The Amazon and Pantanal in 9 days- is this crazy?
Mar 3rd, 2007, 05:11 PM
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The Amazon and Pantanal in 9 days- is this crazy?
I am still trying to plan this Amazon trip- the more I read the more places I want to go! My current question is: What are your thoughts on doing a 3 night Amazon jungle lodge stay and then about a 3 night pantanal stay? Is this insanely rushed? W
e are looking in to the Juma Lodge and the "Refugio Da Ilha" Ecolodge in the Pantanal...
Any suggestions would be great!
THANKS!
e are looking in to the Juma Lodge and the "Refugio Da Ilha" Ecolodge in the Pantanal...
Any suggestions would be great!
THANKS!
Mar 5th, 2007, 07:55 AM
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I've been to the Pantanal & you will absolutely love it - it is such an amazing place! I think 3 days in the Amazon & 3 in Pantanal will be fine. But we have heard that you will see much more wildlife in the Pantanal (we haven't been to the Amazon - yet!). I checked out the Refugio da Ilha online & it looks like you've picked a great resort. We were in the small town of Bonito for 2 days & went on various tours in the area, in addition to staying at a Fazenda in the middle of the Pantanal for 2 days. We went on many excursions - pirana fishing, night jungle tours, snorkeling in pristine rivers where we saw a lot of wildlife -exotic birds, monkeys - & you could maybe even see an anaconda or panther (which I was hoping not to!). I hope you have a great trip!!
Mar 5th, 2007, 11:39 AM
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I would highly recommend Bonito - it is an amazing place. The eco-tours were so fun. If you're highly adventurous you can even go spelunking (sp?) down this huge cave & then snorkeling. There are also very laid back tours if you just want to relax. Great local food too! If you have the time, I think you could do both - but just staying at a resort in the Pantanal is a great experience in itself.
Apr 20th, 2011, 05:51 AM
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When are you going?
I'd also ask yourself what your hopes are for the trip. If it is to see both regions and this is your one shot to do it, then you are not crazy. It's what you have to do. If it is to maximize wildlife sightings, I'd stick with the Pantanal and add a second place. I went to the more traditional Pantanal setting of Caiman Lodge along with 3 nights Ilha on my last Pantanal trip. Remaining soley in the Pantanal would likely get you one more day in the field due to less time in transit.
Along with drives on dry land, Refugio da Ilha has beautiful waterways that you can boat and canoe through, something not typical in other parts of the Pantanal. It is also one of the better places to see the Giant River Otter as well as the elusive Neotropic Otter. The grounds are lovely and host numerous birds, lizards, and resident capybaras. You might be able to do an escorted night walk with spotlights. We saw the rare sight of mating capybaras at night in the water, which is where they mate on the 4th of July! Unless you speak Portuguese, you need to take along your own guide to interpret. At least those were the rules in 2009.
One more thing you might consider. You can do a night drive at neighboring San Francisco Lodge while staying at Refugio da Ilha. It is a good place to see cats (jaguar, ocelot) and dogs (maned wolf) at night. I have my best ocelot picture from a night drive there.
Good luck!
I'd also ask yourself what your hopes are for the trip. If it is to see both regions and this is your one shot to do it, then you are not crazy. It's what you have to do. If it is to maximize wildlife sightings, I'd stick with the Pantanal and add a second place. I went to the more traditional Pantanal setting of Caiman Lodge along with 3 nights Ilha on my last Pantanal trip. Remaining soley in the Pantanal would likely get you one more day in the field due to less time in transit.
Along with drives on dry land, Refugio da Ilha has beautiful waterways that you can boat and canoe through, something not typical in other parts of the Pantanal. It is also one of the better places to see the Giant River Otter as well as the elusive Neotropic Otter. The grounds are lovely and host numerous birds, lizards, and resident capybaras. You might be able to do an escorted night walk with spotlights. We saw the rare sight of mating capybaras at night in the water, which is where they mate on the 4th of July! Unless you speak Portuguese, you need to take along your own guide to interpret. At least those were the rules in 2009.
One more thing you might consider. You can do a night drive at neighboring San Francisco Lodge while staying at Refugio da Ilha. It is a good place to see cats (jaguar, ocelot) and dogs (maned wolf) at night. I have my best ocelot picture from a night drive there.
Good luck!
May 4th, 2011, 03:57 PM
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@atravelynn that sounds like great advice, I have heard that the San Francisco is a great place for felines. Another idea might be to consider going to the Cristalino Lodge in Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso. From Cuiabá it is possible to visit both the Pantanal and the Amazon in one state with just short plane shuttle from the Capitol of the state to the Amazon.
May 19th, 2011, 07:49 PM
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If you decide on the Amazon and want a first class guide with his own boat, small enough to sail the narrow tributaries...I can recommend him to you. He can also get to the villages with an outboard canoe he drags along. Let me know and I will give you all the particulars. He's based in Manaus and will pick you up at any lodgings you decide upon.
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