Amazon Adventures

Brazil

Dynamic Pantanal

PANTANAL 4 days / 3 nights
1st day: Pick-up at the airport and immediate transfer to Poconé, then through a terrestrial safari along the Transpantaneira park-road, and after many stops for observing the variety of fauna & flora, arrival to Pousada Canto do Arancuã. Dinner and night safari - a night-time drive using a vehicle equipped with a flashlight for highlighting nocturnal fauna, with the chance to observe crab-eating foxes, ocelots, and many caiman's eyes!

2nd day: Silent rowing boat trip in the morning, to see and hear the nature on its wakening, appreciating diverse habitats (flooded fields, rivers, lakes, 'corixos', etc.) and seeing aquatic birds, monkeys and capybaras. Hiking and horse riding through the dense forest. The horse is the most versatile means of transportation, allowing both the crossing of the flood-plain and access to the distant forests. The 'Pantaneiro' horse is extremely docile. Other animals are so used to it that they don't perceive the rider on the horse. Overnight.

3rd day: Another boat trip in the morning. Transfer to the Pousada Piuval, located on the flooding fields. Transfer through the fields and forests for a boat sightseeing in the pretty lake 'Baía do Piuval', with many flocks of birds coloring the beautiful sunset.

4th day: Hiking on one of the mound-hills (an 'island of vegetation') that concentrates many mammals and nests of Hyacinth Macaws and Jabiru storks. Departure to Cuiabá due to embark at the convenient time.

(itinerary may be reversed)

PANTANAL 5 days / 4 nights
1st day: Pick up at the airport in Cuiabá and transfer to Pantanal. After traveling 100 km until Poconé then 10 km along the Transpantaneira highway with several stops for observation of the flora and fauna. Arrival to the Pousada Piuval, located, 3 km far from the road, in the middle of the Flooding Fields (Low Pantanal). Hiking in the afternoon, to admire the spectacle of the Swampland at the dusk, with flocks of birds. After dinner, a night safari would be the chance to see, in between the hundreds of caiman eyes, other night habit animals, such as Owls, Foxes, Ocelots and, with luck, a Jaguar!. Overnight in SGL/ DBL apartments with private facilities and air conditioning in the Pousada Piuval, with swimming pool and verandah

2nd day: The day starts in the darkness - still with stars - for a sunrise hike to see and hear the nature at its wakening. Visit to a mound-hill where there are many nests of varied birds, including the endemic Hyacinth Macaw and the symbol of the Pantanal: the silent and large Jabiru stork with its huge nest in cooperation with the noisy and small parakeets. After breakfast, a horse ride through the Flooding Fields and onto other mound-hills. The horse is the most versatile way of exploring the Pantanal, as the animals are so used to living with them that they don't perceive the rider. Lunch at the lodge and, in the afternoon, is an expedition of 3 km to the huge 'Baía do Piuval' where we can see a gorgeous sunset having as scenery many birds sleeping on the trees in the surrounding of the lake. Optional return on the darkness, with other chance to see nocturnal habit animals.
. B/ L/ D. Overnight like night before;

3rd day: Hiking in the morning and departure for a terrestrial safari along the Transpantaneira park-road that, built on an artificial way, crosses many diversified environments, which justifies the many stops to observe many examples of the local fauna & flora. Arrival at the Canto do Arancuã lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, the experience of doing a boat trip would be different, on a river, with a continuous journey and diversified sceneries. Possibility of doing a piranha fishing while, in silence, is possible to see many aquatic birds among other animals such as the giant-otters or some deer or tapir drinking water in the river. After dinner is another night safari, now in a forest. B/ L/ D. Overnight in SGL/ DBL apartments with private facilities and air conditioning in the Canto do Arancuã lodge, with swimming pool and verandah;

4th day: PANTANAL - In the morning is a silent pedaling boat trip, to hear the sounds of nature. In the afternoon is a horse riding through a dense forest. B/ L/ D. Overnight like night before;
.
5th day: After breakfast, departure to Cuiabá for embarking at the convenient time. Transfer to the airport. B.

CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES EXTENSION
Day 1 In the afternoon, transfer to the ChapadaTableland. 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 in the pleasant town.

Day 2 Visits to the National Park, with bath in waterfalls including the largest one - Véu de Noiva at 86 m in height, entering a majestic canyon. Immediate transfer for another extension or to the Cuiabá airport for embarking at convenient time.

