Pantanal wildlife photography tour in Brazil
| country: | Brazil |
| location: | Pantanal |
| departures: | 2010: 1 Sep |
| price: | From £1420 (8 days) excluding flights, based on double/twin sharing. Price includes, all meals and transport shown, local guides and experts, all arrangements, accommodation & guided sightseeing as per the itinerary |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This exhilarating small group trip is tailor-made for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who want not only to visit the most important ecological sanctuary in the world, but visit remote areas to discover those rare animals seldom seen.
Accompanied by expert naturalist guides who know the area well, they go that extra mile to show you the best that this fascinating region has to offer.
Located in the valley of the untouched Paraguayzinho River, this region has no signs of civilization, but 35 years ago the prized Swedish photographer Arne Sucksdorff made this spectacular part of the world his home for over 25 years as the scenery and wildlife in this area was unlike anything else he had photographed in the world.
You will visit one of the largest nesting sites of migratory birds, as well as being intimate with this very varied environments of this ecosystem by joining activities including boat trip, hiking, horse-riding, night safaris and nature drives all giving you excellent photographic and wildlife opportunities.
Designed to get you away from the tourist trails to remote off-road areas, your journey uses 4WD vehicles that will help you discover those rare animals, off the beaten track that only very few people see. This trip will allow you to see what the Pantanal was like almost 30 years ago, before the development of the tourism. An abundance of wildlife in remote areas set around dramatic scenery travelling with like minded people, led by expert naturalist guides - what more could a photographer need?
Accompanied by expert naturalist guides who know the area well, they go that extra mile to show you the best that this fascinating region has to offer.
Located in the valley of the untouched Paraguayzinho River, this region has no signs of civilization, but 35 years ago the prized Swedish photographer Arne Sucksdorff made this spectacular part of the world his home for over 25 years as the scenery and wildlife in this area was unlike anything else he had photographed in the world.
You will visit one of the largest nesting sites of migratory birds, as well as being intimate with this very varied environments of this ecosystem by joining activities including boat trip, hiking, horse-riding, night safaris and nature drives all giving you excellent photographic and wildlife opportunities. Designed to get you away from the tourist trails to remote off-road areas, your journey uses 4WD vehicles that will help you discover those rare animals, off the beaten track that only very few people see. This trip will allow you to see what the Pantanal was like almost 30 years ago, before the development of the tourism. An abundance of wildlife in remote areas set around dramatic scenery travelling with like minded people, led by expert naturalist guides - what more could a photographer need?
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Cuiaba / Pantanal: On arrival into Cuiaba you will be greeted by your English speaking naturalist guide and transferred to your lodge in the heart of the Pantanal. The Pantanal is one of nature's last frontiers, the world's largest animal reserve and home to more than 600 different species of birds and 230 varieties of fish, it is made up of a huge lowland plain, entirely overgrown by lush vegetation. The Pantanal includes many rivers and crystalline lakes, as it used to be a vast inland sea. Rare species of birds and other animals seek shelter along their shores and cluster around the diminishing pools during the dry season from May through to November. |
| Day 3-4: | The Pousada São Cristóvão: Up at sunrise for a hike to a small hill where many rare animals can be seen as the day breaks. Return for breakfast and take a horse-ride through the fields with the land owners. After lunch depart along an ‘off the beaten track’ route crossing forests and fields until reaching your remote lodge, the São Cristóvão lodge. You arrive in the afternoon in time to enjoy a gorgeous sunset and plenty of photographic opportunities. The Pousada São Cristóvão is located on the banks of the Bento Gomes River. This is an authentic fazenda (farm) and has been in operation for more than 50 years, offering simple but comfortable accommodation with private facilities. The dining room is screened so you can see and hear a wide variety of wildlife whist enjoying your home cooked meals. This area hosts a large diversity of wildlife because of its isolated location, you may see pumas, jaguars, and small cats such as the ocelot, as well as tapir, giant anteater, peccary, howler monkey, caiman and hundreds of bird species, so always have your cameras ready. Staying two nights at Pousada São Cristóvão in a twin room on a full board basis. |
