12 Day Big Cats of Latin America - Wildlife Adventure [1]

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1 Published on Cascada Expediciones ( Home > 12 Day Big Cats of Latin America - Wildlife Adventure 12 Day Big Cats of Latin America - Wildlife Adventure [1] Introduction Come face to face with two of South America?s top predators. Prowl the grassy pampas of Torres del Paine and lurk through the steamy rainforests of Brazil in search of two of the continent?s most elegant and sneaky big cats: the Patagonia puma and the jaguar. Working with expert wildlife guides, you?ll embark on a voyage unlike any other, filled with the mix of thrills, luxury, and excitement that only South America can offer!. Itinerary Highlights Torres del Paine, Chile Expert team of puma & fauna trackers Unique photography opportunities Patagonia wildlife insider guide Observe Patagonia?s huemul, puma, fox, ñandú & gauanco Pantanal, Brazil Rio de Janeiro?s Sugar Loaf, Christ the Redeemer and Santa Teresa Diverse aquatic animal life Options include horseback riding, hiking, photo-safari and river canoeing Admire native flora and fauna (possible sightings of caiman, capybara, many species of bird such as jabiru stork, macaws, egrets, spoonbills, cardinals, not to mention jaguars, rheas and deer) Boat trip on Cuiaba River and channels to search for jaguars Brief Itinerary

2 Days 1-6 Patagonia Puma Tracking - Wildlife Photo Adventure: Excursions in Torres del Paine. Days 6-12 Brazil Jaguar Adventure - Wildlife Photo Adventure: Pantanal. Sample Itinerary Day 1: Travel from Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or Calafate to Torres del Paine NP - Half day exploration Day 2: Puma tracking* and photography, Laguna Amarga Day 3: Andean condor and huemul photography Day 4: Laguna Azul, fox, guanaco & wildlife photography Day 5: Arrive in Santiago, overnight at Hotel Cumpres in Lastarria neighborhood Day 6: Half Day tour in Santiago. Flight to Brazil (not included) and pick up from the airport at Rio de Janeiro, overnight stay Day 7: City tour Rio de Janeiro, including Sugar Loaf, Christ the Redeemer and Santa Teresa Day 8: Travel to Cuiabá (flights not included) and arrive in Pantanal, overnight stay Day 9-10: Araras Lodge Activities (hiking, horseback riding, Jeep photo Safari, and canoeing with piranha fishing). Late afternoon/evening river safari searching for jaguars and other wildlife Day 11: Excursion to Porto Jofre to begin Jaguar tracking (95% of chance of sighting one from mid June to mid November) Day 12: Transfer out to the Cuiabá airport ***Final itinerary will depend on the departure date & place*** Day 1 Arrival, The Patagonian Adventure begins Torres del Paine NP, Chile In the morning you?ll be picked up from your Punta Arenas hotel, or from the Punta Arenas airport, and driven to Hostería Pehoé, located in world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. En route we?ll stop for a hearty lunch in the town of Puerto Natales. After this, your adventure really begins! At the entrance of Torres de Paine National Park, you?ll be introduced to your expert guide for your stay in Patagonia and start the journey together into the National Park to search for pumas and other wildlife. The day ends with your arrival and overnight stay at Hostería Pehoé, right in the heart of the park and boasting amazing views. Overnight at Hostería Pehoé (July & August) or EcoCamp Patagonia (September & October). Meals: B, L, D. Days 2, 3, 4 Wildlife Exploration continues Torres del Paine NP, Chile We start off early each day, photographing the sunrise from distinct locations while enjoying hot coffee and breakfast on the go. Our puma tracking team, already hard at work, will be in radio contact to let us know how they?re doing. We begin our wildlife exploration in the park?s eastern sector, making the most of the beautiful morning light and the animals? early morning activity. We enjoy around six hours of wildlife observation, studying and photographing the park?s native flora & fauna.

3 In the afternoon we head out again: This time to the park?s western sector where we enjoy the beautiful landscapes and flora & fauna, and visit landmark places such as Grey Glacier and other striking natural monuments. Your guide takes you through the region?s different habitats and ecosystems while your tracking team will alert you to any interesting fauna sightings in the area. After photographing the iconic Patagonian sunset over the Paine massif, we return to Hostería Pehoé for dinner and a well-earned rest. N.B. In the event of bad weather alternative activities will be planned. Overnight at Hostería Pehoé or EcoCamp Patagonia (September & October). Meals: B, L D. Day 5 Santiago de Chile Santiago, Chile Arrival in Santiago from Punta Arenas. Once in Santiago, enjoy a welcoming dinner (not included) in one of Santiago?s most iconic neighbourhood, Barrio Lastarria. Overnight at Cumbres de Lastarria Hotel. Meals: B, L. Day 6: Transfer to Santiago airport for flight to Brazil, arrival in Rio de Janeiro In the morning, discover the city?s highlights on a half day guided tour. Later, a transfer will take you to the airport to begin your Brazilian wildlife adventure! Transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport (flight not included) and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Tulip Inn Copacabana (Executive room). Meals: B. Day 7: Rio de Janeiro? Sugar Loaf / Santa Teresa / Corcovado? 7-8 hours (B) Breakfast and transfer to Sugar Loaf. Lunch (not included) at Santa Tereza neighbourhood and chance to explore the area. Afterwards, visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain. Return to the hotel by late afternoon. Overnight at Tulip Inn Copacabana (Executive room). Meals: B. Day 8: Rio de Janeiro / Cuiabá / Araras Lodge Breakfast and check out. Transfer to the airport to board your flight (not included) to Cuiabá. Upon arrival in Cuiabá, you?ll take a regular transfer to Pantanal (approximately 2.5 hours) to your accommodation at Pousada Araras Eco Lodge. After time for a short rest, you?ll be introduced to your surroundings, the environment and projects for its care. Finish the day with dinner and a memorable nighttime walk in the Brazilian jungle. Overnight at Araras Eco Lodge.

