Brazil Pantanal: Jaguars! & More - Naturalist Journeys · Brazil Pantanal: Jaguars! & More … With...

Brazil Pantanal: Jaguars! & More … With Naturalist Journeys & Caligo Ventures

NaturalistJourneys,LLC/CaligoVenturesPOBox16545Portal,AZ85632PH:520.558.1146/800.426.7781Fax650.471.7667naturalistjourneys.com/[email protected]/[email protected]



Sat., July 15 Arrival to São Paulo, Brazil ArrivetodayinSãoPaulo,Brazil,atGuarulhosInternationalAirport(GRU).Noactivitiesareplannedfortodaysoyoucanrestupfromyourtravels.Thetransfertoourhotelisincluded;ourhotelisabouttwentyminutesawayandwecanorganizeanearlycheck-inasanoptionforthosethatneedit.Thiseveningweenjoyawelcomedinner―achancetomeetyourguidesandtravelingcompanions,andlearnmoreaboutourcomingadventure.Thoseonourhighly-recommendedpre-triptotheAtlanticForestwillbereturningtojoinyou.WeinviteyoutosampleBrazil'snationalcocktail,thecaipirinha,madewithcachaça(sugarcaneliquor),sugar,andlime.Wepredictthismaybethefirstofmany.AccommodationsatHotelMatizGuarulhos(L,D)*Note:MostflightsfromtheUSAoriginateFriday,July14tomeetthisarrivaldate.Sun., July 16 Flight to Cuiabá / Transpantaneira Adventure Begins! AfteranearlydomesticflighttoCuiabá(about2hours),webeginourPantanaladventure!Drivingsouth,wereachthefamedPantanalviaapavedroadtoPoconé.EnroutewehavelunchinatypicalChurrasqueria,andenjoysimpleBrazilian-stylecuisine.Fromhere,wetravelthedirtTranspantaneiraRoad,perhapsonlyrivaledbyTanzania’sSerengetiroadforspottingwildlife.OurdestinationtonightisPousadaPiuval.Alongtheway,wemightseeRingedKingfisher,Red-crestedCardinal,LesserYellow-headedVulture,TocoToucan,Jabiru,Limpkin,ourfirstofmanyCapybaras,YacaréCaiman,andmore.

Itinerary



PousadaPiuvalislocatedjust10kmfromPoconé.ThisisthefirstlodgeontheTranspantaneira.Itissmall,abouttwentyrooms,andpartofalarge(7,000ha),family-runranch.Aftercheckin,wecanstretchourlegsonashortwalk.Thereisalovelypoolifanyonewantstocooloffwithaswim.AccommodationsatPousadaPiuval(B,L,D)Mon., July 17 Birding & Wildlife Spotting on the Transpantaneira / Drive to Pousada Alegra Aftersomemorningwildlifeviewingattheranch,wedepartdowntheTranspantaneira,keepinganeyeoutforRedBrocketDeer,MarshDeer,Crab-eatingFox,GreaterRhea,Chestnut-belliedGuan,Bare-facedCurassow,andamixofwadingbirds.AlthoughonlyaboutanhourandahalftoPousoAlegre,ahugefazenda(cattleranch)knownforexcellentwildlife,italwaystakeslonger―somanywildlifestops!Bridgesarehotspotsfromwhichwecanviewthepresenceofahugefoodsupply;GreenKingfisher,GreatEgret,CocoiHeron,bothBare-facedandGreenIbises,andWhite-loredSpinetailarejustafewspecieswemaysee.Wepassthroughscatteredpalmwoodlands,cerradoscrub,andseasonally-floodedgrasslandsreminiscentoftheEverglades.Roadsidepondsandcanalsarefilledwithwaders:RoseateSpoonbill,PlumbeousIbis,Limpkin,cormorants,herons,kingfishers,andtheirpredator,YacaréCaiman.JulywaterconditionsconcentratethefishforforagingwaderslikeJabiruandMaguariStork.



