Pantanal-Itinerary-2017 2

WILDLIFE OF THE PANTANAL A Journey to Brazil’s Wetland Jewel

17 Days from September 6 through September 22, 2017

The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world, stretching out over 230,000 square kilometers in three countries: Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. The majority of this vast ecosystem lies within Brazil’s borders and is home to the greatest wildlife concentrations on the South American continent. The Amazon gets most of the biodiversity fame, but the density of the forest can make wildlife observation difficult. By contrast the wide open spaces of the Pantanal provide easier wildlife viewing. EcoQuest Travel is proud to partner with the North Carolina Zoo Society on a once in a lifetime trip to the Brazilian Pantanal. Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, Dustin Smith, will co-lead this trip. We are traveling in September to take advantage of the end of the dry season when the already abundant wildlife gathers in extraordinary numbers in and around the shrinking pools of water. Huge numbers of caiman and waterbirds reap the fishy rewards the receding waters provide. Herds of Capybara, small groups of Marsh Deer and Anacondas also frequent the water’s edge. Many of South America’s rare large mammals are quite common in the Pantanal and with luck we could see Giant Anteater, Giant River Otter, Tapir, Ocelot, Puma and even the elusive Jaguar (we saw five Jaguars on our 2009 trip!!). No wonder the Pantanal is often called the Serengeti of South America! The birdlife is no less spectacular including flightless Rheas, giant Jabiru Storks, colorful Toco Toucans and, the symbol of the Pantanal, the endangered Hyacinth Macaw. This trip’s itinerary rises above the competition because, unlike most trips, we will visit both the northern and southern sections of the Pantanal as well as the fantastic crystal clear rivers of Bonito. This will help us maximize our chances of seeing the greatest diversity of wildlife and will also increase the likelihood of spotting the rarer denizens of these fantastic ecosystems. EcoQuest Travel and the North Carolina Zoo Society invite you to join us as we explore the bounty of the Pantanal – Brazil’s wetland jewel.

ITINERARY

All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 Day 1 – Wednesday, September 6: Home City to US Gateway and on to Sao Paulo, Brazil Our adventure begins today as we depart from our home cities to a US gateway city for our overnight flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Please make sure that you arrive at your home airport no later than two hours prior to your scheduled departure time. Once you arrive at the gateway city please go directly to our departure gate for Sao Paulo. For those departing from Raleigh/Durham, Dave Davenport and Dustin Smith will meet you and help you get checked in. For those not departing from RDU Dave and Dustin will meet you in our US gateway city at our departure gate for Sao Paulo.

Day 2 – Thursday, September 7: Arrival in Sao Paulo, Fly to Cuiaba and Into the Cerrado We will arrive in Sao Paulo, Brazil early this morning and, after clearing immigration and customs, we will transfer to our domestic flight to Cuiaba. Cuiaba, in Mato Grosso State, is the gateway to the Cerrado and the Northern Pantanal and after our arrival we will begin our adventure by driving to Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park. Chapada dos Guimaraes is the geographical center of the South American continent and the transition between the cerrado and the Amazon rainforest. The Guimaraes plateau, 2,400 feet higher than the Pantanal, acts as the dividing line between the Paraguay and Amazon River basins, forming an ecosystem of great ecological interest and fascinating geological formations. The terrain is reminiscent of the southwestern US with waterfalls, rock formations, forests and grasslands. We will have time this afternoon to begin to explore this park before settling into our accommodations at the Pousada do Parque. The grounds around our lodge and the park access road are excellent for wildlife and after dinner we will briefly explore these areas to see what we can find under the spotlights. We could see armadillos, anteaters and if we are incredibly lucky perhaps a Maned Wolf. This long-legged canine is quite rare, but does occur in the area. (D)

