An epic 42-day exploration of lesser-known areas of Brazil and Venezuela that few travellers ever experience. From Afro-Brazilian Bahía to the mighty Amazon and the world's tallest waterfall, visit the legendary steamy side of South America on a jungle adventure straight out of a movie. Amazon & Atlantic Classic 2009 GAP 6 15 Max 15, Avg 10 South America Brazil, Venezuela Rio de Janeiro Caracas Brazil Venezuela Culture/History, Wildlife/Nature 42 3 Basic http://www.gapadventures.com/images/banners/brazil/brazil_rio.jpg Arrive in Rio at any time. Take a short flight to the state of Bahía, the epicentre of Afro-Brazilian culture. Well known for its music and folklore, the influence of African slaves brought by the Portuguese is as prominent in Salvador’s culture today as it has been in Bahía’s history. Explore the city and enjoy the Samba rhythms or take an optional boat trip to Itaparica Island. Head north to the colonial town of Olinda with its beautiful architecture, artwork and festivals. Our next stop is Praia da Pipa near Natal, a great place for dolphin spotting. Visit secluded oases, mangrove-clad rivers and beautiful remote beaches, where small fishing villages are hidden among huge sand dunes that provide chances for horseback riding and sand boarding. Enjoy the trip along the Delta of Parnaiba, visit the magnificent Jericoacoara National Park. Travel to Sao Luis known as the Brazilian Jamaica, a historic city covered in hand-painted Portuguese tiles. Take a 4 to 5-day Amazon River trip from the city of Belem near the Amazon Delta to the depths of the Amazon jungle. Enjoy a relaxing, scenic cruise on the great river that carries 20% of earth's fresh water while getting to know the warmth of northeastern Brazilian culture. Our river trip ends in Manaus, an important trading city of the northern Amazon region and the largest jungle city in the world. Take a 3-day optional excursion into the depths of the rainforest for a true jungle adventure, filled with unique tropical flora and wildlife. Head north by bus into Venezuela. Visit Santa Elena and the Gran Sabana for spectacular views and waterfalls. Continue to Ciudad Bolivar, where we can take an optional excursion into Canaima National Park, and an optional flight over Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. In the wet season (July to January), an optional three-day boat and hiking excursion to the falls is possible. Continue on to Puerto de la Cruz on the Caribbean coast to enjoy the beautiful beaches and snorkelling in Mochima National Park before heading to Caracas. Arrive in Rio de Janeiro at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city.

This overland journey through the lesser-known areas of South America is an adventure of extremes, including the world’s highest waterfall, the largest rainforest, the fantastic beaches of Brazil’s coastline, and the world’s largest river. Venezuela and Brazil represent South America’s vast northeast and are filled with natural wonders. If you are ready for the excitement of adventurous travel through remote areas then you will be rewarded with spectacular scenery and a familiarity with the ways of life of Eastern South America that few travellers ever experience!

"God made the world in six days, the seventh he devoted to Rio," so say the Cariocas, residents of this beautiful city. This is a densely packed city of over 9 million inhabitants, whose economic foundations lie in the cultivation of sugar cane and gold mining. Referred to as the “cidade maravilhosa” (Marvellous City), few cities enjoy such a dramatic setting as Rio. Brilliant, white beaches at Copacabana and Ipanema, deep blue waters of the Atlantic, the luminescent green of Guanabara Bay, the bare blue slopes of the Sugar Loaf combine to make Rio unique. Standing over it all, atop Corcovado, is the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer, the best place from which to appreciate the city. Superb panoramic views of the city and area can also be found from the top of the Pao do Açucar (Sugar Loaf), reached by cable car. Head to some of the famous beaches, and prepare yourself for an experience unlike anything else on Earth.

Although the Portuguese first sailed and entered the bay, it was the French who first established a settlement in the area, logging Brazil wood along the coast. Their first permanent settlement lasted a brief five years, when they were attacked and driven from the area by the encroaching Portuguese. A series of skirmishes ensued, with the Tomaio people allied with the French against the Portuguese.

In 1567 the Portuguese began construction of a fortified town to repel any invaders, naming it Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. Amassing wealth with the gold rush of Minas Gerais, in the early 18th century Rio became Brazil’s most important city and a great temptation to the French who, in 1710, waged war against the Portuguese and held the city for a sizeable gold ransom. Again in the 19th century, under threat of Napoleon’s invasion, what remained of the Portuguese monarchy fled to Brazil where they set up court in grand style; many of today’s older structures date from this period.

