The Caribbean of the Amazon. Beaches, Rivers & Rainforests. A Brazil Photo Tour

On arriving at Santarém airport, you will be met by your two professional photographers and guide. You will then have a private transfer to your hotel in Alter do Chão (Please note this is a private transfer and will be with your fellow tour photographers only). On arrival, check-in and after you have settled in, we will have a brief group meeting, to run through the tour, detail our goals, the schedule and answer any questions you may have. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the nearby area, or have any early night in preparation for your early start the next day

After breakfast at your hotel we will make our way to Mount Piroca, which is one of the highest points in the region and offers great vantage point for surveying the immediate area. The hike takes approximately 45 minutes (each way) and is best to do early in the day, in order to avoid the heat of the midday sun. In order to climb the hill, we will need to cross the entrance to Lago Verde (the Green lake), by boat and walk down the Ilha do Amor (Island of love), before hiking through the rainforest to the base of the hill. Ilha do Amor is where most locals can be found at the weekend, enjoying the sun and swimming in the cool waters of th lake. On returning to Alter do Chão, you will have the rest of the day to explore the village or relax back at your hotel. There will also be a complimentary visit to your photo tour excursion boat, so that you can familiarise yourself and know what is expected on you when travelling on her.

Today we head to The Canal do Jari, which has, during the wet season offers a great diversity of flora, fauna and wildlife.The tour to the Canal do Jari is especially interesting for observant and nature-loving travellers. The boats route, that goes through the main canal, leads through some of the most beautiful scenery in the region, where it is easy to see riverside houses, Amazonian vegetation, great water lilies, many types of birds and even some animals, such as sloths, monkeys, alligators and, hopefully, some porpoises. The canal varies a lot according to the time of year and there are several properties along the bank that receive tourists for guided tours. One such tour will include a tour around a wooded, flooded area, where monkeys and sloths can be seen. On the return journey to Alter do Chão, we will stop at Ponta do Cururu, for the sunset. This is the prime location to sit and watch the sun set in the region and although it is possible to hike there, it is mostly visited by boat. Many locals come here to experience the sunset and sometimes a mobile boat bar is present, selling drinks.

Today we head south along the Tapajós River to two of the most picturesque beaches in the area. On the way back we will stop at Ponta Muretá. Another beach that is great for sunset photography. Each day you will return to your hotel in Alter do Chão, unless otherwise stated.

Again we head south along the river to Lago Tapiri and then another opportunity to photograph the beautiful sunset in Lago Preto.

Today we stay a little nearer to Alter do Chão and venture out into the Lago Verde and have a canoe ride through the Floresta Encantada (The Enchanted Forest). During the wet season The Floresta Encantada is flooded by the Tapajós River and makes for a very interesting canoe ride through the Rainforest.

After an early start, we will make our way to the Santarém Fish Market to see the local fishermen feed the famous Pink River Dolphins.

This will be followed by a trip to the meeting of the waters. This is where the Tapajós and Amazon River meet. For several kilometres the water from both rivers do not mix. These two waters join close near the city, but you will notice that the waters will remain two distinct colours and the two different shades of water, almost go as far as you can see. Such is the force of these two rivers that it takes quite a while for the two shades to mix into one. You'll be able to pick out the two rivers, as the Tapajós is emerald green while the Amazon is a muddy brown

Today we make our way to Fordlândia. The journey will take around 12 hours, as it is over a 100 kilometres up the Tapajós River. You’ll have breakfast and lunch on the boat and will make a couple of stops along the way. Upon arrival at Fordlândia, you will check in to the town’s only hotel for 2 nights.

Today you will have a chance to explore the abandoned town of Fordlândia. Established, but never visited by Henry Ford. It was created so that the Ford Motor Company could harvest their own rubber for their cars and stop the monopoly that British had over the manufacture of tyres and other car parts. Ultimately The Ford Motor Company abandoned the project and town, as it wa a complete failure, due to the climate, environment and conflicts between the company and local workers. Due to the massive cost, the company never removed the infrastructure and facilities that they had installed in the middle of the Amazon Rain Forest and several buildings, including a Mill and Water tower still stand to this day!

Today we make our way back to Alter do Chão. The journey will take around 12 hours, as it is over a 100 kilometres along the Tapajós River. You’ll have breakfast and lunch on the boat and will make a couple of stops along the way. Upon arrival at Alter do Chão, you’ll check back into your hotel.

Before the Tapajós meets the Amazon, a smaller river, called the Arapiuns is found. Here we will sleep out under the stars on your tour boat and experience the tranquility and silence of the region, away from the hustle and noise of the city. You will sleep in a hammock, just like the locals do. During the day we will visit a small secluded community that makes products for the region, including baskets and decorate items.

Along the Arapiuns river there is a small community that has a sanctuary for turtles. Here we will stop and be able to feed them and take photos of them, before heading back to Alter do Chão.

Today we will have a class editing session, to look at your photos and to help you edit and make the most of your photos taken on the tour.

On your last day, you will have the opportunity to have an additional editing workshop, in the morning and then the rest of the day to rest or explore the village, as you please

After saying goodbye to Brazil and your fellow tour photographers, you’ll transfer to the airport, for your return flight, and we hope to see you again on another World Photo Tours holiday.