Voyages of Discovery Charts Course for Ecological Exploration

Destination cruise specialist Voyages of Discovery returns to the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon River and Machu Picchu this spring on voyages that will showcase the regions’ amazing biodiversity and culture.

Departing April 3, 2008, the mv Discovery will begin an 11-night Amazon Adventure from Montego Bay, combining the colorful waterfront of Willemstad, Curacao, and beautiful Tobago, with a voyage 90 miles down the mighty Amazon to Manaus. Stops along the way include the riverside towns of Santarem and Boca da Valeria.

Continuing on from Manaus, passengers can add two Brazilian ports and a string of islands for a total of 23 nights on the Amazon Discovery cruise. Parintins, famous for its Boi Bumba Festival and Alter do Chao, set in a beautiful bay, combine with historic Devil’s Island and the Caribbean gems of Trinidad, Grenada, St. Vincent and Barbados.

The segment from Manaus to Barbados also is available as a separate 13-night Amazon and Caribbean voyage, with fares starting at $3,095 per person. Fares on these three departures include free air from New York or Miami.

From Alter do Chao, passengers have the opportunity to explore the ecosystem of the Amazon on a river cruise to Lake Maica, from the “Wedding of the Waters” at the meeting of the Tapajos and Amazon rivers, to a smaller tributary affording views of water buffalo, lush vegetation and possibly the rare pink dolphin.

Other tours explore health treatments extracted from native flora; a close-up view of the Amazon’s forests and agriculture in the Santa Lucia Forest preserve; survival techniques in the Amazon jungle with a specialist from the Brazilian army and an evening alligator-spotting excursion by canoe.

Complimentary excursions to the Galapagos Islands are featured on a 26-night cruisetour from Santiago to Quito departing Feb. 21, and a 12-night sailing from Quito to Costa Rica departing Mar. 14. Fares begin at $2,950 per person, double occupancy.