Brazil Tall Ship Sailing Adventure

Day 1: Arrive Rio de Janeiro

Make your own way by taxi or bus to the Marina da Glória where the Tocorimé is docked, boarding around noon. On board join a welcome meeting where you will learn all you need to know about the ship and the program. Have dinner onboard, after which you'll have plenty of suggestions for nighttime adventures in Rio. Overnight in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s only true tall sailing ship, the Tocorimé was built by local craftsman in the town of Santarém, Pará. Crafted with the greatest care and attention to detail and utilizing only the most traditional of hand tools, the Tocorimé boldly exhibits its solid Itaúba ribs and planking. The massive, dense 22-meter Ipé keel and keelson secure the vessel and the 30-meter Muiricatiara masts stand tall in the sky. A great variety of tropical woods were used in the construction, since the Tocorimé was built on the beachside of the Tapajós River. Over 2 km of planking, 40,000 nails and screws, 40 tonnes of Ballast, 8 km of rope, sailcloth filling 1/4 of a football stadium and masts the height of the Christ figure have all been used to build this incredible ship. The vessel is equipped with a kitchen, bar, freezer, and stereo facilities. The enormous deck has space for hanging hammocks, sleeping on the bowsprit, bar facilities and the helms area which seats 10 comfortably. The First Level Deck has a large common area seating 16 people for meals and get-togethers. To the side is the Navigation Room and the Tocorimé writing area. The Second Level features a great saloon with seating area for up to 45 people, while more forward are guest berths. The sleeping accommodations are set in one large common area. “Tocorimé Pamatojari” means “Adventurous Spirit” in the native tongue of the Kulina tribe of the Brazilian Amazon. Accommodations on board are considered multi-share with 4 single and 6 double berths that will be assigned at embarkation. The double berths are double beds and will be allocated to couples sharing or same sex individual passengers sharing a double bed. As we cannot guarantee all double berths will be occupied by couples, please be aware there is a possibility you may be paired with a stranger of the same sex in a double berth. Remember the trip is meant to be a sailing adventure! Passengers share the limited space on board, including bathrooms, which are multi-share.

Day 2: Set sail from Rio de Janeiro, coastline scenery

Awake to a Brazilian tropical breakfast onboard. Soon after breakfast depart Rio for a 12-hour sail north, with amazing views of Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian Coastline en route. Sailing duties are shared by all on board who want to get involved. Sail overnight

Day 3: Ilha Grande, Enseada das Palmas

Waking up to the soft sounds of the waves splashing on the hull, you are treated to a tropical breakfast served on deck. Anchored now in Enseada das Palmas on Ilha Grande, enjoy a tough program of swimming, snorkelling, short hikes or just plain relaxation. After lunch take an excursion to the famous beach of Lopes Mendes, where we stay for the sunset. After a short walk back to the boat, we make preparations for the Pirates Raid – a beach party with barbeque. Anchor at Ilha Grande. The local fauna and flora in Ilha Grande, a Nacional Patrimony protected area, are extremely diverse. The state park was created in 1971 and encompasses 4.500 hectares of wilderness. Mountain range, coastal, mangrove and prairie vegetation are all found here, along with an astonishing collection of bird life, including parrots, woodpeckers, Brazilian thrushes and saracuras. There are also different kinds of monkeys, squirrels, armadillos, pacas, hedgehogs and snakes, as well as endangered species such as the Alouatta Fusca, generally known as Bugio monkey.

Day 4: Lagoa Azul, Saco do Ceu

Today we set sail for Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon), Sítio Forte and Saco do Céu. We can arrange to drop you off for a small hiking adventure on the park's exquisite beaches while the Tocorimé sails onward to the next cove. In the evening bioluminescent sea plankton put on a fantastic fluorescent show. Anchor at Saco do Céu.

