Brazil - Rivers, Rainforests & Wildlife

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Day 1: Arrive in Manaus

Upon arrival at Manaus airport, you are met and transferred to our hotel. Tonight, our group meets for dinner and orientation. Overnight in Manaus.

Day 2: Manaus, start of Amazon River Safari

In the morning, we travel around Manaus, a city built deep in the Amazon basin by 19th century rubber barons. Visit the river market, Indian Museum and the famed Opera House surrounded by Parisian avenues, Italian piazzas and splendid fountains. It was here that Caruso sang and Isadora Duncan danced.

In the afternoon, we board our regional style Amazon riverboat to begin our 4 day/3 night journey on the Amazon River. Our vessel is well adapted to the Amazon region. The Clipper’s accommodations include 8 cabins with bunk beds, each with night time air-conditioning, shower and toilet facilities. A covered area serves as our dining room and salon and there is a library on board along with motorized longboats for excursions from the Clipper.

We begin our journey aboard the Clipper attending a presentation from the on board guide. We embark for the Ariau River (a tributary of the Rio Negro) and before sunset we take a longboat trip, returning after dark so we have the possibility of observing nocturnal animals and the changes in the forest as night falls.

The Rio Negro has high levels of tannins in the water, keeping the bug levels to a minimum. We can comfortably sit on deck watching the sunset.

Day 3: Amazon River Safari — Anavilhanas Archipelago

This morning, we start with a walk in the jungle led by our local guide. We visit a Caboclo tribal family to witness their daily routine: including the preparation of manioc flour (the staple foodstuff of the Amazon). We continue through the Anavilhanas Archipelago visiting the small isolated town of Novo Airão.

Here, we have the opportunity to see local boat building and visit a market where palm-fibers and ornamental fish are bought and sold. We take a night trip to search for Caimans and other species such as frogs and sloths.

Day 4: Amazon River Safari — Jacareubal region

This morning, we travel to Praia Grande. We take a canoe trip on Lake Acajatuba to see the flora of rubber trees, Brazil nuts and a variety of palms.

Try your hand at fishing for piranhas! Depending on water levels and wind, we pass the Paricatuba community and see old, abandoned rubber-boom buildings, now overgrown with strangler-fig trees, or we have the option to take the long boats through the Jacareubal area.

Day 5: Return to Manaus and fly to Campo Grande, Pantanal

On Lake Januari, we go bird-watching on a sunrise longboat trip, see the giant water lilies and then travel to the “meeting of the waters”, where the Rio Negro meets the Solimoes River. We return to Manaus where our river safari concludes. Following lunch we travel to the airport in Manaus to catch our flight to Campo Grande, the gateway to the Pantanal. We stay overnight in Campo Grande.

Day 6: Drive to the Pantanal, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site

This morning we leave for our Ecolodge, located deep in the Pantanal wetlands. The drive will take us through farmlands then into the flat plains where there are large cattle raising estates. Depending on the water levels in the wetlands and the rivers we cross, our trip may involve transferring to 4x4 vehicles or crossing rivers by small ferries. We will plan on lunch en route so we can fully enjoy the scenic drive and the “adventure” of getting to our lodge, our base for the next four nights.

Day 7: Pantanal Wilderness Adventure

The Pantanal is the world’s largest inland swamp and one of the world’s richest natural reserves. It is a migratory stopover for over 300 species of birds, including ducks, storks, herons and egrets. It also provides habitat for a wide range of mammals, making this area a premier destination for wildlife viewing.

Day 8: Pantanal Wilderness Adventure

The activities offered to guests of the Eco-lodge include hikes through the forest, horseback riding, drives on specially adapted vehicles, and canoe rides on the lake near the lodge. Each of these activities is designed to bring us closer to the abundant wildlife of the Pantanal including Giant otters, capybaras, monkeys and the tallest flying bird in the New Word, the Jabiru Stork.

Day 9: Pantanal Wilderness Adventure

The outings are accompanied by bilingual naturalist guides and are determined by the weather conditions. Observation varies according to the season. During the dry season, from August to November, mammals can be seen, while during the wet season, from December to July, the birdlife is abundant.

Day 10: Fly to Iguazu Falls

Our Pantanal adventure concludes as we travel back to Campo Grande and fly onward to Iguazu Falls. Overnight at Iguazu Falls.

Day 11: Iguazu Falls — Argentine side

Iguazu Falls is a UNESCO Natural Heritage site and is best witnessed from both sides of the river gorge. Today, we travel to Argentina where we witness the falls from an up-close and damp perspective. Well-maintained walking trails take us above and below the falls for a view you will never forget. Walk along raised platforms that take you through the rainforest amid the cooling spray of the falls. Overnight at Iguazu Falls.

Day 12: Iguazu Falls — Brazilian side, fly to Rio de Janeiro

Today, we take in the panoramic view from the Brazilian side. Walk along a gently sloping trail that provides a wide perspective of the falls. The trail leads you to an incredible platform that places you amidst the most thunderous cascades at Iguazu. In the afternoon, we fly to Rio de Janeiro. Overnight in Rio.

Day 13: Rio de Janeiro — Corcovado, Tijuca Forest

One of the world’s most beautiful cities, Rio sits on the coast against a backdrop of mountains. Its historic buildings, massive squares, beaches, nightlife, and pleasant climate make Rio a perfect place to wind down from our eventful program.

Today, we travel to Corcovado for a view of the massive statue of Christ that gazes across the bay. Definitely the most famous and enduring image of Rio, a stay in Rio wouldn’t be complete without this experience. We also have a jeep tour to the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world. Overnight in Rio.

Day 14: Rio de Janeiro — Sugar loaf mountain

Today, we visit the famed Sugar Loaf Mountain for a spectacular view of this famous coastal city. We walk through the beautiful historic center of Rio on our exploration of this diverse city and perhaps join the “Cariocas” for their morning coffee at a local pastry shop.

We finish our day with a farewell dinner and recount our adventures in Brazil. Overnight in Rio.