PousadaAlegreislovely,withpalmsthatattractseveralresidentpairsofHyacinthMacaw.Theopensavannaisedgedbyevergreenandsemi-deciduouswoodlands.Oncesettled,weenjoytrailsanddrivesfromthelodgeforchancesatrareGiantArmadillo,alongwithBlack-tailedMarmoset,BlackandGoldHowlerMonkey,SouthernTamandua,andGiantAnteater.AmongthesnakesatPousadaAlegreisoneofthegreatestofthemall,theYellowAnaconda.Thefazendaisalsohometo13parrotspecies,sevenowls,11woodpeckers,and16hummingbirds.AhighlightisthebrilliantblueHyacinthMacawthatroostswithinearshotofthelodge—whatathrill!Attheranchhouse,BrownCapuchinsmayjointhevariousparrotsandMonkandYellow-chevronedParakeetsworkingoverripemangotrees.Long-tailedGroundDovefeedjustoutsidethegateandFerruginousPygmyOwlcallfromthemangotreesatdusk.RelaxattheranchtonightandenjoyBrazilianbarbecue.AccommodationsatPousadaAlegre(B,L,D)Tues., July 18 Full Day at Fazenda Pousada Alegre / Night Excursion / Optional Horseback Riding AwakenearlytoachorusofbirdsandBlack-and-GoldHowlerMonkeysroaringinthedistance.ListenforUndulatedTinamouandwitnessthemagicofaPantanalsunrise.Itisfuntowatchthecowboysbringinhorsesfortheday’swork.Onanoptionalearlymorningwalk,wescanforSouthernCaracara,GuiaraCuckoo,Turquoise-frontedParrot,Buff-belliedHermit,WhiteWoodpecker,Gray-crestedCacholote,GreaterThornbird,CattleTyrant,VermilionFlycatcher,White-rumpedMonjito,andCampoOriole.Afterbreakfast,weventureoutonanopensafaritruck,enjoyingthepropertyandamazingsavanna.Immerseyourselfinthelocalactivitiesofcattleranchingandecotourismwhilecowboyshelpusspotwildlife.Friskycalvesplayinthefieldswhilewide-spreadingjacarandatreesdecoratetreeislandswithpurpleblossoms.



Somemaywishtoalternatelyventureoutbyhorseback,agreatwaytoexperienceranchlife.Inthecoolafternoon,afterlunchandasiesta(developingarhythmhere…)welookforBrownCapuchinMonkeyandbirdslikePurplishJay,Red-billedScythebill,TocoToucan,Bare-facedCurasow,Yellow-billedCardinal,GreatRufousWoodcreeper,NandayParakeet,Blue-crownedTrogon,andthreetypesofspinetail:White-lored,Cinereous-breasted,andChotoy.Thedayisfullofaction,withnewthingstoseeandadmire.Afterdinnerwemayventureoutforthefirstofoureveningspotlightingadventures,withhopesofseeingCrab-eatingFox,Crab-eatingRaccoon,catssuchasPumaorOcelot,GiantAnteater,andTapir.WeshouldalsospotseveralnightbirdsincludingParaque,andBand-tailedandLesserNightjars.AccommodationsatPousadaAlegre(B,L,D) Wed., July 19 Drive to Porto Jofre / Jaguar Boat Excursion WeenjoywildlifewalksagainthismorningbeforemovingontotheendoftheroadatPortoJofre.Alongtheway,workingtheroadbetweenpondsandscatteredpalmwoodlands,wesearchformorebirdsandmammalsthatwehavenotseenyet.ThislowerpartofthePantanalhasexcellentwildlife,butmanytravelersdonotreachthisremotearea.HerewetryforGreat-rufousWoodcreeper,Orange-



