Argentina and Brazil
A Photo Adventure
Andes, Iguazú Falls, Pantanal, and Amazon Basin
August 29 to September 21, 2011

Within sight of the towering mountains on the slopes of the Andes, visit a cloudforest in the Yungas, then travel up into the famous Altiplano, one of the most extensive high-plateaus on Earth. After visiting the unbelievably powerful Iguazú Falls and surrounding bio-diverse broadleaf forests, fly to the Pantanal. Travel upriver from Porto Jofre to visit the new SouthWild Jaguar Camp where we are almost certain to see and photograph Jaguars along the exposed riverbanks where they come to hunt capybaras and basking caiman. The wetlands that nourish the Pantanal and these fabulous wildlife habitats will bring us many wonderful surprises. As a grand finale, we fly to Manaus and west to Tefé to unique Uakari Lodge floating in the Amazon Basin and part of Mamirauá Reserve, the largest protected flooded forest in the world. Photographic birds and mammals found nowhere else in the world thrive along the lush rivers, including Pink River Dolphins and the rare red-faced monkey, the Uakari. Our guides are experienced in leading photographers and nature-watchers and aim to get you the best views. Each day on this tour we'll enjoy a distinctive natural reserve or park to experience the magnificent wildlife of the most spectacular places to visit in Argentina and Brazil!

At a Glance

Costs: $6,880 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare. Review cost details.

Leaders: Mario Mosqueria in the Andes and Iguazú, Fisher Souza in the Pantanal, and Ricardo Clark in the Amazon Basin.

Group Size: 10, not including our leader.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field.

Update: This itinerary was updated in April 2011. View the plain text version, great for printing!

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

August 29 - 30, Monday - Tuesday: Flights to Buenos Aires; Reserva Costanera Sur walk
Your flight should arrive at the international airport in Buenos Aires (EZE) by the morning of August 30, at the latest (see flight information at the end of this itinerary). We request that you arrange your transfer to the Imperial Park Hotel (allow one hour for the drive) by taxi ("remise" in Spanish) at the Manuel Tienda Leon Taxi Service desk or at one of the other two remise booths inside the airport after you exit customs. The cost is approximately $40 and the staff speaks English. Once you pay for the taxi at the booth, the staff will escort you to a taxi and you do not need to tip the driver. The Imperial Park Hotel is in a great location at 101 Lima Street and has a very friendly staff. If you choose to arrive earlier than August 30, we'd be happy to arrange extra nights at the Imperial Park Hotel. Please contact us for cost and more information.

Mario Mosqueria will arrive at the Americas Towers Hotel by 12:30 pm on August 30 to welcome you. Depart about 1 pm for an Argentine lunch and then to Reserva Costanera Sur on the Rio Plata for an afternoon bird walk. Enjoy the late afternoon light to photograph family groups of Guira Cockoos, Golden-bellied Woodpeckers and other birds that are quite habituated to people in this very popular reserve. About 8 pm leave to have dinner at an exciting tango show and return before midnight to round out an authentic Argentine cultural experience on this very first day. Review flight details.
Lodging: Imperial Park Hotel on August 30

August 31, Wednesday: Flight to Salta and Reserva del Huaico
Depart with Mario mid-morning from the hotel to the domestic airport (AEP) to fly to Salta in northwest Argentina. The historical city of Salta was populated more than 400 years ago and was a strategic place along the road to the Potosí-Bolivia silver mines. Drive a short distance along the foot of the Andes to the lovely town of San Lorenzo in the heart of Lerma's Valley. Ricardo and his wife Paty have their residence in this beautiful small town. A short drive from the lodge into the surrounding mountains will take us to the Reserva del Huaico, which protects a very special and extensive piece of Andean Yungas Cloudforest covering the slopes of Mount San Lorenzo. Our lodge adjoins Reserva Huaico and is only a 15-minute walk from the reserve. A delicious lunch is served at Hotel Selva Montaña. Ask about the excellent conservation work accomplished by the Yuchan Foundation that owns the Reserva Huaico. Enjoy the photography in the lodge surroundings, especially the Plush-crested Jays, Cream-backed Woodpeckers, Yellow-toothed Cavies and other wildlife that frequent the gardens around the lodge. This evening depending on the weather, take a short sortie to the reserve in hopes of hearing and locating a Hoy's Screech Owl.
Lodging: Selva Montana.

