Customer Feedback

Holidays to Brazil arranged by Condor Journeys and Adventures

Instead of displaying only one-sentenced-flattering and useless comments, we decided to publish the whole message of out customers as they wrote it. This page provides you with valuable information about our holidays into Brazil as well as about our organisation skills and the feedback is written by people who experienced it during the past years. Our customers being international, comments are published in the native language of the writer.

Dave from the US. Jungle Safari & Amazon Floatting Lodge - 02/2004
Danielle, We just returned from the trip to the Amazon Floating Lodge and everything was fantastic. All the connections were flawless, the Tropical Manaus was a very nice send off to the rain forest. Once there the staff went out of their way to be helpful and our guide put together several unusual side trips not on the standard itinerary. He also accommodated my special interest in snakes and geared some of our activities in that direction. Overall a wonderful trip, executed without a hitch.

Jonah from the US. Jungle Safari & Amazon Floatting Lodge - 11/11/2002
Dear Gilles,
Of course. The excursion was terrific! We had quality service and we were treated in a very professional manner. Everyone was well organized and even complex transfers from car to boat to bus to canoe to lodge went smoothly. It was almost too good to believe, especially for South America.
Our guide was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the Jungle and herbal remedies as well as local folklore. The things he told us were not just interesting touristy facts, but rather important hints about how to survive in the jungle. It was as though he really wanted us to be able to live on our own. He also spoke great english. Furthermore, the food was great.
Nice Job!!! I have a few suggestions for you - I was pretty wary setting this up all over the internet. There was no way for me to contact anyone except through you - that left me a little unsure. Things all worked out, but it would be easy, and put your customers at ease if you gave more information and provided a way to make direct contact. For all we got, we felt it was a very reasonable price.

Fred from the UK Amazon Experience - 02/09/2003
First a general comment. The organisation of our trip was almost faultless, and it was obvious that a lot of thinking had gone into trying to give us something more than the standard tour.
"Amazon Experience". Literally out of this world. Dawn on the Cueiras River is a mystical experience; there is no water, no air: the trees of the flooded forest, and even the boat itself, seem to be hanging in space. Mystical, and extraordinarily beautiful.
Just two on the boat may be expensive, but it means you can do things a larger group would make impossible. We spent a day living the life of a local Indian, going with him in his canoe to haul his nets, to look for turtle eggs, to whistle up otters. We came away full of admiration for his relationship with the nature with which, and from which, he lives. And sleeping in hammocks on the deck of a small boat gives you a contact with nature more conventional conditions do not allow. A wonderful trip.
In summary, a great trip, with some excellent initiatives by you / Condor.
Obviously there were a few hitches, all of them on the Amazon Experience leg. We were not picked up at 8am on the first day, but at 10.20. No boots on the boat, and more importantly no mosquito nets. We know how difficult it is to arrange things from half a world away, but in that case it would probably be better to err on the side of caution. Other minor annoyances were the lack of lighting on our (top) deck, and the lack of blankets - some nights were really cold. Much more serious was an obvious misunderstanding by the guide, Edson Piro, about the programme. The first day started as per your schedule, but we spent the night at Janaufi. The next morning we spent just sitting around watching the fish rise. So I wrote out a summary of the programme you had given us, and showed it to Piro. To say that he was surprised and disconcerted would be an understatement. From the way he reacted, and from a few things he said, we concluded that he thought he was to apply the 4-day programme, stretched out over 7 days! To his credit he did get things organised from that point on, and by steaming half the night we found ourselves moored up the Cueiras river next morning. We got our trek through the jungle - all 4 ½ hours of it, including wading some streams. Which surprised Piro; apparently most customers call it quits after an hour at most. It was instructive, and interesting. Had a really great day in the care of a guide with a face like a Mandarin, learning how the locals live. Their autonomy, and their relationship with the nature in which and from which they live, are admirable. White and pink dolphins everywhere. The Rio Negro at early dawn is mystical; its surface is a perfect mirror, and the trees of the sunken forest appear suspended in space. Manaus, afterwards, is an insult.
Very good, competent and friendly crew on the boat. Maria is a very good cook, and a pretty one. Piranhas taste like rougets. Piro did everything we asked him to, but needed to be prodded; he didn't take many initiatives himself.
Another problem arose on our departure from Manaus. Piro's boss was supposed to pick us up at 4am to drive us to the airport. At 4.20 we took a taxi. I'll fax you a copy of the bill (R$ 42), and would be grateful if you could reimburse us for that and for the advance payment we had made for the transfer (£36.4).
Monaco hotel O.K. for the first night; the room we had on our return was very hot indeed.

