Tour 1.2: Transpantaneira - Fazenda Rio Clarinho - Pousada Rio Claro - tent or bed

5 days/4 nights from/to Cuiabá (can be conducted year-round)

Pousada Rio Clarinho Pousada Rio Claro

On this trip, you will get to know diverse eco-systems. In the process, you will switch accommodations twice. Both accommodations - Fazenda Rio Clarinho and Pousada Rio Claro - are situated in a pristine area – that is to say, no modifications were made to the existing natural environment. This means that the landscape (gallery forests, Cerrado) was preserved in its original condition. For those who seek quiet, solitude, a familial and cordial atmosphere – but can do without typical comforts – this tour is just right.

It enables you to experience (year-round) the various landscapes – and return from the Pantanal region with the greatest-possible fill of new impressions and experiences – also, of course, with numerous photos of “crocodiles” (which experts refer to as “alligators” and “caimans”).

Your sleeping quarters will be either in the tent (camping) on the lodge premises, or in a double, three-bed or four-bed room with bath/shower.

Program schdule:

Day 1: Cuiabá - Fazenda Rio Clarinho

Pick-up at the airport in Cuiabá by our travel guide. Followed by an approx. 100-km drive to Poconé on asphalted roads. Upon your arrival in Poconé, you will first enjoy lunch with a typical Brazilian family, featuring typical native Matogrossensian cuisine (this depends upon the time of arrival). This is followed by the drive to your first accommodations, the Pousada Rio Claro (approx. 45 km) along the Transpantaneira, with several stops along the way to observe the unique flora and fauna along the Transpantaneira. Arrival in the lodge, located approx. 2 km from the Transpantaneira on the banks of the Rio Clarinho. For those who booked the camping package: setup of the tent camp.

In the late afternoon, you will take a boat trip boat – primarily to search for various bird species and howler monkeys. A night safari with torches and spotlights, to observe nocturnal animals after dinner.

Afranio (r.), the owner, who is almost always there The river Rio Clarinho

Day 2: Fazenda Rio Clarinho

Upon request, sunrise tour at approx. 5:00 AM. Experience the sunrise on the Rio Clarinho – along with the awakening of the animal world in the Pantanal (a unique natural spectacle on which you certainly should not miss out). After breakfast, you will gain an initial overview of the diversity of the vegetation – as well as the world of birds and fauna. You then search for the nests of the Jabiru stork (June to September) and the blue-hyacinth macaw, along with other bird species.

After a siesta (for instance, in a hammock), on a horseback ride, you have one of the best chances to explore the Pantanal. After dinner, the touring resumes – to search for caimans and other nocturnal animals. Spend the night in the tent or the room.

Day 3: Pousada Rio Claro

Before breakfast, take a boat trip on the river Rio Clarinho to observe the awakening of various birds and other animal species. After breakfast, go on a drive to the Pousada Rio Claro (approx. a half hour's drive). The lodge is situated directly on the Transpantaneira. Following your arrival at the pousada Rio Claro, move into your room and take some time to freshen up. Afterward, you can take the first tours (according to the shape you're in) – however, you also have the chance to simply relax at the swimming pool. In the afternoon, take a horseback-riding tour in the vicinity of the lodge. After dinner, there will be another night safari to search for nocturnal animals. Spend the night in Tent or the room, according to your specification upon booking.

Day 4: Pousada Rio Claro

Sunrise tour at approx. 5:00 AM. Experience the sunrise on the Rio Clarinho – along with the awakening of the animal world in the Pantanal (a unique natural spectacle on which you certainly should not miss out). On the nearby Rio Claro (a river), you can watch numerous different kingfisher species (Chloroceryle), the speared heron (Agamia agami), the fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana), the blue-throated guan (Aburria pipile), the giant toucan (Ramphastos toco) and giant otters. Nearyby, there is a gallery forests, in which many bird species live - such as the blue-crowned trogon (Trogon curucui), the rufous-tailed jacamar (Galbula ruficauda), the collared macaw (Ara auricollis), rufous oven-birds (Furnarius rufus commersoni), the striped woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus), and the fox-red tree climber (Xiphocolaptes major).

In the afternoon, you will ride by car to the Araras Lodge (approx. a half-hour drive), to mount a stance. You then hike approx. 2 km through pristine gallery forests and experience the "bird's-eye view" of the unique beauty of the Pantanal. Followed by the return to the lodge, dinner and another night safari to search for nocturnal animals. Spend the night in a tent or room.

Day 5: Pousada Rio Claro - Cuiabá

After breakfast, a drive to Cuiabá or another excursion (according to flight-departure time). The program ends at the airport in Cuiabá. In the event of a later departure (in the afternoon), you will take a horseback-riding tour or boat trip in the late morning.

Prices (normal room):

Room category	Double-room	3-bed-room	4-bed-room
5 days/4 nights	695,00 €	625,00 €	510,00 €
Individual traveller	1250,00 €
1-h-sigthseeing flight	150,00 €	100,00 €	150,00 €

Prices (Camping in a tent):

Camping im double tent	2 persons	3-4 persons	5-6 persons
5 days/4 nights	550,00 €	470,00 €	395,00 €

_{All prices per person, Prices valid until 23.12.2010.}

Services (included in the above prices):

2-night stay in the Fazenda Rio Clarinho with full board.
2-night stay in the Pousada Rio Claro with full board.
All rooms with A/C, bath/shower.
Your choice of overnight stays in the tent on the premises of the respective accommodations.
All transfers, all tours by car, boat, on horseback and on foot.
24-hour assistance provided by trained and skilled English-speaking travel guides.
All transfers and car trips in a minivan (A/C-equipped) or passenger car, according to the number of persons.

Not included in the prices are the follwoing:

Beverages. Personal expenses. Tips.

Equipment:

Proper footwear (light hiking shoes), long jeans or trekking pants, long-sleeved shirt, t-shirts and shirts to sleep in, hat, cap or headscarf, sun-blocker and mosquito repellent. Do not wear black clothing, because the colour black attracts mosquitoes! Sweatshirt, sweater or fibre-fur clothing strongly recommended from June to September, since in the evening, it may indeed be rather cold. Vaccination against yellow fever very strongly recommended.

The equipment in its entirety – such as the tent, camping mats, cooler, beverages (please note: beverages for sale, not included in travel costs) etc. will be provided. You only have to bring along your own sleeping bag.

Extension days and/or subsequent tours to Chapada dos Guimaraes or Nobres jcan be arranged at any time; programs and prices respectively by request.

Information:

Changes of the program due to weather and climate but also due to the flight times (arrival/departure) are possible (order of the accomodations). Changes of pricing due to exchange rates and organisatorical reasons are possible as well. Booking in a timely manner is recommended as the accomodations are booked up months in advance.

The photos and texts on this page are copyright-protected:
© Fotos by Günter Stysch

Request regarding journey