BRAZIL

Amazon & Pantanal
plus Rio de Janeiro

Sample Group Itinerary  -  2011/2012

14 Days / 12 Nights

Appropriate for Any Time of the Year

Day 1  -   U.S. to Brazil
We depart our hometown airport this morning and fly to a U.S. gateway, where we connect with a flight destined for Brazil.  On arrival in Manaus or Sao Paulo, we are met and transferred to our hotel for overnight.

Day 2  -  Arrive Cuiabá - Pantanal
After breakfast we fly to Cuiabá, and then drive to Poconé, a 60-mile trip by paved road.  Lunch in Poconé.  After lunch, we begin our Safari on the Transpantaneira  Highway (unpaved)  in our custom-made, open-air, 4-wheel drive vehicle.  We will see herons, egrets, ibis, parrots, parakeets and macaws, caiman, capybaras, and possibly other wildlife such as the crab-eating raccoon, fox, coati, anacondas, and rheas.  We arrive at Jaguar Ecological Reserve in the late afternoon.  Dinner at the lodge.  After dinner, enjoy a nighttime safari in one of the vehicles outfitted with a safari spotlight.  We will search for nocturnal birds such as great potoos, night jars, and owls, and mammals including ocelot, jaguar, margay, tapir, Pantanal Deer, armadillo, crab-eating fox, and raccoons.   Jaguar Ecological Reserve.  (B,L,D)

DAY 3 – Jaguar Ecological Reserve
Early this morning we’ll walk around the Lodge, to identify birds and probably monkeys as well.  Breakfast at lodge.  Afterward, we walk in the forest to see birds, monkeys, and other mammals such as coati, azara´s agouti, and armadillo.  We’ll have lunch at the lodge, and take a ”siesta” or enjoy time to relax.  In the afternoon we’ll drive about one hour south on the Transpantaneira to reach the beautiful marshes of Campo Jofre.  There, we’ll see more bird species, anacondas, capybaras, caiman, and hopefully a jaguar or other cat species.  After enjoying a spectacular sunset over the wetlands, we return to the Lodge for dinner.  After dinner, take a nighttime safari in search of nocturnal mammals and birdlife.  Jaguar Ecological Reserve.  (B,L,D)

Day 4  -  Jaguar Ecological Reserve
An early morning walk around the lodge focuses on birding.  We’ll enjoy breakfast, followed by a walk in the forest on one of the numerous trails.  Return to the Lodge for lunch and time to relax.  Then we drive south about an hour to Porto Jofre, where we take a trip on a private, six-passenger boat, on the Cuiabá or Piquiri rivers, as well as smaller tributaries.  Common bird species here include the black skimmer, large-billed tern, yellow-billed tern, collared plover, pied lapwing, kingfisher, etc.  This boat trip is an excellent chance to see jaguars, giant river otters, and monkeys.  We can also catch fish for a special dinner.  Return to lodge for dinner, followed by a nighttime safari.  Jaguar Ecological Reserve.  (B,L,D)

Day 5  -  Jaguar Ecological Reserve 
Breakfast and a forest walk.  Lunch at the lodge, followed by a return trip to Porto Jofre for another boat trip in search of additional wildlife.  Enjoy a beautiful sunset on the river, or at the marshes of Campo Jofre.  Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.  Jaguar Ecological Reserve.  (B,L,D)

Day 6  -  Jaguar Ecological Reserve - Amazon Cristalino Jungle Lodge 
Following breakfast at the lodge, we depart, driving north about two hours on the Transpantaneira Highway to Poconé, where we stop for lunch.  Then we continue to the Cuiabá airport, and a flight to Alta Floresta.  On arrival in Alta Floresta, we are met and transferred to the Cristalino Jungle Lodge.  When we reach the lodge, there will be an introduction to the lodge and to your accommodations.  A library and maps are available.  Cristalino Jungle Lodge.  (B,L,D)

