North Pantanal: Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge Spend three days exploring the Pantanal, a UNESCO World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve. Set in nearly 3000 ha of private reserve Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge is your ideal base for observing the Pantanal’s birds, wildlife, and ecosystems.

● Enjoy a water safari and search for the elusive jaguar. ● Explore the Pantanal’s hard-to-access plains by horseback. ● Canoe the Clarinho River. ● Search for nocturnal animals that call this place home during night walks.

Flight Information: November 3, 2018: Arrive anytime in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil (CGB) November 7, 2018: AD4487 - Cuiaba (CGB) to Campinas (CPQ) 09:00-12:05 / AD4043 Campinas to Campo Grande (CGR) 13:20-14:00 November 10, 2018: Depart Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (CGR) anytime

Day 1: 03 NOV – Arrival Day > Transfer Airport to Hotel in Cuiabá for overnight.

Upon arrival to Marechal Rondon International Airport (CGB) in Cuiabá, Matto Grosso, Brazil, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Hotel Gran Odara for overnight.

(No meals included)

Day 2: 04 NOV – Cuiabá > Pantanal Araras Lodge

Enjoy a leisurely morning on your own or elect to participate in an optional city tour of Cuiabá, the center and capital of Mato Grosso state, returning to the hotel late morning.

At 12:00, enjoy a briefing on the Pantanal ecosystem and region before embarking your overland journey.

The journey begins on a paved road passing farms and cattle ranches. After reaching the small mining town of Pocone – also known as the gateway to the Northern Pantanal - join the Transpantaneira Park Road at km “0” (108 km/67.1 mi. from Cuiaba). Drive along the water and enjoy your first sights of the flora and fauna of the Pantanal ecosystem. Make several stops along the way for photos and guide briefings. In the late afternoon, arrive to Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge and enjoy a welcome drink. Total driving distance today is approximately 130 kms/80 miles or approximately 2h30 hrs including stops.

Upon arrival, settle into your rooms and join a guided introductory walk through the lodge’s surroundings, including a stop to the Great Egret Lookout, a 12 m/39 ft. high observation tower with panoramic views of the landscape and wildlife.

Tonight, enjoy your first of the lodge’s “Farm-to-Table” style dinners which showcase regional cuisine. After dinner, join a night walk where you will explore your surroundings further under the Southern Hemisphere sky.

(B, L, D)

Day 3: 05 NOV - Pantanal

After breakfast, drive toward the Cuiabá River at the end of Transpantaneira, 115 km/70 mi. that will take approximately 2h30. Embark local boats and enjoy a 6-hour water safari exploring the Cuiabá river, Piquiri, Three brothers riverbanks, and various bays and channels searching for the elusive and admired jaguar. The jaguar is the 3rd biggest cat in the world, and unique in that they bite its prey in the skull, paralyzing it instantly.

Lunch will be a lunchbox style with fruits and sandwiches prepared by the lodge in order not to miss an unique chance of meeting this magnificent predator.

Return to the lodge around 17:00 in time for dinner.

(B,L,D)

Day 4: 06 NOV - Pantanal (Horseback Riding or Canoeing)

After breakfast, choose from two excursions this morning. Explore the otherwise inaccessible flooded areas of the Pantanal plain by horseback or opt to explore the Clarinho River by canoe.

Enjoy a leisurely tour of hard-to-access locations by horseback, the traditional way to unravel the several environments in the Pantanal. The Pantaneiro horse is known for its beauty and docility and has adapted, through the centuries, to breathe while eating with its nose under the water. In this region, the horse is the Pantaneiro mans best friend, a daily companion during work and leisure. Return to the lodge for lunch.

Or, make your way toward the Clarinho River* where you will board a canoe and paddle down the river, exploring the forest that grows by the riverbank and mangroves. Here lives a colony of “ariranhas” – giant river otters. With some luck, you may spot a family playing with their babies and teaching them how to swim and fish. Enjoy freshly caught barbecued “lambaris” for lunch. (*Depending on the weather and conditions, this canoeing tour may take place on the Corixo River in which case, we will return to the lodge for lunch).

In the late afternoon stretch your legs by hiking the Howler Monkey trail to the Howler Monkey Tower, the highest observation point at 25 m/82 feet high, for a magnificent view of the sunset. Enjoy dinner back at the lodge and join a night drive in search of nocturnal animals that call this place home.

(B, L, D)

Day 5: 07 NOV - Pantanal > Cuiabá > Campo Grande

Depart the lodge at 04:30 this morning and drive overland back to Cuiaba. Upon arrival to Marechal Rondon International Airport (CGB) check in for your 09:00 flight to Campo Grande International Airport (CGR) in Campo Grande, Brazil. Upon arrival in Campo Grande you will be met and transferred to your AdventureNext hotel.

Note: The order of the activities may be modified according to the program at the lodge and weather or terrain conditions.

(B)

Map

https://goo.gl/maps/u5xsKtYktDk

Itinerary Difficulty Rating: Easy Active (2) (i.e., Beginner level, physical activity; ~2-4 hours activity/day)

Accomodations

Gran Odara Hotel: http://www.hotelgranodara.com.br/

The Odara Hotels Network offers in Cuiabá the best option for those looking for refinement and quality. The luxurious Hotel Gran Odara is prepared to surprise its guests. There are 141 spacious apartments and luxurious suites, 7 modern meeting rooms, unforgettable breakfast, sophisticated restaurant, lobby bar, professional gym, swimming pool, beauty salon and more. It also has a large convention center attached to the hotel, able to accommodate events of varying proportions. But the main, exclusive and unmistakable quality is the "Odara way of serving".

Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge: http://araraslodge.com.br/en

Located within the Pantanal area in Poconé, Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge features a pool, gift shop and a terrace with hammocks. Tours include: hiking, horse-riding, photo safari, canoeing activities, as well as night excursions. Wi-Fi is free in public areas.

With a balcony and hammock, all rooms are air-conditioned. They offer a rustic décor with dark timber furniture.

The restaurant serves a variety of regional dishes, as well as a daily buffet breakfast. Guests can enjoy snacks and drinks at the bar.

Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge is 18.6 miles from Poconé town centre, and 82 miles from Cuiabá Marechal Rondon international airport in Cuíaba, Mato Grosso. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCTBl_bRRg8

Rates:

● Price per pax in SGL accommodation – USD $1,148.00 ● Payment instructions for non-hosted delegates (credit card & wire transfer):

○ Credit card (master, visa, american express etc). In this case we need to send a debit authorization to be completed, signed and sent by email;

○ Wire transfer to our bank account in Brazil: ■ Beneficiary: Banco do Brasil ■ Bank & Address: Praça Tiradentes, 410 - 5. andar - Centro - Curitiba - Paraná - Brasil ■ SWIFT: BRASBRRJCTA ■ Beneficiary’s A/C : 0000310310 ■ Bank Number :01 ■ Agency: 07560 ■ IBAN BR5100000000007560000310310C1 ■ Name of Beneficiary: GONDWANNA BRASIL AGENCIA DE VIAGENS E TURISMO

LTDA ■ Av. Republica Argentina, 369 Sala 804 Agua Verde / Curitiba - PR ■ Fone/ Fax: (41) 3566 6339 ■ CNPJ 04.440.170.0001-48

 Included Services:

● 4 nights accomodation (accommodation in single rooms throughout) ● 10 meals ● Activities and transfers as listed in itinerary

Not Included:

● International flights ● Internal flight ● Alcoholic beverages ● Options and extensions ● Drivers’ and guides’ tips

● Visa fees for entry to Brazil ● Airport fees ● Hotel taxes ● Excess baggage fees ● Vaccines if needed ● Personal items such as laundry fees, internet fees, souvenirs, etc ● Anything not already explicitly included in the itinerary

 About Confirmation & Cancellation:

● All reservations should be requested and confirmed by email. ● Penalties applicable to cancellation of confirmed bookings: Before 30 days of travel: 20% penalty ● From 15 to 29 days before: 30% penalty From 07 to 14 days before: 50% penalty No show: 100%

penalty. ● In case some of the commitments with third parties assumed by the agency are higher than the

percentage established in the policy of cancellation, the contracting part will, in case of cancellation, be responsible for this payment. In case of cancellation of air tickets, the fines and conditions to be applied will be established by each airline.

Room Taxes:

● City Room Tax at hotels is not included and should be paid directly by guests upon checkout, unless otherwise requested upon booking (please note this is only charged at some Brazilian hotels and varies between US$3.00 to US$7.00 per room, per night).

Check-in/Check-out Times for Hotels:

● Most hotels have a fixed check-in time of 14:00 and check-out time of 12:00, exceptions may apply. ● For clients that require an earlier check-in or later check-out, please indicate on the reservation.

Additional costs may apply.

Luggage:

● If the clients will need to carry some fragile items that will need special attention, we kindly ask for the

client to inform us in advance in order to avoid any inconveniences during the land transfer.

Vaccines:

● No specfic vaccines are required for a visit to Brazil. However, it is recommended by the

Brazilian authorities that the visitors obtain the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days advance

before arriving in Brazilian territory. Please check with the your local Travel Medicine and Health

authority responsible in your country and consult your doctor.

Packing List:

● Comfortable clothes: t-shirts, pants, sweater/jacket, shorts and raincoat (please avoid dark/bright colors - neutral colors are best for safari)

● We recommend that you bring at least one pant and one jacket if the weather changes and it gets cold (sometimes it happens – it can be cooler at night)

● 01 comfortable sneaker and 01 hiking shoes (broken in before the trip) ● Swimsuit ● Slippers/sandals ● Polarized sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat ● Sunscreen with high SPF ● Do not forget to bring your plug adapter to charge your electronic devices! ● Binoculars and a camera ● Headlamp ● Mosquito repellent/DEET ● Prescribed medication (including antihistamine) ● Extra batteries ● Waterproof “dry bag” ● Personal toiletries ● In addition, we highly recommend bringing a small backpack to use every day in the tours to carry your

water bottle, sunscreen, snacks...

Main Contact:

Daniela Meres Silva - Gondwana Brasil

Avenida República Argentina, 369, Sala 804, Água Verde, Curitiba, Paraná,

+55 (41) 3566-6339 / 41 4042-0860

EMERGENCY PHONE IN BRAZIL: +55 (41) 99602-7492

Office phone number: +55 (41) 3566-6339

www.gondwanabrasil.com.br

danimeres@gondwanabrasil.com.br

danielameres