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Untamed Brazil - Amazon & The Pantanal
A less-trodden journey that takes us to some of the remotest corners of the Amazon and the Pantanal - Brazil's last natural paradise and wilderness in search of incredible wildlife. Be ready for a safari adventure that combines both land and water experiences. Untamed Brazil.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in the eco-luxury lodges - Cristalino & Caiman Lodge
Experience an untamed safari experience in the Amazon & the Pantanal
Savour fine and exquisite gastronomy
Experience a spectable of wildlife extravaganza
ITINERARY
DAY 1: SAO PAULO / ALTA FLORESTA / CRISTALINO STATE PARK
Depart Sao Paulo for Alta Floresta on a domestic flight and on arrival, we drive 1.5hrs deep into the Amazon rainforest before embarking on a 30mins boat ride into the stunning 460,000 acre Cristalino State Park. Located in the highlands of the southern Amazon River Basin, Cristalino is strategically situated to preserve a huge swathe of rainforest, acting as an effective buffer between the timber extraction and cattle ranching to the south, and the virgin areas to the north. Your home base for the next days is Cristalino Lodge, on a 30,000 acre private reserve connected to the park. Renowned for being one of the richest places in the Amazon for observing birds, mammals, butterflies and orchids in a primary forest environment, the Cristalino Lodge was chosen as one of the best ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler.
Overnight: Cristalino Lodge, Cristalino State Park
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: CRISTALINO STATE PARK
The lodge's reserve contains a great variety of medium to low-altitude eco zones, allowing for great diversity of wildlife. From apex predators such as Jaguars, Harpy eagles and Giant Otters to herbivores like the Capybara and Agouti, all of the organisms which took thousands of years to evolve and which make Amazonia unlike any other biome in the world are still alive and doing well here. Its location near the junction of two rivers - "White water" and "Black water" - gives the reserve a combination of two different soil types which furnish a staggering variety of trees, orchids and bromeliads. 600 bird species are also known to live in the region, including many endeamic species such as the Rufous-capped Nunlet, Chestnut-throated Spinetail, Peruvian Recurvebill, as well as many species of parrots, puffbirds and manakins. Mammals seen most frequently are the diminutive Pantanal Marmoset, White-nosed Saki monkeys, Brazilian Tapir. Cristalino is also one of the best areas to witness the Green Anaconda, largest of all constricting snakes. We spend the next two days here to go on your preferred experiences from boat trips to otherwise inaccessible trails to forested trails from the lodge.
Overnight: Cristalino Lodge, Cristalino State Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: CRISTALINO STATE PARK
Overnight: Cristalino Lodge, Cristalino State Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You have another day today to savor the Amazon experience, a hotspot of biodiversity. Take on the many guided trails, boat excursions to remote areas or indulge in watersports such as canoeing in a pristine environment.
DAY 4: CRISTALINO STATE PARK / ALTA FLORESTA / CAMPO GRANDE / CAIMAN ECOLOGICAL REFUGE
Say farewell to the Amazon as we return by boat and car to Alta Floresta for our afternoon flight to Campo Grande. On arrival, hop onboard a light aircraft where a 50mins scenic journey takes you into Southern Pantanal, the world's largest floodplain. The 130,000 acre Caiman Ecological Refuge was once part of a large beef cattle ranch in the Pantanal, and has since been transformed into an enterprising land management model combining the traditional "Pantaneiro" cattle ranching system, conservation programs and eco tourism. It includes a 14,000 acre protected reserve covering a great variety of habitats that harbor many of the diverse species of the Pantanal, which is home to the highest concentration of wildlife in the Americas.
Overnight: Cordilheira Lodge, South Pantanal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: CAIMAN ECOLOGICAL REFUGE
Once a year, the mighty Paraguay River floods its banks, inundating an area ten times that of Botswana's Okavango Delta. As the floodwaters recede in the dry season, this ever-changing mosaic of lagoons, shallow wetlands and higher islands of deciduous forest sets the stage for one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles.
Herds of Capybaras, largest of all the world's rodents, graze along shores lined with Yacare Caimans, amidst throngs of storks, herons and ibises. At dawn, the surrounding woodland rings to a deafening cacophany of woodcreepers, Guira Cuckoos, antbirds with Toco Toucan yelping from the treetops and noisy flocks of Turquoise-fronted Amazons winging overhead. Huge Hyacinth Macaws, the avian epitome of the Pantanal's wilderness, are delightfully numerous in copses of palms, while areas of higher ground are home to the spectacular Giant Anteater.
Of all the denizens of this watery wilderness, none is sought after more than the Jaguar. Using detailed local knowledge of the resident population, we track the cats by vehicle and on foot, in the hopes of seeing and photographing this largest of American felids. Ranging from northern Mexico to central Argentina, Jaguars are rarely encountered anywhere else but occur in the Pantanal in their highest density on Earth. The combination of the refuge's open, savannah-like terrain and years of formal protection from hunting brings experiencing the Americas' most charismatic predator into the realm of possibility.
Overnight: Cordilheira Lodge, South Pantanal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: CAIMAN ECOLOGICAL REFUGE
You have a full day to go in search of a stunning array of wildlife in the South Pantanal for an opportunities to capture these fascinating animals in their most glorious. Go in search of the apex predators such as the jaguar, the Yacare Caiman and the amazing variety of birdlife. You have a night game drive as well to witness the nocturnal action.
Overnight: Cordilheira Lodge, South Pantanal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: CAIMAN ECOLOGICAL REFUGE
You have the final day today again to capture the spectacular wildlife of the South Pantanal on jeep safari, canoe excursion, walking safari and more to immerse in the essence of the wilderness.
Overnight: Cordilheira Lodge, South Pantanal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: CAIMAN ECOLOGICAL REFUGE / CAMPO GRANDE / SAO PAULO
Today, embark on a light aircraft for your return to Campo Grande Airport for your return to Sao Paulo.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Cristalino Lodge is located in the southern part of the Brazilian Amazon, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in this very special ecosystem. Chosen by National Geographic Traveler as one of the 25 best ecolodges in the world, the lodge is built in harmony with the surrounding forest and includes eco-friendly accommodation that adheres to sustainable practises.
Caiman Ecological Refuge Cordilheira Lodge integrates harmoniously with Pantanal nature. On one side, a wooded hillside to observe local fauna and on the other, a branch of the lake. Cordilheira Lodge has 5 double suites, decorated in contemporary style. Each of these has a separate bedroom and living room, bathroom and balcony.