4 Meals: B, D. Day 9-11 Jaguar tracking & Wildlife activities What follows are three full days to engage with and appreciate the amazing flora and fauna of Pantanal. For the first day, the Araras Lodge provides plenty of activities that let you personalize your trip based on your interests, including hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, and taking a Jeep photo-safari. Whatever you choose, each activity offers unique opportunities to observe, interact with, and get to know this complex ecosystem. On the second day, you will travel to Porto Jofre where you will enjoy lunch and prepare for the highlight of the trip: an afternoon and evening river safari to observe jaguars and other wildlife! The Pantanal is home to the highest density population of jaguars in the region, so there is a 95% chance of catching a glimpse of these elusive and beautiful felines! So keep your eyes peeled!. Your last full day in Porto Jofre includes a boat trip on the Cuiaba River and its channels to search once again for jaguars, as well as see the other remarkable plants and animals that live here. 1 night at Araras Eco Lodge 2 nights at Pantanal Norte Hotel Meals: B, L, D. Day 12? Porto Jofre / Cuiabá / Next destination After an early breakfast we?ll set off on our early morning transfer to Cuiabá airport, enjoying the sunrise en route! At Cuiabá Airport it?s time to say goodbye and board your flight to your next destination. Meals: B. Prices & Facts Departure dates starting in Punta Arenas, Chile August 21, 2016 September 21, 2016* October 9, 2016** *Important Note: Accomodation will be at EcoCamp Patagonia in September and October ONLY. What's CLP? Your booking is based on Chilean pesos (CLP), but you pay in US$ (USD), using the exchange rate valid on the day of payment which will be shown in your order. This exchange rate may vary between

5 the date you pay your deposit and the date you pay your outstanding balance, but rest assured this is the best way to keep our prices competitive and ensure the best rate for you!. Included English speaking specialist wildlife guide. Guide ratio 5, max group size: 5 people English speaking guide in Rio and Santiago English speaking nature guide at Pantanal 4 nights in Torres del Paine at either Hostería Pehoé - Superior Room - (August) or EcoCamp Patagonia - Suite Dome -(Sept & Oct) 1 night at Hotel Cumbres de Lastarria - Superior Room - in Santiago 2 nights at Tulip Inn Copacabana - Executive Room- in Rio de Janeiro 2 nights at Araras Eco Lodge in El Pantanal 2 nights at Pantanal Norte Hotel in Porto Jofré Meals as indicated Day 1 L, D Day 2 B, L, D Day 3 B, L, D Day 4 B, L, D Day 5 B, L Day 6 B Day 7 B Day B, D Day 9 B, L, D Day 10 B, L, D Day 11 B, L, D Day 12 B All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park Private tour in Rio de Janeiro (7-8 hours) Private Half Day Tour in Santiago (4 hours) Excluded Flight tickets Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip) Voluntary tipping of guides and staff Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at Hostería Pehoé Soft drinks and other beverages with meals in Brazil (no meals include beverages) Araras Conservation Fee: U$ per person and package Items of personal nature Photo equipment, binoculars - please bring your own Starting / Finishing Point

6 The trip starts with pick up in Punta Arenas Airport in Chile and ends with drop off at Cuiabá Airport in Brazil. Itinerary Modifications The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to predict and deal with at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations. Transport In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia as well as in Brazil, transport will be in minivans An exclusive toll-free emergency number will be available for anyone needing additional support while they are in Chile. Children Children are not allowed to participate in this tour. Minimum age is 18. Weather Chile - Patagonia The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the affect of the Southern Patagonia Ice field make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March) you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130km/hr) and rainfall. The summer?s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min). However, just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can become lovely and sunny. So come prepared for all types of weather!. Brazil - Pantanal The weather is classified as a savanna climate. The basin has two distinctive periods of precipitation: dry from about April through September, rainy with heavy rain from October through March, with 80% of the annual precipitation during the wet season. This program takes places during the dry season. The temperature is very agreeable and rain is scarce. During the dry season, on the extensive fields covered by gramineous species and?cerrado? vegetation, water is limited and restrained to the perennial rivers with defined beds, lagoons near those rivers, and to some swampy land in the lower areas of the plain. During this season the temperature ranges from 24 C (75 F) to 34 C (93 F).

7 Physical Demands This is an easy trip which doesn?t demand extensive physical activity, other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over fairly flat terrain. We stop as many times as necessary depending on the rhythm of the group. Brazil??. What you need to bring Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. Essential equipment includes a one day backpack (10liters - to carry camera, glasses, rain coat, etc), trekking or hiking waterproof boots, extra shoes for evenings or in case other pairs get wet, waterproof jacket, two pairs of woolen socks, fleece jacket or sweater, shorts or comfortable loose pants, sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen) and optional capilene underwear for the upper and lower body. US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs. Testimonials Contact us Call Us Give us a call, we are here to help you! We are open Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm Chilean time.» Current time in Santiago de Chile [2] USA/Canada UK Alemania Brasil World Links [1] [2]