This great journey brings you into close contact with the highlights of Brazil such as the
Amazon Rainforest, the Pantanal, the Savanahs Tableland, Rio de Janeiro and Paraty, the best preserved and most romantic colonial town of Brazil. Instead of flying all around Brazil, which is expensive, tiring and very time consuming given the huge size of the country, you just fly twice saving time for nature and cultural activities.
During the first week, our 1,050 km itinerary of true photo-safari remains within Matto Grosso, the only state in Brazil holding within its borders three ecosystems almost equidistant from its capital, Cuiaba. You explore the Pantanal (100 km towards the south), the Savanna Tablelands or Chapada dos Guimaraes (76 km towards northeast), and the Amazon Rainforest (290 km towards northwest).
The second week is dedicated to gentle activities and leisure by the Atlantic Ocean. You are based in Rio de Janeiro and the charming little town of Paraty, only 4 hours from Rio along one of the most scenic road of Brazil.
DAY 1 (Sunday): CUIABa - AMAZON RAINFOREST
Transfer to the airport and flight to Cuiaba
Arrival at Cuiaba/Varzea Grande Airport or pick up at your hotel and transfer to the Amazon Rain Forest.
This is a 310 km drive (200 km paved + 110 km unpaved) lasting approximately 4 hours. Check-in at Jardim da
Amazonia Lodge and birding walking tour along the Orchid Trail where we oberve numerous hummingbirds, painted
parakeet, blue-headed parrot, masked trogon, etc.) Dinner and overnight. (D)
DAY 2: AMAZON RAINFOREST
After breakast, an amazing birding trail takes you deep from the savannah into the Amazon Jungle. You not only
observe the flora and the fauna of this ecosystem such as solitary tinamous, royal flycatchers, silver-beaked
tanagers; among others; but also learn about the history of rubber tapping which was once an important part of
the local economy. After a picnic lunch and a small nap in our hammocks in the forest we explore in canoe the Rio Claro River and Anaconda Lake (Muscovy duck, long-tailed tyrant, cormorant, Amazon kingfisher, green and rufous kingfisher, swallow tanager, herons, etc.). Afternoon birding walk along the Angelim Trail (Para orenpendola, solitary black cacique, blue-black grassquit, brown jacamar, grassland sparrow, red-shouldered macaw, blue and yellow macaw, blue-crowned motmot, black-tailed trogon, and more). Dinner and overnight at Jardim da Amazonia Lodge. (BLD)
DAY 3: AMAZON RAIN FOREST - BLUE RANGE - SAVANNA TABLELANDS
After breakfast, departure for the Chapada dos Guimaraes Tablelands. In the The Serra Azul (Blue Range), which divides the Amazon River from the Paraguay River watersheds, we do gentle hikes to visit caves, waterfalls and the blue lakes of this range, observing red-winged tinamou, burrowing owl, aplomado falcon, scaly-headed parrot, silver-beaked tanager, black faced tanager, etc... After lunch in a restaurant, we continue our travel to Chapada dos Guimaraes Tablelands. Dinner and overnight at local lodge. (BLD)
DAY 4: SAVANNA TABLELANDS
Breakfast and departure to visit the very center of South America from where we have a scenic view of more than 80 km over the Pantanal Lowlands. We explore the Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park, hiking along wonderful trails full of adventure. We enjoy invigorating showers in the crystal clear waterfalls that are part of the park's water circuit. After lunch, we hile along the National Park's border to watch the sunset at the Echo Wall, another amazing point offering stupendous vistas. Dinner and overnight at Solar or Penhasco Lodge (BLD)
DAY 5: SAVANNA TABLELANDS - PANTANAL
After breakfast, departure for the Pantanal. While crossing the area, it is possible to spot and appreciate the local flora & fauna. After a brief visit to the city of Pocone, we enter the Transpantaneira Road, a virtual photo-safari with plenty of opportunities to stop and observe local fauna (scores of crocodiles, jabiru, caracaras, water bufaloes etc...) Arrival and lunch at Araras Eco Lodge. Afternoon hike through the surrounding areas to a 25 metres high observation tower on top of which we enjoy a spectacular view of the sunset. After dinner, night walking tour to observe nightlife. Overnight at Araras Eco Lodge. (BLD)
DAY 6: PANTANAL LOWLANDS
After breakfast, we explore the Lodge hiking trails accompanied by our guide teaching us the specifities of the Pantanal ecosystem. After lunch, horseback riding in Pantanal style through the open steppe, woods and waters of our private reserve. Dinner followed by a night excursion to search for nocturnal wildlife in the vicinity of the Transpantaneira Road. Overnight at Araras Eco Lodge.(B, L, D)
