Latest News
AFC Flag Expedition
Newsletters
|
| Home | Main | Links | Site Map | News |
Guided trip to Brazil in 2010
Since their first trip to Brazil in 1992
on their
honeymoon, the Kitlers have returned many times to that amazing
country. In 2006 they led a small group on a 2-week exploration of
some of the most spectacular settings on the continent (read
related News item), and in June 2010 they are off to Brazil once
again**. This is your opportunity to join them!
Some of the more exciting things you will do include: a visit
to Iguassu Falls and the largest remaining area of sub-tropical forest
that surrounds the falls; staying at a lodge in the Amazon jungle that
has been built at the level of the rainforest canopy; piranha fishing
and night time alligator spotting in the rainforest; as well as a
“safari” into the Pantanal, the largest continental wetland on Earth.
The itinerary was designed to introduce you to a few of the highlights of this vast country, and to give you a taste of what it has to offer in terms of diversity and natural beauty. After that, you will surely want to go back for more. If you have always wanted to visit this exotic country, but were not sure how to do it, wait no more. The Kitlers would love to show you around in what will likely become the trip of a lifetime! Read on for all the details...
Proposed Itinerary
| Day 1 - June 9 - Flight from North America to Sao Paulo, Brazil (not included) |
|
| Day 2 - June 10 - Flight from Sao Paulo to Iguassu Falls (not included) - Transfer to hotel in Iguassu Falls - Overnight: Hotel in Iguassu Falls (tbd) - Includes breakfast |
The national parks on the Brazilian and Argentinean side of the mighty Iguassu River and Falls total over 550,000 acres of sub-tropical forest. With the extra humidity created by the crashing water at the falls, the forests are especially rich in vegetation and wildlife.
|
| Days 3 - June 11 - Exploration of falls on the Brazilian side - Overnight: Hotel in Iguassu Falls (tbd) - Includes breakfast |
|
| Day 4 - June 12 - Exploration of falls on the Argentinean side - Overnight: Hotel in Iguassu Falls (tbd) - Includes breakfast |
|
| Day 5 - June 13 - Flight from Iguassu Falls to Cuiaba (not included) - Transfer to hotel in Cuiaba - Overnight: Hotel in Cuiaba (tbd) - Includes breakfast |
|
| Day 6 - June 14 - Transfer from Cuiaba to Pantanal (Pixaim) - Overnight: Hotel in Pixaim (tbd) - Includes breakfast / lunch / dinner |
The first 100km of your journey will be on good paved roads that cross a transition ecosystem, featuring examples of cerrado vegetation, gallery forests, and a unique tall cerrado forest. The pavement stops in Pocone, and you will continue on a dirt road for another 17km to the beginning of the Transpantaneira, a 145km raised dirt road, with over 100 wooden bridges. The wildlife picks up suddenly, as the roadside fills with herons, storks, Roseate Spoonbills, kingfishers, ibises, cormorants, and caimans. |
| Day 7 - June 15 - Exploration of the Pixaim area: boat trip on the Pixaim River, road safari, etc. - Overnight: Hotel in Pixaim (tbd) - Includes breakfast / lunch / dinner |
|
| Day 8 - June 16 - Exploration of the area between Pixaim and Porto Jofre - Overnight: Hotel in Porto Jofre (tbd) - Includes breakfast / lunch / dinner |
|
| Day 9 - June 17 - Exploration of the area between Porto Jofre and Pixaim - Overnight: Hotel in Pixaim (tbd) - Includes breakfast / lunch / dinner |
|
| Day 10 - June 18 - Transfer from Pantanal (Pixaim) to Cuiaba - Overnight: Hotel in Cuiaba (tbd) - Includes breakfast |
|
| Day 11 - June 19 - Flight from Cuiaba to Manaus (not included) - Overnight: Hotel in Manaus (tbd) - Includes breakfast |
Manaus, a city of over one million people situated in the heart of the Amazon on the Rio Negro, is where your exploration of the Amazon rainforest will begin. |
| Days 12-14 - June 20-22 - Transfer by boat from Manaus to Ariau Amazon Towers - Activities included in the package are jungle trek, visit to natives' home, alligator spotting, piranha fishing, as well as sunrise and sunset tours. - Overnight: Ariau Amazon Towers - Includes breakfast / lunch / dinner |
 The
Ariau Jungle Tower is a unique structure, located at the
confluence of the Rio Negro and Ariau rivers, miles up the
river from Manaus, and completely built at the level of the
rainforest canopy. Catwalks offer visitors a unique
encounter with flora and wildlife of the mid-Amazon region. |
| Day 15 - June 23 - Transfer by boat from Ariau Amazon Towers to Manaus - Overnight: Hotel in Manaus (tbd) - Includes breakfast |
|
| Day 16 - June 24 - Flight from Manaus to Sao Paulo (not included) - Flight from Sao Paulo to North America (not included) |
|
| Day 17 - June 25 - Arrival in North America |
On
the border of Brazil and Argentina, the Iguassu river drops
into a gigantic horseshoe canyon. Nestled among the
largest remaining area of sub-tropical forest in the
continent, this impressive complex of 275 falls, over 3km
wide and 80 metres high, is one of the Seven Wonders of the
Natural World, and ranks as one of the most spectacular
settings on the planet.
This
is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 200 species of birds,
including toucans, macaws, hawks, kites, owls, and
hummingbirds. Thousands of Great Dusky Swifts nest
under the falls, and can be seen swirling about in large
flocks. It is also one of the best locations in the country
to observe small mammals including deer, armadillos,
capibaras, coatis, opossums, and a sub-species of the Brown
Capuchin monkey.
The
Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland, is located in the
heart of South America. Considered one of the last
sanctuaries of wildlife on Earth, the Pantanal extends for
more than 200,000 square kilometres (140,000 in Brazil
alone), reaching as far as Bolivia and Paraguay. The
fauna is extremely diverse: 650 bird, 80 mammal, 260 fish,
and 50 reptile species. It is also one of the three
most important nesting areas on the planet for migratory
birds. The Pantanal ecosystem depends on the inflow
and outflow during the flood cycles which, in turn, is
directly linked to rainfall in the entire watershed.
The
area between Pixaim and Porto Jofre is the lowest and
richest area of the Pantanal. Here, the plant and
animal diversity increases, and you will probably see herds
of capybara, the world’s largest rodent (more like a large
guinea pig than a rat). Also watch for jaguars, the
endangered Marsh Deer, coatis, marmosets, foxes, and the
Giant Anteater. In this area you may also see
Hyacinth, and Blue and Gold macaws, among other species.
Rate
US$3,750 (based on double occupancy)
Includes:
- Transfers, as mentioned in itinerary
- Hotel accommodation, as mentioned in itinerary
- Activities, as mentioned in itinerary
Does not include:
- International airfare and taxes
- Domestic airfare and taxes (approx. US$1,350/person)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Airport improvement fees, if applicable
- Entry visa and passport
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Optional tours
- Drinks, phone calls, laundry, and other expenses of a personal nature
- Discretionary tips to local guides and drivers
Conditions
- Deposit #1: US$1,000 by June 1, 2009
- Deposit #2: US$1,000 by November 1, 2009
- Balance: due no later than March 1, 2010
- Minimum 8 - Maximum 14 participants
- Proposed itinerary may be adjusted slightly to accommodate changes in domestic flight schedules
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, would like to talk to previous participants,
or want to secure your space to join David and Ly on this unforgettable trip!
** Trip dates have changed since previous posting.
This was done to allow more time for trip planning and preparation.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.