas Calientes, with night stays at exclusive lodges along the way, featuring whirlpools, insulation, chefs de cuisine and masseurs • the ascent to Machu Picchu • The Inca culture, until today very strong and present in Cuzco and the surrounding areas • Train ride from Águas Calientes to Cuzco • Sacsayhuamán Q’enqo and Tambomachay ruins
the Incas dominated the Andes from circa 1.200 A.D. until the execution of Atahualpa emperor by the Spanish conquerors, in 1533. The Inca empire extended from what today is Southern Colombia to the Northwestern Argentina and Northern Chile. It comprised several nations and over 700 languages, amongst which quechua was the most spoken. The capital was the current city of Cuzco (“world’s navel”, in quechua). The Inca civilization reached its peak at the Pachacuti empire, in the XV century. Dating from that period was the construction of what today is one of the world’s foremost archeological heritages: Machu Picchu. Located in the Peruvian province of Urubamba, set 2,400 meters high, the city was rediscovered in 1911 by North American anthropologist Hiram Bingham, who soon renamed it the “Incas’ lost city”. Due to its singular setting, at the top of a mountain, and to its unique architecture, all built in stones, Machu Picchu was chosen one of the 7 new wonders of the world in 2007. in the midst If you enjoy long walks ending your trip ext of nature, it is worth r region in the to El Chaltén, the glacie . There, you will Argentinean Patagonia find fantastic trails. 31
uruguay
Uruguay’s coastline starts from the city of Carmelo, where Río de la Plata “springs”, stretches past the historical Colonia, the stylish and cosmopolitan Punta del Este, to the frontier with Brazil, in Polonio Cape.
Uruguayan Coast in the xviii century , with their eyes already duly turned to its colony in Ameri-
HIGHLIGHTS • The calm of Uruguay’s countryside • The history of Colonia del Sacramento, entangled with the formation of Brazil’s Federal Republic • The tannat wines produced by the oldest winery in Uruguay, Cerros de San Juan • Finca Narbonna’s artisanal pasta, olive oil and cheeses • The combination of field and beach at La Barra, in Punta del Este
ca, Portugal decided to push its borders at the south of the country in an attempt to curb the Spanish progress. In 1679, the Crown orders the then governor of Rio de Janeiro, Dom Manuel Lobo, to found a fortified settlement on the Río de la Plata, on the bank opposite Buenos Aires. In January the following year, the Portuguese founded Colônia do Santíssimo Sacramento. They counted, for that, with the help of the English – also interested in the market surrounding the Río de la Plata. As one might expect, the Spanish did not enjoy the idea. And so, over time, Colônia do Sacramento is perpetually vied over (at cannonball, at several occasions), often passing from the Portuguese hands to the Spanish, and vice-versa. In 1817, D. João VI annexed the whole region of current Uruguay to Brazil, including the city of Colônia do Sacramento. Yet, that lasted only until 1828, when the independence of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay is proclaimed. Fortunately, the whole history of conflict between Portugal and Spain may still be observed today, in the city’s architectural diversity. Crossing Río de la Plata, from Colonia, in less than one hour you will be in Buen os Aires. From Argenti na’s capital, you ma y know the imposin g estates that, in ad dition to offering splendid accommodation, illustrate that coun try’s recent history. 33
Rio de Janeiro
main cities In addition to serving as a point of entry to the destinations we offer throughout South America, these cities provide a wealth of culture and history, excellent gastronomy, great hotel infrastructure, and, a better part of them, many choices for contact with nature. We have, for each of these cities, suggestions of itineraries and activities so that you may connect with their daily lives, uncovering their most important features, but mostly the secrets and peculiarities they conceal. Whether in São Paulo’s typical Japanese district (Liberdade), at a percussion class with samba masters in Rio de Janeiro, or at a private tango lesson in Buenos Aires, our Hosts will do the possible (and the impossible) for your experience to be memorable.
34
Buenos Aires
Salvador
Santiago de Chile
Lima
S達o Paulo
DESIGN Kiko Farkas / Máquina Estúdio ASSISTANT DESIGNER Tereza Bettinardi / Máquina Estúdio ILLUSTRATIONS Carlo Giovanni PHOTOS Ana Amélia Escobar, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, Aqua Expedition, Arquivo AuroraEco, Correntoso Lake & River Hotel, Dalton Guimarães, Duvine Adventures, Eduardo Tropia, Estancia La Candelaria, Estancia Villa Maria, explora, Fazenda Monteiros, Fazenda Santa Sophia, Four Seasons Carmelo, Hotel Canto das Aguas, Hotel Casa Lapostolle, Hotel Casa Pueblo, Hotel Casa Real, Hotel Casa Silva, Hotel Los Cerros, Hotel Los Notros, Hotel Maitei, Hotel Vila Naiá/ Corumbau (pg. 6), House of Jasmines, João Paulo Farkas, Kiko Ferrite, Leonardo Martins, Lizandro Almeida, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Pedro Barbieri Gorski, Pousada Estrela D´água, Pousada Rancho do Peixe, Pousada Solar da Ponte (destino Estrada Real), Pousada Solar dos Ventos, Pousada Vila Kalango, Refugio Ecológico Caiman, Roney Alexio, Santana Ecológica, Socompa, Travessia Ecoturismo, Turismo Cordillerano
www.auroraeco.com information Tel +55 11 3086-1731 reservas@auroraeco.com.br Rua Conego Eugênio Leite, 920 Pinheiros, 05414-001 São Paulo – SP, Brazil