Day 3 – Friday, September 8: The Cerrado of Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park The cerrado is one of the South America’s special habitats. These endangered grasslands, ribboned with forests, support an incredible array of species including many endemic birds. We will be out early this morning looking for some these special species including Blue-winged Macaw, White-eared Puffbird, Rusty-backed Antwren, Curl- crested Jay and both White-rumped and White-banded Tanagers. The grassland specialties include the Coal-crested Finch and a spectacularly colored little hummingbird – the Horned Sungem. The forest belts hold both Helmeted and Fiery-capped Manakins and Large-billed Antwren. Mammals are not nearly as common in Chapada dos Guimaraes as they are in the Pantanal, but we will be on the lookout for them both today and tonight as we once again search for nocturnal All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 species and hopefully another chance for a glimpse at a Maned Wolf. We will overnight once again at Pousada do Parque. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Saturday, September 9: Chapada dos Guimaraes to Pocone and into the Pantanal Today we will depart the Cerrado of Chapada dos Guimaraes and drop in elevation as we descend into the Pantanal. We will drive to the town of Pocone and the beginning of the Transpantaneira. The Transpantaneira is a raised dirt road that pushes deep into the Pantanal. Wildlife is plentiful along this road and we will spend the first part of our trip along its entire length. Once we leave the town of Pocone and head south on the Transpantaneira the ponds along the road will be full of wildlife creating an incredible safari atmosphere. Caiman, Marsh Deer and Capybaras should be among the first wildlife we see. We also have a good chance of seeing Giant Anteater and Black Howler Monkeys. Birds will be abundant and could include Greater Rhea, Jabiru Stork, Southern Screamer, Roseate Spoonbill, Toco Toucan and a host of other species. Our three hour drive along the beginning of the Transpantaneira will take us to our accommodations at Pousada Pouso Alegre. Pousada Alegre is a basic, but comfortable lodge and the surrounding area is a haven for wildlife. With whatever time we have this afternoon we will observe wildlife before dinner and perhaps another night drive if we are up to it. (B, L,D)

Day 5 – Sunday, September 10: Pousada Alegre and on to Porto Jofre Pousada Alegre has a great variety of mammals and birds and we will be out early this morning searching for wildlife. Black-bellied and White-faced Whistling-Ducks, all five species of South American kingfishers, Great Black Hawk, Black-collared Hawk, Chaco Chachalaca, Band-tailed Antbird and numerous heron species are found among the wetlands. With luck we could also see Chestnut-bellied Guan, Helmeted Manakin, Mato Grosso Antbird and a variety of mammals including Black-tailed Marmoset, Southern Tamandua, Yellow Armadillo and South American Coati. After a full morning and lunch we will depart Pousada Alegre and drive south along the remainder of the Transpantaneira. The Transpantaneira ends deep within the Pantanal at the Cuiaba River and the small fishing enclave of Porto Jofre. Once we arrive in Porto Jofre we will check into our accommodations for the next four nights aboard the Jaguar House Boat. The Jaguar House Boat is a comfortable live-aboard boat that is specifically designed for the rivers and for Jaguar spotting. Each of the nine double cabins on the boat has two bunk beds – so the upper bunks are usually reserved for luggage storage. Each room is basic, but clean and functional with a private bathroom and air conditioning. Our floating hotel will be an ideal way to look for wildlife in this remote area. Once settled in our cabins we will cruise to our anchorage for the night and watch the sunset before dinner under a blanket of stars and surrounded by the sounds of a Pantanal night. (B,L,D)

All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 Days 6, 7 & 8 – Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, September 11, 12 and 13: Jaguar Quest on the Rivers We will have three full days to

explore the Cuiaba, Piquiri and Three Brothers Rivers. Each day as the sun rises we will board smaller boats and begin navigating the quiet channels of these rivers. The main focus will be to find the phantom of the Pantanal – the Jaguar. Seeing these great cats requires patience and a bit of luck, but we will be in the best area in the world to see them. The rivers are also home to Giant River Otters and we hope to see several family groups during our time on the water. While searching for Jaguar and Giant Otter we will certainly see plenty of Capybara and Yacare Caiman – both of which provide an ample food supply for the big cats. Howler monkeys are abundant in the trees along the river and their deafening morning chorus should follow us as we meander through the waterways. Tapir are sometimes found along the river and with luck we could see them swimming and diving. All three rivers attract a great diversity of birds including Pied Lapwing, Collared Plover, Yellow-billed and Large-billed Terns, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Wattled Jacana, all the Kingfishers, Black-capped Donacobius and many other waterbirds. The rivers are also great places to spot an Anaconda. After mornings on the rivers we will return to the Jaguar House Boat for lunch and some downtime. We will likely be anchored at a strategic point along the river which will attract birds like Whistling Heron, Maguari Stork, Plumbeous and Bare-faced Ibis, Savanna Hawk, Nacunda Nighthawk, Yellow- throated Spinetail, Scarlet-headed Blackbird and numerous flycatchers. The riverine forest also attracts Bare-faced Curassow, White-throated and Red- throated Piping-Guan, Yellow-chevroned Parakeets, Guira Cuckoo, Blue-crowned Trogon, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pale-