September 1, Thursday: San Lorenzo, Reserva del Huaico and Finca Lagunilla
Today walk in the Reserva del Huaico and this afternoon enjoy the birds at a private finca (ranch). Drive eastward into the Sianca Valley to the lagoon at Finca Lagunilla. An amazing abundance of waterfowl concentrates in this lagoon, including the rare Comb Duck. The reeds and rushes give shelter to Southern Screamer, Snail Kite, and Spot-flanked Gallinule, while the surrounding thickets will provide chances to see the Red-crested Cardinal and other passerines.
Lodging: Selva Montana

September 2, Friday: Los Cardones National Park
Take an unforgettable journey into the mighty Andean ridges to Los Cardones National Park, located 100 kilometers southwest of Salta. Los Cardones protects photogenic cacti-clad slopes and towering peaks, rising to more than 5,000 meters. We'll hope for blue skies, although sometimes fog moves in over these high Andean grasslands. Guanacos, Vicuna, and charming Mountain Vizcacha, running across the puna grassland, are possibilities here. Andean Condor can be seen soaring over the ridges or below us along deep valleys. The unpaved winding road climbs up the Bishop's Cordillera to 3,500 meters, where Variable Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, and Andean Flicker reside. Many passerines are found in the vegetated gullies. Spend time walking in the Puna grasslands where we hope to find the endemic and rare Steinbach's Canastero – a member of the ovenbird family. Flowering native tobacco bushes attract striking hummingbirds such as the Red-tailed Comet and Giant Hummingbird. Tinamous, which are big, furtive, terrestrial birds with cryptic patterns, can be spotted on the drier slopes. Later proceed west along the Tin-Tin Valley towards the town of Cachi. Our lodging is at La Paya Ranch, a working ranch which produces delicious local products that will be served at dinner and breakfast.
Lodging: La Paya Ranch

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September 3, Saturday: In the Altiplano (High Plain)
Take time to walk through mesquite forest and cactus exploring the surroundings of La Paya. White-fronted Woodpecker, the endemic White-throated Cacholote, Andean Hillstar, Cliff Flycatcher, and Burrowing Parrot reside here. Enjoy the scenic landscapes and the picturesque Andean town of Cachi, which has a very charming town square. Today we'll ascend higher into the Andes to the Altiplano (High Plain) where the Andes are at their widest. The Altiplano is one of the most extensive areas of high plateau on earth. Here we'll observe and photograph Vicuna and Guanaco grazing in the Puna. Cross the Acay Pass at about 16,000 feet, then descend to the most famous town in the Altiplano, San Antonio de los Cobres, with time to enjoy the late afternoon light and hopefully photograph a beautiful sunset. Overnight at Hosteria de las Nubes (clouds) in the town of San Antonio de los Cobres.
Lodging: Hosteria de las Nubes

September 4, Sunday: Morning in Altiplano then return to Salta
Enjoy a great morning around San Antonio de los Cobres in the Altiplano. Drive to Salta down through many cactus-laden slopes. The descent will be great for scenic photography, again with opportunities to see Andean Condor, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, and Aplomado Falcon. We will spend another night at the Selva Montana lodge where we can look for wildlife in the lodge gardens.
Lodging: Selva Montana

