...this is another proposition from the Concept Sailing genre.
Amazon by low water – fishing season
20.10-30.10 2024
Since sailing as such would greatly restrict our possibilities for exploring this great river, I have chosen for the course of this expedition a well-tried amazonian riverboat.
The unforgettable adventure is guaranteed by three elements:
- uniquely attractive place
- riverboat and three small boats to better explore all the nooks and crannies of the river,
- professional and capable management – the riverboat is steered by her owner, a person born and bred in the Amazonia, well versed in its ways and possessing not only nautical knowledge, indispensable when navigating this changeable river, but also with deep understanding of complicated ecology of amazonian jungle.
I will be leading this expedition.
From deck unfolds before us a spectacular view: the Amazonia in it's splendor and richness, lush flora and fascinating animal world.
During the trips on smaller boats into the labyrinth of river branches and narrow canals, we can feel the charm of the jungle firsthand.
These short trips usually take place in the morning or evening, when animals are most active and temperature is pleasant. In the morning, shortly before sunrise, when the jungle wakes to a new day, you can hear strange and fascinating sounds, murmurs and calls. During nighttime trips we search for caimans and other night creatures using floodlights.
We can wait out the hottest afternoon hours resting on the pleasantly shaded top deck, watching ever-changing views and looking out for river dolphins. Every evening after supper, while sipping drinks on the deck, we can share our impressions of the day. Then we can also get additional information, learn some interesting biological facts and discuss the plan of action for the next day. Have you ever dreamed about catching a piranha? All you have to do is try – with some professional help you have high chances of success. And in the evening you will find your haul marvelously prepared for dinner. The kitchen serves all the local delicacies: fruits, vegetables, fish and meat – everyone will find something suiting.
Amazonia means not only beautiful and abundant flora and fauna, it's also the people, who live there. During the cruise we will visit settlements of so called caboclos – the name denotes a person “who came from the forest”, and applies not only to the place they came from, but also to their way of living. The caboclos are the descendants of indigenous population and white 'rubber soldiers', who came to Amazonia during rubber boom. If you decided to settle there, then maybe not you, but your children would be called caboclos. They would live on the riverbank in wooden houses built on stilts and they would be, just like their neighbors, partly farmers and partly fishermen. It's easy to imagine them while roasting manioc and hanging out fishing nets. Their coloring would be darker and those children's children would be darker still.
Life in harmony with nature – this is the motto of our Amazonian cruise. Let us be guests, not intruders. Let us watch and live the adventure without destroying this place, so that future generations can also enjoy it.
Regardless of your preferences, whether you prefer to contemplate the beauty of nature in silence, explore the river in small boat and learn about you surroundings, or spend lazy evening under the stars enjoying a glass of caipirinha and good company, this cruise will be an unforgettable experience.
During the trip the participants should always be aware of spontaneous changes in the itinerary because of „natural“ obstructions. That’s why we hope that you are flexible, understanding and tolerant - at least to a certain extent.
In case there are interesting spots, sights or animals on our way the times of meals are occasionally postponed. In order to please you, our priority focuses on local highlights or phenomena in nature, which are sometimes unpredictable, and not on punctual meals. As far as we know nobody has so far lost a tremendous amount of pounds or starved due to this circumstance.
We plan 2 excursions every day.
Amazon waters are perfect for fishing. You do not have to participate in this activity, but it may be wise to first try, before dismissing it altogether. I well remember one person on our last cruise, who was really sceptic about fishing for pitanhas, but after fist catch became really enthusiastic about it. Besides, fishing on Iracema is not only fo sport, we will eat everything we catch – check gallery.
We will also visit Manaus – metropolis amidst the jungle, with it's fish market and famous Operahouse.
When is the best season for a cruise on the Amazon?
Our first trip took place during the rainy season the second during the dry season. Both seasons create a totally different landscape. During the wet season your ship touches the canopies of the huge rainforest trees whereas during the dry season you can touch sandy patches with your boat. The water level occasionally shows a difference of 15 metres. The flooded land can have an extension of the size of Great Britain. The rain however is not incessant rather like a cloudburst and the mosquitos are as annoying as in Europe.
Captain Mo’s view to visit the Amazon „at least twice“ is, considering the unbelievable change during the two seasons, absolutely true.