All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 crested Woodpecker, Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Rufous Cachalote and Thrush-like Wren. In the late afternoons/early evenings we will once again board the smaller boats and search the rivers for our quarry. (B,L,D)

Day 9 – Thursday, September 14: Porto Jofre to Pousada Piuval This morning after an early breakfast we will depart Porto Jofre and drive north along nearly the entire length of the Transpantaneira. This journey will likely take us the majority of the day due mainly to the wildlife sightings along the way. We will take a packed lunch with us and should arrive at Pousada Piuval in the late afternoon with time for some wildlife watching and sunset from Pousada Piuval’s tower. After dinner we will do a night drive to find nocturnal species. With luck we could also see both anteaters and perhaps even a Puma. We also hope to see the rarely encountered Azara’s Night Monkey – which is not likely to be seen anywhere else on the trip. (B,L,D)

Day 10 – Friday, September 15: Cuiaba, Fly to Campo Grande & to Fazenda San Francisco Today we will drive from Pousada Piuval to Cuiaba and the airport for our flight to Campo Grande and the southern Pantanal. Once we arrive in Campo Grande we will transfer to our vehicle for the drive to Fazenda San Francisco. Today will be a long day of travel, but we will stop frequently along the way to stretch our legs and to eat a packed lunch. Fazenda San Francisco is located in the heart of the southern Pantanal and hosts a Jaguar conservation project. In fact this farm is famous for the big cats with one out of every four nocturnal game drives producing a sighting. After dinner we will take our first night drive in hopes that it will be one of the fortunate ones. (B,L,D)

Day 11 – Saturday, September 16: South Pantanal – Fazenda San Francisco Today we will have a full day to explore Fazenda San Francisco. This private ranch is a patchwork of rice fields, open grasslands and both gallery and riparian forests. This mosaic of habitats creates incredible biodiversity. The rice fields and canals attract Marsh Deer, Giant River Otters, Capybara and hundreds of Caiman. This abundance of game has led to one of the highest densities of Jaguar in the world. This morning we will drive through the various habitats searching for wildlife. The rice fields are designed to minimize their environmental impact and act as huge wetlands drawing in many species of mammals and birds. Maguari Storks, Cocoi Herons, Plumbeous Ibis, Limpkins and the giant Jabiru all stalk these fields in search of prey. Anhinga, Rufescent Tiger-Herons, Snail Kites and several species of kingfisher hunt the canals. White-tailed Hawk, Harris’s Hawk, Savanna Hawk and sometimes Long-winged Harrier soar over the fields and grasslands. Swallow-tailed Hummingbirds and Gilded Sapphires buzz from flower to flower and the diversity of parrots is amazing. The drier grasslands are punctuated by termite mounds which often draw Giant Anteaters to the All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 underground feast. After a morning of exploring we will return to the lodge for lunch and will have some down time during the heat of the day. The swimming pool is inviting and the bird feeders stay busy even in the heat. This afternoon we will have another game drive. Often the real magic of Fazenda San Francisco takes place after dark. Once we finish dinner we will have another nocturnal safari in hopes of seeing a Jaguar. In 2009 we saw four Jaguars in two nights! We also saw two Striped Owls, four Ocelots, three Giant Anteaters, many Scissor-tailed Nightjars and two Tapir, so even if the Jaguars remain elusive there is always something spectacular to see. (B,L,D)