The gold rush was followed by a coffee boom in the mid-1800s and the wealth generated led to the city’s initial modernization. Replacing Salvador de Bahia as the colonial capital in 1763, the city remained the capital until 1960, when it was replaced by Brasilia. Today, the city is a magnet for tourists who come to walk the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, and generally partake in the Carioca zest for life. Many ascend the Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao do Açucar), whose image is nearly synonymous with Rio and Carnival. Modern Rio is perhaps best known for the contrasting images offered by the favelhas (shanty towns), and the glitz and glamour preferred by the Samba schools and their Carnival celebrations. Take a short flight to the state of Bahía and its capital Salvador, the epicentre of Afro-Brazilian culture. Famous for its music, folklore and colonial architecture, Brazilians refer to the country’s first capital as the “land of happiness and song.” Salvador’s history and culture are heavily influenced by African slaves, brought here by the Portuguese to work on the sugar plantations. Their traditions, dances and religion are as prominent in Salvador’s culture today as it has been in Bahía’s history.

Founded in 1549, Amerigo Vespucci first sailed into Salvador de Bahía’s Bay of Todos Santos (All Saints) on the November 1, 1501. A walled mud-brick city was soon erected to protect its inhabitants from native attacks. The production of sugar cane and tobacco, combined with gold and diamond mining, soon brought prosperity; over the next three centuries many splendid churches and luxurious colonial mansions were built. Salvador was for many years the second most important city in the growing Portuguese empire, famous equally for its wealth and its licentiousness. The first African slaves were taken to Bahía in the late 1830s, eventually accounting for half the city’s population. There were several slave uprisings throughout the city’s history, and runaway slave communities were not unheard of.

Early in the 19th century the Bahía’s out of date, agricultural-based economy went into decline, and only recently has the region begun to tap into other resource areas such as petrochemicals and tourism. Well known for its hybrid Candomble religion, and lively capoeira rhythms, Bahíans have been mixing and celebrating religious occasions with an everyday zest for life for nearly 500 years. Bahíans love to celebrate life, and it shows in their festivals, especially Carnival. Growing in popularity are the nearby beaches: more beautiful and less frequented than Rio’s Copacabana or Ipanema, Bahía’s Pituba, Piata, Armacao, Placaford and Itapoa beaches are ideal places to people watch, sunbathe and relax.

Explore the city and enjoy the Samba rhythms or take an optional excursion to a sea turtle sanctuary or boat trip to Itaparica Island. Travel to Recife, the country’s fourth largest city. Recife’s growth began in the 17th century as the central port for the wealthy sugar plantations of the area. Recife is also known as the City of Bridges, as much of the city has been built over waterways.

Continue north to the nearby city of Olinda, a beautiful enclave of colonial buildings filled with artists, students and assorted bohemians. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Olinda is the cultural centre of the state of Pernambuco. Discover the city’s interesting architecture, visit art galleries and museums and listen to the street musicians. Expect festivities here, as there is almost always something to celebrate in this vibrant town. Travel north along the Brazilian coastline, through small fishing villages and beach towns. Pass through secluded oases, mangrove clad rivers, and beautiful remote beaches piled with giant sand dunes. In Jericoacoara you can hire a horse to ride along the desolate beaches as far as the eye can see, go for a ride in a jangada, or climb the sand dunes and try sandboarding. For those with energy left at the end of the day, the nights are yours to dance away to forró and reggae.

The state of Ceará boasts over 500 km of fabulous beaches along its coastline. Travel to São Luis, a historic city covered in hand-painted Portuguese tiles, drive through the drought-plagued sertao, and enjoy the laid back lifestyle and the unique folklore of the local people. A boat trip through the beautiful Parnaiba Delta—the only delta to open to the Atlantic Ocean—offers the chance to visit one of the biggest mangroves in the world, home to equally big mangrove crabs. A 4-day river trip takes us from the Atlantic Ocean, and the city of Belém near the Amazon Delta, to the depths of the Amazon. Cruise the river that carries 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water.

Belém sits near the mouth of the Amazon, where this mighty river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Portuguese first settled this area in 1616, and its wealth was primarily derived from the exportation of spices from the Amazon forest to Portugal and Europe. Later, rubber from the forest led to the further decimation of the local indigenous populations as well as their forest homelands. The tremendous wealth of the Amazon rubber boom can be witnessed in the town’s grand mansions, built at the turn of the 19th century.

The Amazon Basin is the world’s largest river basin in terms of volume and drainage area. It is made up of six million square km of river and jungle. The region contains the world’s largest tropical rainforest (30% of the remaining forest on the earth), the world’s largest river, and perhaps the greatest wildlife diversity to be found anywhere.

