Amazon Adventures

Brazil

3 Biome Tours - 7, 9 or 15 Days

With its name deriving from the Portuguese for 'thick jungle', Mato Grosso, the third largest state in Brazil, is the water divisor between three huge river Basins, and the setting for an impressive meeting of three important Biomes. The state boasts crystalline water with rich aquatic flora between sandstone and limestone rock formations, the Amazon Rain Forest, at its point of transition to the largest savannah in the world, and the Pantanal swampland, which together make up this mosaic of scenery and landscapes, and are home to the large variety of animals and plants seen on this tour.

Flights from Cuiaba to Alta Floresta and back are not included in the prices. These are about US$500 roundtrip, but can be included on a Tam airpass

7 Days

Day 1 Arrival to the Cuiabá airport at about 11:00am and immediate transfer by flight to the town of Alta Floresta. Arrival and transfer to the Cristalino Jungle lodge, a private reserve located in the between of an area of 13 millions of hectares protected. After a transfer by 4WD and boat along the majestic Teles Pires river and entering the Cristalino, with seeing the meeting of the waters, arrival to the lodge. Lunch and, in the afternoon, a silent canoe trip to watch the wonderful sunset on the dark waters of the river. After dinner, a slide show of the local fauna and flora. Library and maps available.
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Day 2 Early start to visit the 50 m tall canopy tower to observe primates, canopy bird, flora and an enchanting misty dawn. After breakfast, motorboat up river and hike the Brazil nut trail, tasting the fresh brazil nuts collected in the wild. Return paddling down in inflatable canoes. Afternoon walking the Ficus Trail where one can observe a giant fig. Activity of ropes and rapel course at the Rocky trail: a 30m rope bridge and a 20 m tall rope ladder that takes you to the top of tall rocks (abseiling- optional). Caiman spotting at night.
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Day 3 After breakfast walk to the Tree house – a 6 m high hide overlooking a natural clay lick that is regularly visited by tapirs, peccaries and deer. After lunch, motor boat ride up river to hike the 'Sierra' trail, a great view of the private reserve and the Cristalino Park including a marvelous sunset. Return to the lodge by motorboat turned off observing nocturnal birds and animals by the river.

Day 4 Short hike and river swimming or canoeing before departure. Lunch in the Floresta Amazônica Hotel in Alta Floresta and transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuiabá. Arrival in the afternoon and immediate transfer to the Pantanal. Accommodation, dinner and night safari - a chance to observe nocturnal such as crab-eating foxes, raccoons, deer and possibly a cat such as an Ocelot or Jaguar .
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Day 5 Early in the morning is a hiking through one of the many mound hills - a refuge for many mammals and nesting site of Hyacinth Macaws, Jabiru storks and many other birds. Boat trip on the pretty Baía do Piuval - a large lake. Lunch and departure for a terrestrial safari down the Transpantaneira until the lodge Canto do Arancuã, located in between two river courses. Arrival in time to enjoy a nice boat trip along the river Claro, specially beautiful at dusk, with flocks of birds. Dinner and night safari.

Day 6 Early sunrise walk to hear the sounds of nature as it awakes. Breakfast and departure leaving the swampland to the plateau. At its top is 'Cidade de Pedra' - where the sunset can be seen over the beautiful vista, overlooking the numerous valleys and rivers of the region. Return to the picturesque town of Chapada dos Guimarães for dinner and overnight accommodation at the picturesque town.

Day 7 Visits to the National Park, with bath in waterfalls including the largest one - Véu de Noiva with it 86 m entering a majestic canyon. Immediate transfer to the Cuiabá airport for embarking at convenient time.

Prices per person in US$

Season	2 people		3 people		4 people
	single	dbl	single	dbl	single	dbl
low	1260	$994	$1254	$980	$1242	$968
high	1523	1243	1516	1228	1499	1213

PRICES INCLUDE:
SIGHTSEEING Boat trips; horse riding; hiking; terrestrial and night safari; visit to Chapada National Parks; swimming in waterfalls.
TRANSPORTATION Fiat Uno 2-3 pax. Kombi 4-7 pax; Sprinter or Ducato 8-11 pax; Truck or 4x4 for off-road journeys.
MEALS 18 (Eighteen), from Dinner on 1st day to lunch on 7th day.
ACCOMMODATION 06N SGL/ DBL/ TPL or QDP apartments with private facilities:
3N Cristalino Jungle lodge = ceiling fan;
2N Pousada Piuval = air co., swimming pool
1N Turismo = air con., swimming pool
GUIDE English, German or French speaking guide, with a good knowledge of the Pantanal´s nature, and equipped with binoculars, books and check-lists.

