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10 days / 9 nights - PANTANAL & VALE DO GUAPORÉ
Wildlife Safari in Mato Grosso / Brazil
Travel across multiple ecosystems from the Pantanal to the Cerrado to the transitional zone of the southern Amazon. We will take you far from the maddening crowds for a unique and personalized encounter with nature. You will have the opportunity to see the flora and fauna native to these three ecosystems in one tour. We will travel by car or truck to fazendas (farms) far off the beaten track which only allow access to clients of Pantanal Ecoexplorer. These fazendas have been chosen for their remote locations, special ambiance, and variety of habitats. You will notice a distinct difference in the variety, abundance and ease of viewing of particular animals and plants as we explore these different environments. What was absent or rare in one environment may be common and easily viewable in another.
The Pantanal always offers a cornucopia of water birds such as the beautiful Capped Herons and Whistling Herons. The massive stork called the Jabiru or as Brazilians call it, the Tuiuiu, when stretched out to its full height is probably taller than you are. Here you will also find the largest macaw in the world, the Hyacinth Macaw, an endangered species clinging to survival.
The Cerrado or scrub-land environment offers better opportunities for viewing such specialties as the maned wolf, giant anteater, and the beautiful Aplomado Falcon (extirpated and re-introduced in the U.S.) and Red and Green Macaw.
The Guapore river is an area that until now has been known only to sport fishermen. Be one of the first ecoexplorers to visit this natural paradise. If you would like to experience some of the species of the Amazon Basin without traveling to northern Brazil let Pantanal Ecoexplorer arrange a tour of the southern Amazon transitional zone along the Guapore River. The abundance of animals along this river boggles the mind. The Hoatzin, a very unusual, primitive bird and a highly prized sighting by birders, is absent in the Pantanal and the Cerrado but very common along the Guapare River. There we may also find spider monkeys, Blue and Yellow Macaws, Cuvier’s Toucan, and black caiman. On a recent trip we spotted a particular jaguar twice in the same day, obviously fat from a kill it was feeding on not far from the river bank. On the same day we heard another jaguar give its coughing roar from the opposite river bank some distance away. Think “Wild!” and come see for yourself.
Departures
Our trips are completely tailor-made and departures can be arranged from June to October. This itinerary is simply a suggestion which can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in the area.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 – CUIABA – PANTANAL ( Pantanal 3 Rios Lodge)
Reception at the Cuiaba/Varzea Grande airport and transfer to the Pantanal. Travel by car 250 km into the lodge Pantanal 3 Rios hotel. Afternoon excursion on foot in search for howler monkeys, capybaras, deer’s, coatis, rheas, toucans, macaws, hawks, snakes, monkeys and other wildlife. After dinner we will go out for a night excursion by motorized boat to look for nocturnal creatures. Overnight at the lodge.
DAY 2 – WILDLIFE CRUISE DOWN THE PARAGUAY RIVER
Full day boat tour to explore the Paraguay and Jauru river, this region has a large concentration of rare birds and mammals such as capybaras, capuchin monkeys, tapirs, howler monkeys, giant river otters, and many storks, ibis, herons, hawks, toucans, hyacinth macaws and others.
Note, this is a particularly good area for giant river otters, tapirs, capybaras, and great fishing (for those who want to fish). Cook lunch on the shores of the river - a traditional brazilian barbecue. Siesta time after lunch, relax in hammocks under the trees by the river bank. In the afternoon we go for a piranha fishing trip and more wildlife spotting while making our way back to the lodge. Observation of the sunset, night time boat trip to look for night animals with spotlights. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3 – WILDERNESS EXPLORATIONS OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Today we head off the beaten track deeper into the Pantanal where few others go, in fact you will be unlikely to encounter anyone but pantanerios working on isolated farms. Morning safari by 4WD Jeep, exploring remoter areas to see more elusive wildlife, along the way we will pass several ecosystems, keep your eyes peeled for endangered marsh deer, South American coati, anaconda, giant anteater, toco toucan, tapirs, armadillos, hyacinth macaw, mane wolf, and a host of other animals and birds. Arrive to the Fazenda in the afternoon, stay at a local cattle ranch with a pantaneiro family. Today you savor typical local dishes and sleep in a traditional Pantaneiro family house. Later in the afternoon we go for a walk in the forests in search of monkeys, rodents, and birds. We will also spend time in an observatory tower, waiting for tapirs that come to swim at a hidden lake. After diner we will go for a night safári by car in search for nocturnal wildlife, looking for foxes, crabeating racoons, owls, and other night wildlife.
DAY 4 – IN THE FOOT STEPS OF THE JAGUAR
Today we have a variety of explorations by horse, on foot, and jeeps to continue our wildlife tracking, we have great chances to spot jaguars, this is a particularly good area for tapirs, mane wolf, giant anteaters, armadillos, howler monkeys, hyacinth macaws, toucans, capybaras, lizards, anacondas, deer’s, and other elusive wildlife.
