Unique adventure to the Brazilian Amazon
Organized by: Fabio Crespin Operationalized by: Peerless Travel & Cruises Toronto – Canada
Brazilian Amazon - 1st Expedition Itinerary: Belém, Boa Vista do Acará, Santarem, Alter do Chao (see map) and five days on board visiting the forest and “isolated” riverside communities of the Arapiuns and Tapajos rivers. Pará – Amazon – Brazil Communitarian Base Ecotourism March 3rd – 11th, 2012
Welcome Dear visitors, This trip is a unique way of visiting part of Brazil and the Brazilian Amazon. It starts with a glance of the capital city of the Brazilian state of Para. Belem is known as the Amazon metropolis and one of the most prosperous cities of the region with many highlights from its giant market and enormous diversity of natural goods to its churches and constructions dating from the beginning of the seventieth century. On the second day of the journey, a charter boat will take us to a riverside community within one hour navigation from Belem. We will start to get familiarized with the communities that live so intrinsically connected to the river and to the forest and where the culture of cooperation is an essential part of the community life. This day is also a “small taste” of the days ahead when we will board for a much “deeper” expedition. Next day, an early morning flight will take us to the smaller city of Santarem (1h flight from Belem) follow by a 1h drive to the village of Alter do Chao, already by the Tapajos River, with astonishing landscapes and beaches and our boarding port for the greatest part of the adventure.
During the next five days / four nights a boat will be the “house” of our group. The boat is exclusive to the group, each participant will receive its own hammock and there are also two fantastic cooks on board. “Living” on a boat, will allow us to travel much deeper into the forest, to visit communities that are even more
isolated and to reach remote locations that will present us with unimaginable natural scenarios. It is also a chance for a deep understanding of the local ways of living, a possibility for a true exchange with the communitarians and to get familiarized with the main issues and challenges that threaten this part of the globe, from logging to massive soya production , from illegal land invasion to the forest partially devastation.
This is an opportunity to have a different travel experience, not only an enjoyable and entertaining trip but also an educational, authentic, responsible and interactive journey. I will depart and return to Toronto with the whole group. Before the trip itself, participants will be invited to a four hours informal slides presentation and discussion about Brazil and more specifically, about the region of the visit social, political and economic dynamics. At the end of this brochure you will find a small description of my previous experiences and what lead me to organize this adventure. I would like to invite you to go through the itinerary and details below and I am sincerely looking forward to possibly having you on board. Many thanks, Fabio Crespin
This adventure is organized by Fabio Crespin together with amazing partners that were absolutely handpicked:
http://www.peerlesstravel.com/ (this is the old website, the new one is under construction) Toronto – Canada - Peerless Travel & Cruises was established in 1990 and is now one of Canada's LARGEST independent travel agencies. IATA 6791673-0 and TICO # 4274452 Corinne Marian - corinne@peerlesstravel.com or at 905.886.5610 ext. 307
http://www.estacaogabiraba.com.br/(I am afraid the website has no English translations yet) Belem – Para – Brazil - Gabiraba Station is a tour operator who, together with local communities, seeks to develop and establish an alternative model of tourism that generates income for social initiatives truly valuing its traditions and the environment in which they live.
http://www.saudeealegria.org.br(I am afraid the website has no English translations yet) Santarem – Para – Brazil - The Health & Happiness Project – Projeto Saude e Alegria - PSA - is a civil, non-profit organization that operates in the Amazon for more than 20 years to promote and support participatory processes for integrated and sustainable community development.
Day 1: City of Origin –Belem Arrival in Belem and transfer from airport to hotel. Accommodation and free time to rest.
Day 2: Belem Breakfast in hotel and departure for city tour when we will visit the popular market “Ver-o-Peso” which is the famous postcard of Belem and where we will see an enormous variety of regional fruits, fish and seafood, meats, handicrafts, spices, medicinal herbs and household goods making it the biggest market of its kind in the entire Amazon region. Belem is the capital city of the Para state, has approximately 1.4 million inhabitants and it was founded in 1616. We will visit its main architectural and historical landmarks such as the old quarter, St. Alexander Church and the Sacred Art Museum, the Sé Cathedral, the House of Eleven Windows, the 1878 Teatro da Paz (Peace Theater) and the Fort Castle. We stop for lunch at the “Dock Station”, cultural and gastronomic space which is in the port area of the Guajará River Bay. In the afternoon, we will visit the office of the Institute Peabiru, NGO developing and implementing socio-environmental projects in the region where we will exchange ideas with its founder about relevant topics for the region such as mining, logging and its impacts in the local communities. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and free evening.
