The Amazon and the Pantanal are teeming with wildlife and contain the greatest diversity of flora and fauna in the world. This magical trip will offer you a chance to see howler monkeys, caimans, river dolphins and maybe even jaguars. You will experience the enchantment of life.
In the Amazon basin thrives a forest that reveals hundreds of tree species, thousands of different species of birds and impressive animals. Known animals include snakes such as the anaconda and birds such as toucans, parrots and hummingbirds. In this natural paradise we will spend our first eight days. On our comfortable floating home we explore the heart of this area. The adventure continues in the Pantanal, noteworthy for its biologically rich environment and known to be the world`s biggest ecological sanctuary. There is a great chance to see the giant river otters, yacaré caimans and the rare hyacinth macaw. Maybe we will hear the sound of a jaguar in the middle of the night, and if lucky we might even see it. The trip ensures full respect for nature. We leave as few traces as possible and approach the animals with caution. This is true eco-tourism.
Day 1: London - Sao Paulo
We fly from London towards Sao Paulo.
Day 2: Manaus
We arrive in Sao Paulo in the morning. From here we fly directly to the city of Manaus and transfer to our comfortable hotel.
Day 3 - 8: The heart of the Amazon
We now begin our cruise up the very nutrient and sediment rich Rio Solimões, home to most of the plants and birds of the rainforest, and up the Rio Negro, the least inhabited river in the Amazon. With motorised canoes we explore the heart of a lavish forest filled with trees in eye-catching shapes. Our route depends on the weather and the wildlife we encounter. Here are a few places we plan to visit:
Sights of Manaus
We take a guided tour of the city of Manaus, visiting the colourful fish, fruit and vegetable market and the Opera house, Teatro Amazonico.
"Wedding of the waters"
This is where the inky-black coloured waters of the Rio Negro meet with the light brownish waters of the Solimões without mixing for more than 9 kilometres, before they intermingle to form the Amazon River.
Ilha Barroso
We cruise up Rio Solimões and reach Ilha Barroso. The Giant Amazon water lilies "Victoria Amazonica" with leaves up to six feet in diameter are found here.
Lake Janauaca
At this large lake we watch the roosting of thousands of impressive egrets and cormorants. Using the canoes, we search for nocturnal life in the forest, like caimans, sloths, iguanas and bats.
Archipelago of Anavilhanas
Up the Rio Negro we find the biggest fresh water archipelago in the world. With about 400 islands, extending over 90 kilometres, it is a labyrinth of lakes and flooded land. The compact vegetation serves as a shelter for unique fauna and flora. The impressive black water has aquatic life in abundance with famous species of fish, such as the pirarucu, which measures up to four metres.
During the low water season hundreds of beaches appear, offering us wildlife sightings of caimans and iguanas.
Três Bocas
We might be greeted by the croaking sounds of the blue and yellow macaws, while cruising up the Rio Negro. We get a fishing lesson in how to catch one of the Amazon`s most famous fish - the black piranha. After that we all have to count our fingers...
Parana Jacaré
In the region of Parana Jacaré chances are good that the significant sound of the howler monkey will wake us up. The day is used for various explorations using our motorised canoes.
Novo Airão
The small village of Novo Airão is known for its traditional shipyard for wooden boats. Even today, the manufacturing of regional boats continues to be the main income. We get the opportunity to buy local handicraft and most likely enjoy another unique highlight - the feeding of the pink dolphins. It is fantastic to see these sleek animals revealing their beautifully pink-tinted backs.
Day 9: From Manaus to Cuiabá
We return to Manaus. Now it is time to change course, go to the airport and fly to Cuiabá. We arrive late in the evening and check in to our comfortable hotel.
Day 10: The Transpantaneira
After breakfast new adventures start in the wildlife eldorado - Pantanal. It is located 2000 km from the Atlantic Ocean, yet only 100 to 200 metres above sea level, bounded by higher ground from which the rains flow. This creates the largest wetland in the world. After 100 kilometres through a dry cerrado landscape we are at the beginning of the Transpantaneira highway. Suddenly the wildlife is abundant; weprobably see herons, caimans, cormorants and ibises. In the evening we arrive at Porto Jofre,
where we will stay for the next three nights.
Day 11 and 12: Jaguar Safari, Port Jofre
For two full days we explore the wildlife by boat in this incredibly rich area, in search of the King of Pantanal - the jaguar. The jaguar family has increased here in the last few years and they have become less frightened. You need a certain amount of luck to see a jaguar, but the chances are better here than in almost any other place. Here, we may also encounter the charming river otters. When darkness falls we bring our spotlights and hope to see several sparkling eyes of caimans, crab-eating foxes and ocelots, maybe even tapirs, marsh deers or jaguars...
Day 13 - 15: Piuval Lodge
We head towards Piuval Lodge, where we will spend three nights. It is located on a 7000-hectare cattle ranch and the large open fields mixed with forest offer an amazing diversity of animals and birds. We see the capybara, the most common mammal in the Pantanal with its guinea pig face and bear-like coat, weighing around 60 kg. If lucky we will see capuchin monkeys, giant anteaters, and maybe a yellow anaconda. During the days at Piuval we will set out on exciting excursions.
A morning walk will introduce us to the unique bird species of the area, for example the mato grosso antbird and the helmeted manakin. We also look for toucans, hyacinth macaws and the yellow-billed cardinal along with other species. During an afternoon boat trip we meet the jabiru storks, turkey vultures, kingfishers and monkeys that live on the forested bank. When darkness falls we go on spotlight excursions, looking for owls, nightjars and armadillos - maybe even an ocelot will appear. We also hope to visit a Pantaneiro home, to experience the colours, sounds, smells and flavours of their culture and way of life. The evenings offer spotlighting excursions, looking for owls, nightjars, armadillos and other exciting animals.
Day 16: Cuiabá - Sao Paulo - London
We have a morning expedition in the Piuval area before we start our journey out of the Pantanal. After lunch we go to Cuiabá, fly to Sao Paulo and on towards London.
Day 17: London
Arrive in London in the afternoon.
Photo: Staffan Widstrand & Lisa Ström