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September 5, Monday: Fly to Iguazú Falls National Park
Around noontime, fly from Salta to Iguazú, located in the extreme northeast part of Argentina along the border of Brazil and Paraguay. After landing at the airport, drive for a half-hour to the national park entrance and another 15 minutes to the Sheraton Iguazú. One of the most spectacular falls in the world, these falls are than a mile wide and nearly 250 feet high, and have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is time to enjoy the long boardwalks bordering the river and savor the many views of the falls, as well as some of the abundant birdlife that thrives nearby. A selection of parrolets, toucans, tanagers, euphonias, and other forest inhabitants will be active. At sunset, Great Dusky Swifts circle around the falls, then plunge at great speed down through the curtains of water to their roost behind. Photogenic Toco Toucans and Brown Brocket Deer often are on the hotel grounds. Spend two nights at the wonderful Sheraton Iguazú – the only hotel located right inside the national park beside Iguazú Falls on the Argentinian side.
Lodging: Sheraton Iguazú Hotel

September 6, Tuesday: Iguazú Falls National Park
Iguazú Falls, an astounding spectacle amidst the splendor of the jungle, is surrounded by forest trails with special mammals and birds, such as the Coati, Brown Capuchin Monkey, colorful Plush-crested Jay, Toucan, and the pretty Surucua Trogon. This mature sub-tropical rainforest is an impressive green wall, 20 to 30 meters tall, which is distributed into strata. There are at least a hundred evergreen tree species, epiphytes, lianas, and a dense bamboo understory. Visit the major habitat types: the evergreen and bamboo forests, misty riverine gorges, capueras (cleared areas with secondary growth), and savannah. Walk the Macuco, Yacaratiá or Timbó trail on the Argentinian side, depending on the recommendations from Daniel Somay, the top resident guide at Iguazú who will assist Mario on a forest walk. On previous trips to Iguazú, the endangered Black-fronted Piping-Guan has been seen right from one of the boardwalks along the river, so there is good chance of seeing this great rarity! We'll also get to see one of the last remaining sections of Paranaense forest. This type of rainforest develops along the Paraná River system and is characterized by relatively short trees with huge trunks covered by epiphytes.
Lodging: Sheraton Iguazú Hotel

September 7, Wednesday: Both sides of Iguazú Falls
This morning walk and photograph along the extensive walkway system that Argentina built along the falls and river with many vantage points of the roaring mass of water plunging over the cliffs! After lunch depart the hotel and visit a wonderful hummingbird garden in the town of Puerto Iguazú, then cross the border in the late afternoon for an overnight at the Hotel San Martín near the Foz do Iguazú Airport on the Brazil side.
Lodging: Hotel San Martín

September 8, Thursday: The Brazilian side of the falls. Fly Foz do Iguazú to Cuiabá
We'll have a full morning for the Brazilian side of the falls in the early morning light. The boardwalk on the Brazil side is short, but good habitat along the walk down to the falls protects several bird specialties, such as Blue-naped Chlorophonia, Green-headed Tanager, and friendly toucans, along with the friendly Coatis that are abundant on both sides of the falls. There are also several species of mammals besides Coatis, but they are much shyer. Experience more beautiful views of the falls and have fun getting wet from the spray. At the IGU Airport bid adios to Mario.

The flight from Foz do Iguazú to Cuiabá is TRIP 5428 that departs at 6:10 pm and arrives in Cuiaba at 7:51 pm with a one hour difference in time. For the restaurant this evening we will send you the menu in advance before you depart from home, so everyone can place dinner orders in advance. Then our guide will give the green light to the restaurant by cell phone ONCE you are already collecting your luggage. We can time perfectly the appearance of the appetizers and main courses and drinks orders, so when we arrive at the restaurant only 5 minutes away from the airport, have dinner quickly in a half hour. Then drive about 70 minutes to Poconé for overnight at the charming Hotel Skala in quiet rooms facing to the back of the hotel away from the highway in front. The Skala offers handy WIFI in their reception.
Lodging: Hotel Skala