Renée from France. Chapada Diamantina & Lençois - 15/02/2003
Le voyage s'est bien passe.
Les accueils par les guides se sont deroules normalement, le contre temps a Lencois a ete minime. La guide de Lencois a ete particulierement attentive. L'hotel de Lencois a ete tres agreable (decoration, ambiance, service). Peut etre en partie parceque j'ai ete surclassee vu les disponibilites? Si je dois dire quelque chose, c'est eventuellemnt une cuisine qui cherche a etre trop francisee!
L'hotel de Salvador est bien sur different, mais propre et correct. Sa situation est exceptionnelle pour explorer le centre de la ville haute. Le matin, aux departs matinaux, aucun petit dejeuner. (vous m'aviez prevenue, mais c'est certain, leur structure ne le leur permet pas). Service autocar sans surprise, ni d'horaire ni de tarif. Le decalalge de depart du matin de Lencois ne peut pas etre tres important, car le depart initial se fait d'une ville peu eloignee. Par contre il est sur que la variation d'horaire en fin de parcours, dans le sens Salvador - Lencois peut etre plus notable. Nous nous avions gagne!! 30 minutes.
Le reste de mon sejour a ete tres agreable aussi, et de nature tellement differente a chaque fois, que j'ai eu l'impression de faire 3 voyages en 1!
Merci de votre aide. Peut etre a une autre fois.

Helen from London- Beach and sightseeing holidays in Rio and Porto de Galinhas
I have been meaning to email you to say a very BIG thank you for all your help with our Brazilian adventure. We all had an absolutely fantastic time and the arrangements you made for us, including the accommodation and transfers, were superb!
We loved Rio and did a lot of sightseeing during our visit there and the hotel (Sheraton) was great. They are refurbishing the hotel at the moment though and the room we stayed in on the last day before flying back to the UK was a lot better than the rooms we had in the hotel at the beginning of our visit (as the last room we stayed in had recently been redecorated) - but that's only a minor point! I'm sure that once the refurbishment is finished all the rooms will be great. The rest of the facilities at the hotel were excellent too.
Pontal de Ocapura was a brilliant choice of hotel - very relaxed and friendly. We are glad we decided to stay there rather than a much bigger resort hotel - it felt more like we were in Brazil!! We spent a few days relaxing by the pool, but also did a lot of sightseeing including Olinda, Recife and lots of beaches around the Porta de Galinhas region. It was great timing as we also managed to see a carnival in Recife - so we experienced lots of different aspects of Brazilian culture.
All in all we had one of the best holidays of our lives and I can't thank you enough for all your help!

Fred from the UK- Fernando de Noronha - 02/09/2003
Having us overnight in Olinda, rather than in Recife, was a brilliant idea. The town itself rates three Michelin stars, and the Pousada do Amparo is the sort of place you never want to leave.
Fernando de Noronha is paradise, and when you find yourself in the sea surrounded by dozens of dolphins putting on an aquatic ballet just for you, you know you're in heaven. The beaches are magnificent, and almost deserted; you can surf, or snorkel with turtles and an extraordinary range of tropical fish - bright blue soles??
We didn't find it expensive; you can get a good lunch, and as much as you can eat, for R$10. Atlantis Divers are real professionals; friendly, helpful, efficient, and the diving was great. We hope to go back - soon.
[the diving club] are true professionals, but easy-going and friendly at the same time. If we go back, which is very likely (see below), I would again want to dive with them. Pousada Monsieur Rocha basic, but very well-run. But if we return we would like to have a room with an outside door, if possible.
We didn't find the island so expensive; there's a self-service restaurant across the street from the pousada where you can get a very good and complete lunch, and as much as you can eat, for R$ 10 - R$ 12.50 if you take a beer.
You were right: it may be forbidden for people to swim with the dolphins, but it is not forbidden for the dolphins to swim with people. On our last full day we hired a buggy (and lived) and visited some of those wonderful beaches. Off one, dolphins appeared. So we swam out a few hundred metres, and they came. Dozens of them! It was like being in the centre of a ballet stage, with the troupe putting on a private performance just for us. Unforgettable! Now my wife can't wait to get another chance.