Day 5: Mamanguá Ecological Reserve

In the early morning hours lift anchor and head for the Mamanguá Fjord. Options after lunch include a rainforest hike, waterfall expedition and beach soccer (canoe paddling - extra charge). A beach barbeque is followed by nighttime festivities - Luau on the Beach! Anchor Mamanguá. The Mamanguá Ecological Reserve is located in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro in the southeastern portion of the state. It is the only fjord on the entire Brazilian Coastline with a magnificent 8 km emerald green sea-entrance, ending at the best-preserved mangrove area in the Ilha Grande Bay; steep mountains and Atlantic rainforest surround the entire bay. The area inhabited by a traditional Caiçara population (fisherman, handicraftsman, farmers) who maintain their simple lifestyle, adding to the unspoiled air of this tropical paradise, also aided by the fact that there is no public electric or telephone network in Mamanguá, and there is no road access to the area.

Day 6: Ilha da Bexiga, arrive Paraty

Sail today to the scenic Paratimirim peninsula. Lunch is served on deck and by mid afternoon the Tocorimé arrives at the beautiful Ilha da Bexiga, a solitary island within sight of historical Paraty, where only Tocorimé has permission to anchor. Shop for local souvenirs and enjoying the sights and sounds of the historical downtown. Dinner is served onboard, after which there is the option to return to town to savour the nightlife, thick with Brazilian rhythms such as Chorinho and Bossa Nova. The day ends onboard the Tocorimé with a nightcap. Anchor in Paraty. Paraty is a lovely colonial town 125 miles from Rio de Janeiro on Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil's southeastern coast. It lies on the border between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states, and is a favourite with those looking to ‘get away from it all’—Brazilians and visitors alike. The historic centre is a well-preserved national historic monument, and today has been closed to vehicles to preserve its laid-back colonial ambience. During high tide the Portuguese cobblestone streets are partly flooded by seawater, adding to the fairy tale atmosphere. Founded in 1531, the original settlement was on the opposite side of the river, where a church was erected to their patron "St. Roque." Around 1640 the Indians who used to live here were driven away and the town moved to where it stands now. The founders named it Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, with Our Lady of the Medicines as the patron saint, and they built the main church in her honour. Enlarged and remodelled over the years, the church is now the focal point of the annual Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios on September 8. The festival has been celebrated for over 300 years since a wealthy and reverent benefactor, Maria Jácome de Mello, donated the land to the town for the church, requesting only an annual mass in return. The mass has grown into a procession of the wooden effigy of the Virgen though the town, adorned with gold and silver jewellery. In the 1700's when the mines of Minas Gerais were pouring out gold, the perfect bay of Paraty was a busy port, the second most important in Brazil during the ‘Golden Century.’ The best pinga or cachaça (sugar cane liquor) of Brazil was produced here and the name Paraty became synonymous with the liquor. Later, coffee was brought from the valley of Paraiba to be shipped to Portugal, sparking another economic boom. In 1888 with the abolition of the slavery, Paraty became almost forgotten in time, and a large exodus left only a population of around 600, a considerable difference from the 16000 when the town was in its prime. In 1954 a road was opened linking the town to the inland through the valley of Paraiba, but it was not until 1973-75 with the opening of the highway BR-101 that Paraty’s rebirth as a tourist town began. Paraty was declared a national monument in 1966. Paraty's bay is filled with over 65 tropical islands and dozens of beaches, each offering something different, and all covered with vegetation that remains lush and colourful year-round. The water of the bay is always the right temperature for swimming, diving and snorkelling. The national parks that encircle the town are filled with trails, wildlife and waterfalls. Hiking or horseback riding, for the sports minded, or a jeep or van tour are both excellent ways to appreciate this natural wilderness.

Day 7: Depart Paraty

After a final breakfast onboard the Tocorimé, there is time to explore the 16th century fort on the island. Take a swim, relax and enjoy the tropical paradise. Around noon, leave the Tocorimé for Paraty on the ship's zodiac. The Tocorimé hopes to see you again soon!