Day 3: Belem - Boa Vista do Acara Departure from the port of the Beira Rio Hotel in Belem where at 8:00 a.m. we embark on a regional charter boat, bound for the first riverside community of our trip, the community of “Boa Vista do Acara”. It will be approximately a 50 minutes boat trip when we will start to get familiarized with the local way of leaving in the region. Houses are built on stilts to ensure protection against back-and-coming tides and the boat is the only means of transport. The red flag attached to the house’s mast is a sign that there is acai (local fruit) to sell. Arrival at the community port and meeting with the representative of the Association of Producers of Boa Vista do Acara who will be our guide for the day. A 20 minutes’ walk to the office of the association where we will meet the communitarians, have a round of introductions and a welcoming snack prepared by the community. From there, we walk for five minutes to visit the plantation of priprioca, an aromatic root used in the production of cosmetics. As priprioca takes at least eight months to reach the point of harvest, families are supported by cultivating açaí, cupuaçu, canasta and many other local fruits that we will also have the opportunity to see and taste. We will then learn about the whole craft process of producing cassava flour, which is the staple food of the Amazonian populations.
We will experience the whole cycle, since the care with the "farm" until the final work in the flour. Lunch will be at the community center follow by rest time. In the afternoon, we will participate in a craft workshop and also visit the project site and production of honey per native bees. In the end of the day, a delicious river swim time accompanied by a “stream bath smell” (immerge in waters mixed with special local aromatic herbs) a well-respected and ancient tradition cultivated in the community. Return to the harbor (20 minutes’ walk) and at 4pm take the one hour boat trip back to Belem. Dinner and free evening.
Day 4: Belem–Santarém – Alter do Chao Breakfast and morning transfer from hotel to the airport. Flight from Belem to Santarem (1h flight). Transfer from airport in Santarem to hotel in Alter do Chao (1h drive) . Accommodation and free time to visit the village.
Day 5: Starting the journey with the Health & Happiness Project (Projeto Saude e Alegria - PSA), “Alter do Chao” – Riverside Community of “Ana” At 6:30am, boarding and early morning breakfast on the boat that will be our "home" for the next five days. This part of the trip is developed in partnership with the Health & Happiness Project (Projeto Saude e Alegria), an NGO that has been operating for over 20 years in the Amazon with projects related to health, income generation and education. The boat will navigate approximately four hours in the rivers Tapajós and Arapiuns until we reach the first riverside community of this part of the trip, the community of Ana. Upon arrival, we will enjoy some river time swimming and beach time before lunch is served on board. At 4pm we will visit the Ana community and the bee keeping project of native stingless bees. Dinner will be served on board around 7pm. Free time for rest and overnight on the boat.
Day 6: Riverside Communities of “Ana” and “Atodí” Early morning breakfast at 07:30, follow by a visit to the fish farming and fish food production in Ana. This tour lasts two and a half hours, ending around 11am with a relaxing river bath follow by a tasty "Piracaia" with the community (traditional way of cooking the fish in a sand hole). At 2:30, we will depart to the community of Atodí (one hour and half navigation by the river Arapiuns). Arrival and visit to the Atodi community. Dinner will be held on board around 7pm. Free time and overnight on the boat.
Day 7: Riverside Communities of “Atodí” and “Arimum” Early breakfast at 7:00 a.m. follow by departure for an incredible three hours trekking on the Chestnut Trail in the Amazon Forest (by the Atodi community). It will be time for centennial trees, colorful birds, monkeys and depending on how lucky we are, some larger mammals and reptiles. At the end of the walk, a stop time for a refreshing swim in the creek follow by a visit to the production process of cassava flour, which is called by the Community "Flour." At around 1pm, lunch time with the community. In the afternoon we will depart and navigate on the Arapiuns River until the Arimum community, about hour and a half navigation from the Atodi community. Upon arrival, another refreshing river bath. At night, dinner served on the beach. Free time and overnight on the boat.
Day 8: Riverside Community of “Arimum� At 07:30am we depart to the Trail of Medicinal Herbs, three hours of trekking in the Forrest. At the end of the walk, a quick stop for a swim in the creek. We will then participate in a workshop in which participants can learn about the materials and production of local handicrafts. "Piracaia" lunch (traditional way of cooking the fish in a sand hole) at the edge of the creek. Afternoon free to relax on the beach. At the end of the day, the special farewell dinner prepared by the Arimum community will be served at the beach.