In the Amazon layers of exotic vegetation block the sky, and brown waters sweep beneath gargantuan foliage. Hundreds of species of exotic birds and equally brilliant butterflies provide constant bursts of colour. Over 500 species of trees per acre have been recorded in the jungles of the upper Amazon—ten times greater than Europe or North America. The area is home to more than 4,000 species of birds, 2,000 species of fish (a greater variety than the Atlantic Ocean), 60 species of reptiles, including the caiman and anaconda, the world's largest non-venomous snake, and a great variety of mammals such as jaguar, peccary, anteater, tapir, capybara and Pink Dolphin. The rainforest is also the traditional home of many indigenous communities, whose traditional homelands and way of life are threatened by the encroachment of 21st century industries such as mining, agribusiness and petroleum exploitation.

The Amazon River is magnificent, with over 80 000 km of navigable waterways, including over 1000 tributaries. 12 billion litres of fresh water flow down the river every minute—12 times the volume of the Mississippi River. The river itself is 6275 km long, 64 km across at its widest point and 120 m at its deepest. The distance between Belem and Manaus along the Amazon is 1500 km.

In the 16th century, Spanish conqueror Francisco de Orellana ventured from Quito (in modern day Ecuador) into the eastern jungle in search of El Dorado, a mythical stash of gold hidden away in the jungle. While he didn't find gold, he did discover Ecuador's Rio Napo, which along with Peru’s Marañón combine to create the mighty Amazon River. He followed the Napo into the Amazon mainstream and travelled all the way through the dense jungle to the Atlantic Ocean on Brazil’s coast. Entering the vast Amazon Basin, we arrive in Manaus. Situated at the confluence of the Amazon and Negro Rivers, 3° south of the Equator, Manaus is a bustling port and important northern Amazon trading city. With a population of over one million people, it is the capital of Brazil’s largest state, Amazonas, and has many interesting markets, museums and parks. In 1669 Portuguese colonizers built the fortress of Sao José de Barra here and named the place ‘Manaus’ after the indigenous group that inhabited the region. The fort grew to become a village, and later a major city, due to its importance as the principal port for the Amazon and Negro rivers. Points of interest in Manaus include the Mercado Municipal, the floating docks, the customs house, the Museum of Science, the Jungle Park and the opera house, an impressive example of the city’s opulent past. A 3-day optional excursion into the depths of the rainforest promises unique tropical flora and wildlife. Head north by bus into Venezuela, and wander through Venezuela's famous La Gran Sabana, filled with scenic views and waterfalls. La Gran Sabana is a vast, rolling, grassy region in southeast Venezuela. The Sabana covers 35 000 square km, and is the traditional homeland area for the Pemón people. This area was isolated from the rest of the country until the road connecting El Dorado and Santa Elena (320 km) was finished in 1990. The area’s table mountains (tepuis) are all that remains of the original sandstone that covered the region millions of years ago. Each mountain has developed its own characteristic plant life, and consequently the area has highest percentage of endemic flora to be found in the world.

Next head north to Ciudad Bolivar, from where we have an optional excursion into Canaima National Park. This protected area is famous for its incredible scenery, tabletop mountains and breathtaking waterfalls. Here we can take an optional flight over Angel Falls, at 979m the highest waterfall in the world. In the wet season (July to December), an optional three-day boat and hiking excursion to the foot of the falls is possible. In the dry season (December to May), the waterfall is more readily seen, although obviously at its most impressive after heavy rains.

Continue on to Puerto de la Cruz on the Caribbean coast to enjoy the beautiful beaches and snorkelling in Mochima National Park before heading to Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas. Mochima National Park is made up of many small, idyllic Caribbean Islands just off the north coast of Venezuela. These islands and their surrounding waters offer excellent opportunities for snorkelling and swimming, or take a boat cruise to further explore this beautiful region of the Caribbean. Depart Caracas at any time.

Contemporary Venezuela has been strongly influenced by oil money, which has turned the country into one of the wealthiest nations in South America. As a result, Venezuela has a good road network, spectacular new architecture and a developed tourism infrastructure. Yet deep in the countryside, people still live traditional lives. A number of Indian groups remain unconquered by encroaching civilization, including the mysterious Yanomami along the Venezuelan-Brazil border, whose Stone-Age culture seems lost in time.

