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THE PANTANAL & GUAPORE VALLEY
SAFARI 2007
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Dates: 21 July - 3 Aug 2007
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Countries Covered: Brazil
Starting Point: Rio de Janeiro
End Point: Rio de Janeiro
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Join us on a totally unique exploration of one of the World’s
most important wetland wilderness areas. The Pantanal, half the
size of France, is a vast region of incredible bio-diversity. It
is home to the greatest concentration of fauna in the New World,
including astonishing densities of bird life and an exciting
array of large mammals and reptiles.
This itinerary, especially constructed for
Rolling Earth Travel, takes us from Rio de Janeiro on a journey
of discovery through the various eco-systems of the Pantanal,
staying at small family-run farm guest houses on the way.
Lead by local naturalist guides, we will
discover the incredible bird and animal life of the Pantanal by
4x4 jeeps, boats and on foot. There will also be the opportunity
to ride, fish and swim along the way and we will spend one night
under canvas.
Our trip will eventually take us to the
Guapore River valley, a region of transition from Pantanal to
Amazon, where we will look for river dolphins and monkeys.
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Tour Day
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Daily Highlights
and Info
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Day 1
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Rio de
Janeiro is a city of a
stunning combination of sweeping natural beauty and man made
landmarks.
You will be
met at the airport by a bilingual local guide, who will
escort you to our hotel.
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Day 2
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After
breakfast we will visit the key landmarks of Rio de Janeiro,
discovering its history and culture along the way.
Highlights will include a visit to the iconic statue of
Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.
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Day 3
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This morning
we fly from Rio to Campo Grande, one of the gateway towns of
the Pantanal region. We are met by our local expert guide
and start our way into the Pantanal.
We will
drive for 160 miles (4 hours) and by lunch we reach our
first accommodation, Fazenda Igrejinha, a working ranch that
sits on high ground with stunning views of the Pantanal
stretching below as far as the eye can see.
This
afternoon we will go for a walk and have our first chance to
meet the wildlife of the region including scarlet macaws and
a variety of parrots. We will have a chance to swim in a
lovely local waterfall pool and may undertake a short night
safari.
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Day 4
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This morning
we will go for an early morning birding walk before
breakfast, when the air is cool and the light is at its most
beautiful.
After
breakfast we will travel for about three hours (44 miles.)
We will arrive for lunch at Pousada da Vazante, a remote
ranch with simple accommodation and good Brazilian home
cooking.
From this
home stead we will venture out to find abundant wildlife,
including capybara, caiman, storks, deer and if we are very
lucky – jaguar!
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Day 5
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We will spend
all day exploring on a jeep safari. At night we will go out
spotlighting for ocelot, tapir and anteaters.
We return to
the Pousada at night. |
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Day 6
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We depart
early and drive for about 5 hours (220 miles) stopping to
look at scarlet macaws and other highlights along the way
until we arrive at the Pousada das Araras, located on the
banks for the River Correntes. Set within a wooded part of
the Pantanal, this lodge is an excellent place from which to
see blue & yellow macaws.
We arrive
for lunch. After a siesta we will embark on a sunset
cruise
in small aluminium boats along the River Correntes.
From this
lodge there will be an option to fish for those who’d like
to. |
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Day 7
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After an
early morning breakfast, we set off in the boats and travel
for three hours, viewing wildlife along the way. Keep your
eye’s peeled for giant river otters!
We navigate
onto the Piquiri River and arrive at Pousada Tucanare for
lunch.
This
afternoon we will go for a jungle walk and later a night
jeep safari. This is an area with a relatively high chance
of spotting a jaguar. |
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Day 8
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Today we
spend the whole day exploring by boat along the Piquiri
River. Highlights might include tapirs and various
monkeys.
We will also have the chance to enjoy a refreshing swim in
the river.
We will
enjoy a BBQ lunch on the banks of the river.
On the way
back to the lodge we will spotlight along the river bank.