Day 9: Riverside Community of “Cuipiranga” – “Alter do Chão” Early morning at 6:00 a.m.we will depart towards the community of Cuipiranga, about an hour and a half of navigation. Arrival and walking to the village of the community Cuipiranga of Amazonas (one hour walk). Visit to the community and presentation of the Amazon works of local crafts. Community lunch. In the afternoon, return to the community of Cuipiranga. At 3pm we start the journey back to the village of Alter do Chão, approximately 4 hours of navigation. Arrive at Alter do Chao and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Alter do Chao – Santarem - Departure to Miami Breakfast and morning transfer from hotel to airport for flight to home towns.
What to bring:
Photo camera Light clothing for walking in the city Clothes for tracking (mandatory to use trousers and closed shoes); Water bottle (canteen); Swimwear;* Flip-flops, open toe sandals; Personal medical kit (personal medication); Sunglasses; Sunscreen; Repellent;** Umbrella or raincoat; Small blanket for hammock overnight (very hot during the day but the temperatures drop at night) Guide about local fauna and flora (optional); Flashlight Handbook for notes; CDs, books, postcards, photographs or other items relating to your culture.
* It is absolutely safe to swim in the river (no crocodile, piranhas and other potential threatens) **Due to constant winds, insects are NOT a major “disturbing” factor during the journey
Price: $ 5,918.00 (five thousand nine hundred and eighteen dollars) The price includes:
Four hours introduction meeting in Toronto (presentation of slides and discussion) Flight from Miami to Manaus / Brazil and all internal flights in Brazil (Manaus to Belem and Belem to Santarem). All return flights. All transportation transfers to and from hotel / airport / port. All lodging being three nights in double room in Belem (Day 1, 2 and 3), Eco-pousada Miriti (www.miritipousada.com.br), two nights in double room in Alter do Chao (Day 4 and 9), the Inn Agua Linda (www.pousadaagualinda.com.br) and four nights (Day 5,6,7,8) in boat charter accommodation as mentioned bellow. Five days / four nights in a boat charter including hammock for use in the boat (day 5 to day 9). All meals of the trip: 9 breakfast/ 8 lunch/ 9 dinner (included non-alcoholic beverages) Complete health and travel insurance (including full reimbursement for emergency cancelation). Please visit Terms & Requirements below for details. Logistics coordinator (departing from Toronto with the group); and local guides accompanying the tours and activities. Entry into all city attractions and all the activities of community-based ecotourism. Contribution rates for communities and local NGOs All taxes related to all items mentioned above
The price does not include:
Flights to and from Miami (Toronto-Miami-Toronto) * Overnight in Miami (the flight from Miami to Brazil departs as 7am) * Cost of Tourist Visas (please visit terms and requirements below) Vaccinations: Please contact your doctor or Travel Immunization Clinic Meals, beverages and snacks not specified in itineraries, alcohol drinks, mini bar and other services Personal items like laundry, phone calls, hotel room service, etc. Any other tours or admissions (other than those indicated in the itinerary) Tips, gratuities & any items not specifically mentioned above Any other services not described in the above program.
* Flights to and from Miami and overnight in Miami are not included in the price once participants can use travel points and make travel arrangements at their convenience. It can be also organized by Peerless travel. Please let us know.
TERMS & REQUIREMENTS GENERAL
Participants must be at least 18 years old The itinerary and dates are subject to change or substitution due to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances; This trip was planned and requires 12 (twelve) participants to happen otherwise the whole deposit / payment will be returned;
Payments to Peerless Travel & Cruises (IATA 6791673-0 and TICO # 4274452)
Prices are based in double occupancy rooms and subject to change until full payment are received.
Liability Waivers from each participant to Peerless Travel and Fabio Crespin are required to be signed
DEPOSIT: Guaranteed deposit due at time of booking. This deposit will be $500 per person. Sorry, but this deposit is NONREFUNDABLE. BALANCE OF PAYMENT:
Participants are requested to pay the full price of the trip four months (16 weeks) before the departure date. Sorry, but this payment is NONREFUNDABLE (The insurance cover full reimbursement in case of an accident prior of the trip, i.e. broken leg few days before the departure).
