PACKAGES

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.

TAP flight TP 173, departure at 10h50am (Portugal) arrival in BSB at 4h25pm (local time).

Transfer to Hotel. Night free. Optional: night city tour with dinner at Bargaço restaurant on the Borders of Lago Sul (southern lake). After dinner, return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast city tour around the gorgeous Brazilian Capital created by Oscar Niemeyer, humanity Cultural Patrimony, with lunch at Oca da Tribo restaurant. Baggage Pick up at the Hotel and transfer to the airport.

Departure to Cuiabá by TAM, JJ 3805 at 4h30pm (local time).

Arrival at Cuiabá/Várzea Grande airport or pick up at hotel and transfer to the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, by the end of the day. Check in at the charming Park Eco Lodge. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

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. (B,L,D)

Departure after breakfast to the Amazon Rain Forest. (310 km – approximately 4.5 hours – 200 km paved + 110 km unpaved).

At half way, stop for a relaxing swim among colorful fishes, before enjoying a delicious lunch. Continue you journey toward the Amazon rain forest.

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)

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)

- 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.

7h30: 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”.

15h00 Tea and snacks, before afternoon activity.

15h30 Departure on “safari-truck”, south along the Transpantaneira Park road, for further wildlife spotting.

19h30 Dinner at Lodge, followed by tea around open fire place or a slide presentation.

5h30 Sunrise walk, time to enjoy the amazing symphony produced by the different birds and monkeys, announcing a new day. Breakfast.

8h30 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.

“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”.

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.
19h30 Dinner at the Lodge, followed by a night drive to look for nocturnal wildlife.

Morning at ease for personal undertakings with the assistance of your guide, before being transferred to Cuiabá airport.

Departure flight to Brasília by TAM 3804 at 11h30min with arrival at 2h30pm. Embark and international flight by our team in Brasilia. Brasília > Lisbon flight TP 172 at 5h55pm (local time). Arrival in Lisbon at 5h50am of the next day, local time)

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.

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.