Discover Brazilian Amazonia
With Projeto Bagagem!

 
Amazônia Ribeirinha IX

20 – 28 January 2007

Amazônia Ribeirinha (Riverine Amazonia) was Projeto Bagagem’s first itinerary. In partnership with Health and Happiness Project (www.saudeealegria.org.br), small groups of visitors navigate the fascinating Tapajós and Arapiuns rivers and visit some of their riverine communities, leaving from the port city of Santarém. The income generated by the eight previous expeditions have enabled some visible improvements in the communities such as the partial construction of Urucureá’s community multi-purpose shelter (barracão comunitário). Also, the quality of services provided by the communities, as well as the strong ties between the communities and Projeto Bagagem have significantly improved since the beginning.

All communities visited are adequately remunerated for the services provided to the groups (excursions, workshops), and 100% of the tours’ profits are equally shared between Projeto Bagagem, Health and Happiness Project, and a community fund that aims to strengthen tourism in the communities. Future projects to be supported by Projeto Bagagem’s tours include community telecentres and community-based guesthouses. See www.projetobagagem.org for images from previous expeditions.

ITINERARY

Day 1 | Saturday
Arrival of participants in Santarém and transfer to the boat in Alter do Chão village
Dinner, introductions
Private concert by local singer (Chico Malta) on the beach

Day 2 | Sunday
Alter do Chão - Cachoeira do Aruã
Journey to Cachoeira do Aruã community (Arapiuns river)
Community meeting

Day 3 | Monday
Cachoeira do Aruã
Morning: boat tour on Aruã river and visit to manioc flour processing unit. Lunch with community members
Afternoon: workshops to be confirmed (e.g. medicinal plants) and free time
Cultural Evening

Day 4 | Tuesday
Cachoeira do Aruã - Urucureá
Descend of Arapiuns river
Lunch at Ponta Grande (white sand bank) and time for enjoying a fantastic beach of transparent fresh water
Night on the boat on one of Urucureá’s beaches

Day 5 | Wednesday
Urucureá
Morning: Community meeting and group activity to explore the community’s various facets
Afternoon: Handicrafts workshop with local women
Evening: Traditional piracaia (grilled fish on the beach)

Day 6 | Thursday
Urucureá / Marimarituba
Morning – Crossing of Amazonas river and visit to Marimarituba island
Afternoon – Handicrafts exhibition
Cultural evening (cultural exchange between community members and visitors)

Day 7 | Friday
Maguari/Jamaraquá
Arrival in Maguari
Forest trekking organised by community guides
Evening: activities with the community

Day 8 | Saturday
Jamaraquá | Maguari
Morning: canoe tour in flooded forest, exhibition of local handicrafts, visit to rubber project in Jamaraquá
Lunch on the Paz Amazônica island
Afternoon: visit to latex processing unit in Maguari
Evening: farewell dinner, evaluation, final group activities

Day 9 | Sunday
Alter do Chão – End of Projeto Bagagem
Transfer to Santarém airport
 

WHAT TO EXPECT
With Projeto Bagagem you will experience a non-conventional way of travelling to ‘off the beaten track’ Brazilian destinations. The idea is that our groups are more than ‘passive subjects’ that visit different places observing only. Projeto Bagagem’s main principle is sharing. Thus, you will interact with local communities in a process in which all involved parties exchange and share habits, knowledge, traditions, beliefs, ways of living.

WHAT TO BRING
Hat, sun protector, repellent, water bottle, trainers for trekking, long pants for forest trekking and the evenings, flip flops, small backpack for daily excursions, camera (and LOTS of films or memory sticks), sheet or blanket for the night (yes, it gets chilly!), towel, bathing suit, flashlight, pocket money for handicrafts and alcoholic drinks on the boat, specific medicines.

In addition, feel free to bring anything that you would like to leave for the communities such as postcards/calendars from your home town, school materials for the community schools, games and toys for local children. If you play a portable musical instrument bring it along, or if you have any other talent that you would like to share with the group and the communities bring all necessary accessories!

FEE
R$ 1750 (approximately 800 US dollars, 420 UK Pounds, 1000 Swiss Francs)

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Food and accommodation on the boat (full board) – note that all participants sleep in hammocks!, airport transfers on Days 1 and 9, boat transport, contribution to visited communities, environmental taxes, information kit, travel insurance.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Santarém, airport transfer on days different from Days 1 and 9, lunch on Day 1.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can fly to Santarém via Belém or Manaus. Alternatively you can reach Santarém by boat from Belém, Manaus or other Amazonian towns. Consider buying a Brazil Airpass if you're flying from abroad.

HOW TO BOOK
Send an e-mail to [email protected] and we'll send you further details.
 
Projeto Bagagem
[email protected]