If the balance is not paid by the stipulated date (16 weeks), the right is reserved to cancel the booking(s) without further notice and without refund of deposit.
INSURANCE:
A full Health and travel insurance plan is included in the price of this trip. The All Inclusive Worldwide Plan provides coverage for cancellation, interruption, trip delay, emergency medical, baggage & personal effects, baggage delay, personal money loss, passport loss, air flight accident and travel accident. Please refer to the policy for complete details of benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
Travel tickets and insurance, joining and departure details, will be sent upon receipt of final payment.
Clients are responsible for organizing own passports, required visas and immunizations
VISAS: Canadian passport holders require a visa for Brazil. Please visit the Brazilian General Consulate in Toronto for details (www.consbrastoronto.org). PRICES: All prices quoted in this brochure are based on tariffs and exchange rates for the March 2012 expedition only. FORCE MAJEURE:
We shall not be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment, of any nature or kind whatsoever, resulting from events beyond our or a supplier’s reasonable control, including but not limited to strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, floods or acts or restraints imposed by government authorities.
OPERATOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES:
Peerless Travel & Cruises and/or its agents and tour organizers act only as agents for the client in all matters pertaining to travel. They assume no responsibility nor liability in connection with the service of any train, vessel, carriage, aircraft, motor or other conveyances which may be used, either wholly or in part, in the performance of its duty to the passenger; neither will it be responsible for any act, error, or omission, or any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any vehicle or through the neglect or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger; or for any hotel proprietor, or hotel service, or for any other person engaged in carrying out the purpose for which tickets or coupons are issued. In the event that it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or wellbeing of the passengers, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to the operators. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the passengers, conversely refund will be made to the passengers if any saving is effected thereby. The Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event, during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyance. The passage contract in use by the Airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the Airlines and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. The right is reserved to withdraw any or all tours should conditions warrant, also to decline to accept or retain any passengers as members of the tours. Peerless Travel and Cruises or agent / organizer can assume no responsibility for lost tickets or coupons. The validity of this brochure is from 09/01/2011 to 03/14/2012.
I am originally from Brazil and I live in Toronto with my family since 2006. I have completed a BA in business administration and a post grad course in hospitality management. My professional life can be divided in three main cycles: 1990-1995 Working for a Brazilian/Austrian investment bank 1995-2001 Travelling mainly as a diving instructor working in diving centers in many parts of the globe such as Kenya, Seychelles, Spain, Mexico, Israel and Egypt among others. As a diving instructor, I lead several boat expeditions and diving safaris and thought hundreds of people to dive. During these six years, I also had a “dry� period when I went for a Post Grad course in in Switzerland, worked in a Radisson SAS Hotel in Scotland and did some survival jobs in London, Paris, Berlin, Prague and other European cities. 2001-2006 Back to Brazil and worked with community development on a full time basis for the Brazilian support system for the micro and small businesses (www.sebrae.com.br). During this period, I continued to travel on a daily basis within the state of Sao Paulo, helping small cities and villages to get organized and develop their touristic potentiality (based in five areas of development: awareness, capacitation, infra-structure, management and promotion) . In Toronto since 2006, I had some survival jobs upon arrival until I got back on track and worked for 2.5 years for one of Toronto’s largest and oldest community services agency on the east part of the city (www.woodgreen.org).
Since April 2011 I am leading an Initiative funded by the Youth Challenge Fund and aimed in building capacity among youth frontline workers in the whole city of Toronto (www.frontlineworkers.org). I am absolutely passionate about experiencing different cultures and ways of living what make me truly believe that even if one masters one, two, three or even ten skills, there are hundreds of others that we are not even familiarized with. This trip is all about visiting untouched scenarios and exuberant natural life, relaxing by the river, getting to know and experiencing the local ways of leaving and having an authentic exchange with river side communitarians. It is also an opportunity for a deep exchange of ideas with our own small group about what we are experiencing together and some other potential themes such as the culture of cooperation (so clear in the isolated communities that we visit) and the relations between our life in Canada and the Brazilian socio and economic dynamics. I have lead two major expeditions to the Amazon in 2003 and 2004 and we will be also accompanied by local guides that will enrich even more our whole travel experience.
Please reach us at: Fabio Crespin - fcrespin02@gmail.com or 416: 416-272 6756 Peerless Travel & Cruises – Corinne Marian - corinne@peerlesstravel.com or 905.886.5610 ext. 307