Matto Grosso Wildlife Safari

"Brazil"

This great photo-safari journey 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) without having to waste time and money to fly to Manaus to have an Amazon Experience.

The Itinerary

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)

General Information

Rated: Easy.

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)

Departure dates
Every Sunday

Tour Tariff
Room type	SGL	DBL	TPL
USD	$ 1643	$ 1360	$ 1198
EUR	€ 1364	€ 1129	€ 994
GBP	£ 920	£ 761	£ 671

(*) 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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