Aboard the Clipper Adventurer

March 26 – April 10, 2012

Explore four rivers of South America – the Amazon, Suriname, Essequibo and Orinoco – on our newest ship-badsed expedition. 

• Go on Zodiac excursions and rain forest walks to search for macaws, monkeys and dolphins. 
• Wander the eerie ruins of French penal colony Devil’s Island, now nearly reclaimed by lush vegetation and butterflies.
• Get a glimpse into the lives of native peoples during shore visits.
• Take a chartered flight into the heart of wild Guyana to view Kaieteur Falls.

Trip Itinerary

Monday, March 26, 2012: Miami, USA
Fly on your own to Miami. Gather at the airport hotel for a welcome briefing, dinner and to spend the night. (D)

Tuesday, March 27: Miami / Belém, Brazil
Depart on your flight from Miami to Belém, via Manaus, Brazil. Upon arrival, transfer to our hote. Belém Hilton (B,L,D)

Wednesday, March 28: Belém / Embark
The gateway to Amazonia, Belém was founded in 1616 by Portuguese conquistadors. Enjoy a city tour, including a visit to the Goeldi Museum, before embarking the Clipper Adventurer to begin your journey. (B,L,D)

Thursday – Saturday, March 29 – 31: Breves Narrows / Amazon River Delta
For the next three days, cruise the Amazon and its tributaries. The Amazon region supports an unparalleled richness of biodiversity, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s species of birds, 30 types of monkeys, 1,800 species of butterflie  and more species of fish than the entire Atlantic Ocean. Zodiacs carry you along the waterways to search for birds, butterflies, pink and gray river dolphins and a host of other resident wildlife. Take nature walks to explore a vast array of flora and visit the Caboclos peoples, locals of mixed European and Indian descent who live in stilted houses along the riverbanks. With well-honed knowledge of the forests and fluvial environments, they share their wealth of experiences as you observe their daily activities. (B,L,D daily)

Sunday, April 1: Cruising the Brazilian Coast
Today the lecture team introduces the history and culture of French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana. (B,L,D)

Monday, April 2: Iles du Salut, French Guiana
The three small islands that make up this archipelago were the site of the infamous French penal colony known collectively as Devil’s Island. Soon after the French Revolution of 1789, France’s criminals were shipped here. Among the most known was Henri Charrière, who was convicted of murder in 1931 and later described the conditions and his escape in the book Papillon. During visits to Ile St. Joseph and Ile Royale wander the ruins of the colony – now nearly reclaimed by forest –and visit the guards’ quarters, prisoners’ cells, hospital and guillotine site. It’s an excellent place to search for wildlife, such as burnished-buff tanagers and squirrel monkeys. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Suriname. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, April 3: Paramaribo, Suriname
This morning, take a tour of Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, on the banks of the Suriname River. Then visit the 17th-century Fort Zeelandia, one of the country’s oldest buildings, housing the Suriname Museum. Watch for capuchin monkeys in Palm Garden, the city’s leafy park. Adjacent is the ornate Presidential Palace, one of the many historic colonial buildings of 18th- and 19th-century style; another is the enormous, century-old Catholic cathedral. Rain forest habitat, which covers 85 percent of the country, begins 30 miles south of Paramaribo. An afternoon excursion takes you into the countryside to visit an Amerindian village for a cultural presentation and to cruise along the Para River. (B,L,D)

Wednesday – Friday, April 4 – 6: Essequibo River, Guyana / Kaieteur Falls
Begin your travels up Guyana’s mighty Essequibo River. The vast undisturbed rain forest blankets much of the country and supports 1,000 species of trees and about 1,200 species of mammals, reptiles and birds. The Essequibo is lined with beaches, mangroves, shipwrecks and boatyards, and is dotted with traditional dwellings and villages. Enjoy upriver explorations via an exhilarating jet boat ride to the charming eco-resort island of Baganara, replete with white-sand beaches and nature trails. The small town of Bartika, a staging post for gold miners headed inland, has a marketplace where woodcarvings and gold jewelry are displayed. 

Sure to be a highlight of your time in Guyana is the chartered flight far into its wild heartland to view Kaieteur Falls. The falls are about 300 feet wide and 741 feet high – almost five times the height of Niagara. Enjoy a dramatic view of the thundering cascade, which creates a deafening roar and many rainbows! Also explore the virgin forest of Kaieteur National Park to search for orchids and various bird species, including, with luck, the colorful cock-of-the-rock. (B,L,D daily)

Saturday, April 7: At Sea
Lecturers recap your time in Guyana and introduce the history and natural wonders of Trinidad and Tobago. (B,L,D)

Sunday, April 8: Speyside, Tobago / Charlotteville
Tucked off the coast of Venezuela are the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Joined into one country in the latter part of the 19th century, Tobago is quite Caribbean in nature, with exquisite beaches, exceptional snorkeling, and a relaxed atmosphere. Trinidad, meanwhile, seems more like a progeny of South America, with its calypso music and cosmopolitan feel. The islands do share some traits, especially in their flora and fauna. More than 400 species of birds can be found here, along with 600 varieties of butterflies and a host of monkeys, armadillos, caimans, lizards, snakes and marine species. The varieties of flowering plants – more than 2,000 – are likewise astonishing. 

Bird watchers set out in the morning from the sleepy fishing village of Speyside to go to uninhabited Little Tobago, where they’ll visit a large colony of breeding red-tailed tropicbirds and search for white-tailed sabrewings, blue-backed manakins, chachalacas, motmots and jacamars. Or choose to visit lovely Argyle Waterfall for a refreshing swim and a chance to explore the lush surrounding forest. After lunch on board, enjoy a snorkel or glass-bottom boat excursion over some of the region’s best coral reefs. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to stroll through the village of Charlotteville, magnificently situated on a large, calm bay. Or simply relax on the white-sand beaches. (B,L,D)

Monday, April 9: Port of Spain, Trinidad
Encountered by Columbus in 1498, Trinidad’s native Indian population was later joined by Spanish, French, British, African, and Hindustani settlers, creating a cosmopolitan cultural mélange. After lunch on board, drive to Caroni Bird Sanctuary, a national park, and board local boats for an exploration of mangroves. You may have the chance to photograph hundreds of flamboyant scarlet ibis as they come to roost at dusk. Also keep an eye out for others among the 150 bird species found here, including ospreys, herons, flamingos, plovers and egrets. This evening, enjoy a lively performance of traditional music by a local steel-drum band. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, April 10: Port of Spain, Trinidad / Disembark / USA
After breakfast, disembark and return to the United States on your independent flight home. (B)