backedTroupial,SpottedRail,Pearly-ventedTodyTyrant,GreatAntshrike,andothers.Westayalert,perhapsfindingahugeYellowAnaconda,atroopofCoatimundi,orforagingAgouti.Wecoveranother110kmenroutetoPortoJofre,alittletownontheCuiabáRiver.Fromhere,wetravelforthenexttwodaysinalovelyhouseboat.Roomsareair-conditioned,withprivatebath.This“floatinghotel”takesustowherethewildlifehasbeenspotted.Wecheckintoourcabins,havedinner,thenhaveabriefingonsafetyandwildlifewehopetosee.Ifskiesareclear,starviewingisimpressive―youcanseetheSouthernCross!Accommodationsinprivatecabinsonafloatinghouseboathotel!(B,L,D)Thurs., July 20 Full Day Looking for Jaguar, Jabiru & More / Jaguar Boat Excursion Awakeontherivertoahostofsoundsandthesightofmacawsandmoreflyingoverhead.WeusesmallerspeedboatstospendthedaysearchingfortheiconicJaguar,knownfortheiraffinitytowater.Theyaregoodswimmers,andoftenlaydownalongtheshoreafteraswim.Chancesaregoodthatweseeatleastoneindividual,maleorfemale―perhapseventogether!Welunchonboard,takeashortsiesta(yes,lovethatAC…)andtryforaJaguaragainintheafternoon.WildlifeisplentifulinthisremotepartofthePantanal,soonceweaccomplishthemaintask(aJaguar,ofcourse)wehavetimetoadmireotherspecieslikeGiantOtter,BlackSkimmer,PiedPlover,SouthernScreamer,andYacaréCaiman.WealsovisitlittlestreamsforskulkerslikePygmyKingfisherandSungrebe.Bylateafternoonwereturntoourwelcominghouseboat.Wecelebrateoursightingswithcaipirinhasbeforedinner!Accommodationsinprivatecabinsonafloatinghouseboathotel!(B,L,D)Fri., July 21 Wildlife & Birding on the Lower Transpantaneira



AftertwodaysimmersedinthewildestpartofthePantanal,wereturnnorth,retracingourroute.Wearenotinahurrythough,andworkinmoredetailsomeoftheareaswepreviouslytraveled.PerhapswefindatroopofBlack-and-GoldHowlerMonkeys,Chestnut-earedAracari,SnailKite,Rusty-backedAntwren,CommonTodyFlycatcher,White-browedBlackbird,andothersspeciesaswedrivetoournextlodge,PousadaVitoria.WewatchforCream-coloredWoodpecker,Ashy-headedGreenlet,Short-crestedFlycatcher,MatoGrossoAntbird,GreatAntshrike,andPurple-throatedEuphonia.NearwaterwefindWhistlingandCappedHerons,PygmyandRingedKingfishers,Sunbittern,Black-collaredandGreatBlackHawks,andRusty-backedSpinetail.OncewearriveatPantanalWildlifeCentre(FazendaSantaTereza),wesettleinandcheckthefeedersforbrilliant-coloredTroupials,Palm,Silver,andSayacaTanagers,andRed-crestedCardinal.Afterdinnerwetakeanightsafarilookingformammals,RufousandLittleNightjars,andowls.WekeepourfingerscrossedforGreatPotoo.AccommodationsatthePantanalWildlifeCentre(FazendaSantaTereza),RioClaro(B,L,D)Sat., July 22 Pixaim River Area Wildlife & Birding It’sanothermorningforgazingatthesunrisewhilesippinggoodBraziliancoffee.TodaywespendtimeclosetothelodgeandalsotakeasmallboatrideontheRioClaroorPixaimRivertospotsecretivespecieslikeAgamiandZig-ZagHeron.ThisisagoodspotforGiantOttersand,withluckandsomesearching,aTapir.Thelandscapesareuniqueandmakeforgreatpictures.WelookforBlack-cappedDonacobious,Green-and-rufousKingfisher,LittleBlueHeron,andotherspecieslikesomeveryimpressiveiguanas.Wethenreturnforlunch,asiesta,andawalkinGalleryForesthabitatlookingforspecialbirdslikeHelmetedManakin,MatoGrossoAntbird,Band-tailedAntbird,Black-hoodedTanager,Blue-crownedTrogon,andmore.DinnerfindsussamplingauthenticGrossocuisine,includinglegendarypiranhaandlocalbeef.AccommodationsatthePantanalWildlifeCentre(FazendaSantaTereza),RioClaro(B,L,D)



