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Brazil Pantanal
The Pantanal is one of the world's greatest wildlife reserves, a vast and luxuriant wetland with a greater abundance of wildlife than anywhere else in Brazil. From lodges in this region you will have a chance to see huge concentrations of exotic birds as well as mammals and reptiles such as giant otters, anteaters, jaguars and anacondas. This is a remote and wild area and most lodges are reached by a long overland journey from the gateway towns of Cuiaba and Campo Grande.

Pousada Araras (from Cuiabá)
Araras Eco Lodge was built in harmony with the environment, without renouncing comfort, the lodge is reachable all year-round by car via the Transpantaneira Park Road, 132 km (82 mi) south of Cuiabá (the capital of the State of Mato Grosso). From this lodge, with its enviably preserved surroundings, it is possible to do first-class bird-watching, trekking in pristine forest, canoeing, horseback riding, truck photo-safaris, night tours and much more, all under the assistance of expert bilingual naturalist guides.

Pousada Araras and Chapada dos Guimaraes Package
6 day/5 night package

Please enquire for 2, 3 or more nights packages staying at the Pousada Araras.

Pousada do Rio Mutum (from Cuiabá)
This eco-lodge is situated in the Northern Pantanal, in one of the region’s most beautiful areas. It is located approximately 3½ hours South of Cuiabá airport in a beautiful private natural setting. The lodge consists of 16 apartments with en-suite facilities (with hot and cold water). All apartments have porches. The lodge's facilities include a restaurant which offers a wide variety of regional dishes and a swimming pool with bar. From the lodge many activities and tours are organised to observe the exuberant wildlife of the Pantanal.

Sample Itineraries
3 day/2 night package

4 day/3 night package

5 day/4 night package

Notes: Transfers operate from Cuiabá airport to the lodge at 12:30 hours and at 17:30 hours and from the Pousada to Cuiabá airport at 07:00 hours and 11:30 hours. Other times available (on request and at additional cost)

Piuval Lodge (from Cuiabá)
Located approximately 110 Kms from Cuiabá, Piuval is the first lodge along the Transpantaneira Highway. Situated on a 7-000 hectare cattle ranch and surrounded by beautiful landscapes, here the guests can observe an abundant and diverse flora and fauna. The lodge has 16 guest rooms with a/c and fans, ensuite facilities and screened-in windows. Its features also include a leisure room with TV, swimming pool, volleyball court and restaurant serving typical Pantanal food.

Please enquire for longer or shorter stays.

Pousada Aguape (from Campo Grande)
Located in a fertile area formed by the mix of native Pantanal vegetation (the plant life of the local lakes and flood plains and the lush riverside forests of the Aquidauana river) the Posada Aguapé allows guests to experience the riches of the Pantanal in all seasons. Located 190 Kms from Campo Grande (60 Kms of which are on dirt roads), the lodge offers simple but comfortable accommodation with 15 rooms, all with a/c, ceiling fan and ensuite facilities. The Pousada also features a swimming pool, a hammock area, a games room, a sand volleyball court, a soccer field and TV room as well as a small aircraft landing strip.

Activities offered at the lodge include hikes, horse-back riding and photo safaris as well as night-time animal spotting, trips in motorized canoes in the Aquidauana River and tours in horse-drawn carriages. The lodge is located in an area of great bird-watching (there are nearly 260 species recorded in the area).

Caiman Ecological Refuge (from Campo Grande)
Located 147 miles West of Campo Grande, it takes approx. 4 hours to arrive at the lodge. The Refuge comprises 1 main lodge (Pousada Caiman) and 3 additional lodges (Caiman Main Lodge II, Baiazinha and Cordilheira). It is not possible to choose at which lodge to stay as rooms are allocated upon arrival.

Pousada Caiman
Spanish colonial style building with 11 apartments with private facilities and air-conditioning, swimming pool, restaurant and living room with TV and video. Please note that the Pousada Caiman and the Main Lodge will be closed for refurbishment until January 2009. Passengers will be able to stay at the Baiazinha and Cordilheira Lodges (they will not however be able to choose which they will be staying at).

Caiman Main Lodge II
Located 100 mts from Caiman Main Lodge, it has 6 rooms with private facilities and air-conditioning, living room and a deck with a beautiful view. Only breakfast is served in its small restaurant. Lunch and dinner are served at the Main Lodge.

Baiazinha Lodge
Raised on wood stilts, it stands at the edge of a small cove of permanent wetland. This rustic style lodge has 6 rooms with private facilities, terraces and ceiling fan, living room, restaurant and observation tower. It is located 9 Kms from the Pousada Caiman.

Cordilheira Lodge
Built on stilts, this singular lodge is situated on the edge of a seasonal wetland, with a castle like tower which provides an extensive view of the surrounding ridges. It has 8 apartments with private facilities and terraces, living room, and restaurant with ceiling fan. It is located 17 Kms from the Pousada Caiman.

The programme at the Lodges includes full board and 3 activities per day (morning, afternoon and evening) such as boat tours, alligator spotting, video presentations, horse-back riding, photo safaris, farm tours, ecological treks and others. Activities may vary according to weather conditions.

Please note that the lodge has a new policy and will only sell to groups except during the period between 13 June and 12 September from Thursdays to Sundays (3 nights) or from Sundays to Thursdays (4 nights). Prices on request.

Note: Tours can be changed to suit your specific needs. However the lodges reserve the right to modify programmes subject to changes in the Pantanal ecosystem.

Please enquire for shorter or longer packages and for stays at other lodges.

Pantanal Season by Season
The Pantanal has remained a largely unpopulated area due to its seasonal cycles, and each season affords possibilities for the nature lover to view fauna and flora.

High Water & Wet Season (JAN/FEB/MAR): Rivers have swelled and covered the vast alluvial plain. Although it rains more, is usually for no more than a few hours a day. There is a higher concentration of mammals in the few remaining dry mounds and hills; explosion of colours in tropical flowers and particularly in aquatic plants. Ideal means of transport during this season are boat and canoe. Fishing is prohibited due to the spawning season and caiman nests. At the start of this period there is a presence of mosquitoes at nightfall.

Receding Waters & Onset of Dry Season (APR/MAY/JUN): Mostly dry days cause the water levels to recede and the return of migratory birds such as the Spoonbill and Wood Storks from North America. Days and nights become relatively cooler. Ideal means of transport during this season are boat, horse and cart. Pretty sunrises and sunsets, birth of young caimans and large rookeries of birds start to gather.

Dry Season (JUL/AUG/SEP): Lack of rains cause most of the plains to dry and water is restricted to ever diminishing pools. Large concentrations of birds, mammals and reptiles gather in the few remaining pools, affording bountiful viewing of the wildlife. Blossoming of yellow, lilac and pink 'Ipês'. Excellent time for fishing. Ideal means of transport during this season are boat, horse and cart, on foot and tractor. Days are shorter. Wood Stork and Spoonbill nests (migratory birds) and Jabiru Storks. Bird colonies are at their greatest number.

Return of the Rains & Wet Season (OCT/NOV/DEC): Return of more frequent rainfall reverses the process and rivers start flooding anew. Migratory birds prepare for their departure. Vegetation begins flowering, fruit ripens (jatobá, seputá, cactus, cashew, mango). There is a large concentration of smaller birds. Ideal means of transport during this season are boat, horse, cart and on foot. It is the mating time for many animals such as jaguars, hyacinth macaws, toucans and deer. Cloudy skies make pretty sunrises and sunsets. Longer days return.

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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