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Day 9
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Again we set
off in the boats and re-join the Correntes River. After 2
hours we transfer back into our vehicle and drive to Jaciara
(3 hours.) We stop for lunch at some stunning waterfalls
where we can swim and refresh ourselves before pushing for
another 2 hours to Cuiaba.
Overnight in
twin rooms in Hotel Cerrado. |
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Day 10
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Today we
travel quite a distance in order to leave the Pantanal and
enter an entirely different ecosystem. We are heading for
the River Guapore, a tributary of the Amazon River and
bounded by dense rain forest. We will see the equally rich
but very different flora and fauna that lives on the river,
including freshwater dolphins.
After
breakfast we drive 350 miles (6 hours) to the town of Vila Bela, stopping for lunch along the way.
This
afternoon we will have a chance to walk about small regional
town.
We overnight
in Hotel Pousada Cascata, a nice hotel with air conditioning
and private bathrooms on the twin rooms.
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Day 11 |
After
breakfast we depart in boats and spend the day heading down
the River Guapore. We will expect to see animals associated
with the Amazon, such as river dolphins, various monkeys,
toucans, macaws, ospreys and the extraordinary, pre-historic
looking hoatzin. We will also stop to look at the Amazon’s
famous giant lily pads. If we’re lucky we may spot the
endangered harpy eagle.
This evening
we set camp in the bush beside the river and spend the night
under canvas.
There will
be a chance to go on a night time spotlighting boat trip for
those who wish to. |
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Day 12
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We are met
by our bus and head up onto a plateau of scrubland on a
high
escarpment. Again we are in a different eco-system and we
will stop regularly to view observe the wildlife.
During the
day we will stop at gorgeous waterfalls where those who wish
to can swim.
This
afternoon we arrive back in Vila Bela and over night in
Hotel Pousada Cascata. |
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Day 13
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After
breakfast we set off for Cuiaba, stopping for lunch along
the way. The trip will take approximately six hours.
This
afternoon there will be time for some last minute souvenir
shopping in Cuiaba.
Overnight in
twin rooms in Hotel Cerrado. |
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Day 14
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After
breakfast we will be transferred to Cuiaba airport for a
morning flight to Rio de Janeiro.
We will be
met in Rio and transferred to the international airport,
where the tour will end in time for evening flights home.
Extensions
in Rio can easily be arranged for those who would like them. |
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Start Date
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End Date
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Price
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Local Payment*
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Total**
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Dates and Price for 2007 -
Spaces |
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Sat 21 July
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Fri 3 Aug
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£1999
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US$200
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£2109
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*Our tours
include domestic flights, which are covered
by the Local Payment. This is part of the total
cost and must be given to the tour leader in
$USD at the beginning of the tour.
**The total may vary slightly according to the
dollar / sterling exchange rate.
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Staffing
Fully accompanied
by a Rolling Earth director. Local bilingual naturalist guides and drivers.
Maximum Group Size
15 people.
Transport
Internal flights, private coach / minibus,
small boats, 4x4 jeeps.
Accommodation
This tour has an exploratory theme. We will be travelling far
off the beaten track and accommodation is very varied; from
comfortable twin share hotel rooms to a night under canvas. Most
of the farm houses that we stay in have rooms of 4 beds with
shared bathrooms.
Physical Requirements
In order to maximise our time in this wilderness area the
tour involves a number of early starts and very long days,
including several drives on dirt roads of up to six hours (with
breaks for meals and to observe wildlife.) Some walking in high
temperatures is involved on some days.
The tour is suitable for reasonably fit
people of all ages but a degree of endurance and forbearance
will be required.
Meals
Breakfast lunch and dinner is included
almost every day (except days 1,2, 13 & 14.)
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Spending Money
You should allow for meals (other than those included), snacks,
drinks, shopping, laundry, and optional excursions. £10 per day
should cover this.
Other
International flights, airport & flight taxes,
tips, pre & post tour accommodation.
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