MATO GROSSO THREE ECOSYSTEMS:
Amazon Rain Forest, Savanna Tableland &Pantanal

Mato Grosso is the only state in Brazil that holds within its borders three Ecosystems almost equidistant from its capital, Cuiabá, and its respective airport. This program provides the visitor with the opportunity of visiting the Pantanal (100 km South), the Savanna Tablelands (76 km towards Northeast), and the Amazon Rain Forest (290 km towards North), comprising 1,050 km of true photo-safari without wasting time with flights and airports.

The mythical Amazon can only be described in superlatives. It covers an area of more than 5 millions square kilometers of witch 80% is on Brazilian territory and those spread in 8 States, one of witch is the State of Mato Grosso. It is the largest and most intact rain forest region in the world. Through this large area, flows an extensive drainage system of more than thousand rivers, which account for 20% of the world's fresh surface water.

The heartland of Brazil covers an area equal to Western Europe (2,000,000 sq km), and its original vegetation is called "CERRADO", considered the richest savanna in the world, due to its high plant diversity and endemism. Most of Brazil's big rivers find their sources here. It's an area of enormous ecological importance with many areas of spectacular beauty, as the National Park of "Chapada dos Guimarães", only 55km North East from Cuiabá airport. Its biodiversity includes: 837 birds spices, 161 mammals, 120 reptiles and over 10.000 vascular plants from witch 44% are endemic.

The Pantanal, one of the last great wildernesses, is the largest contiguous wetland on the planet, declared a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, is South America's primary wildlife sanctuary. With a total area of 240,000 sq km located in the center of the continent, the Pantanal is a biogeography mixing bowl, containing elements of the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforests, the Brazilian Savannah and the Paraguayan Chaco. This fantastic biodiversity includes: 698 birds species, 100 mammals, 177 reptiles, 40 amphibians and over 250 fish species.

1st DAY - CUIABA > AMAZON RAIN FOREST
(Recommendation: Schedule flight with A.M. arrival.) Arrival at Cuiabá/Várzea Grande airport or pick up at hotel and transfer to the Amazon Rain Forest. (310 km - approximately 4.5 hours - 200 km paved + 110 km unpaved). Check-in at Jardim da Amazonia Lodge. Birding along the Orchid Trail (numerous hummingbirds, painted parakeet, blue-headed parrot, masked trogon, etc.) Dinner and overnight.(, D)

2nd DAY - AMAZON RAIN FOREST
After breakfast, an amazing trail will take you deep into the Forest, and contact with its exuberant fauna and flora. Good chances to meet tapir, the largest mammal in South America as well as numerous birds (solitary tinamou, royal flycatcher, silver beaked tanager, etc.). The walk will be followed by boat trip on the River "Claro", exploring the Anaconda Lake and stopping for swimming on the Palmeira beach. Fish barbecue and light nap in a hammocks. Later, canoe down the Claro River, enjoying the solitude of the jungle and its different life forms: (moscovy duck, long tailed tyrant, cormorant, Amazon kingfisher, green and rufous kingfisher, swallow tanager, herons…) Dinner and overnight at Jardim da Amazonia Lodge. (B, L, D)

3rd DAY - AMAZON RAIN FOREST SAVANNA TABLELANDS
After breakfast, departure to the Chapada dos Guimarães Tablelands. Lunch on the way (not included. After lunch continue travel to Chapada dos Guimarães , by the end of the day arrive at the National Park. Check in at the charming Park Eco Lodge .Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

4th DAY - CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES NATIONAL PARK
Day devoted to wonderful hikes trough the National Park. The wind and rain sculpted intriguing shapes in the sand stones covered with rich "Cerrado" vegetation, its bird's songs and crystal clear water falls add to the enjoyment of the area. The hike ends at the 86m high water fall "Véu de Noiva" where we'll enjoy a traditional meal at the local restaurant, looking down to a huge canyon. Late afternoon light hike to enjoy sun setting behind the 850m high "São Geronimo" Peak in front of the Lodge. Dinner and night at the Lodge.

5th DAY - CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES > PANTANAL LOWLANDS
Breakfast and morning check-out. Forward a short drive trough the historical town of Chapada, visit the first church of the State of Mato Grosso, possibility for handcraft shopping. After that stopping at the Geodesic Center of South America for a splendid view into the Cuiabana plain. Lunch a local Restaurant with enchanting view on the Pantanal plain. Restart our drive to the lowlands of PANTANAL. First 167 km on paved road until the charming "gold miners" town of Poconé. "Pit-stop" for some snack, toilet and picture taking of it's central square, colonial buildings and cathedral.
Onward to the ARARAS ECOLODGE for another 25km on the TRANSPANTANEIRA, unpaved Park Road. Enjoy first meetings with the Pantanal's plain, its flora and fauna. Welcome drink and check in at Lodge. Presentation tour of the Lodge and surroundings. Chat at sunset. Dinner at Lodge. Night walk to enjoy the south hemisphere night sky, sounds and freshness.