Venezuela’s capital Caracas grew at a relatively slow pace for most of its history. Then came the oil boom, and everything began to change at the speed of light. During the last 50 years, the city’s population grew from about 350,000 to nearly five million. The oil money being pumped into the economy has successfully transformed Caracas into a modern city. Due to the dramatic contrasts between wealth and poverty, however, one should not carry any valuables while exploring the city. Also, only official taxis should be taken to the airport.

Caracas is set in a spectacular valley amid rolling hills. Its relative altitude of 900m (2952 feet) gives the city an agreeable, relatively dry and sunny climate with a mean temperature of about 22C (72F). 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD 5039 4819 3059 2519 6619 4499 3339 4899 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Local Payment 400 USD Accommodation Simple hotels (31 nts), Riverboat (4 nts), Bus (6 nts). Note: Accommodation can be quite basic/multi-share at times. Brief Highlights Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belem, Amazon River, Manaus, Venezuela, Canaima National Park, Angel Falls, Caracas. Brochure Notes Departure Departures vary DepEnd

Group Leader Tour leader throughout, local guides. Group Size Max 15, Avg 10 Included Highlights 4 to 5-day river trip along the Amazon, One day 4-wheel drive excursion on the Gran Sabana, Boat through the Paranaiba delta, Several 4-wheel drive transfers through remote northeastern Brazil Max Pax 15 Meal Budget Allow USD850 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details. Meals Included All meals while on Amazon River Boat. Min Pax 6 Reverse Itinerary This trip also runs in reverse - see trip code JAC. StartFinish Rio de Janeiro to Caracas Testimonial "The trip was absolutely fantastic and totally blew me away living up to my expectations and much more." - Claire Gray travelled on Amazon & Atlantic Transport Public bus, 4x4, Amazon River boat, Walking, Internal flight. A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Associated Planeterra Project Brochure Intro An epic 42-day exploration of lesser-known areas of Brazil and Venezuela that few travellers ever experience. From Afro-Brazilian Bahía to the mighty Amazon and the world's tallest waterfall, visit the legendary steamy side of South America on a jungle adventure straight out of a movie. Checklist - Passport (with photocopies)
- Travel insurance (with photocopies)
- Airline tickets (with photocopies)
- USD cash and travellers cheques
- Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
- G.A.P Adventures vouchers and dossier
- Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Camera and film
- Reading/writing material
- Binoculars
- Cover for backpacks
- Flashlight
- Concealable money belt
- Fleece top
- Windproof/waterproof jacket
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- 4 shirts/t-shirts
- Sun hat
- 2 pair of shorts
- 1 pair of long trousers
- 1 pair hiking pants/track pants
- Sport sandals
- Sunblock
- Toiletries (biodegradable)
- Watch or alarm clock
- Purification tablets or filter
- Pocket knife
- First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking). Departure Tax USD38 Detailed Trip Notes Dossier Disclaimer The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Dossier Intro An epic 42-day exploration of lesser-known areas of Brazil and Venezuela that few travellers ever experience. From Afro-Brazilian Bahia to the mighty Amazon and the world's tallest waterfall, visit the legendary steamy side of South America on a jungle adventure straight out of a movie. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact G.A.P Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local contact in Buenos Aires. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

G.A.P Adventures Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: Int. Dialing Code + 54 9 11 6 1477 660
From within Argentina
11 15 6 1477 660

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local contact in Buenos Aires, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below:

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from the UK: 0870 999 0144.
Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.
Mobile: + 1 416 305 6139.

Emergency Fund Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Feedback After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G.A.P Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gapadventures.com/evaluations
Free Online Trip Journals An online Trip Journal is a great way to record stories and photos as you travel, not to mention sharing your experiences with friends. Encourage your family and friends to follow in your footsteps as you explore the world! With templates for over 300 G.A.P Adventures trips already online all you have to do to get started is log in, choose your trip and your departure date, it's quick and easy! Head to http://www.gapadventures.com/trip_journal. Group Leader Description All G.A.P Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a G.A.P Adventures representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. For our shipboard expeditions and voyages we have a highly experienced shipboard staff and crew, including level III guides in the Galapagos, and an expedition team aboard the M/V Explorer and M/S Andrea. On truck trips in Africa you will be accompanied by a G.A.P Adventures leader, and a driver/cook, who offer a wealth of knowledge on the regions you will be visiting. Health You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G.A.P Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
PLEASE NOTE that as this trip travels through some remote regions of the Amazon you may be asked for proof of yellow fever vaccine upon entry to Brazil or upon return to your country. Please make sure you have this certificate with you for this trip. Important Notes 1. Please note that this tour combines with other G.A.P Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G.A.P Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G.A.P Adventures tour, after your trip concludes. Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Joining Hotel Rio de Janeiro
Hotel Angrense
Travessa Angrense 25
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: Int. Dialing Code +55 21 2548-0509
Joining Instructions Galeao International Airport is a 30 to 45 minute drive from our joining hotel. There are many private taxi companies with booths inside the building where you can pay a set rate for a taxi to Copacabana (approximately $25USD), thus avoiding the confusion outside the airport. There is also an airport bus, called ‘Real’ (approximately $3 USD) which will drop you off at the place of your choice along the route. The closest point to the Santa Clara is at the corner of Barata Ribeiro and the street Figueiredo Magalhaes. From here to the hotel is quite close. You can flag down one of the many offical yellow taxis in the street to get the rest of the way to the hotel (approximately $3 USD).
There is a money exchange in the Banco do Brazil on the 3rd floor of the international arrivals area, which is open 24 hours.

