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BRAZIL
NEW SHORTER TOUR PLANNED 2009-DETAILS SOON
See 2008 details below for a taster! |
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The definitive diesel enthusiast tour!
From the Amazon Rainforest to the Argentine Border
Full tour 21 days, or days 1-12 or 12-21, joining/leaving at São Paulo |
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ITINERARY:
DAY 1 : São Luiz
Arrive at São Luiz. Transfer to our hotel. Dinner.
DAY 2 : São Luiz
After breakfast we visit the CVRD and CFN diesel locomotive yards. If possible, a workshop with CVRD's engineers to talk about what is Brazil's most modern railroad. Lunch and dinner at the hotel.
DAY 3 : São Luiz - Marabá
Early morning departure for Marabá in the Amazon Rainforest, using the CVRD Carajás passenger train. First class, air-conditioned passenger railway coach/car all the way. Arrive at Marabá in the evening. Transfer to hotel and dinner.
DAY 4 : Marabá
Breakfast at hotel. The rest of the day is spent looking around the CVRD yards and loading operations in the area. There is a huge amount of traffic on this line, with very long trains.
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DAY 5 : Marabá - Belo Horizonte
Early morning transfer to the airport to travel to Belo Horizonte, flying with GOL's Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft. The flight has a connection at Brazilia. Transfer to the hotel at Belo Horizonte, where dinner will be provided.
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DAY 6 : Belo Horizonte
Breakfast at the hotel. During the day we visit the MRS yard, Horto Florestal. If possible, there will be a workshop there with their engineers. A visit to the FCA yard will also be possible. Lunch and dinner will be provided.
DAY 7 : Belo Horizonte
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we explore some of the branches off the EFVM main line. There is a passenger train between Itabire and Carlos Drummond and we are investigating a possible charter with a railbus on the other branches to Joao Paulo and Pioarrao Conceicao. Dinner at the hotel. |
DAY 8 : Belo Horizonte - Governador Valadares
Early morning departure for the daily service Vitória-Minas passenger train to Governador Valadares, travelling through the scenic Minas Gerais countryside and passing some mineral mines. Arriving at Governador Valadares, we have a short walk to our hotel, where dinner is provided.
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DAY 9 : Governador Valadares - Belo Horizonte
After breakfast we visit the yard and learn more about this railroad and the local locomotives. At 14:00 we board the train back to Belo Horizonte, where we transfer to our hotel and have dinner.
DAY 10 : Belo Horizonte - Ouro Preto - Tiradentes - São Paulo
Early morning departure by our very pleasant, air conditioned bus for travel to São Paulo, passing through Ouro Preto, a very important historic city of Brazil where we can see the "Trem de Vale" steam train and the scenic railroad. We then continue to Tiradentes, another historic city, en route to São Paulo to see the "Bitolinha" (the little gauge), Brazil's last active 760mm gauge railway. If possible, we will be able to take a short trip on this line. We arrive at São Paulo in the early evening, where we transfer to our hotel, have dinner - and rest!
DAY 11 : São Paulo
Today we visit the Lapa yard, where MRS carries out the maintenance of its locomotives. During the day we will see the very rare Westinghouse electric locomotive used by ALL at Presidente Altino's yard. We also plan to visit the ABPF Preservation Museum, housing the Immigrant Train and other attractions. São Paulo is reputed to have one of the most modern and safe subway services worldwide, so we will try to find time to ride a section of it. Lunch will be provided, as will dinner at the hotel. |
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DAY 12 : São Paulo - Paranapiacaba - Santos
If anyone wishes to return home or join the tour, this is the day!
Transfer to/from the airport. Today we visit Paranapiacaba, the British Village, where the trains go down to the sea using the rack railroad. Hitachi electric and diesel locomotives are used on this line. We need to confirm with MRS whether it's possible to ride the rack system with a train. We then continue to Santos, the principal seaport of Brazil, taking in a visit to some rail yards. Dinner at the hotel will be provided.
DAY 13 : Santos - Curitiba
Today we begin our trip to the south, departing from Santos after breakfast in our comfortable air-conditioned bus and arriving at Curitiba in the afternoon, where there will be dinner at the hotel and some free time to relax.
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DAY 14 : Curitiba
Today we visit Serra Verde express passenger train yard and its RDC locomotives at the ALL Headquarters, the biggest Brazilian railroad company, where we will see SD-40, C-30, CM, GE and other locomotives. Lunch will be provided, as will dinner at the hotel.
DAY 15 : Curitiba - Serra do Mar
Early morning transfer to the railroad station to start our expedition into the Serra do Mar rainforest, which will provide an opportunity for spectacular photographs - too fantastic to describe!! We travel to Marumby station using first class railway coach/car, with an English-speaking guide. Includes approximately 10 km return walk alongside the line over bridges and through tunnels to Veu da Noiva Station to get diesel photos in amazing locations unreachable any other way. Please note: We need personal camping equipment (supplied by us), as there are no hotels at Marumby, just camping! Scenic photography as the diesel freights go by. Our main baggage will remain on the bus that will pick us up the next day at Morretes after the expedition, so we will only take the very basics on this journey. We provide food and water and all assistance/porters. Night camping at Marumby near station. |
Day 16 : Serra do Mar - Morretes - Paranaguà
At 10:00 the passenger train arrives to take us down to Morretes. After a one-hour trip down the railroad we will have a very nice lunch (included) at this pleasant city. If the Antonina - Morretes tourist train is operational, we will take a journey on it, or alternatively we will try to charter the MAN German-built railcar of the 1930s. Our bus will be waiting for us at Morretes. In the afternoon we'll go to Paranaguà historic city, where we'll have dinner at our hotel and relax at the swimming pool.
