Brazilian Adventure, Argentina & Uruguay - October 2008

Day 1 – October 10: Toronto – Manaus

Depart Toronto on a flight to Manaus via Miami.

Day 2 – October 11: Manaus

Arrive in Manaus in the early morning (01:30am). After clearing immigration and customs, you will be met by your tour manager and transferred to Tropical Hotel. Your morning is at leisure to fully recover from the late check-in. This beautiful hotel offers a small shopping plaza, a mini zoo, a spa and a pool.

Manaus is the capital of the State of Amazon. Located in the banks of Rio Negro, it was founded in 1669 and was a slumbering little equatorial town until the second half of the 19th century, when it awoke to become a major supplier of natural rubber to the industrialized world. Imposing edifices were built using materials imported from Europe; the Amazon Theatre (Opera House) designed by the Italian Domenico de Angelis, the Rio Negro Palace is now the site of the Amazon Government, and the Municipal Market (inaugurated in 1882) is a copy of the extinct Les Halles market in Paris. The Floating Docks, which were a curious invention of English engineering, rise and fall to accommodate the highs and lows of the Rio Negro. With the discovery of synthetic rubber, Manaus almost died. To revive the city it became a Free Trade Zone by the Federal Government with the idea that through the commerce of imported goods, as well as industrial and agricultural projects, the city would again become an important port. Today Manaus is a modern city and the departing city for exploring the Amazon Jungle. This afternoon’s city tour includes a private visit to the Amazon Theatre (Opera House).

Day 3 – October 12: Manaus – Amazon Cruise (B/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, your morning is at leisure for personal sightseeing.

Your Amazon cruise adventure begins this afternoon – embarkation from the Tropical Hotel Pier. Your boat, the Desafio (or similar) leaves the Tropical Hotel landing-stage at 14:30 hrs. You will attend a presentation on board introducing the staff, the route and facilities available. Navigation to the Pagodão River (tributary of the Negro) begins. Take a Canoe trip shortly before sunset, returning after dark, with the possibility of observing nocturnal animals and perceive the change in the forest as night falls. Navigation to Acu Creek or nearby tributaries.

Day 4 – October 13: Amazon Cruise (B/L/D)

Today you will walk in the forest with a specialist and learn about the flora from your guides commentaries. A visit to a "caboclo" family will give you the chance to see the local way of life, preparation of manioc flour (the staple foodstuff of the Amazon), and the health and education of the local children. Lunch will be on board the boat. Navigate through the Anavilhanas, the world's largest fresh water archipelago, located more then 1000 miles from the ocean. Visit to the village of Novo Airao, with its handicraft boat yards where the "AMAZON CLIPPER" was built, sawmills, market and other activities. Return to the boat for dinner. Enjoy an evening trip to see caimans and possibly frogs, sloth, snakes and other species.

Day 5 – October 14: Amazon Cruise (B/L/D)

Today you will visit Praia Grande, a beautiful white sand beach. Weather permitting, you may go swimming or just stroll along the beach while observing the vegetation of the sandy areas. Also on the agenda is a Canoe trip in lake Acajatuba or adjacent lake domains, to see typical flora (rubber trees, Brazil nuts, useful palm trees of various types). After lunch, stop at the Paricatuba community to see the old abandoned rubber-boom buildings, now overgrown with strangler fig trees.

Day 6 – October 15: Amazon Cruise – Manaus – Rio De Janeiro (B)

Enjoy a canoe trip at sunrise for bird watching on Lake Janauary. Return for breakfast and navigation continues to the “Meeting of the Waters”. This tour will take you to where the Solimões River (Amazon River) and the Negro River come together. Because of differences in density, velocity and temperature, they flow together side by side for many miles before finally merging and forming the mighty Amazon River. As the waters of the Negro River are indeed black and those of the Solimões clay coloured, it is easy to see and to photograph this amazing phenomenon. The trip includes a visit to the igarapes, which are narrow canals of water and inlets, a stop to see and learn about the Victoria Regia flower, and with good chances to see pink Dolphins.

Return to the Tropical Hotel landing-stage, with fine views of Manaus’ waterfront. After disembarkation, you are met at the pier and transferred to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to Luxor Regente Hotel (or similar) in Copacabana Beach.

Day 7 – October 16: Rio De Janeiro (B/L/D)

Rio de Janeiro is made up of sun drenched beaches, music, dance, bikini clad cariocas and a night life that refuses to quit. The allure of Rio has been attracting foreign visitors since the 16th century. Rio’s physical setting of mountains, ocean and lush tropical vegetation delights the eye while the sophisticated pleasures of Rio’s restaurants engage the palate.

As the birthplace of the bossa nova and samba, Rio moves to a musical beat and whether you are there for Carnival or not, every night is a party. Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountains are the post cards of Rio.