Not included Beverage, flights, tips and any other personal expenses.

Children policy 0-5 year olds = free. 6-12 = 65% of full price. (01 per couple in a DBL room)

9 Days

Day 2 Early start to visit the 50 m tall canopy tower to observe primates, canopy bird, flora and an enchanting misty dawn. After breakfast, motorboat up river and hike the Brazil nut trail, tasting the fresh brazil nuts collected in the wild. Return paddling down in inflatable canoes. Afternoon walking the Ficus Trail where one can observe a giant fig. Activity of ropes and rapel course at the Rocky trail: a 30m rope bridge and a 20 m tall rope ladder that takes you to the top of tall rocks (abseiling- optional). Caiman spotting at night.

Day 3 - After breakfast walk to the Tree house – a 6 m high hide overlooking a natural clay lick that is regularly visited by tapirs, peccaries and deer. After lunch, motor boat ride up river to hike the 'Sierra' trail, a great view of the private reserve and the Cristalino Park including a marvelous sunset. Return to the lodge by motorboat turned off observing nocturnal birds and animals by the river.

Day 4 Hike and river swimming or canoeing before departure to the town of Alta Floresta and then, for an overnight bus trip (10h+-) to the town of Nobres. (bus is air-conditioned with bathroom and reclining seats)

Day 5 Reception at the bus station in Nobres. Time for a shower and breakfast in a hotel in town. Then, on to the Bom Jardim district (1h30m traveling), where is done snorkeling in the crystalline waters of the Aquarium and on the river Salobra, where many colofull fishes provide a nice interaction to the nature. After lunch, departure to Chapada dos Guimarães tableland, with sunset in a gorgeous view. Dinner and accommodation in the pleasant town.

Day 6 Brief visits to the National Park, including the highest of them - the Véu de Noiva, entering a majestic canyon. Then, on to Cuiabá. Departure to the Pantanal, arriving at the Piuval lodge in time to enjoy a nice boat trip on the pretty Baía do Piuval with a lot of fauna and flora to be observed specially at the dusk.

Day 7 Hiking in the morning, with chance to identify a lot of plants among many birds on the way to a mound-hill. Lunch and a terrestrial safari along the Transpantaneira park-road until the lodge Canto do Arancuã. Arrival in the afternoon, in time to enjoy a nice hike on the savannah.

Day 8 In the morning is a horse riding through the savannah and gallery forests. In the afternoon, a boat trip along the river Claro, with varied landscapes.

Day 9 Early sunrise hike to hear and see the nature on its wakening. Departure for the Cuiabá airport at the convenient time.

Prices per person in US$

Season	2 people		3 people		4 people
	single	dbl	single	dbl	single	dbl
low	1727	1382	1714	1360	1693	1339
high	2086	1711	2070	1685	2044	1658

Not included Beverages, flights, tips and any other personal expenses.

Children policy 0-5 year olds = free. 6-12 = 65% of full price. (01 per couple in a DBL room)

15 Days

Day 1 Arrival, reception at the airport and immediate transfer to Chapada dos Guimarães, in a journey of just 67km through a scenery plenty of rock formations until the Tableland, in which top is seeing a gorgeous sunset at the Cidade de Petra, with its panoramic view that includes the water of the main rivers that form the Pantanal. Dinner and accommodation at Penhasco Hotel in the surroundings of the town.

Day 2 Visit to the Aroe Jari (the largest sandstone formation cave in Brazil - 1000m, with rare stalactite formations) and to the connected Blue Lake cave, which beauties are reached after a good hiking of about 1h. Lunch in box on the way. On the return, sunset at Mirante da Geodésia, in where we can observe the Pantanal, at more than 100km away.