| Day 5-6: | Caranda lodge: Early morning departure to your next lodge, the Carandá lodge. We use local transport today, a cattle truck, as it provides you with the chance to be in an area which is used by the local indigenous people and an area hardly ever visited by travellers. This transfer offers some of the best photography in the area and many stops will be made before your arrival at Fazenda Carandá, one of the most beautiful farms in the middle of the Pantanal. Here you will experience life on a typical working farm, enjoy long rides on horseback or trekking-tours to watch the flora and fauna, but also short boat or fishing trip on the nearby lake. Our guides are at your disposal 24 hours a day, who are experts in the local flora and fauna (qualified biologists). Located in the valley of the Paraguayzinho river, where any sign of civilization has never passed, this enchanted region was also home the home of the prized Swedish photographer Arne Sucksdorff, 35 years ago. Many rare parrots, Hyacinth Macaws, ocelots and giant anteaters live in this area, which uniquely for the Pantanal has some mountains and in some areas, mysterious caves. We will visit one of the largest nesting sites of migratory birds in the whole area. Other activities include boat trips, hiking, horse-riding, night and truck safaris |
| Day 7: | Pocone: Early morning we head towards the town of Poconé, a 65 km journey crosses many old farm steeds providing some stunning wilderness scenery shots. An unexplored area where you cross paths with the local people before leaving Poconé, and heading back on the 1-hour journey to Cuiabá for an overnight stay at the The Pousada Solar Inn, located a few metres from the Central Square, Banks, shops and supermarkets. It has well decorated and comfortable rooms with en suite facilities |
| Day 8: | Transfer and departure: This morning you have time to look around this small town and the surrounding areas before your transfer back to the airport to meet your flight. |
possible extensions
Rio de Janeiro As the Brazilians say, 'God made the world in six days. The seventh he devoted to Rio'. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Rio is unsurpassed for its natural beauty. Its magnificent shoreline, with charming bays and beautiful beaches, is an important part of Rio social life and offers numerous outdoor activities from biking to surfing. In the mountains above Rio, you will find the Tijuca national forest, the largest natural urban park in the world.
The city's eight million inhabitants, known as 'Cariocas', are friendly, carefree people who always seem to find time for the pleasures of good living.
Iguazu Falls, Iguazu National Park The vast roaring cataracts of Iguazu, or "big water," the name given by the native people of this subtropical forest region. Located in the northeast corner of Argentina, near the borders of Paraguay and Brazil, Iguazu National Park features a 2.7-km crescent-shaped front over which pour the waters of the mighty Iguazu River.
The 49,200 hectares of the national park encompass subtropical wet forests. Swathed with begonias, orchids, ferns and palms, the Iguazu Falls are home to 500 species of butterfly, as well as mammals such as red brocket deer, South American coatis, white-eared opposums and brown capuchins. Toucans, parrots, caciquies and great dusky swifts dodge the spray.
Please ask us for details and costs
this tourism business won an award
in our 2005 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine.how this holiday makes a difference
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Community
In all the areas in this trip we use local ground agents, local small privately owned accommodations and local guides, by doing this we are helping the economy of the agents, accommodations and guides and thus sustains tourism in this area. All properties are in local communities in remote areas and at times tourism is there only source of income. All food and materials are sourced from the village where possible; the fish for dinner will have been caught by fishermen earlier that day and vegetables come from local gardens. All of the properties used in this trip recycle all waste, bottles and plastic within the community to be used time and time again. Environment All our local guides are fully trained in protecting the wildlife and are cautious to pass this information on to each client in the group. The average group size ranges from two to four people. This allows a for more personalised service and increased trip flexibility. We make every effort during our tours to abide by a responsible code of ecotourism to minimize any detrimental impact on the environment and local culture. In 2007 we celebrated 10 years of spectacular achievement as pioneers in the field of nature travel. We have raised significant funds in support of the world's leading wildlife and conservation agencies, researchers and experts, and increased awareness of travel and conservation through newsletters, lectures and consistent media coverage. Furthermore we have voluntarily spearheaded collective action campaigns such as Travel Operators for Tigers in South Asia. Our travel partners, accommodation, service providers and ground agents are all carefully chosen to ensure their commitment to the environment, most being quality, family owned businesses - reflecting the unique character of the places, the abiding hospitality of its people and the remarkable spirit of its wilderness. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |