Tour led by David & Ly Kitler
Wednesday May 31 to Friday June 16, 2006

Proposed Itinerary

Dear Friends,
Warm greetings!

Next June (2006), we are off to Brazil once again, but this time we would love to share this experience with you!

When Ly (pronounced “Lee”) and I first met back in 1989, it was the talk of visiting Brazil that brought us together in the first place. You see, Ly is originally from Brazil and had just moved to Canada. I, on the other hand, am a wildlife artist and had traveled extensively in North America, as well as Africa and parts of Asia. Brazil was next in my plans, so I thought I would pump her for every bit of information she might have about the country. Little did I know then that my first trip to Brazil would also be my honeymoon…

Since then, Ly and I have returned to Brazil several times, and we started thinking that we would love to share all we have seen in that amazing country with our friends. With her first-hand knowledge of the language and culture, her love for her beautiful (but sometimes abused) native country, and her attention to detail, Ly is the perfect person with whom to visit Brazil. For my part, I enjoy being out in nature and sharing whatever knowledge I have picked up over the years while observing the animals I love to paint.

Some of the more exciting things we will do include: a visit to Iguassu Falls and the largest remaining area of Atlantic forest that surrounds the falls; staying at a lodge in the Amazon jungle that has been built at the level of the rainforest canopy; piranha fishing and night time alligator spotting in the rainforest; as well as a “safari” into the Pantanal, the largest continental wetland on Earth, where some 650 bird, 80 mammal, 260 fish, and 50 reptile species make their home.

Now, remember that Brazil is a vast country, the fifth largest in the world, and only slightly smaller than the U.S.A. It occupies 47% of South America’s area, and is the only country in the world with territory in both hemispheres and extending beyond one of the Tropic parallels. So, a tour of a couple of weeks can only touch the surface. This itinerary was designed to introduce you to a few of the highlights, and give you a taste of what the country has to offer in terms of diversity and natural beauty. After that, we are sure you will want to go back for more!

If you have always wanted to visit this exotic country, but were not sure how to do it, wait no more. Josephine Kovacs, our trusted travel expert, will take care of all those “minor” details (like reservations, flights, etc.), and Ly and I will be waiting to show you around We hope you will join us to make this the trip of a lifetime!

See you in June!

Our proposed Itinerary followsDay 01, Wednesday May 31:
We board our international flight for our overnight journey to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Day 02, Thursday June 01: Iguassu Falls
After arriving in Brazil via Sao Paulo (the largest city in the country with a population of over 18 million), we will continue on to Iguassu, which separates Brazil and Argentina, a few miles from the meeting point of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Our local guide will meet us at the airport in the early afternoon to take us to our hotel. After a long trip getting here, we will have the balance of the day to rest and explore the town.

If anyone is up to it, however, there is an optional tour available: a visit to the Itaipu Dam. Itaipu has the world’s largest electrical generation capacity and is considered a technological wonder. This optional tour includes transportation to Itaipu, a 30 minute film showing the construction and operation of this engineering monument, and a tour of the dam by bus, with stops at various panoramic viewpoints.
Overnight at the Hotel Falls Galli (4 stars)
Day 03, Friday June 02: Iguassu Falls
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will spend the day exploring the falls on the Brazilian side. We will travel the 25 km from downtown Iguassu Falls, passing through the Brazilian countryside, and enter the Iguassu National Park. The parks on the Brazilian and Argentinean side of the mighty Iguassu River and Falls total over 550,000 acres of sub-tropical forest. With the extra humidity created by the crashing water at the falls, the forests are especially rich in vegetation and wildlife. We will continue down the Cataratas Highway through the rainforest to the falls, which have formed on the border of Brazil and Argentina, where the Iguassu river drops into a gigantic horseshoe canyon.

Nestled among the largest remaining area of Atlantic forest in the continent, this impressive complex of 275 falls, over 3km wide and 80 metres high, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and ranks as one of the most spectacular settings in the planet. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 200 species of birds, including toucans, macaws, hawks, kites, owls, and hummingbirds. Thousands of Great Dusky Swifts nest under the falls, and can be seen swirling about in large flocks. It is also one of the best locations in the country to observe small mammals including deer, armadillos, capibaras, coatis, opossums, and a sub-species of the Brown Capuchin monkey. Furthermore, you can expect to be mesmerized by the astounding number of butterflies we will encounter.
At the end of the day we will travel back to our hotel to rest and compare notes on the day.

Overnight at the Hotel Falls Galli (4 Stars).


Day 04, Saturday June 03: Iguassu Falls
After breakfast, we will have a free day to explore the area. There are several optional tours to choose from, including a tour of the falls on the Argentinean side and the highly-recommended The Great Adventure Tour, which has become one of the most popular tours in the area.

The Argentina Falls Tour will take you over the Tancredo Neves Bridge, after a quick customs check, through a scenic highway up to the Argentine Iguassu Park. Lower and upper walkways will permit you a closer look at the waterfalls, providing the pleasure of a different and complete view of the falls especially the biggest one, the Devil’s Throat. Thereafter, there is a short break to rest or to explore on your own. (Alternatively you might choose to take the optional Great Adventure tour including the San Martin Falls).

On the way back, the tour stops at the Argentine shopping district, and if weather and time allow, you will make a brief stop at the Three Borders point, where the Parana and Iguassu Rivers meet, creating the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

Should you decide to take the Great Adventure Tour while still on the Argentine side, you will transfer to the Great Adventure Trail in the Iguassu National Park to board jeeps, which are the best form of transportation in this rainforest. Guides will describe several different species of sub-tropical plants and trees, including orchids and the heart of palm, which grow in abundance at the park. There are also more chances to observe the area’s mammals and birds. After a 4km jeep ride, a 600 meter walking trail will bring you to the banks of the Iguassu River, where you will board a 25-seat twin-engine boat, specially designed for this river’s conditions. You will then cruise up into the Iguassu Canyon, shooting several rapids, and will arrive at the very base of the majestic waterfalls. As the experienced pilot manoeuvres in the midst of the falls themselves, you will have a completely different view and experience an unforgettable thrill.
Overnight at the Hotel Falls Galli (4 Stars).

Day 05, Sunday June 04: Amazon Jungle
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Manaus, a city of over one million people situated in the heart of the Amazon on the Rio Negro, where our exploration of the Amazon rainforest will begin. We will arrive in Manaus early in the afternoon, where a representative from the Ariau Amazon Jungle Tower will meet us. We will follow to the lodge by boat (about 3 hours), arriving in time for dinner (included in the package). The Ariau Jungle Tower is a unique structure, located at the confluence of the Rio Negro and Ariau rivers, miles up the river from Manaus, and completely built at the level of the rainforest canopy. Catwalks offer visitors a unique encounter with flora and wildlife of the mid-Amazon region. For the next few days we will enjoy the Ariau lodge’s program, which includes accommodations, as well as all meals and activities, as listed below.

Day 06, Monday June 05: Ariau Amazon Jungle Tower
7:30 am - Breakfast
9:00 am - Jungle Trek
1:00 pm - Lunch
3:00 pm - Reconnaissance tour, visiting some of the natives homes.
7:30 pm - Dinner
8:30 pm - Alligator spotting.

Day 07, Tuesday June 06: Ariau Amazon Jungle Tower
7:30 am - Breakfast
9:00 am - Piranha fishing
1:00 pm - Lunch
5:00 pm - Sunset Tour
7:30 pm - Dinner

Day 08, Wednesday June 7: Manaus
6:00 am - Sunrise Tour
7:00 am - Breakfast
8:00 am - Return to Manaus. Transfer to airport with stop at the Opera House. In the afternoon, we board our flight to Brasilia arriving early evening.
Overnight at the Hotel Blue Tree Towers

Day 09, Thursday June 8: Pantanal
After breakfast we are transferred back to the airport for our flight to Cuiaba where we board our bus to continue on to the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland located in the heart of South America. Considered one of the last sanctuaries of wildlife on Earth, the Pantanal extends for more than 200,000 square kilometres (140,000 in Brazil alone), reaching as far as Bolivia and Paraguay. The fauna is extremely diverse: 650 bird, 80 mammal, 260 fish, and 50 reptile species. It is also one of the three most important nesting areas on the planet for migratory birds. The Pantanal ecosystem depends on the inflow and outflow during the flood cycles which, in turn, is directly linked to rainfall in the entire watershed.

The first 100km of our journey will be on good paved roads that cross a transition ecosystem, featuring examples of cerrado vegetation, gallery forests, and a unique tall cerrado forest. The pavement stops in Pocone, and we continue on a dirt road for another 17km to the beginning of the Transpantaneira, a 145km raised dirt road. The wildlife picks up suddenly, as the roadside fills with herons, storks, Roseate Spoonbills, kingfishers, ibises, cormorants, and caimans. Our destination today is the Hotel MT Pantanal in Pixaim, km 65 on the Transpantaneira, at the margins of the Rio Pixaim.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel MT Pantanal.

Day 10, Friday June 9: Pantanal
After breakfast, we will follow the full-day program organized by the hotel, which includes the assistance of a local guide, three hours by boat touring the Pixaim River, lunch, road safari and nightly focagem by the Transpantaneira road, as well as a visit to the Campo Largo farm.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel MT Pantanal.

Day 11, Saturday June 10: Pantanal
After breakfast, we will travel from Pixaim to Porto Jofre, entering the richest and lowest area of the Pantanal. Here, the plant and animal diversity increases, and we will probably see herds of capybara, the world’s largest rodent (more like a large guinea pig than a rat). Also watch for jaguars, the endangered Marsh Deer, coatis, marmosets, foxes, and the Giant Anteater. In this area we have also seen Hyacinth, and Blue and Gold macaws, among other species.
Lunch, dinner, and overnight at the Hotel Porto Jofre Pantanal.

Day 12, Sunday June 11: Porto Jofre
Today we have a free day to explore the area around Porto Jofre. The hotel offers several optional activities, including boat rentals, fishing, horseback riding (a great way to explore the area), etc.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Porto Jofre Pantanal.

Day 13, Monday June 12: Pixiam
After breakfast, we will travel slowly back from Porto Jofre to Pixaim, once again taking the time to observe the rich variety of wildlife that make their home in the area surrounding the Transpantaneira road.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel MT Pantanal.

Day 14, Tuesday June 13: Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, transfer from Pixaim to the airport in Cuiaba for our flight to Rio de Janeiro. No trip to Brazil would be complete without at least a quick stop at one of the most popular destinations in the world. Upon arrival, we will be taken to our hotel, located at the famous Copacabana beach. The rest of the day is free so you can explore the sights around the hotel.
If you are not too tired and have wondered what it would be like to experience Carnival in Rio, you might want to consider attending a Samba Show this evening (optional). We have always enjoyed it and think it is well worth the cost.
Overnight at the Royalty Copacabana hotel.

Day 15, Wednesday June 14: Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, we will enjoy a full day city tour of Rio, including a ride on the cable car to the top of the Sugarloaf (one of Rio’s most recognizable landmarks), a visit to the imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado Peak overlooking Guanabara Bay, and a barbecue lunch.
Overnight at the Royalty Copacabana hotel.

Day 16, Thursday June 15:
On our final day we bid each other farewell over breakfast at our hotel and later on we transfer to the airport for our international flight home. Note that those destined for North America will arrive Friday, June 16.
 

TOUR RATE

$ 2,699.00 USD
*NOTE Rate is quoted in U.S. Dollars, based on a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 16 participants.

OPTIONAL TOUR RATES
- Itaipu Dam- $20.00 US
- Brazilian and Argentinean side with lunch - $40.00 US
- Great Adventure Tour - $40.00 US
- Samba show - $35.00 US

DEPOSIT
A $500 US deposit is required by January 31, 2006 in order to secure your space on this tour.

BALANCE
Final payment is due no later than March 31, 2006.

P.S. This tour is limited to a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 16 participants. Reservation forms will be processed on a first come, first served basis.

TOUR COST INCLUDES
- Transfers as maintained.
- 3 nights hotel Falls Gali with daily breakfast.
- 3 nights, 4 days full board at Ariau Amazon Tower Lodge.
- 2 full days Amazon tours with local guide.
- 1 night Novotel Hotel Manaus with breakfast.
- 3 nights hotel MT Pantanal package with full board and tours.
- 2 nights hotel Porto Jofre with full board.
- 2 nights hotel Royalty Copacabana in Rio with breakfast.
- Full day Rio tour with an English speaking guide, all entrance tickets and lunch.

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Travel Insurance.
- International airfare and tax.
- Domestic airfare and tax.
- Airport improvement fees where applicable.
- Entry visa and passport documents.
- Meals and tours not mentioned in itinerary.
- Drinks, telephone calls, laundry.
- Discretionary tips to guides and driver.

RESERVATION FORM

Bookings cannot be processed unless accompanied by a completed, signed and dated Tour Reservation Form (2 pages).

For your convenience we also have a Credit Card authorization form. Payments by cheque are also accepted.

INSURANCE

Medical and Cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended in order to protect your investment. Cancellation Insurance must be requested at time of booking.

PASSPORTS

You are required to carry a valid passport with an expiry date of six (6) months past reentry into your home country.

VACCINATIONS

Please contact the travel clinic in your area for advice. British Columbia residents may consult Travel Medicine & Vaccination Centres. Telephone 604-681-5656 in Vancouver or toll free 1-888-288-8682.

CANCELLATION POLICY
All payments are 100% non refundable. We strongly suggest purchase of Travel Insurance to protect your investment.

VISA
Both Canadian and US citizens require a visa to enter Brazil. You may download an application here.

VACCINATIONS
Please contact the travel clinic in your area for advice. British Columbia residents may consult Travel Medicine & Vaccination Centres. Telephone 604-681-5656 in Vancouver or toll free 1-888-288-8682.

AIRFARE
Airfares are available from your city of origin. Please contact Josephine for a quote.
Quotes for airfares from cities other than Calgary are also available.

Beginning of Itinerary
Flora - © Paul vanPeenen
Gopher - © Paul vanPeenen
Bird Closeup - © Paul vanPeenen
Bathurst Sunset - © Mike Skebo
 
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Last updated April 9, 2006