Sun., July 23 Return to Cuiabá / Observation Tower WehavealastmorningtoenjoythePantanalandvisitoneofthelocalobservationtowersforcloseviewsofJabirunests,perhapsthemosticonicbirdofthePantanal.MonkParakeetattendthesenests,andherewelearnmoreabouttheirsymbioticrelationship.WemakeourwaybacktoCuiabá;thepavedroadisperhapsawelcomesightaswebidadieutothePantanal.OurplanistohaveafinaldinnerandovernightinCuiabásothosewithinternationalflightscangooutthefollowingdayatatimeconvenienttomatchuptothatflightout.ThoseontheextensionmayovernightinCuiabáorinBeloHorizonte,makingtheflightinthelate-afternoon,dependingonthatflightschedule.AccommodationsattheSlavieroHotel,CuiabáorequivalentinBeloHorizonteforthoseontheextension.(B,L,D)Mon., July 24 Main Tour Departures / Maned Wolf Extension ThoseleavingtodaytakeflightsfromCuiabátomakeInternationalflightsfromSãoPaulo.

Pre-Tour Atlantic Forest Extension



OneofthemostbeautifulbirdingsitesintheAtlanticForestisItatiaiaNationalPark,locatedjust250kilometersfromSãoPauloandishometooneofthelargestaltitudinaldifferencesofanybirdingsiteinBrazil,rangingfromhumidAtlanticForestat300meters,uptothe“camposdealtitude”at2,800meters.ItatiaiawasBrazil’sfirstnationalparkandsheltersanincrediblevarietyofbirds,includingBlackHawk-eagle,Dusky-leggedGuan,Slaty-breastedWood-Rail,GiantSnipe,White-throatedHummingbird,BrazilianRuby,FrilledCoquette,Black-breastedPlover-Crest,SaffronToucanet,Yellow-frontedandRobustWoodpeckers,Wing-bandedHornero,White-browedFoliage-gleaner,ItatiaiaThistletail,Speckle-breastedAntpitta,GiantandLarge-tailedAntshrikes,White-bibbedandRufous-tailedAntbirds,Fork-tailedPygmy-tyrant,SouthernAntpipit,VelvetyBlack-tyrant,Pin-tailedManakin,EasternSlatyThrush,Red-ruffedFruitcrow,Black-and-GoldCotinga,Brassy-breastedandGilt-edgedTanagers,andSharpbill.

Tues., July 11 Arrival in São Paulo YouarrivetodayinSãoPauloforourAtlanticForestpre-tourextension.Aftergatheringyourbagsandgoingthroughcustomswedrivetoourhoteltorestupfromthelongflightandgettoknowtheothersinthegroup.AccommodationsinSãoPaulo(D)Wed., July 12 Trihla dos Tucanos / Itatiaia National Park WedepartourhotelthismorningtodrivetoTrihladosTucanos,alovelygardenwherewehavethechancetoadmireafewAtlanticendemicslikeRed-neckedTanager,SaffronToucanet,Green–headedTanager,SombreHummingbird,andothers.Wevisitedlastyearandmarveledatallwesaw;theSaffronToucanetwasfeaturedonour2017catalogcover.Weenjoyourlunchhere,andthenifwecanripourselvesawaymid-afternoon,wedriveonanother2.5hourstoItatiaiaNationalParkwhereweenjoydinner.AccommodationsatHoteldoYpe(B,L,D)Thurs., July 13 & Fri., July 14 Itatiaia National Park



