About Tauá Turismo
Our History and Mission in the Amazon
Tauá - in Tupi: alluvial clay rich in iron oxide used to color indigenous ceramics.
Tauá Tour is the evolution of Amazon Nuts Safaris, a family-owned company founded by Brazilian Miguel Rocha da Silva in 1980.
Miguel started with a small regional boat rented for expeditions by the famous French commander Jacques Cousteau.
He organized several expeditions for documentary channels like Discovery and the BBC, inspiring people from five continents with his love and knowledge of the Amazon land.
Miguel Rocha da Silva was a guide for notable expeditions, including the “Waters of the Planet” expedition by the famous New Zealand sailor Peter Blake (1948-2001) and the first Chinese scientific expedition in the Amazon.
Today, his daughter Marta and her husband, Swiss native Jean-Daniel Vallotton, after dedicating 25 years to building and developing the social, economic, and environmental activities of the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation, have taken up the torch of ecotourism.
Philipe Brouze, a loyal client of Amazon Nuts Safaris for over 20 years, and Sylviane Dérobert are partners in the company, strengthening the international spirit of adventure in the Amazon.
The icon in the Tauá Tour logo represents the muiraquitã, an amulet crafted by the Icamiabas warrior women, who gave their name to the Amazon River, according to the account of Brother Gaspar de Carvajal during Francisco de Orellana’s first expedition in 1542.
The Hosts
Marta Vieira da Silva Vallotton
A Brazilian native and daughter of Miguel Rocha, the visionary and founder of FAM, she learned to love nature and work in tourism with her father.
She is the founder of the environmental education program at the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation (FAM), an innovative educator focused on teenagers.
Marta shares another passion: plants and animals.
Jean-Daniel Vallotton
A Swiss national, he worked on the construction of hospitals in Gabon, Africa. He participated in a six-week expedition in the forests of French Guiana with the Wayana and Oyampi Indigenous peoples.
He is also the founder of the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation and has dedicated over 25 years to building and developing the organization’s training and education programs.
Sylviane Dérobert
Of Swiss nationality, she dedicated much of her life to tourism, primarily in the winter, in the Swiss mountains where she still resides today.
She discovered the Brazilian Amazon with her partner Philippe, and it was a true passion.
Sylviane wishes to share the beauty of the landscapes and the unique atmosphere of this part of the world by participating in this project, born from a sincere friendship with Marta and Jean Daniel.
Philippe Brouze
Born and residing in Switzerland, he is an avid traveler with a passion for wildlife.
He balances an intense professional life (company director) with the exploration of regions off the beaten path.
For over 30 years, the Brazilian Amazon has been his favorite place, and it is only natural that he shares this ecotourism project with his longtime friends, Marta and Jean Daniel.
Mission
To provide unique ecotourism experiences, promoting the conservation of the Amazon and the well-being of riverside communities through sustainable and educational practices. Tauá Tour is grounded in strong values of preservation, sustainable development, and social justice.
Vision
To be a global reference in sustainable ecotourism, recognized for our commitment to environmental preservation, cultural appreciation, and social development in the Amazon.
Tauá Values
Sustainability: Commitment to practices that preserve the environment and promote the conservation of the Amazon.
Respect for Communities: Valuing and supporting riverside communities, respecting their cultures and traditions.
Environmental Education: Promoting educational activities that raise awareness about the importance of environmental preservation.
Quality and Excellence: Providing high-quality services, ensuring unique and memorable experiences for our clients.
Ethics and Transparency: Acting with ethics and transparency in all our actions, maintaining trust and integrity.
Social and Environmental Responsibility
As founders and managers of the environmental education and training programs at the Almerinda Malaquias Foundation, Marta and Jean-Daniel continue to develop and organize social initiatives for the riverside communities in the region through Tauá Tour.
On the Karuguá boat: Each crew member has an air-conditioned cabin to rest in a healthy environment. The hot water in the cabin bathrooms is heated by solar panels.
Organic waste is disposed of appropriately in the river, serving as food for the fish. Seeds from fruits and vegetables are separated and distributed to the riverside communities. Recyclable waste is sorted and delivered to the recycling cooperative in Novo Airão at the end of the trip.
8 Good Reasons to Sail with Tauá Tour
- Personalized private service exclusively for pre-formed groups (friends/family).
- Marta and Jean-Daniel accompany all groups and are your hosts.
- River routes and activities avoid mass tourism.
- Cruises and activities in a preserved and protected region of 130,000 km².
- Pilots and guides native to the region.
- Crew trained to welcome visitors.
- Appreciation of Amazonian culinary flavors.
- We do not touch the wild animals; we simply get as close as possible to photograph and film them.
Procedures for Navigating with Tauá Tour
01.
Get to know Tauá Tour on the website or social media.
02.
Contact us, hosts Marta and Jean will provide all necessary information.
03.
Form a group of 4 to 8 people.
04.
Decide on the desired program.
05.
Request an à la carte program according to available time and desired visits.
06.
Receive a detailed offer and cruise program.
07.
Make the boat reservation payment.
08.
Pay the balance 15 days before boarding.
09.
On the planned day, board, meet the crew and learn about the boat's amenities.
10.
Let yourself be guided and enjoy the discoveries.
Embarkation / Disembarkation
- Cruise embarkations and disembarkations are conducted at the Tauá Tour headquarters in Novo Airão.
- Address: Avenida Presidente Vargas No. 107, Bairro Remanso, Novo Airão – AM.
How to Get to Novo Airão
- The most practical way is to hire a taxi driver from Novo Airão, who will pick up passengers at the airport or a hotel in Manaus. The average travel time is 2.5 hours (200 km). Another option is a seaplane (up to 8 passengers), with embarkation/disembarkation at Manaus International Airport and landing in front of the Tauá Tour headquarters.
- Tauá Tour arranges transfers in coordination with clients.