September 9, Friday: The SouthWild Pantanal lodge at Fazenda Santa Tereza
The drive to the edge of the Pantanal is only 15 kilometers south of Pocone, where the real quality habitat of the Transpantaneira begins – a truly extraordinary and barely elevated dirt track traversing some 150 kilometers of Pantanal, ending at Porto Jofre on the Rio Cuiabá. Take the full morning to enjoy the wonderful waterfowl photography. Travel less than half way down the Transpantaneira Road, only as far as Fazenda Santa Tereza, which is also known as the SouthWild Pantanal lodge. Enjoy the canopy tower for photographing Jabirus on their nest and a two-hour boat ride on the Pixaim River after lunch in hopes of encountering spectacular species, including the very elusive Giant Otter and Tapir. See large numbers of herons, storks, and other waterfowl that are characteristic of this region. Yacare Caimans and Capybaras thrive here, as they are well protected from hunting in the Pantanal.
Lodging: SouthWild Pantanal lodge

September 10 - 12, Saturday - Monday: The SouthWild Jaguar Camp for three nights
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the end of the Transpantaneira road in Porto Jofre to meet your boat at the dock. Our destination is the new SouthWild Jaguar Camp 24 km upriver from Porto Jofre. Here we will concentrate on forest species for half-day and seeking Jaguars for half-day. To find Jaguars on each of the three days, we will boat four hours along the river searching the exposed riverbank where the Jaguars come to sun. Our guide here, Fisher Souza, has been guiding tours on the Transpantaneria for over fifteen years and has logged more than 300 contact-hours with Jaguar over the past three years. Fisher has worked with many professional nature photographers in the Pantanal and is very skilled in positioning the boat for the best photos. Perhaps on Sunday and Monday divide the boat time between the best photo light from sunrise until two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset until sunset. There might be adjustments once you see the other great set-ups there for optimizing your wildlife photography. For the remaining part of each day, walk some of the many trails or relax and enjoy the camp. There are riverside blinds and spots that are 6-12 minutes walk from the camp along the edge of a small, bird-rich bay on the camp side of the river, part of the 30 km of riverfront and 50,000 acres of mostly wilderness that this ranch property contains. There are active bird feeders, designed to be perfect for photographing birds that are on natural perches that do not show the feeder below. If the feeder is too small, then birds have to line up and sit on perfect perches above the feeder, with the feeder out of frame. The background is perfect for these natural perches. Meals are wonderful at the "Jag Camp". Each morning have a quick pre-dawn snack at 6 am, then a full breakfast on return at 8:30 or 9 am.

Peccaries, Giant River Otters and Tapir are possibilities here as well. Hundreds of Yacare Caimans and some Green Iguanas are the most noteworthy reptiles of the Pantanal (Yellow Anacondas are rarely seen). Hyacinth Macaws steal the show by perching in the trees on the grounds, feeding on the native palms growing there. The two principal avian emblems of the Pantanal are the Jabiru (which by this point we will have seen in considerable numbers) and the Hyacinth Macaw – a much less common, but equally impressive species. From the boat hopefully watch other birds, including kingfishers diving after their meal, Blue-throated Piping-Guan at the waters edge, and bats, such as Fishing-Bats patrolling pools, and primates as well, including Black Howlers roaring in the forest. Our boat trips along the river will be truly memorable experiences if the weather is calm, which it normally is at this season.
Lodging: SouthWild Jaguar Camp

September 13 - 14, Tuesday - Wednesday: Back to the Pixaim and the SouthWild Pantanal lodge
After breakfast then spend two hours boating down-river, stopping to photograph special scenes and action along the way to the Porto Jofre dock. Transfer by vehicle to the SouthWild Pantanal lodge in time for lunch and some relaxation, then a late afternoon boat ride for two hours on the Pixaim River until sunset. On Wednesday enjoy a full day at the Pantanal Wildlife Center with a 2 hour boat ride either early or late to be decided together. One evening, either Tuesday or Wednesday spend an hour or so nightspotting after dinner, then a good night's sleep. Note: Horse rides are not included (most naturalists are not interested in this anyway, as it is hard to see or to photograph fauna well from horseback).
Lodging: SouthWild Pantanal lodge

