NORTH PANTANAL & CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES NATIONAL PARK

PANTANAL / ACHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES

6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS

DAY 1

ARRIVAL & PANTANAL INTRODUCTION

Arrival at Cuiaba airport.
Reception and transfer in AIR CONDITIONED VAN, to the lowlands of PANTANAL. First 100 km on paved road until the charming “gold miner’s” town of Pocone.
“Pit-stop” for some snack, toilet and picture taking, of its central square colonial buildings and cathedral. Onward to the ARARAS ECOLODGE for another 25km on the TRANSPANTANEIRA, unpaved Park Road. Enjoy first meetings with the Pantanal’s plain, its flora and fauna.

PANTANAL’S WATERS CYCLES:
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.
Every season has its charm and special flavor!

Welcome drink and check in at Lodge.
Presentation tour of the Lodge surroundings. Chat at sunset.
19h30 Dinner at Lodge. Night walk, explore the south hemisphere night sky, sounds and freshness.

DAY 2

CANOE TRIP / SAFARI TRIP & PANTANAL LOCAL MUSIC

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 slide presentation on Pantanal’s cycles.

DAY 3

HORSE BACK RIDE / “COWBOYS” SHOW & JUNGLE WALK

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.
Lunch at Lodge. ( If weather allows and if guest are interested we often serve, organic buffalo meat barbecue at Arara’s ranch camp, with cattle “rodeo” and “laço” presentation, in the best pantaneiro’s style).

“We are proud of our pure pantaneiro’s horses and buffalo breading, as well as for the maintenance of the local “peões” (cow-boys) tradition. These are some of the aspects that qualify Araras Eco Lodge as a real “ecotouristic product”.

Hammock siesta, followed by a walk to Arara’s famous “Howler Monkeys Tower”, a 25m high wooden tower, build amid dense forest, home of three monkeys spices 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.

DAY 4

CHAPADA DOS GUIMARAES TABLELAND NATIONAL PARK

Morning departure in air-conditioned minivan, North East, towards the tablelands of Chapada dos Guimarães and its National Park. Lunch at local Restaurant, with enchanting view on Pantanal plain.
After that, a short drive trough the historical town of Chapada, visit the first church of the State of Mato Grosso, possibility for handcraft shopping. Restart our drive along the Chapada do Guimarães cliff to the “mystical” Stone City. Enjoy a “bird eye” view over the entire National Park. With some luck we may see or at least hear the red & green macaws that nest on those sand walls. Further drive trough the National Park to the PARK ECOLODGE. Check in.
Late afternoon light hike to enjoy sun setting behind the 850m high “São Geronimo” Peak in front of the Lodge. Dinner and night at Lodge.

DAY 5

CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES NATIONAL PARK

Day devoted to wonderful hikes trough the National Park. The wind and rain sculpted intriguing shapes in the sand stones covered with rich “cerrado” (savanna) 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 “Veu de Noiva” where we’ll enjoy a traditional meal at a local restaurant, looking down to a huge canyon. Dinner and night at the Lodge.

DAY 6

CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES > CUIABÁ AIRPORT

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

Note: all services under the assistance of expert bilingual naturalist guides.

== GENERAL INFORMATION ==

Type / Level: Ecotourism Type / Moderate Level Program.

Transfers: Daily from Cuiabá to lodge 12:30 or 3:30p.m. and from lodge to Cuiabá 8:30am or 12:30h.

Included: In / out photo-safari transfer, 2 overnights at Araras Eco Lodge + 1 overnight at Park Eco Lodge with 5 meals and 3 breakfasts. All above mentioned activities.

NOTE: The activities described may be altered due to weather conditions, season or group make-up with the intent of maximizing your experience of the eco-system).

Guide Languages: English (with possibility of Spanish, German, Italian or French)

Not included: Air tickets to/from Cuiabá. Beverages. Medical expenses and hospitalization. Any type of insurance.

Recommended Gear: T-shirts, long sleeved shirt, sneakers or hiking boots, jeans or track suit, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, binoculars, flashlight, camera and film. Sweatshirt or sweater recommended from June to September.

Note: all services under the assistance of expert bilingual naturalist guides.

== ARARAS LODGE – NORTH PANTANAL - (GATEWAY : CGB) ==

Location: Along the Transpantaneira Park Road, 132 Km (82 miles) from Cuiabá. (Cuiabá-Poconé: 100 km [62 miles], paved road + Poconé - Araras Eco Lodge: 32 Km [20 miles], dirt road).

== PARK ECO LODGE ==

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 “Veu 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.