Alexis from France- Fernando de Noronha & Iguazu
Bonjour,
Effectivement rentrés hier, je vais tenter de vous faire (de notre part à tous les deux), un résumé au plus juste de nos deux excursions
1° Noronha : nous tenons à vous remercier pour cette destination où nous vous félicitons particulièrement pour la "Posada" Canto do Aconchego. Elle nous a vraiment charmés, comblés, les propriétaires étaient vraiment des gens très bien, tout était très propre, le petit-déjeuner délicieux, bref, nous vous recommandons vraiment cet endroit que, nous espérons, vous garderez le plus longtemps dans vos tablettes.
sur iguacu : - l hotel est a proscrire : bruyant, chambre avec fenetre cassee, nettoyage pas fait (araignees partout); enfin c'est peutetre le prix qui veut cela [ En effet quand on demande le moins cher ....On conseille le Das Cataratas plutôt, en face des chutes].
a part cela tout fut superbe...
a bientot et merci

Andrea from Switerland - Fernando de Noronha - 15/10/2002
Vacations are over and were great, especially Noronha. Thanks a lot.
Just as a remark for your fact sheets about Noronha:
With early divings and the IBAMA / TAMAR turtle project lectures taking place every evening for free (around 8 p.m.), your day might be fully booked out. The lectures and the preceeding natural movies are worth to be seen. On some days, a Hollywood movie is shown after the lectures.
Make clear that the Island almost only focuses on inter-Brazilian tourism (mostly from Sao Paulo), therefore !no! shop/restaurant/post office/incl. the 1 bank accepts credit cards. Brazilians still pay with cash or cheques. The dive shop is the only spot on the island (besided the airport-based government collecting the island-fee) accepting any credit card. It can be the last resort to get some cash out of your credit card, but usually has limited cash available.
Prices are about the double than on the continent. Even fruits and fish come from the continent.
Mosquitos may cause annoyances even out of the raining season. Bring enough insect repellent and sun cream with you.
Diving tours in the morning usually go to more interesting but more advanced spots. These usually require either the Advanced OWD PADI or an equivalent course to receive these credits. Diving equipment for renting include 3 mm shorties. It is nevertheless advisable to bring larger neoprens.
Althoug Oct - Dec is considered as the dry season and the best time for diving, moon phases, swell and winds can reduce underwater visibility to less than 15m respectively make snorkeling almost impossible due to currents and tides. Maximal tide difference is around 3m, usually being around 1.5m. In Dec to Feb, the surfing championchips take place with some of the bigger waves in the world.
The top hill (penis-like shaped) Pico do Morro is forbidden to be climed, although (rosty) ladders would allow a climb.

Catherine from Switerland- Fernando de Noronha
Bonjour,
Mes clients sont rentrés hier et TOUT s'est très, très bien passé. Ils ont plongé avec les dauphins,... Encore mille merci pour tout et j'espère à bientôt.
Bonne journée - Catherine

Alexis from France- Fernando de Noronha & Iguazu
Bonjour,
Effectivement rentrés hier, je vais tenter de vous faire (de notre part à tous les deux), un résumé au plus juste de nos deux excursions
sur iguacu : - l hotel est a proscrire : bruyant, chambre avec fenetre cassee, nettoyage pas fait (araignees partout); enfin c'est peutetre le prix qui veut cela [ En effet quand on demande le moins cher ....On conseille le Das Cataratas plutôt, en face des chutes].
a part cela tout fut superbe...
a bientot et merci

Darren from the UK Pantanal - 1 week tour 11/2004
Dear Gilles,
sorry for the tardy response! have been quite busy since my return! ok here goes!
The guide Elber Taques was great, he was patient, informative and knowledgable about many aspects and was a greta friend to have on tour with me! I can't recommend in highly enough! Baguari ,Puival and Rio Claro were all great places in terms of accommodation food and service and even wildlife spotting! Again i am unable to find fault with any of them! I had a great time and was well looked after on my travels! An excellent holiday in all aspect!