Day 3 Visit to the National Park in the morning, with hikes and bath in some waterfalls. Lunch in one of them and departure to Nobres, descending and surrounding the Plateau, crossing two big rivers – Manso and Cuiabá, near to its beginning, and passing by the hydroelectric dam. Arrival at the end of the afternoon to a new pretty community of landless. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 After breakfast, transfer to the resort where is done the Snorkel in a river seeing fishes. Lunch and departure to the Amazon lodge. Arrival in time to enjoy a nice bath in the water spring. Accommodation and dinner.

Day 5 Hiking in the morning through the bush, with trees from the transition Amazon/ Savannah. Bath in a river beach, with return in silent canoes. On the return to the lodge, a relaxing swim in a spring.

Day 6 After breakfast, departure to the Serra das Araras, a piece of Amazon rain forest invading the Savannah. Lunch at the lodge and hiking in the afternoon on the trail through an interpretative trail that ends at the nest of the majestic Harpy Eagle.

Day 7 Optional hiking before breakfast, for another try to see the Harpy Eagles. Departure for a long journey, with lunch on the way. Arrival at the end of the afternoon to the first capital of Mato Grosso state, where is kept a genuine afro-brasilian culture, at the impressive meeting of the Amazon rain forest to the Pantanal.

Day 8 Boat trip in the morning up the river and in the afternoon down the river, with chances to see the curious Hoatzins - a historical bird that keeps lot of reptiles habits, and the carefull Pink-dolphins in between many Victoria-regina water lily.

Day 9 Visit to the waterfall ‘dos Namorados’ in the morning, with a hiking into the valley where is posible to see Blue-and-red Macaws in between the King Vultures. Lunch, visit a school and departure to Cáceres. Arrival at the most important city in the Pantanal, located at the banks one of the biggest rivers in the World - the Paraguay, that drains all the water of the Wetland. Very important in the first steps of the colonization of the river, there is an interesting city-tour by night during the dinner.

Day 10 After breakfast, departure to the terrestrial Pantanal of Poconé, since the Transpantaneira park-road. Lunch in Piuval lodge, located in the beautiful region of the Flooding Fields. Hiking in the afternoon for a familiarization to this environment. After dinner, is a night safari, in a chance to see nocturnal behave, such as Foxes, Ocelots in between the many caiman eyes.
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Day 11 Hiking in the morning, through one of the many mound-hills where there are the nests of the Hyacinth Macaws and the Jabiru storks in between many monkeys. In the afternoon is a boat trip into the pretty Baía do Piuval, to observe a beautiful sunset in the center of this lake, on the edge of which many trees were chosen by birds to stay the night.

Day 12 Departure for a terrestrial safari down the Transpantaneira park-road until its end. After have crossed inumerous environments, with many stops to observe the variety of the fauna & flora, arrival for lunch and accommodation at the lodge. Then, on until the Cuiabá river, for an exciting boat trip on the second most imporant river of the region. On the way back is a true Night safari for 36 km until the lodge, with large possibility to see the rare Jaguars.

Day 13 Hiking into a dense forest in the morning, with chances to see the big Howler monkeys. Lunch and departure up to Pouso Alegre, located into a beautiful conserved area, plenty of the Tabebuias. In the afternoon is the possibility of doing a very docile horse riding - the most versatile way to explore the area, or just a brief hiking observing the sunset with the arrival of the Hyacinth Macaws for sleeping.

Day 14 After breakfast, hiking or other horse back riding. Lunch and departure to Cuiabá. Dinner in a barbecue or fish restaurant. Overnight at Cerrados Park Hotel.

Day 15 Brief city-tour with visits to the social-environmental aspects of the capital of the state that contains three biomes, such as the Aquarium, Fish Market, War Arsenal and the Zoo of the University, with many species of animals from those different environments. Transfer hotel/ airport at the convenient time.

Prices per person in US$

Season	2 people	4 people	8 people
	dbl	dbl	dbl
high	3060	2520	2220

Not included Beverage, flights, tips and any other personal expenses.

Children policy 0-5 year olds = free. 6-12 = 65% of full price. (01 per couple in a DBL room)