Day 12 – Sunday, September 17: South Pantanal We will have another full day to explore the area surrounding San Francisco Lodge. The longer you spend in a remote area the more likely you are to observe the rarer residents like Maned Wolves, Giant Anteaters and big cats. We will hike a boardwalk trail and observe the feeders in hopes of seeing Golden- collared Macaw, Scaly-headed Parrot, flocks of Peach- fronted and Black-headed Parakeets, Plush-crested Jay, White Woodpecker, Flavescent and White-bellied Warblers and Chestnut-vented Conebill. Also, today we will have the opportunity to learn about the Jaguar Conservation Project which takes place on the ranch. Scientists have been working on predator prey interactions and the depredation of livestock by Jaguars for several years on the farm. In the late afternoon/early evening we will enjoy a boat ride through the corichos (small rivers) where we will observe wildlife and try our hand at Piranha fishing. We will have one more nocturnal safari this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 13 – Monday, September 18: Fazenda San Francisco and on to Bonito & the Natural Aquarium If we haven’t yet seen a Jaguar we may have one more early game drive before breakfast. After breakfast we will depart for the town of Bonito which is located south of the Pantanal. Today we will begin our explorations of the unique ecosystems that surround the town of Bonito. This area is ribboned with crystal clear rivers surrounded by lush forests. The clarity of the water is amazing and caused by limestone-based subterranean springs that bring calcium carbonate laced waters to the surface. The calcium carbonate calcifies all the impurities in the water which sink to the bottom resulting in fantastically clear water and unparalleled snorkeling conditions through shoals of multicolored tropical fish. This area is also riddled with caves and sinkholes. Once we arrive in Bonito we will drop off our luggage at our accommodations at Pousada Olho D’Agua and have lunch. After All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 lunch we will sink into the transparent waters of the Natural Aquarium to experience an amazing drift snorkel down river. This spring is home to more than 30 species of fish. We will float gently downstream to some small waterfalls. For those that don’t wish to snorkel you can experience the spring aboard a rubber raft. After our float trip we will have dinner in town before settling into our accommodations at Pousada Olho D’Agua for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 14 – Tuesday, September 19: Bonito: Prata River and Macaw Crater Today we will have an unforgettable adventure as we journey to the Rio da Prata and a remarkable 3km float down river. Before we arrive at the river we will visit the macaw crater. This deep depression in the ground resembles a huge sinkhole and is the roosting site for large numbers of Red-and-green Macaws. The surrounding forest is great for birds and we will also look for Blue-and- yellow Macaw, Gilded Hummingbird, Rusty-backed Antwren and Red- crested Finch. After an early morning at the crater we travel to the Rio da Prata River where our river float begins with a short hike through the forest to the riverbank. The forest is full of birds, agoutis, lizards and Capuchin Monkeys. The trail ends at the river’s spring where we will slip into the sparkling clear waters and let the river take us downstream. We will float through huge numbers of fish, including robust predatory Dourado, giant Shovelnose Catfish in the grottos and schools of huge Black Pacu. We could also float past Dwarf Caiman, Green Anacondas and perhaps even swim with South American River Otters. At journeys end we will reach an underwater vent that lifts the sand off the bottom in swirling ever-changing forms that look like an underwater volcano. After drying off we will have lunch and the chance to enjoy the surrounding forest. In the late afternoon we will stop at the macaw crater again as the macaws fly in to roost for the night. After a full day we will return to Bonito for dinner and will once again overnight at Pousadsa Olho D’Agua. (B,L,D)

Day 15 – Wednesday, September 20: The Sucuri River Early this morning, if promising species have shown up on previous mornings, we will spend some time observing the bird feeders at the home of Daniel De Granville - EcoQuest’s partner in the Southern Pantanal and Bonito. Daniel is one of the best nature photographers in Brazil and perhaps we will get to see some of his work during our visit. Afterward we will drive to the Sucuri River to continue our snorkeling adventures with a drift down the Sucuri. The underwater environment at the Sucuri is quite different from both the Natural Aquarium and the Rio da Prata giving us one last opportunity to marvel at the biological richness of these crystal clear rivers. All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 The Rio Sucuri (which means Anaconda River) is one of the clearest rivers in the world and home to a fantastic variety of fish. This river is also full of surprises and the unexpected can occur at any time - on our 2012 trip we had an incredible encounter with a Tapir that swam right up to us before hauling ashore and disappearing into the forest. After the morning’s snorkel we will have lunch at Sucuri and after lunch we will explore some other areas near Bonito for birds and other wildlife. Giant Anteaters are particularly common in the grasslands surrounding Bonito and we hope to find a few as we explore. We may also return to Daniel’s feeders – especially if we skipped them this morning. After a full day we will once again have dinner in Bonito and overnight at Pousada Olho D’Agua. (B,L,D)