Our captain has many surprises up his sleeve, wchich he won'i reveal beforehand. So, allow yourself to be surpised.
Our boat Dorinha:
- Cabins: 12 cabins are available. Each cabin is furnished with two bunks: bottom (big) and upper one, air-conditioning and small toilet with shower.
Cabins are cleaned daily. Bedlinen and towels are changed according to your needs.
- There is a possibility of sleeping on the deck in a hammock (available on the boat).
- Electric sockets are of European type, so adapters aren't necessary.
- There is a washing machine available for passengers. Your washing will dry momentarily.
- Passengers can also use a library, containing many books on Amazonia, mostly in English.
- Mobile phones usually are out of range.
- Tea, coffee and water are available at all times – for free.
- The bar is open in the evenings, serving wide variety of drinks (paid at the end of the cruise in USD, Euro or Master Card). Local currency is not needed.
- If you plan to go on a diet, better postpone it – it's almost impossible to resist fresh juices and other local delicacies.
As passengers, you do not share in crew's responsibilities, but those who wish to, can try themselves in steering the riverboat, with some professional guidance, of course.
What to take:
- sunscreen
- mosquito repellent
- sports shoes (preferably fast-drying)
- light shirts with long sleeves
- light long trousers
- short trousers and T-shirts
- hat
- bathing suit
- basic diving equipment
- head flashlight
- binoculars
- recorder (for the interested – jungle is full of sounds)
- waterproof cover for your camera
Thin waterproof cape is protection enough for the rain season.
Mosquito nets are not necessary – all cabins are air-conditioned and mosquitoes don't like it.
Please note that:
- slight changes in the programme are possible
- we advise prophylactic vaccinations against malaria and yellow fever. Take your personal pharmacy with you.
- for your comfort and security we also advise the following:
- travel insurance
- foreign health insurance
- travel resignation insurance.
Date: 20.10. -30.10.2024
Brief overview about our program for the Amazon trip*:
• 20. of October: arriving to Manaus; transfer from the indicated flight & accommodation in hotel;
Meeting & information about forthcoming trip.
• 21. of October: after breakfast visit on the fish market, transfer, and embarkation to the ship.
• Till 29. of October: a trip on Amazon; Rio Solimoes, Rio Negro and Amazon.
• 29. of October: Disembarkation after breakfast on ship, transfer to hotel, reserved till 30. of October. Opportunity to visit the famous Teatro da Amazonia** & individual exploring Manaus.
Individually arranged return to home.
* As not all factors are currently predictable, the travel program may change.
** The suit is not required.
Price:
3150 USD per person in double cabin.
Single cabins available, with additional charge (60% of whole price).
The price includes:
• cruise on a typical Amazonian riverboat (8 days)
• all meals on-board
• transportation from the airport to hotel and from ship to hotel
• 2 overnights in hotel
• inland trips and boat excursions care and supervision of the cruise's courier Henryk Wolski and of the owner of the riverboat, her captain, fluent in English and expert biologist – all in one person
The price does not cover the transfer fee. Please be mindful of it.
Booking:
To book a cruise, or with any additional questions, please contact Henryk Wolski at: org@conceptsailing.org
Flights:
Please, book your flights individually.
We recommend the travel agent Tenetour - maciek.wolski@tenetour.pl
Some hints:
Entrance requirements:
You will need your passport, valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry.
If you intend to stay under 3 months, you do not need an entry visa.
Vaccinations and health care:
When you travel to Amazonia, apart from standard vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria, polio), you should also get vaccinated against yellow fever and hepatitis type A.
If you enter Brazil from any other South American country, then vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory.
It's advisable also to get vaccinated against malaria, even though the risk of infection is relatively small, if you follow the most basic rules, such as wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers and using mosquito repellents.
Catching malaria in the basin of Rio Negro is particularly unlikely, since the mosquito Anopheles, which is the main carrier of the disease, cannot breed there, due to the acidic reaction of the water.
Climate:
Brazil lies in tropical zone, which means high temperatures and humidity, with probable heavy rains. Expected average temperatures oscillate around 30°C.
Rains are usually short but torrential, and take place most often during the afternoon. Long-lasting rains are quite rare.
The rain season starts in January and lasts until June. Remaining part of the year is a dry season.
If you want to learn more, try travel guides from "Lonely Planet"