Weenjoythenexttwodaysbirdingaroundthelodgeandonthepark’strailsnearthelodge.Thisisacombinationofroadbirding,feedertime,andgardenbirding.Thereareanincrediblenumberofbirdshere,withexcellentbirdingnearourhotels.WecanhopetoseeDusky-leggedGuan,Red-breastedToucan,SaffronToucanet,PallidSpinetail,Gray-cappedTyrannulet,andSwallow-tailedCotinga.HummingbirdfeedersnearthehotelsattractstunningFrilledCoquetteandmore.Thereareafewtrailsthatgiveusaccessintothepark.ThebestistheTresPicosTrail,whichprovidesaccesstotheforestinteriorwheregoodbirdsarefound.OnepossibilityistheSlatyBristlefront,atapaculothatisalwayshardtosee.OthergoodbirdshereincludeWhite-collaredFoliage-gleaner,Black-billedScythebill,White-beardedAntshrike,RufousGnateater,Fork-tailedTody-Tyrant,Large-headedFlatbill,andBrownTanager.ThesecretiveSuch'sAntthrushisalsofoundintheforest,butisdifficulttosee.AccommodationsatHoteldoYpeandHotelSimon,respectively(B,L,D)Sat., July 15 Itatiaia National Park Thismorningweenjoyanearlybreakfast,thendrivetotheAgulhasNegrasroadintothehighlandsonthefarsideofthepark.Thisroadgivesusaccesstohigherelevationhabitatwheresomespecialtybirdsarefound.NotableamongtheseareWhite-rumpedHawk,Rufous-thighedHawk,AraucariaTit-Spinetail,ItatiaiaThistletail,Buff-browedFoliage-gleaner,Rufous-tailedAntbird,Black-and-goldCotinga,Black-cappedPiprites,Brown-breastedBambooTyrant,Shear-tailedGrayTyrant,DiademedTanager,Gray-throatedWarbling-Finch,andBay-chestedWarbling-Finch.Afterwefinishbirdinghere,wedrivebacktoSãoPaulowherewemeetupwithourcompanions,overnightbeforethestartofourmaintrip(andin-countryflight)tothePantanal!AccommodationsatHotelMatizGuarulhos(B,L,D)

Mon., July 24 Extension Flight to Belo Horizonte / Minas Gerais

Post-Tour Maned Wolf Extension



WeeithermaketheflightfromCuiabátoBeloHorizontetheafternoonoftheJuly23,orthemorningoftheJuly24,pendingtheairlineschedule.Eitherway,thisnightiscoveredforyou.OurdestinationfortheextensionistheSantuáriodoCaraça,anhourandahalfeastofBeloHorizonte,locatedinan11,000+-hectarereservethatholdsamazingfloraandfauna,uniquetotheAtlanticForest.Thesanctuarywasfoundedin1774asa“HouseofHolidays”forpilgrimsandvisitorslookingtoconvertandchangetheirlives.Itwasreinventedasaninninthe1970sandnowhassimpleaccommodations,aswellasentryintotheadjoiningreserve.Itisafabulouslandscapeandhikingtrailsabound!Itisalsobird-rich,withanumberofAtlanticForestspeciesminglingwiththoseofthemountainlocation.OurgoalinpartistoseetheManedWolf,SouthAmerica’slargestandoneofitsfewrarewildcanines.Anafter-dinnerritualispuremagicasapriestsetsoutaceremonialplateofscrapsforthewolves.Allaresilentinanticipationasoneofthesebeautifulcreaturesquietlygrabsaquickmeal,thenretreatsintothenight.AccommodationsattheCaraçaSanctuary(B,L,D)Tues., July 25 Full Day at Santuário Caraça / Atlantic Forest Birding & Maned Wolf Thismorningweventureoutinsearchofnewbirds:VelvetyBlackTyrant,Swallow-tailedCotinga,White-belliedWarbler,Brassy-breastedTanager,andothers.Thisisaverydifferenthabitattoexploreandourguidesharesinformationaboutthelocalgeologyandplantlife. ThiseveningisreservedfortimewiththeManedWolfagain,averyspecialcreature!AccommodationsattheCaraçaSanctuary(B,L,D)