September 15, Thursday: Morning in the Pantanal then fly to Manaus
Our final full morning in the Pantanal is up to you, walking and photographing favorite scenes, although we have not scheduled any boat trips today. After lunch and a rest, enjoy a snack at 3 pm before the drive back to the Cuiaba Airport to check in for the evening flight. Dinner is not included tonight, but a small meal is served on the flight. Bid farewell to our guide who will be with you until you are checked in for the flight to Manaus. Fly TRIP Airlines 5470, departing CGB at 8:20 pm, stopping once en route, but no plane change, scheduled to arrive in Manaus (MAO) at 11:50 pm, where Ricardo Clark will be waiting. Manaus is the capital of Amazonas in the deep center of Brazil. From here we transfer to the Park Suites Manaus. The hotel is located in Punta Negra, a large peninsula getting into the brown milky waters of the Solimoes River, located 17 kilometers from the city of Manaus.
Lodging: Park Suites Manaus

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September 16, Friday: Fly to Tefé, boat ride to Mamirauá Reserve and Uakari Lodge
Before breakfast at dawn if you have the energy following the late arrival last evening, enjoy the surroundings of the hotel, a great introduction to the birds of the Amazonas in this location by the river. Depart for the local airport in time to catch the TRIP flight from Manaus to Tefé, which leaves at about 11:30 am. After arrival in Tefé, we will be met by the excellent group of people and resident guides working at the Mamirauá Reserve assisting Ricardo. They will transfer us to the local dock from where we take a boat trip of about one to two hours along the Rio Amazonas and into the Rio Solimoes to the Uakari Lodge. The boat trip on the Rio Solimoes is the best opportunity for viewing the Pink Dolphins, so be prepared to search for them surfacing. Three nights will be spent at this spectacular setting in the heart of the Amazonian Forest.

On arrival, we will be able to check in and meet the staff, then after lunch walk on a nearby trail for an introduction to the amazing birds found here. Uakari is a well-organized eco-lodge with floating cabins and is one of the top jungle lodge destinations in the Amazon Basin because of the abundant wildlife and the pristine surroundings it offers. The Uakari Lodge is part of the Mamirauá Institute, whose mission is "to conserve the biodiversity of the Mamirauá Reserve with participatory management." During part of the year the forest is flooded and boating only is the way to see wildlife. In September, we can walk on trails in the forest, as well as do a lot of wildlife viewing from boats. We may also visit a local riverine village. Uakari Lodge provides educational and economical support to several small communities in the surrounding area. Most employees are Caboclos or local natives who are learning a specific trade. Services offered at the Uakari Jungle Lodge are designed to allow the Caboclos to improve their lives, while offering visitors a more natural environment in a very comfortable lodge with abundant wildlife all around. Floating houses, floating farms and family groups of locals fishing in small canoes will soon give us an idea of the rather drastic changes in the height of waters between dry and rainy seasons here. Raptors are abundant, including Osprey, Great Black-hawk, Black-collared Hawk, Crane Hawk and Black Hawk-Eagle along the river together with an abundance of herons, egrets, cormorants, terns, and storks.