6TH DAY - PANTANAL - CANOE TRIP / SAFARI TRIP & PANTANAL LOCAL MUSIC
After breakfast departure on a "safari-truck" towards Corichão River, 4.5km from the Lodge, for a canoe trip. Guests are invited to paddle, in parties of two, their own canoe, enjoying the scenery at there own rhythm. Lunch at river camp. Return to Lodge for afternoon "siesta".Tea and snacks, before afternoon activity.
Departure on "safari-truck", south along the Transpantaneira Park road, for further wildlife spotting. Dinner at Lodge, followed by tea around open fire place or a slide presentation.

7TH DAY - PANTANAL - HORSE BACK RIDE / "COWBOYS" SHOW & JUNGLE WALK
Sunrise walk, time to enjoy the amazing symphony produced by the different birds and monkeys, announcing a new day. Breakfast. Horse back ride trough the plain, the woods and forest, learning about this incredible "mosaic" of plants, composition of all main Brazilian ecosystems, reason of Pantanal's rich wildlife and fame. Organic buffalo meat barbecue lunch. Hammock siesta, followed by a walk to Araras famous "Howler Monkeys Tower", a 25m high wooden tower, build amid dense forest, home of tree different monkeys species and from where you have a fabulous overview on the plain, forest and surrounding area. Dinner at the Lodge, followed by a night drive to look for nocturnal wildlife.

8TH DAY - PANTANAL > CUIABÁ AIRPORT
Morning at ease for personal undertakings with the assistance of your guide, before being transferred to Cuiabá airport.

2010 Price per person in US$:
Jan. - June = $2831 per person double for 2 people, $2531 per person for 4 people. Single supplement = $437
July - Dec. = $3145 per person double for 2 people, $2812 per person for 4 people. Single supplement = $485

2011 Price per person in US$:
Jan. - June = $2770 for double or triple, single = $4615
July - Dec. = $3041 for double or triple, single = $5060
(minimum of 2 people required).

Note: all services under the assistance of expert bilingual naturalist guides.

"We are proud of our pure pantaneiros horses and buffalo breading, as well as for the maintenance of the local "peões" tradition. These are some of the aspects that qualify Araras Eco Lodge as a real "ecotouristic product".

PANTANAL'S WATERS CYCLES:
October, first rains after at least 90 days of absolute dryness.
November / December, the plain become green again with the first rains.
January begins the flood, reaching its crest middle of March, and end of rain season.
April to June, progressively drying out.
July to September, the plain is fully dry.

JARDIM DA AMAZÔNIA ECO LODGE
"Jardim d' Amazônia" Eco Lodge, on border of the Claro River the main tributary of the great Tapajós River. Surrounded by 1,000 hectares of luxuriant forest, representative of the transition from the Cerrado to the Rain Forest and housing several springs of crystalline water, this area allow us to enjoy exciting trails, refreshing baths, fresh water fish barbecue in the jungle as the ancient rubber tree collectors, canoe downstream the Claro River amid impressive biodiversity, and much more. Its 7 well decorated rooms, delicious home food and heartily reception add to the excitement of this great experience.

PARK ECO LODGE
The Park Eco Lodge, strategically located on the borders of Chapada dos Guimarães National Park (S 15º 26' 27'' - W 55º 49' 34'') at an altitude of 750m, houses in its 150 hectares of private reserve 2 water-falls (from Dec. to Jul.), amazing outlook over the entire Park, caves, and several well prepared trails for the enjoyment of the most demanding nature lovers. Its 8 rooms and 1 suite offer comfort with a charming decoration in full privacy and the "Teta da Loba" Restaurant & Bar serves delicatessen from the region rich flora. From this Lodge most of the main attractions of the "Chapada dos Guimarães" National Park, as the 76m high Véu de Noiva waterfall, the 850m high "São Gerônimo" peak, the "Casa de Pedra" cave and the Complexo das Cachoeiras a sequence of 7 waterfalls, are at walking distance. Not to be forgotten are the almost daily, glorious sun set, that can be enjoyed from its large verandas and hammocks.

ARARAS ECO LODGE
The ARARAS ECO LODGE (16º30'42,3" South latitude; 56º42'39,4" West longitude) located amidst unique and rare biological diversity and built in harmony with the environment, without renouncing comfort, offers 19 rooms with air conditioning and private bath. A swimming pool to refresh after a good walk, a bar with large choice of cold drinks and a restaurant with delicious home styled food, complete the lodge's structure.
It's reachable all year-round through the Transpantaneira Park Road, only 132 Km (82 mi) South of Cuiabá, on an interesting 2h30 hours drive. It's enviably preserved surroundings, spread on 2.700 hectares of private reserve, offers the possibility to do first-class bird-watching, trekking in pristine forest, canoeing, horseback ridding, jeep photo-safari and much more. Two observation towers with 12 m and 25 m height, linked with 1200m of boardwalk on stills, guarantee easy access to nature and wild life, during flooded or dry season.