Wed., July 26 Full Day atSantuário Caraça / Savanna Species & Maned WolfWespendthedayexploringParqueNaturaldoCaraça,wherethecerrado(savanna)transitionsintoMataAtlántica(Atlanticrainforest).Isolatedfromtherestoftheworldbyamountainridge,theformermonasteryisnestledinabowl-shapedvalley,withsidecreeksformingwaterfallsandnaturalswimmingholes;thehillsidesarelinedwithhikingtrails.It’seasytoseewhypeoplefirstcamehereseekingchangeandrenewal.Wefindbothnewspeciesandaspeciallandscape.TheeveningprovidesyouafinalopportunitytowatchfortheManedWolfbeforeweenjoyourfarewellparty.AccommodationsattheCaraçaSanctuary(B,L,D)Thurs., July 27 Ouro Preto World Heritage Site City Visit / Belo Horizonte OuroPreto,meaning“BlackGold,”wasthehubforBrazil’s18thCenturygoldrush.Butasthegolddwindled,sodidOuroPreto’spopulation.Becauseofthetown’sisolatedlocation,theeconomystayedstagnant,whichinturnkepttheoriginalarchitecturewell-preserved.Wearriveandfollowthecity’soriginalwindingroad,surroundedbystunningBaroquearchitecture.ThesymboliccenterofaBrazilianindependencemovementinthelate1700s,thecitywashometomanyexceptionalBaroqueartistsandarchitectsincludingAleijadinho,bestknownforhisChurchofSãoFranciscoofAssisiintown.Wespendthedaymeanderinginthislovelytown,enjoytheeveningthere.AccommodationsatHotelConfinsinBeloHorizonte(B,L,D) Fri., July 28 Flight from Belo Horizonte / Connect to International Flights TodaywedepartfortheBeloHorizonteairport,fromwhichyoucanconnecttoInternationalflights,orevencatchdirectflightsfromherebacktotheUSA.PleaseplantheseforNoononwards.MostflightsfortheUSAdepartfromSãoPaulointheevening,arrivingbackintheUSAonSaturday,July29.IfyouneedtoovernightineitherBeloHorizonteorSãoPaulotomakeyourflightschedulework,wecanmakearrangementsforyou(additionalcost)(B,thenmealsonflights)

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Cost of the Journey



Cost of the Journey Thecostofthe10-daymaintouris$4690perperson,doubleoccupancy,and$5090singleoccoupancy.Tourpriceincludes9nights’accomodations,allmealsasnotedintheitinerary,airporttransfers,landandboattransportationduringthejourney,professionalguideservices,parkandotherentrancefees,andmiscellaneousprogramexpenses.TourcostdoesnotincludeairfaretoSãoPauloandfromCuiabaoryourchoiceofdepartureairportifyouareonthepost-tourextension,personalexpensessuchaslaundry,telephone,drinksfromthebar,andgratuitiesforluggagehandlingorotherservices.Costofthepre-tourAtlanticForestextensionis$1095perpersonbasedondoubleoccupancy,and$1215singleoccupancy.Costofthepost-tourManedWolfextensionis$1225perpersonbasedondoubleoccupancy,$1390singleoccupancy.*Note!Ifyouchoosetojoinusonboththepre-tourandpost-tourextensions,wewouldbehappytoofferyoua$100discountperperson.Travel Information AirportisGuarulhosInternational(GRU).Forthemaintour,plantoarriveatatimeconvenientforyouonJuly15.PleaseplandeparturesonJuly24thatwillworkwithaflightoutfromCuiaba—ifyoumustleaveearlywecanlookatflyingyououtthenightbefore.Bestifthisflightcanbeintheafternoonoreveningtomakeforalow-stressendtoyourtrip.Ifyouplantoparticipateonthepre-tourAtlanticforestextension,plantoarriveatatimeconvenientforyouonJuly11.OnJuly28,ifyouareonthepost-extension,youcandepartafterNoonfromBeloHorizontes. Photo Credits Jaguar,XavierMuñoz(XM),HyacinthMacawswithChick,XM;CapybaraFamily,PegAbbott(PA);Jaguar,PA;RufousHorneo,PA;PlumbeousIbis,XM;YacareCaiman,XM;Storks,NaturalistJourneysStock(NJS);GiantAnteater,NJS;MonkParakeets,NJS;FerruginousPygmyOwl,MikeBoyce;SouthernCaracaras,NJS;PantanalHorsebackRide,NJS;Jaguar,PA;GiantOtter,BudFerguson;Coati,NJS;Riverboat,NJS;MacawsinFlight,NJS;CappedHeron,PA;SnailKite,PA;PantanalHorses,NJS;Green-headedTanager,PA;SaffronToucanet,PA;Rufous-tailedJacamar,TomDove;HyacinthMacaws,MarkWetzel;ManedWolf,XM;Spot-billedToucanet,PA;OuroPreto,Wikipedia;PantanalStorksandEgrets,NJS.

Brazil Pantanal: Jaguars! & More - Naturalist Journeys · Brazil Pantanal: Jaguars! & More … With...

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Transcript of Brazil Pantanal: Jaguars! & More - Naturalist Journeys · Brazil Pantanal: Jaguars! & More … With...