Marie Paule from France Pantanal & Chapada de Guimaraes
Tout s'est très bien passé et nous avons beaucoup apprécié cette région. Le guide nous attendait à l'aéroport malgré l'annulation du vol prévu, il s'est renseigné et nous a attendu un peu plus tard. Roger était très sympathique et très compétent pour nous faire découvrir le pays où il vit (je suis un peu plus réservée sur la conduite de sa voiture mais il faut dire que d'une façon générale la circulation routière au Brésil est surprenante...). Les pousadas où l'on a séjourné étaient très jolies, l'accueil agréable, les excursions à cheval et en bateau intéressantes même si l'on n'a pas vu tous les animaux prévus (la loutre en particulier) mais c'est la vraie nature! En revanche, la Chapada de Guimaraes ne présente pas, à notre avis, beaucoup d'intérêt pour des européens qui ne vivent pas très loin des Alpes. Si vous avez des conseils à donner, quand les touristes ont peu de temps, il vaut mieux rester un peu plus longtemps dans le Pantanal et ne pas aller à la Chapada. Nous avions eu le temps en 5 jours de bien visiter, cela n'a donc pas été un gros inconvénient pour nous.
Nous sommes donc très satisfaits de l'organisation, avec 2 petites critiques: le n° de téléphone de l'hotel Mato Grosso était faux et on a eu du mal à les joindre pour les avertir de notre retard (on voulait essayer de joindre le guide), le programme que vous m'aviez fait parvenir était l'inverse de ce que le guide avait (mais ce n'était pas très grave).
Merci donc pour l'organisation, si nous avons des connaissances qui sont intéressées, nous leur donnerons vos coordonnées. Peut être aussi envisagerons nous une autre destination avec vos services. Bien cordialement

Thomas from France Iguassu - Rio - Ouro Preto, Salvador Paraty and Ilha Grande 12/2004
pOur ma part voici un commentaire sur notre voyage.
Globalement : formidable ! Aucun problème de transfert, des guides toujours présents, parlant Français et souvent sympathiques.
L'organisation générale du voyage entre les différents sites était bonne, même si Rio méritait sans doute quelques jours de plus. Pas de chance pour les musées ils étaient tous en grève.
Les hôtels : Iguaçu, très bien placé et plaisant [ le Tropical Das Cataratas, auprés des chutes], Belo Horizonte , propre pour une transition, Ouro Preto très bel hôtel, Salvador [Hotel Catarina Paraguaçu] un peu loin du centre historique mais calme et joli (même si il ne faut pas être sur la rue (trafic et boîte de nuit en face) ), Rio très bien placé, Paraty superbe hôtel [ Pousada do Amparo] et Ilha Grande très sympa [Eco and dive Resort].
Ilha Grande, il n'a pas fait très beau, mais c'était bien, je pense que ce qu'il manque, c'est plus d'itinéraires de randonnée, car le Eco and Dive Resort de Renée est plus "dive" que randonnée. En revanche il n'ont qu'un seul bateau par jour et cela n'a pas collé (trop tard ) avec notre transfert retour vers Rio pour notre vol. Nous avons dû prendre un bateau spécial (40 USD à notre charge) pour retrouver à temps notre transfert à Angra DoS REIS.
Autre remarque. Il y a pleins d'options intérressantes (rafting à Iguaçu était très sympa comme les bateaux qui vont sous les chutes, le Kayak de mer et les tours en bateau à PArati et sur Ilha Grande) qui valent vraiment la peine. Les guides locaux abusent un peu pour "réserver" les options alors que c'est en face de l'hôtel (notamment à Iguaçu) et pour cela ils facturent au prix fort (exemple Rafting 75 reals sur place, 110 avec réservation....) on veut bien rémunérer le service mais il ne faut pas exagérer.[ C'est en effet innaceptable et nous en avons informé notre agent local des pratiques inadéquates de certains guides] et D'autre part il faut savoir que les bus (bus du parc) pour rejoindre l'hôtel das Cataratas à Iguaçu cessent de fonctionner vers 18h00, après c'est le taxi et pas forcément économique...