Today you will also savor typical local dishes and sleep in a traditional Pantaneiro family house. Night safari in search for cats including, ocelots, pumas and jaguars.
DAY 5 – PANTANAL TO GUAPORE RIVER
After an early breakfast we take a horseback safari to continue exploring this incredible area teeming with wildlife, look for anteaters, armadillos, tapirs, peccaries, coati, lizards, snakes, monkeys, toucans, falcons, storks, macaws, parrots and other wild animals. After lunch, start our way in to the City of Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade (600 km travel distance), the gateway to the Guaporé River. Arrive late in the evening, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6 – GUAPORE RIVER EXPLORATIONS
Early morning breakfast, board our motorized boat and start our exploration of the Guaporé River ecosystems, enjoy the abundant wildlife of the area which includes fresh water dolphins, several species of monkeys, river otters, several species of parrots & macaws, toucans, the very rare Cigana bird (hoatzin) and many other bird species. Return to Vila Bela for lunch, then we depart and drive further 120 km into the Paço das Onças lodge, located along ther banks of the Guapore river. Arrive to the lodge in time for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 – GUAPORE RIVER VALLEY EXPLORATIONS
Early morning walk in the forest to look for toucans, macaws, monkeys, snakes, and others. Return to the lodge for lunch. Siesta time. In the afternoon we take a boat trip to view abundant bird and animal wildlife. In the night we take a spotlighting safari to look for snakes, spiders, tapirs, foxes and more. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8 – EXPLORING NOEL KEMPFF MERCADO PARK
Full day river exploration of the Guapore river, and the Rio verde a small tributary that forms the Noel Kempff Mercado national park of Bolivia. Enjoy Amazonian wildlife and birds, fish for piranhas, dolphin viewing, good chances for spotting giant river otters, turtles, and with good chance a Jaguar. Return to the lodge late in the afternnon in time for dinner and overnight.
DAY 9 - EXPLORING SATE PARK RICARDO FRANCO
Early morning breakfast and travel by car to explore the Cerrado ecosystem. Activities include trekking to visit a stunning waterfall of 70-meters-drop in the middle of bush vegetation, great scenery, great nature viewing. After lunch we drive back to Vila Bela, stay overnight at a local hotel, diner and overnight.
DAY 10 – VILA BELA – CUIABA
After early breakfast we depart making our way back to Cuiaba, lunch along the way, arrive to Cuiaba late in the afternoon. Total drive distance 600 km, 6 to 7 hours total drive ). Drop off at the airport or hotel.
Please note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road conditions, weather, group decisions & desires, and circumstances beyond our control.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
PANTANAL 3 RIOS LODGE
 This lodge is located on the banks of Padre Ignacio river, a small tributary of the Paraguay river, approximately 250 km from Cuiba. Lodge facilities include swimming pool, bar, restaurant ,a lovely open-air dining area, electric power line, telephone and internet facilities. The Rooms are spacious and have private toilet & hot showers, ceiling fan and Air-conditioning.
After the outings you can take a deep in the swimming pool.
PANTANAL HIDDEN LODGE
This rustic and comfortable pantaneiro-style lodge, has 4 guest rooms with ceiling fans and air-conditioning, (2 rooms with private bathrooms, 2 room with shared bathroom) and screened-in windows providing fresh air. The main house hás a nice varanda and a dining room. There is also satellite TV and telephone. The restaurant is facing a beautiful lake.
POUSADA PAÇO DAS ONÇAS – RIVERSIDE LODGE ( GUAPORE RIVER )
This remote and hidden lodge is located on the Banks of the Guapore river, and is surrounded by lush vegetation, transitional forest, wet lands, Amazonian scenery, and scrub lands. The 05 apartments have A/C and private hot-water bath. After explorations activities, guests can take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
Pick up from airport or bus terminal, 9 nights accommodations at lodges, full board in the Pantanal (breakfast, lunch and dinner), transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, guided excursions with bilingual guides with knowledge of local fauna and flora ( activities as mentioned in the program ).
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Laundry, phone calls, person expenses, soft drinks/beverages, meals during transfers, airport taxes, drinks with the meals, optional night in Cuiabá, tours not described in the itinerary.
WHAT TO BRING
We recommend trekking or tennis shoes as well as a pair of sandals, lightweight clothes for warm weather with some long sleeved tops and trousers for mosquito protection. In addition lightweight raingear, swimsuit, hat or cap, film, mosquito repellent, binoculars, sunglasses, raincoat, flashlight, a woolen jacket and sweaters (from April to October), Vitamin B pills to be taken 3 days prior to arrival and during stay. Vitamin B acts as mosquito repellent. |
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+ 55 65 3682-8889