The Pantanal tour was equally memorable. I'm glad we took the extra day to see the Chapada dos Guimaraes National park and stay in Chapada. With the help of our guides, Marcos and Adrianos, we were able to have a very intimate experience of the town, and even went with them to a local community/church party on Saturday night. - Stephen Layman

NOBRES EXTENSION
Day 1 In the afternoon, transfer to the village of Bom Jardim, crossing the huge Cuiabá river near its beginning, in a national park. Relaxing bath in a water shed of the Estivado, with plenty of colorful fishes and many palm trees.

Day 2 Snorkeling in both Aquarium and Salobra rivers, with all necessary equipment provided, experiencing the amazing feeling of observing rich aquatic flora & fauna in crystalline water. Departure to any other extension or to the Cuiabá airport for embarking at the convenient time.

Price per person in US$ from Nov. 1, 2007

# of people	room	4 day Pantanal		5 day Pantanal		Chapada Extension		Nobres Extension
		Low	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High
1	sgl	1188	1308			336	366	336	366
2	sgl	882	972			276	300	276	300
2	dbl	690	756			210	240	210	240
3	sgl	804	882			264	294	264	294
3	dbl	636	696			204	228	204	228
4	sgl	720	792			258	288	258	288
4	dbl	576	636			198	222	198	222

Low Season = Nov. 1 - April 30. High Season = May 1 - Oct. 31
Children's prices (1 per couple) = 0 to 5 years = free; 6-11 years = 65 %
Private Tour price: add 10% in low season, 30% in high season

Price includes:
Transportation; accommodation as described; sightseeing as mentioned; all meals (3 a day); entrance fee taxes and accompaniment by a naturalist English speaking guide, equipped with binoculars, books, etc.

Price doesn't include:
Beverages, tips and any other personal expenses.

WE SUGGEST TO TAKE WITH YOU:
A small rucksack, walking boots or anti-skid tennnis shoes, bathing suit, water bottle, rain-coat (anorak), a small towel, insect repelent, shorts, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a camera.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel Fazenda Piuval - Piuval Lodge is located 110 km from Cuiabá and 10 km from Poconé in the state of Mato Grosso. The lodge is situated on a 7000 hectare cattle ranch with one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pantanal, full of natural beauty. Here tourists can observe an abundance and diversity of Pantanal flora and fauna. There are large open fields mixed with islands of forest, a fantastic combination for observing wildlife and magnificent sunsets. Visitors will appreciate the scenery in either the flooded season (December to April) or the dry season (July to December), when wading birds reproduce and gather together in colonies.
The lodge has 12 guest rooms with air conditioning and ceiling fans, private bathrooms, and screened-in windows providing fresh air. There is also a restaurant that serves typical Pantanal meals, 29-inch television with satelite, swimming pool, volleyball court, and playground equipment.

There are many ways to see the Pantanal at Piuval Lodge. All outings are accompanied by local guides and include:
- Hiking Trails - Where you cas see monkeys, caimans, hyacinth macaws, jabiru storks, toucans, rheas, ibis, coatis, capybaras, anteaters, tapirs, and other animals, in addition to a variety of plant life;
- Horseback riding and cart rides - Providing the same opportunities to see plants and animals as on foot;
- Boat trips and piranha fishing - on the largest natural lake in the area, located on the ranch, with a stop to see monkeys, owls, and other animals that live on the forested bank;
- And pontoon trips for groups of 8-15 people - Providing a comfortable way to see the lake and to fish if desired. Pontoon is equipped with benches, an awning, bathroom and shower.

Pousada Canto do Arancuã - This Lodge is situated on kilometer 38 of the Transpantaneira and opened in June 2005, 138 kilometers from Cuiabá. Located in Pantanal Mato-grossense, it is an ecologic beaty shrine. The biodiversity here includes more than 650 different species of birds, 260 species of fishes, 1,100 species of butterfly, 80 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles and 1.700 species of plants. The abundance and rare beauty of the fauna and flora are irrestible. Fromthis Lodge you can enter in contact with this nature spectacle and take advantage from the comfort it offers.

22 apartments with air conditioning, TV and hydromassage bath, Restaurant with typical buffet, Swimming pool, Playground, Viewpoint, Fishing-deck.

Outings by Motor boat, Peddle boat, Ecologic fishing, Horseback rides, Cart rides, Hiking trails, Night spotting, Bikes.

Hotel Turismo - 2 blocks from the center of town in Chapada;35 bedrooms all with private toilet, air conditioning, frigobar. Swimming pool; Most traditional hotel in town with friendly service.