Your day begins with a Sugar Loaf tour which is the Rio’s main attraction. The tour gives you a city panoramic view through downtown Rio, passing by the Sambodrom and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Also see the traditional Cinelândia square with the historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Finally, by taking the Aterro do Flamengo, you arrive at the neighbourhood of Urca where the Sugar Loaf is located. This visit is made in two steps by cable car. The first cable car takes passengers to Urca Hill which is 215 meters high and from where one can have a beautiful view from the Guanabara Bay and its islands, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado hill. From this stage, a second cable car will be taken up to the top with 395 meters to find a splendid view from Copacabana beach, the Santa Cruz fortress and some beaches of Niterói. After lunch, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

This evening enjoy a Rio by Night Tour including dinner.

Day 8 – October 17: Rio De Janeiro (B/L)

After breakfast, you will visit Corcovado Hill where the famous statue of “Christ the Redeemer” is situated at 710 meters above the sea level, and was inaugurated in 1931. This tour begins in Cosme Velho's neighbourhood from where the cog train starts a trip through the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, up to the statue. Once here, a panoramic and extraordinary view of Rio will be a spectacular sight for all to enjoy. After lunch, return to the hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 9 – October 18: Rio De Janeiro – Iguassu Falls (B/L)

Transfer this morning to the airport for your flight to Iguassu Falls. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Tropical Hotel in Iguassu Falls (on the Brazilian side). The balance of the day is at leisure for you enjoy the luxurious vegetation that surrounds this eco resort.

Day 10 – October 19: Iguassu Falls (B/L)

Today’s adventure begins with a tour of Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side.

There is a place where Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina come together, the same location where the Iguassu River flows into the Parana River forming a series of awe inspiring waterfalls in the middle of a forest, formed 150 million years ago. The name Iguassu means “Great Water” in Tupi Guarani Indian Language. There are 19 large falls which can be better seen from the Brazilian side. The roar of its 260 cataracts, some of which reach a height of 250 feet can be heard 20 miles away. There are rainbows, bands of butterflies and birds, and all around you the air vibrates as thundering water dissipates into clouds and then, there is Iguassu Falls, with all its majesty with its immense semicircular formation measuring 2700 meters across and separating Brazil from Argentina.

After the tour you will be taken for lunch at a local restaurant.

Your adventure continues with a Macuco Safari tour which begins at the Macuco Trail in the Brazilian National Park, just three kilometers from the Iguassu Falls. Open air wagons pulled by jeeps, accompanied by bilingual guides allow you an unhindered view of this lush, sub tropical intact ecosystem rich in birds, mammals, orchids and butterflies. After a short ride, you hike down the canyon where the Macuco Falls tumble over basalt’s cliffs into the Iguassu Basin. Arriving at the river, we board specially designed inflatable boats for 20 to 30 minutes for a ride up the canyon. The Iguassu River forms the border between the Brazilian and Argentinean National Park and these boats are the only means of penetrating this wilderness environment. We maneuver through the rapids for a breathtaking view from below the fall. Prepare to get wet!

Day 11 – October 20: Iguassu – Buenos Aires (B/D)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and board the coach. This morning you will be taken on a tour of the falls from the Argentinean side. Following the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires. The capital of Argentina is located on the banks of Rio de la Plata. It is also the capital of tango, the gaucho and famous “asado” the Argentine style barbecue. It is a modern and dynamic city that still keeps some of its old traditions. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Claridge Hotel (or similar). Check-in and freshen up before heading to dinner and a Tango show.

Day 12 – October 21: Buenos Aires (B)

A morning guided tour of this beautiful city includes the colourful district of La Boca and site of the city’s first port; San Telmo which is famous for its late colonial buildings and a gathering spot of artists; Plaza de Mayo where you will see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral. You will drive past the Colon Opera House before reaching the Cemetery of the Recoleta where Eva Peron is buried.

The afternoon is at leisure for personal sightseeing and shopping. To catch the spirit of the city, it is necessary to walk around: to stroll along the streets in downtown, to do some shopping in its elegant boutiques, to have a coffee in a sidewalk café or to visit the residential neighbourhoods, where old buildings alternate with modern crystal skyscrapers. It is also interesting to underline the enormous quantity and variety of restaurants offering typical food, as well as excellent international cuisine. Another unmistakable example of its assorted ethnic composition.

Day 13 – October 22: Buenos Aires (B/L)

Today you visit one of the Gaucho farms (Argentine cowboys). This full-day tour will take you out of the city of Buenos Aires and into the Pampas (countryside) to spend a day on a Gaucho farm. You will have the opportunity to take a horse ride or hayride, and listen to the Gauchos perform their traditional songs and dances, and enjoy a traditional Argentine meal - country style.

Day 14 – October 23: Buenos Aires (B)

The whole day is kept free for you to explore this exciting city on your own – the shopping is great in Buenos Aires.

Day 15 – October 24: Buenos Aires – Colonia Del Sacramento (B/D)

The Rio de la Plata separates Buenos Aires from Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. The people from Uruguay call Colonia the “grandmother of the country” as it is one of South Americas first Colonial cities. This small town is tidily preserved and has been carefully reconstructed. A walk through its historical neighborhood with its painted tiled roofs of the Calle de los Suspiros (Sigh Lane), takes you back to the XV11 Century accentuating the Portuguese & Spanish influence. You cross the Rio de la Plata by hydrofoil which should take 45 minutes. A coach will then take you to your Resort.