The Mamirauá Reserve is the largest protected flooded Forest in the world. It protects a rich ecosystem with some endemic and threatened species. There are about 35 species of mammals, 360 of birds, 79 reptiles and more than 300 species of fish. The flagship species is the endemic and charismatic White-uakari Monkey that is well protected in the reserve. Encounters with Sloths are also common here. You may be able to spot two species of dolphins during boat outings. We should see some new raptors, such as Hook-billed Hawk, Slender-billed Kite, and Slate-colored Hawk. Flocks of Hoatzins will call our attention with their rasping calls from the thickets, while a Sunbittern can be spotted on the muddy shores together with huge Black Caiman. Short-tailed Parrots and Tui Parakeets perch in the open branches of the medium strata and Red-bellied and Chestnut-fronted macaws go in pairs to higher trees. Hummingbirds are abundant due to variety of flowering bushes, but they are also difficult to spot and a bit unpredictable. White-necked Jacobin, White-bearded Hermit, and Long-billed Starthroat will eventually show well. We will search for Violaceus Trogon, the impressive Chestnut Woodpecker, and the minute Orinoco Piculet, while we hope for Pied Puffbird, White-chinned Jacamar, and Masked Tityra.
Lodging: Uakari Floating Lodge

September 17 - 18, Saturday - Sunday: Mamirauá Reserve and Uakari Lodge
Much of the action in the forest happens at sunrise, so we sit down to early breakfasts at about 5:30 am to be ready for walks along the trails. The trails are designed not to be physically taxing. Most of them can be explored in three hours at the longest. As well as birds, we will be looking for arboreal mammals, such as monkeys that are represented here by some of the most spectacular and sought after species, including Red Howler Monkey, Blackish Squirrel-Monkey, Monk Saki Monkey, and the one that gives the name to our lodge, the White Bald Uakari. These creatures are all difficult to spot, but we will also be rewarded by good views of Amazon Red Squirrel, Three-toed Sloths hanging from dead branches over the water, Brown Capuchins, and even Brazilian Porcupine. Take nocturnal outings in search of small mammals that will likely include Long-nosed and Greater Fishing bats, Amazon Bamboo Rat, and Four-eyed Opossum together with a few nocturnal birds, such as Black-banded Owl, Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Sand-colored Nighthawk, and Pauraque. In this season, which is the "dry" season on the Amazon River, cats are always a good possibility and here in the reserve that may include Margay and even Jaguar. In the surrounding forest we will certainly spot a number of Amazonian bird specialties, including Horned Screamer, Black Caracara, Festive and Mealy parrots, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, Spot-breasted and Crimson-crested woodpeckers, Lettered Aracari, White-throated Toucan, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Bare-necked Fruitcrow, and Plum-throated and Purple-throated cotingas.
Lodging: Uakari Lodge

September 19, Monday: Morning at Reserve and flight to Manaus
Today we will take a boat trip back to Tefé, again hoping to spot Pink Dolphin in the area where they are best spotted. Fly back to Manaus. We'll arrive for dinner and overnight at the Tropical Manaus Hotel in Punta Negra (Black Point). Hopefully there will be time to take a detour to allow us a look at the famous opera house in Manaus.
Lodging: Park Suites Manaus

September 20 - 21, Tuesday - Wednesday: Flights homeward
Depending on your flight time, you may have a morning free to do something on your own, such as take a boat trip for about an hour to swim with habituated Pink Dolphins. Ricardo will fly back to Buenos Aires this morning. We will arrange your transfer to the airport in Manaus for flights homeward on September 20. You should arrive home on September 21, depending on your international flight schedule. Let us know if you would like to stay longer in Manaus. Review flight details.

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Costs

Costs, Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send trip materials and travel insurance information. Until the final payment date, payments are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person. This fee may go toward another tour if reserved within six months of the departure date of the cancelled trip.

Included:

• Includes all meals from lunch on August 30 through lunch on September 20, except dinner on September 15 at the Cuiaba Airport (snack provided at 3 pm and there is a small meal on the plane).
• Land transportation.
• Baggage handling for one medium sized soft-sided bag per person.
• All entrance fees to national parks and private ranches.
• Services of our resident guides throughout the trip.

