AMAZON & PANTANAL REQUEST. 5th - 19th September and 20th September - 4th October 2014

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1 AMAZON & PANTANAL REQUEST 5th - 19th September and 20th September - 4th October 2014

2 SEDUCTIVE WILDLIFE AND SPECTACULAR NATURE The Amazon rainforest and the wildlife Eldorado Pantanal are teeming with life and contain a unique diversity of flora and fauna. This magical trip will offer you a chance to see colourful birds, howler monkeys, caimans, river dolphins and the majestic and very rare jaguar. In the Amazon basin thrives a forest that reveals hundreds of tree species, thousands of different birds and many impressive mammals. We explore the heart of the Amazon on board a small river boat. Every day we do exciting outings in motorised canoes and explore this green oasis. The adventure continues in Pantanal, where the vast open plains give us even better opportunities to encounter fascinating mammals. This is the richest wildlife sanctuary in South America and we hope to meet animals such as giant river otters, yacaré caimans, tapirs and the rare hyacinth macaw. Perhaps we will hear the sound of a jaguar in the middle of the night and with luck we see it resting on one of the river banks. Day 1: London - São Paulo We fly from London and arrive in São Paulo, Brazil, the following day. Day 2: Manaus From São Paulo we fly directly to the city of Manaus, where we embark our little river boat and make ourselves comfortable. This is now our home for seven nights to come. Day 3-8: The heart of the Amazon We make our way up the very nutrient and sediment rich Rio Solimões, home to most of the plants and birds of the rainforest, and then continue up the more sparsely populated Rio Negro. With motorised canoes we explore the heart of a lavish forest filled with trees in eye-catching shapes. Our route depends on the weather, water levels and the wildlife we encounter. The following are examples of places we plan to visit: Manaus We enjoy a guided tour of the city of Manaus, visiting the colourful fish and vegetable market and the exotic opera house Teatro Amazonas. Wedding of the waters This is where the inky-black coloured waters of the Rio Negro meet with the cappuccino coloured waters of Rio Solimões, floating side by side Manaus Amazon Pantanal Cuiabá São Paulo BRAZIL without mixing for nearly ten kilometres, to then merge and form the mighty Amazon River. Lake Janauacá At this large lake we watch thousands of egrets and cormorants. Using the canoes, we search the surrounding forest for animals such as caimans, sloths and bats. In the evening we hope the Amazon invites us to one of its magnificent sunsets. Archipelago of Anavilhanas Up the Rio Negro we find the largest fresh water archipelago in the world. With about 400 islands, extending over 90 kilometres, it is a labyrinth of Novo Airao Amazon River Amazon Anavilhanas archipelago Manaus Cuiabá Porto Jofre Pantanal Boat Vehicle Flight

3 lakes and flooded land. The compact vegetation serves as a shelter for unique fauna and flora and the black water is home to abundant aquatic life with impressive fish species such as the fruiteating pirarucu, measuring up to four metres. Três Bocas We might be greeted by the croaking sound of blue and yellow macaws, while cruising up the Rio Negro. We learn the ropes of catching one of the Amazon s most infamous fish the black piranha. After that we all have to count our fingers... Parana Jacaré In the region of Parana Jacaré we most likely wake up to the sound of howler monkeys. We continue our explorations by motorised canoe. Novo Airão The small village of Novo Airão is known for its traditional shipyard for wooden boats. The manufacturing of these boats is the village s main income. Here we can buy local handicraft and perhaps we meet the characteristic river dolphins that come here regularly. Day 9: From the Amazon to the Pantanal We return to Manaus. Now it is time to change course, go to the airport and fly to Cuiabá. From there we continue to Pousada Rio Claro, where we stay for two nights. We are travelling on the famous road the Transpantaneira and suddenly we are surrounded by wildlife. We will make several stops and get plenty of great photo opportunities! We arrive at our Pousada in time for dinner. Day 10: Into the Pantanal wilderness After breakfast new adventures start in the wildlife Eldorado of Pantanal, home to more than 600 bird species and over 150 mammals. Many exciting excursions on foot and by boat await us during the days to come. Our first lodge, Pousada Rio Claro, is just as the name indicates,