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Day 17 : Paranaguà - Tubarão
Today we start our bus journey again, now to Tubarão, passing through Santa Catarina State, with a very pleasant landscape and some of Brazil's most beautiful beaches, such as Florianópolis and Bombinhas. If you would like to visit one of the beaches en route, there's no problem! Arrive at Tubarão in the evening, where we will dine at the hotel.
Day 18 : Tubarão - Encantado
Early morning, after breakfast, we have a morning visit to the FTC Museum and the yard, where old GM G-12 and G-22U work hard. Later we travel in our bus to Encantado, arriving in the evening for dinner at the hotel and relaxation. |
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Day 19 : Encantado - Roca Sales - Ferrovia do Trigo - Encantado
This morning is dedicated to visiting the Roca Sales Yard, the most important yard of Rio Grande do Sul, where all trains coming from Argentina pass through. We'll also visit the biggest railway bridge in all the Americas, the 'Viaduto 13', and other similar constructions. We will be able to walk some distance along the track to photograph trains on some of the gigantic bridges or out of tunnels. Overnight at hotel in Encantado, dinner and relaxation.
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Day 20 : Encantado - Porto Alegre
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we travel to Porto Alegre, arriving around noon, on the last leg of the trip. On the way we'll visit the Trensurb urban train and the São Leopoldo Railroad Museum. Arriving at Porto Alegre, we'll have lunch at our hotel and the afternoon with be free to visit the city and prepare for travelling home the following day.
Day 21 : Porto Alegre - Home (wherever it may be!)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the long flights back home.
END OF TOUR |
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
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assistance at all times: |
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3* and 4* hotels with breakfast; camping at Marumby (Serra do Mar); |
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selected Atlantica and Accor Hotels, where possible; |
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all dinners and accommodation, including one drink and tips; |
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boarding service on domestic flights and Serra Verde express trains; |
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lunches where included in the itinerary; |
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water, soft drinks, special meal and assistance on the Serra do Mar expedition; |
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air-conditioned bus/minibus/van for the transfers at São Luiz and Marabá; |
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exclusive use of air-conditioned bus for the group, with WC, water and soft drinks, for 40 persons from Belo Horizonte until Porto Alegre, for carrying luggage at all times, and tour participants where no passenger train service exists. However, 40 people are not expected, so we will have room to spread out! |
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first class trains at Carajás, EFVM and Serra Verde Express; |
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airline ticket from Marabá to Belo Horizonte, including taxes; |
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hotel and service taxes; |
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our own tour guide. |
THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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air ticket from/to Europe or elsewhere; |
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air ticket from Brazilian arrival gateway to São Luiz (this should be included in your internation flight when you book); |
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extra drinks at meals or on excursions; |
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meals on the Carajas and EFVM trains; |
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meals on stops at highway restaurants (unless specified that they are included); |
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personal expenditure such as room service, laundry, telephone, computer access, etc.
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TOUR PRICES (per person): |
GBP |
USD |
Euro |
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Full 21-day tour beginning at São Luiz, ending at Porto Alegre
Price with single supplement |
£3072
£3617 |
$6095
$7175 |
€4180
€4925 |
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Half tour (12 days) beginning at São Luiz, ending at São Paulo
Price with single supplement |
£1573
£2376 |
$3120
$4715 |
€2145
€3235 |
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Half tour (10 days) beginning at São Paulo, ending at Porto Alegre
Price with single supplement |
£1474
£2277 |
$2925
$4520 |
€2008
€4000 |
| Deposit required per person |
£250 |
$500 |
€345 |
Important:
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To offer the tour at the prices shown, we need at least 15 participants on board at all times. If this is not possible, prices will need to be increased.
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Prices may alter if there is excessive fluctuation against the GBP. Rates will be calculated at the time of booking and paying your deposit. |
LOCOMOTIVE FLEETS
Please click here to see full details of the various locomotive fleets in operation in Brazil and the types of locomotive owned by them (as of 2006).
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Culture and Customs:
As the tour takes place abroad, accommodation, transport, safety precautions, food content/presentation and mannerisms may be different from those to which you are used. This is what makes a holiday different, but, if you have any concerns, please contact us to discuss them or talk to others who have may have travelled to the various regions covered by our tours.
Health and Safety:
While aboard the train, getting on and off, walking around depots or taking lineside photographs, you are advised to wear suitable footwear and clothing, and to keep a careful watch for moving rolling stock, points, rails and uneven ground. Always adhere to instructions given by railway staff or guides if so directed. EE Railtours will not be held responsible for any accident caused by a tour participant's own negligence.
Disabled Facilities:
We regret that, due to the lack of disabled facilities on trains and the nature of the tour in general, it is unsuitable for wheelchair users or the physically infirm.
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