Not Included:

• Airfare: The cost of international fares varies between $1,200 and $1,500 depending on origin. The internal flights within Argentina and Brazil are approximately $1,800 (subject to change, quoted February 2011), to be paid with the final payment.
• The Argentina visa fee of $135 payable at customs on arrival. The Brazilian visa must be obtained before departing on the trip and the fee is also $135, plus any fee charged by a visa company for their assistance in obtaining your Brazilian visa.
• Taxi transfer from the Buenos Aires Airport to the Americas Tower Hotel, unless arriving at approximately 8:30 am on August 30.
• Bottled beverages except for water provided in the vehicles and soft drinks with picnic lunches in the field.
• Any item of a purely personal nature such as room service and laundry.
• Items not on the menu of included meals.
• Gratuities: Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest budgeting $12 per day per participant (a total of $240 per participant) to be distributed among the resident bus driver, boatmen and any local guides. More details about tipping will be provided before the trip.

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To Make a Reservation: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, fill out our reservation form, and mail it to us with your deposit:

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070
Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com

Other Details

Leaders: Ricardo Clark will lead our group in the Amazon Basin drawing on his extensive background in ecology and ornithology. An accomplished tour leader with a perfect command of English, he has led tours for us to Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia since 1992. He has great enthusiasm for high-energy safaris with long days in the field plus long experience leading tours since establishing Clark Expediciones. Ricardo worked for the Argentine National Park Service and published a field guide to the birds of Tierra del Fuego, having spent several years working in this wild and beautiful southern extremity of the continent. He also currently works with the Yuchan Foundation to protect the diverse northern Argentine habitats in the Andes, Yungas Cloudforests and dry and wet "Chaco".

Mario Mosqueira will lead our group in the Andes and Iguazú Falls. He has a master's degree in biology from Salta University, where he also teaches. He also guides many birding and natural history tours in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil for Clark Expediciones. Along with other innovative conservation work, Mario worked on a project to preserve the native Vicuña in several reserves in Argentina. His great personality and interest in Argentina's natural history makes him one of our favorite guides.

Fisher Souza will lead our group in the Pantanal. He has been guiding tours on the Transpantaneria for over fifteen years and has become tops at finding Jaguars, logging more than 300 contact-hours over the past three years. Fisher has worked with many professional nature photographers in the Pantanal and is very skilled in positioning the boat for the best photos. An expert on Pantanal birds and wildlife, and speaking English well after living in the USA, he will greatly enhance your Pantanal experience.

Flights: Please let us know if you would like help arranging your international flights and we will put you in contact with our excellent ticketing agent.

Arrival: Your inbound flight should arrive at the Buenos Aires - Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Argentina by the morning of August 30. We will arrange a transfer to the Americas Tower Hotel if you arrive by 8:30 am, such as the flight from Dallas (AA997) that arrives at 7:55 am. Most international flights arrive around mid-morning, giving plenty of time to take a taxi to the Americas Towers Hotel and meet our leader, Ricardo Clark, in the lobby at 12:30 pm.

Departure: Fly homeward anytime on September 20 from Manaus, Brazil (MAO).

Internal Flights: These will be finalized closer to the date of the trip. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris will arrange them and the cost will be added to your final payment.

Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

Climate: Temperatures vary greatly. The plateau areas are higher and not humid; the Andes can be surprisingly cool all year with rain. The Pantanal and Amazon Basin are normally hot at this season, especially at midday. This is the dry season in the Pantanal when the rivers are the lowest giving us a chance to encounter wildlife along the exposed riverbank. It is important to bring clothing for both cool and warm weather, but also try to travel as light as possible.

Health Concerns: Consult your physician about vaccinations, inoculations, malaria prophylactic, etc. Vaccinations and inoculations are not required to enter Argentina. We recommend a Tetanus shot and Hepatitis A vaccination. We also recommend that you drink bottled or filtered water, which is provided on the Pantanal part, so bring a water bottle. In some places the water is very good to drink, such as at Selva Montana. There are mosquitoes in the Pantanal. Bring medicine that you require.

Non-smoking Policy: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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