If you are arriving from abroad and have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, a G.A.P Adventures representative will meet you at the airport. If no one is there, take a public taxi to the hotel and we will reimburse you. If you have not paid for an arrival transfer, the best way to get into town is by public taxi. If your taxi driver does not speak English and you do not speak Portuguese, simply show driver the hotel address to simplify communications.

Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities are planned for that day so you may arrive at any time. Similarly the last day is a departure day in which no activities have been planned.

Your leader will contact you at the hotel on Day 1 and make sure you are settled comfortably. If you arrive late, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning. Your Tour Leader will also organize a short meeting soon after arrival, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip. Keeping in Touch If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Laundry Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Local Flights All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Local payment description Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. This is the final payment of your tour price, paid locally. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour. This helps G.A.P Adventures keep our prices competitive and in-turn, pass our cost savings onto you. Payment is to be made to your leader or G.A.P Adventures representative upon arrival in cash in the requested currency. Please see our website, brochure or your trip documents and invoice for Local Payment.
Meals Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G.A.P Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. On truck trips in Africa, aboard the expedition ship Explorer or our Galapagos yachts, while trekking in remote regions etc. food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. The above information applies to G.A.P Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Money Exchange Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances, but Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies.
Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash, travellers cheques and cards is best, although you will usually be charged a commission or given a less-favourable exchange rate for travellers cheques. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
Please bear in mind that cost of living in Brazil and Venezuela is much higher than the rest of South America.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com
Newsletter Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G.A.P Adventures, subscribe at www.gapadventures.com/newsletter_signup
Optional Activities All prices are per person in US dollar amounts.

Brazil:
Sight seeing in Manaus $20
Dos Lencois Nat’l Park (boat or 4wd)$15
Flight over Lencois sand dunes $50
Dune Buggy excursion $15
Horse riding $10
City Tour Olinda $5
Dance Show $40
Candomble Ceremony $15
Sea Turtle Sanctuary excursion $20
City Tour Salvador $15 -$29
Corcovado $20
Sugar loaf $20
Football game $10-$25
Hang gliding $120
Samba show $50+
City tour Rio de Janeiro $60
Favela Tour Rio $30
Manaus 3 day Jungle excursion $80/day


Venezuela:
Snorkelling & Island Tour Playa Colorada $10
3-day excursion Angel Falls $450
Flight over Angel Falls $60 Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation Through G.A.P Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism we have developed Planeterra – the G.A.P Adventures Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G.A.P Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration fees, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org

Planeterra Dollar-A-Day Program
Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G.A.P Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your GA.P Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking) Responsible Travel Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G.A.P Adventures is all about. From the start, G.A.P Adventures has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

For more information about our commitment to responsible travel, please visit the Sustainable Tourism section of the G.A.P Adventures website: www.gapadventures.com
Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Single Travellers We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Spending Money Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.

Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G.A.P Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used. Travel Forum - The Watering Hole Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you're interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gapadventures.com. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety Like most other big Latin American cities, Rio has areas which are safer than others. Use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Keep your valuables in the safe available in your hotel. Use the hotel to assist in any bookings of taxis and/or giving assistance when wandering around on your own. It is advisable to avoid certain areas after dark if you are on your own - the hotel can give the best recommendations and advice. Validity Valid for all trips departing January 1, 2009 - December 31st 2009. Visas All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.
We Want Your Photos If you've got some great photos form your G.A.P Adventures travels, then post them online in our community! You can share photos - and videos - with our travellers from around the world. Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/community to check out what other people have shared! We often have photo and video contests running too, so be sure to check our website often!
What to Take Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, though be prepared for rain and thunder storms in the wet season, especially in the Amazon. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A large daypack is also essential.

Your Fellow Travellers As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.