South America
16 Day Brazil Air Safari - From: $12,935
Trip Summary
Brazil's natural beauty is showcased in this private journey. Begin at the Recanto Ecologico Rio de Prata followed by the Pantanal Wildlife Center, home to giant otters and tapirs. Climb a mobile canopy tower to view birdlife and monkeys. At Hyacinth Camps see flocks of hyacint macaws, endangered maned wolves, and delight at brown capuchin monkeys using stone hammers to open nuts. Tour the modern city of Brasilia, Brazil's center for art and architecture, as well as vibrantly diverse São Paulo.
Highlights
- See monkeys that use special stone hammers to crack hard nuts on softer, sandstone anvils - the world's most complex tool use by a non-human primate
- Marvel at the Sinkhole of the Red-and-Green Macaws
- Snorkel in crystal clear river surrounded by thousands of tame fish
- Watch the world's only completely habituated family of Giant Otters
Trip Details
Price:
| Per Person, double occupancy | From: $12,935 |
Based on low season rates with two guests traveling.
Departure Dates:
- Daily
Itinerary
Day 1
Jardim
Arrive Sao Paulo. Connect with a flight to Campo Grande. Drive to Bonito. Visit the Buraco dos Araras - the Hole of the Parrots. The Buraco das Araras is a 124-meter (135 yards) deep "doline" (a cave whose roof caved in) with a circumference of 500 meters (545 yards). In its interior there is a very special ecosystem made up by a forest and a lake complete with micro algae and fish. Among the array of birds is the bright and wonderful Greenwing macaw. You will have the opportunity to watch and photograph these huge macaws, and watch the bats as they take flight over the cave or sink hole.
Lodging: Olho D'Agua
Day 2
Jardim
Begin the day with a visit to the Recanto Ecologico Rio da Prata. On arrival to the park, you will begin with a 1.6-mile walk along the interpretative trail in the Da Prata river. At the end of the trail you will enter the lake, which is formed by the many fresh water springs of the Prata River for an extraordinary lake float/snorkel experience. During your float you will discover a fascinating sub-aquatic world in one of the most transparent fresh-water rivers in the world, rich in aquatic fauna and flora. There is a wonderful sensation of flying as you float through the immense crystal clear waters surrounded by fish and vegetation.
Lodging: Olho D'Agua
Days 3 - 5
Pantanal Wildlife Center
Fly to Cuiaba, drive to the Pantanal, the world's largest freshwater wetland. Pantanal Wildlife Center is an excellent location for bird watching. It is also one of the best sites for viewing wild giant otters from a distance of only 3 to 16 feet away. You'll be amazed at the size of these otters at 6 feet long and 70 pounds. Hear them interact through high-pitched hums and squeals. Often they will come close to the boat, craning their necks, and snorting loudly. Spend time viewing wildlife from the mobile canopy towers near fruiting trees.
Lodging: Pantanal Wildlife Center
Days 6 - 7
Jaguar Research Center, Central Pantanal
Drive and boat to the Jaguar Research Center located in the Jaguar-rich 270,000-acre Meeting of the Waters State Park. The park's name refers to the three navigable rivers that join inside this unique park, and it contains some of the most pristine protected areas in the Pantanal. The Jaguar Research Center is in a location that has the highest density of jaguars and jaguar sightings in the entire Pantanal. The habitat along this river allows for numerous jaguars to roam the area hunting their favorite dry-season prey: the abundant 4-7 foot caimans and plump capybaras.
Lodging: Jaguar Research Center
Day 8
Pantanal Wildlife Center
After an early breakfast, depart on a full day boat trip to observe the diversity of the animals in the region. Watch for jaguars, tapirs, ant-eaters, giant otters, birds and other animals common to this region. Explore narrow and wild rivers in the core of this huge park using small boats. Return to the Center at the end of the afternoon in time for dinner.
Lodging: Pantanal Wildlife Center
Day 9
Brasilia
Drive to Cuiaba, and fly to Brasilia for a city visit to one of the most original cities in the world. Created in 1960, the Brazilian capital is a landmark in contemporary town planning and modern architecture. Notably, the city contains the highest concentration per square meter of works by the best-known Brazilian artists, and is also graced with natural beauty.
Lodging: Melia Brasil
Days 10 - 12
Hyacinth Valley Lodge
Fly to Barreiras, and drive to the Hyacinth Valley Lodge. The Hyacinth Camps are the best place in the world to see the maned wolf and the hyacinth macaw – the largest of macaws. Enjoy wildlife excursions and unwind at day's end in your comfortable bungalow.
Lodging: Hyacitnh Valley Lodge
Days 13 - 14
Green Wing Valley Lodge
Drive for about two hours to the breathtaking Greenwing Valley site. Where, among other wildlife sightings, you'll enjoy the antics of the amazing tool-using Brown Capuchin Monkeys. In an amazing demonstration of tool use, they lift large stones weighing half their body mass and smash them down on palm nuts that they place on large stone anvils. This unique behavior is found only at Greenwing Valley, and has been covered in National Geographic Magazine.
Lodging: Green Wing Valley Lodge
Day 15
Sao Paulo
Drive to Barreiras, fly to Brasilia and connect to São Paulo.
Lodging: L'Hotel
Day 16
International Flights Home
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The Details