Day 16 – October 25: Resort (B/D)

Relax the whole day at the beach.

Day 17 – October 26: Resort – Buenos Aires (B/D)

Travel back to Buenos Aires for the last night. Farewell dinner at a traditional Restaurant.

Day 18 – October 27: Buenos Aires – Toronto (B)

Transfer to airport for your flight back to Canada.

Price based on 10 passengers
(sharing double occupancy)		 Departure Tax
$7,795 $380

Inclusions:

  • International flight: Toronto / Manaus / Buenos Aires / Toronto
  • Domestic flights: Manaus – Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro – Iguassu Falls, Iguassu Falls – Buenos Aires
  • All Transfers: Airport / Hotel / Airport
  • 16 Nights Accommodation: First Class Hotels based on double occupancy
  • Deluxe Tour Coach with A/C (as per itinerary)
  • Buffet breakfast daily
  • Lunch & Dinner as per itinerary
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Manaus
  • Amazon Cruise – including breakfast, lunch & dinner and all tours
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro
  • Guided tour of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf
  • Guided tour of Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian side and Argentinean side
  • Macuco Safari Tour
  • Guided tour of Buenos Aires
  • Tango Show
  • Full day guided tour of a Gaucho Farm
  • Services of a Tour Manager through out the entire tour
  • All local taxes and service charges

Exclusions:

  • Departure tax: $380 (subject to change without notice, cannot be confirmed until tickets are issued)
  • Single room supplement: TBA
  • Tourist Visa (at the moment Brazil is the only country that requires VISA for Canadian citizens)
  • Any meals or tour components not specifically mentioned in inclusions
  • Tips for local guides & drivers, Gratuities for Tour Manager
  • Travel Insurance: Sum Insured $8200. See charts below.
  • Any expenses of personal nature
  • Porterage
18 Day Tour0-59 years60-64 years65-69 years70-74 years 75-79 years
All Inclusive$380$475$570$800$980
Semi Inclusive(Non Medical)$345$410$480$550$760

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Please make cheques payable to STS Tours as follows:

  • Deposit: $1000 + Applicable Insurance (if any) due immediately
  • 2nd Payment: $2265 due April 25, 2008
  • 3rd Payment: $2265 due June 20, 2008
  • 4th Payment: $2265 + $380 = $2645 due August 1st, 2008

CANCELLATION & COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL INSURANCE will protect against cancellation charges for medical reasons of the insured or immediate family.
Not covered: Expenses arising from any of the items listed below are excluded from the covered risks outlined in this Plan, under the coverage of Travel Cancellation/Interruption or Travel Emergency Excess Hospital Medical to persons of all ages.

A reason, circumstance, event, activity, medical condition including heart and/or lung condition, which was known to you, your spouse, your travel companion, your travel companion’s spouse, or either of your physician(s), prior to the date and time upon which you purchased this plan, and where upon investigation and review of the historical evidence provided and/or discovered in the adjudication of your claim, we determine that on the date and time you purchased this coverage, you were aware that the status of a reason, circumstance, event, activity, medical condition, including heart and/or lung condition, was such that it was probable and most likely to be the cause for a claim prior to, or during your trip.

With respect to persons not covered by a government health insurance in Canada (OHIP), there is no medical coverage. A 24-hour toll-free number will be provided for emergency medical attention.

CANCELLATION:

Once deposits from 10 paying passengers are received, the tour is guaranteed. Any cancellation made must be submitted IN WRITING to this office. Penalties for any cancellation are to be assessed according to the date of receipt of such cancellation as follows:

  • Deposit: Non Refundable + cost of insurance
  • Cancellations made 120 – 90 days prior to departure: $1500 + cost of insurance, if any
  • Between 89 – 45 days prior to departure: 50% + cost of insurance, if any
  • Between 44 – 31 days prior to departure: 75% + cost of insurance, if any
  • 30 days or less: 100% Non Refundable

CHANGES: Any changes made to a reservation will be subject to a $100 change fee outside 60 days of departure. Within 59 days name changes will be treated as a cancellation and regular cancellation penalties will apply.

SPECIAL REQUESTS: Special requests, for example, in-flight meal requirements, in-flight seating requirements, dietary meal requirements cannot be guaranteed by S.T.S. TOURS. While S.T.S. TOURS will attempt to accommodate such special requests, S.T.S. TOURS will not be held responsible if such special requests cannot be fulfilled.

RETURNED CHEQUE: a fee of $30 will be charged if cheque returned by bank N.S.F.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS giving flight times, hotel telephone numbers, etc., will be sent out about 2 weeks prior to departure.

CREDIT CARDS: (Visa Only) are accepted but a 3% surcharge will apply.

PROGRAM is subject to change mainly in the order of events.

A VALID PASSPORT IS ESSENTIAL AND MUST BE VALID FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS BEYOND THE INTENDED LENGTH OF STAY.


TRAVEL REGISTRATION NO: 2659042