DAY 7: PANTANAL LOWLANDS
Early morning wake up (before sunrise) for a hike to surprise the early morning activity of local wildlife. After breakfast, travel by vehicle to the Rio Clarinho where we board our canoes to explore the river and its banks covered with forests and mangroves. With a bit of luck, we may observe giant river-otters or tapirs. We have fun fishing for hungry piranhas and dogfishes, which will complement our picnic barbecue. At the end of the afternoon, return to the lodge where we enjoy the sunset at pool side Overnight at Araras Eco Lodge. (BLD)
DAY 8: PANTANAL - RIO DE JANEIRO
After breakfast, photo-safari along the Transpantaneira Road and drive to Cuiaba to baord your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arrival and transfer to your hotel located on Ipanema Beach, a safer area than Copacabana. Rest of the day at leisure. (B)
DAY 9: RIO DE JANEIRO
Full day shared excursion to the Sugar Loaf and then to Corcovado Hill on top
of which we enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro. (BL)
DAY 10: RIO DE JANEIRO
Transfer to the Gloria Marina to board a schooner for a 2 hour shared boat tour across the Guanabara Bay passing by the various fortifications such as the Sao Joao and Santa Cruz Fortresses once built to protect the bay, the Fiscal Island with its beautiful palace, the Museum of Contemporary Art (built by Oscar Niemeyer), the Rio-Niteroi bridge with its 14 km of extension. The tour offers a different view of Rio de Janeiro from the water. Free afternoon or optional tours (Tijuca forest, rafting, hangglider, historic Rio...). (B)
DAY 11: RIO - PARATY
Pick up at your hotel and 4 hour drive to Paraty following the coastline, one of the most scenic road in Brazil. Paraty is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the world, breathing an extremely romantic and magical atmosphere. Protected by the Unesco, it is considered as the most architectonic gathering of Brazil; gas lights, well preserved colonial houses, winding streets, gardens, backyards and flowery balconies are all of them a permanent invitation to dream.
Paraty also has 65 tropical islands and more than 100 beautiful beaches of crystal clear waters and splendid waterfalls with in the backdrop lush hills covered by the last stretches of Atlantic Rainforest
Overnight in a
marvellous colonial house located inside the historic centre
DAYS 12-13: PARATY
During these days you can participate in optional excursions such as
ecological hikes into the Atlantic Rainforest
and to the waterfalls or board a shooner to cruise along the coast, making numerous stops on beautiful beaches
and islands to swim and snorkel. (from $10 per excursion) (B).
DAY 14: PARATY - RIO
Drive back to Rio Airport in private car for your flight back home
(BL).
Rated: Easy.
Hotels specified in this program are only given as an indication.
Depending on availability at the time of booking, they may be replaced by equivalent ones.
Hotel upgrade in Rio and Paraty upon request
Note that on day 1, you must arrive before noon in Cuiaba. If you do not, you have to arrive one day earlier and overnight in Cuiaba at extra cost (around $70 per person)
Prices not valid for New year's Eve from December 28 to January 03 when most hotels in Rio and at the beach increase their
prices by a factor 3.
Fixed Departure dates Every Sunday
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Tour Tariff
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Per person
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SGL Supp.
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USD
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$ 1916
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$ 513
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EUR
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€ 1590
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€ 426
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GBP
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£ 1073
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£287
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(*)
Price last updated on 15 April 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please
always check by sending us a
quotation request .
(**) 2 participants minimum
Included: Transfers, all land and river transport, accommodation in double room
with private bathroom in specified hotels, shared or private excursions (for private departures) with English speaking guides,
specified meals
Not included: Other meals, tips, drinks, domestic flights, optional excursions
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