4 located by the river Rio Claro. Here, we are surrounded by the most beautiful nature, wide fields, dense forest and many walking trails. We get acquainted with some of the area s unique birdlife, with many endemic species and meet the capybara, with its guinea pig face and bearlike coat, weighing around 60 kilos. Day 11-12: Jaguar Safari, Porto Jofre We continue to Porto Jofre, where we stay for two nights. By boat we explore this wildlife rich area, searching for the King of Pantanal the jaguar. The jaguar population here has increased over the past few years and they have become less shy. You need a certain amount of luck to see a jaguar, but the chances are better here than in any other place. We also hope to encounter the charming river otters and sometimes the rare tapir shows up. We also hope to visit a local family and a Pantaneiro home, to experience the colours, sounds, smells and flavours of the culture. Day 13: Piuval Lodge We head towards Piuval Lodge, located on a 7000-hectare cattle ranch. The large open fields mixed with forest offer an amazing diversity of animals and birds. We keep our eyes open at all times, hoping to spot capuchin monkeys, odd-looking giant anteaters and maybe a yellow anaconda. We might also get the opportunity to go on a boat ride, during which we search for toucans, jabiru storks, kingfishers, monkeys and other animals living by the riverbanks. Day 14: Cuiabá - São Paulo - London After breakfast we begin our journey out of the Pantanal. We fly from Cuiabá to São Paulo and continue towards London. Day 15: London We arrive in London in the afternoon. Please note: Our exact route will depend on weather conditions and wildlife sightings. Flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

5 ACCOMMODATION, DATES & PRICES OUR RIVER BOAT AND LODGES During our Amazon adventure we will stay on board one of the three sister ships Dorinha (see image), Amazonica or Iracema, which are practically identical. These small river boats offer a friendly and cozy atmosphere. There are twelve double cabins on board, which are equipped with bunk beds, air conditioning, large windows and private bathrooms. The sun deck provides a perfect place for relaxing with a cold drink during the day or star gazing at night. In the wellstocked bar you can enjoy a cold drink and the restaurant serves delicious meals between the excursions. The library contains a limited selection of informative books on the region. The lodges we are staying at in Pantanal are quite simple but very comfortable with all necessities. The atmosphere is very friendly. The location of the lodges is what makes them perfect, offering grand nature and wildlife experiences! AMAZON & PANTANAL REQUEST Duration: 15 days. Dates: 5th - 19th September and 20th September - 4th October Group Size: Min 12 and max 20 participants. Accommodation: River boat in the Amazon and lodges in the Pantanal. Transport: By boat, minibus and plane. Price: USD per person. Single supplement: USD RATE INCLUDES: Flights London - Manaus, Manaus - Cuiabá, Cuiabá - São Paulo, São Paulo - London. All transfers. All meals. All accommodation. All entrance fees. All activities. All transportation. Gratuities. A PolarQuest tour leader. Experienced local guides NOT INCLUDED: Connecting flights to London. Travel and cancellation insurance. Personal expenses. Alcoholic beverages Upper deck 9 11 Restaurant Bar Main deck Kitchen Kök WC

6 P.O. Box 180 SE Göteborg, Sweden Phone: Fax: quest.com Min 12 mm hög PHOTO: ADAM RHEBORG (P. 4 UPPER LEFT), JAN BRYDE (P. 5 UPPER RIGHT & LOWER LEFT), LISA STRÖM (P. 2 NO. 5 & P. 4 UPPER MIDDLE & LOWER LEFT), RIO CLARO (P. 5 UPPER LEFT), STAFFAN WIDSTRAND (FRONT COVER, P. 2 N0. 1,2,3 & 4, P. 3, P. 4 UPPER RIGHT, MIDDLE RIGHT, LOWER RIGHT & P. 5 UPPER MIDDLE) TEXT: POLARQUEST. DESIGN & PRODUCTION: THIS BROCHURE IS PRINTED ON FSC -CERTIFIED PAPER AT A FSC -CERTIFIED PRINTING COMPANY.