The Naturalist

The Naturalist – Best of Eco programs – 10 days / 9 nights

Day 1 – Manaus

Manaus – Capital of Amazonas, the largest state in Brazil, is a modern city. It is also the ideal point of departure for visiting the rest of the Amazon region. Tour boats leave Manaus to see the Meeting of the Waters, where the black waters of the Negro River meet the light waters of the Solimoes River, flowing side by side without mixing for several miles. Visitors can also explore river banks and “igarapes”, swim and canoe in placid lakes or simply walk in the lush forest. Arrive Manaus – transfer to hotel Overnight Hotel Tropical Manaus.

Day 2 – Manaus (B, D)

This morning, Half day city tour of Manaus – Visit to some typical neighborhoods in Manaus with a stop at the Rio Negro Palace, where the local Mayor lives, visit to the Indian Museum, where we can see some of the tradition, objects and costumes used by this people. After that, visit to the Teatro Amazonas (Opera House), the mainly tourist spot in the city. In the afternoon, board the Amazon Clipper Premmium boat, for a 3 nights cruise on the Amazon Forest (Departures only on Wednesdays) Leaves the Hotel Tropical landing-stage at 02:30 pm. Presentation on board of the staff, route and facilities. Navigation to the Ariau river (tributary of Rio Negro). canoe trip shortly before sunset, returning
after dark, with the possibility of observing nocturnal animals and perceive the change in the forest as night falls. Dinner. Navigation to Açu-Creck or nearby tributaries. Overnight at Amazon Clipper boat.

Day 3 – Manaus (B, L, D)

Walk in the forest with commentaries by specialists. Observation of flora. Visit to a “Caboclo” family. Change to see the local way of life, preparation of manioc flour (the staple food stuff of the Amazon), the health and education situation of children, etc. Lunch. Navigation through the Anavilhanas Archipelago. Visit to the small, isolated town of Novo Airo with opportunity to see local boat building sawmills, market, sometimes the commerce of palm-fiber and ornamental fish, and other activities. Navigation. Dinner. Night trip to see Caymans and possibly frogs, sloth, snakes and other species, depending on the season. Overnight at Amazon Clipper boat.

Day 4 – Manaus (B, L, D)

Breakfast. Navigation to Praia Grande or other while-sand beach. Swimming if conditions permit, and observation of vegetation of sandy areas. Canoes trip in Lake Acajatuba or adjacent lake to see typical
flora (rubber trees, Brazil nuts, useful palm trees of various types). Fishing for piranhas. Lunch. Depending on water-level and wind: stop at the Paricatuba community to see old, abandoned rubber-boom buildings, now overgrown with strangler fig trees, or canoe trip in the Jacareubal area. Dinner. Navigation. Overnight at Amazon Clipper boat.

Day 5 – Manaus / Cuiaba (B)

Lake Januari. Canoe trip at sunrise for bird watching. Breakfast. Navigation to the “Meeting of the Waters”. Return to the Hotel Tropical landing-stage, with fine views of Manaus waterfront buildings,
activities and commerce. Arrival at 11:30am in Manaus. Transfer to airport for flight to Cuiabá. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Deville Cuiabá.

Day 6 – Pantanal (B, L, D)

Pantanal – Along with the Amazon Basis, the Pantanal is one of the last virgin areas on the face of earth. A huge lowland plain, it is entirely overgrown by luxuriant vegetation dotted by thousands of
rainbow colored flowers which bloom during the rainy season (Dec to March). It shelters innumerable rivers and crystal clear lakes. Along their shores are rare species of animals such as jaguars, peccaries, bob-cats, wild boards not to mention flocks of ducks, Gray Teals, pigeons, partridges and herons who live in total and undisturbed freedom protected by the laws that created the National Parks. Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to PousadaRio Mutum passing through the small village of Mimoso, where Mal. Candido Rondon was born. On the way, observation of many kind of birds, small mammals and typical landscapes. After check-in, introduction to the lodge and area around it and lunch. Afternoon with activiities at the pousada. In the evening a delicious piranha soup is served just before dinner. After dinner, introduction to the activities of the following days. Overnight at Pousada do Rio Mutum.

Day 7 – Pantanal (B, L, D)

After breakfast, horseback trail riding in the jungle, up to the edge of the Siá Mariana bay. During the whole year, a big variety of birds, animals and reptiles can be observed. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, boat ride for a photographic safari in Mutum River. In its crystal clear water it is possible to see giant otters, stingrays and shoals of small fish. At the Mutum river banks, a large variety of birds can be observed. Return to the lodge for dinner, then nocturnal animal spotting by jeep in the lodge surrounding area. Overnight at Pousada do Rio Mutum.

Day 8 – Pantanal/ Iguassu Falls (B)

Early morning (4:30am) – Canoeing in the Mutum river to observe the sunrise and the beauty of wildlife at the break of dawn in the Pantanal. Return to the lodge, breakfast and check-out. Transfer to the Cuiabá airport for flight to Iguassu. Iguaçu’s falls are one of the planet’s natural wonders. Thousands of Brazilian and foreign tourists visit one of the main tourist attractions on the country. Foz do Iguassu is the municipality where the main tourist attractions go hand-in-hand with the most exuberant scenery provided by nature and mankind in the “Land of the Falls” it is possible to take in the splendor of the Native and man-made forests, rivers and lakes, and still in this ecological paradise, have the opportunity to shop for the most varied products, not only in Foz do Iguassu but in Ciudad del Leste (Paraguay) and Puerto Iguaçu (Argentina). Formed on Iguaçu river, the falls go down an average height of 60 meters by an extension of 2700 meters. The number of falls varies from 275 to 150, depending on the river’s outflow. The major part of the falls is located in Argentina, but all its beauty can be admired on Brazilian side. Surrounded trails by ostentatious subtropical forest of Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Iguaçu National Park) takes the visitor to runways and lookouts to observe the falls. Arrive Iguassu, transfer to Hotel. Overnight Hotel das Cataratas.

Day 9 – Iguassu Falls (B)

Am tour of the Brazilian side of the Falls – Tour stars walking from the Hotel. Located Inside the Brazilian side of National Iguassu Park, a walk is undertaken inside the sub-tropical forest during 45 minutes . In the afternoon, Macuco Safari boat tour – Towed by jeep, visitors are driven through the forest watching birds wild animals and exotic vegetation. At the end of 2 miles ride, a boat takes visitors upstream the nearest possible under the thundering water wall. Overnight at Hotel das Cataratas.

Day 10 – Iguassu Falls / Sao Paulo (B)

Am tour of the Argentina side of the falls -Located inside Argentina’s side of National Park. Visitors cross the Argentinean border and end up into the Parque National del Iguassu, 40 km away from the Brazilian border. A walking tour on the falls. Pm transfer to airport for your flight to Sao Paulo to connect for your international flight back home.

Suggested Hotels

Tropical Manaus

Amazon Clipper Premium

Deville Cuiba Hotel

Pousada Rio Mutum

Hotel Das Cataratas

Note:

LAND ONLY .

Amazon Clipper Premium packages only from Wednesdays to Saturdays

• 24 hours assistance while in the country

• – Rates valid for individual reservations only and are subject to change based in specific hotel availability at time of booking. Not valid during holidays, special events, Carnival or New Year’s;

• – Airfare not included; let us quote your best customized airfare based on your specifications; contact us for details.

• – Important Notice: This is a general itinerary, which does not necessarily incorporate the special interests that you may have . Please contact us at 1-800-998-5521 or info@globotur.com to customize this trip for you.