Day 7  -  Cristalino Jungle Lodge 
In the morning, we hike towards the 50 meter Canopy Tower, where you will be able to see the forest from atop the canopy. Monkeys, macaws and several species of birds can be found here.  Then we walk the Ficus Trail, where a giant Ficus Tree is found.  In the afternoon, we walk the Taboca Trail in an area with a seasonally flooded forest, and where many monkeys can be found.  Cristalino Jungle Lodge.  (B,L,D)

Day 8  -  Cristalino Jungle Lodge
In the morning, hike towards the Saleiro House - a rustic tree house located in the middle of the forest reserve.  The soil here is naturally rich in minerals, and is often visited by large forest mammals, such as the South American Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu), White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari), the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactylaand) and the Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla).  In the afternoon, a boat trip up river is planned to hike the remarkable Brazil Nut Trail, in a region with enormous Brazil Nut Trees.  Cristalino Jungle Lodge.  (B,L,D)

Day 9  -  Cristalino Jungle Lodge
A boat trip this morning along with a hike on the “Sierra Trail” - a site with a low, drier and deciduous type of forest.  This trail has beautiful viewpoints since it is located in a hilly landscape.  Orchids are often found in this area.  In the afternoon, we hike on the Teles Pires Island, a place where parakeets, parrots, macaws and nesting wood storks can be seen.  Sunset here is great for photography.  Cristalino Jungle Lodge.  (B,L,D)

Day 10  -  Cristalino Jungle Lodge  -  Rio de Janeiro
A short hike this morning on the Tapiri Trail, where the White-Whiskered-Spider-Monkey (Atelis marginatus), a symbol of the Cristalino State Park, can be seen.  Then we proceed to Alta Floresta for lunch, and a departing flight to Cuiabá.  Arrival in Cuiabá, where we connect with a flight bound for Rio de Janeiro. Late night arrival in Rio, and transfer to our Hotel.  Hotel Sofitel Copacabana (or similar).  (B,L)

Day 11  - Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, we depart to explore Sugar Loaf Mountain.  It is a dramatic granite rock, a well-known Rio landmark, and also an over-explored tourist attraction.  We´ll ride via an aerial cable car on a two-stage trip to the top.  After the first leg, we´ll make a quick stop and then we´ll enjoy the second and most beautiful portion of the trip.  From the top, we’ll have one the most wonderful views of the entire city.  You´ll be around 1,300 ft. above the city, and can enjoy the breathtaking view of Guanabara Bay.  Descend via cable car, and return to our hotel.  The afternoon is free to relax, enjoy the beach, or for shopping.  Hotel Sofitel Copacabana (or similar).  (B)

Day 12  -  Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, our full day tour begins with a visit to the Botanical Garden.  Ranked as one of the top ten in the world, the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro is a living museum of natural and national significance for botanical gardens in Brazil.  It houses a collection of about 8,000 species of flora from various national parks of the world, and the remaining area of Atlantic Forest.  Since it opened in 1822, its distinguished visitors include guests such as Albert Einstein and Queen Elisabeth II of England. Then we will visit the Tijuca National Park.  This park is known as the largest urban forest on earth. Its huge mountains, covered with tropical vegetation, contrast with dramatic granite rocks, forming a unique background for Rio's beaches and buildings.  On this tour we visit the Park's best viewpoints and waterfalls, and then hike up to Tijuca Peak (Rio's highest point, at 3300 ft above sea level).  A “not to be missed” site in Rio is Corcovado, also located within the Park, and featured in the most popular images of Rio, with its statue of “Christ the Redeemer.”  Return to the hotel.  A special farewell dinner is planned for tonight at one of Rio’s famous “churrascarias.”    Sofitel Copacabana (or similar).   (B,L,D)

Day 13  -  Depart Rio de Janeiro
Entire day at leisure.  This evening we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the U.S.  (B)

Day 14  - Arrive U.S.
Morning arrival back in the U.S.  After clearing U.S. Customs and Immigration formalities, we board our connecting flight back to our hometown airport.

Included Meal Codes:
  B  -  Breakfast
  L  -  Lunch
  D  -  Dinner