Day 16 – Thursday, September 21: Bonito to Campo Grande to Sao Paulo and the US After breakfast we will depart Bonito to begin the long journey home. We will travel from Bonito to Campo Grande where we will have lunch and transfer to the airport for our flight to Sao Paulo. Once in we arrive in Sao Paulo we will check-in for our overnight flight back to the US. (B,L)

Day 17 – Friday, September 22: Arrival in the US and Transfer to Our Flights Home We will arrive at our US gateway city early this morning and, after clearing immigration and customs, we will transfer to our flights home.

* Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.

Cost: $7,535.00/person all-inclusive tour package $ 450.00/person estimated domestic airfare* $7,985.00/person all-inclusive*

Airline Ticketing: International airline tickets are not included in the above costs. EcoQuest Travel is a full service tour operator and we will gladly assist you with your flights for this tour. We do not charge a service fee for this assistance to clients who book a tour with us. We are aware, however, that clients often prefer to use frequent flyer miles, or points, to purchase tickets or to shop online. Regardless of which method you choose EcoQuest Travel will be happy to help you with ticket prices, scheduling and ticket purchase. If you decide to obtain airline tickets on your own please make sure to check with All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 EcoQuest Travel prior to purchasing your ticket to make sure the flights you have chosen will work with the tour itinerary and that the tour has sufficient participation to operate. Please be aware that once purchased, most airline tickets are non-refundable and carry a financial penalty for any changes. Also, it is essential that we receive a copy of your flight itinerary so that we may track you in case of missed connections, flight delays or other mishaps that might impact your arrival. Domestic airline tickets within Brazil have been included in the above costs. Please understand that the budgeted amount for our domestic airline tickets ($450.00) is an estimate and the actual cost may vary until we actually book the tickets. If ticket prices at the time of booking are lower than our estimates the savings will be passed on to you. If ticket prices are higher you will be invoiced the difference.

What’s Included: • All air, ground and boat transportation within Brazil (see the above paragraph regarding our domestic airline tickets within Brazil) • All accommodations – based upon double occupancy (single supplement is available at an additional cost of $1,050.00) • All tours within the scheduled itinerary • Meals (excluding beverages) – meals while in transit are not included (see the trip itinerary for specifics) • Permits, entrance fees and guides • The leadership services of EcoQuest Travel, Inc. professionals and local guides

What’s Not Included: • Round-trip airfare from the US to Sao Paulo, Brazil (see the above paragraph on airfare pricing) • Gifts and items of a personal nature • Gratuities (for our local guides – further information on tipping will be included within the final trip information packet) • Passport and Visa fees • Travel insurance (please see the Travel Insurance Section below) • Costs associated with pre-trip medical planning (such as vaccines)

Travel Documents: A passport valid for at least 6 months after our arrival is required for travel in Brazil. In addition, US citizens are required to obtain an entry visa available from the Brazilian Consulate assigned to your state. The fee for a 90-day tourist visa is $130.00. Complete instructions for obtaining a visa and visa application forms are found on the Brazilian Embassy’s website: www.brasilemb.org. Additionally, EcoQuest Travel will help you navigate the visa application process.

Group Size: All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 The trip cost is based on a minimum number of participants – ten people. Although ten participants are required in order to make this trip happen we are able to accommodate a maximum of twelve participants. Given the limited number of available spaces and the popularity of this trip we encourage you to sign up quickly.

Health Requirements: The Government of Brazil does not require any vaccinations, however, there are several vaccines that would be prudent to consider prior to traveling to tropical South America. These include: Yellow Fever; Hepatitis A; and Typhoid. One should also check to make sure that vaccines against Tetanus/Diphtheria and Polio are up to date. Malaria is present in Brazil, but not in the Pantanal so the use of anti-malarial drugs is not necessary for this trip. Information on travel- related diseases and vaccines to prevent them can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website at: www.cdc.gov/travel We highly recommend discussing all medical issues related to travel with your doctor well in advance of the proposed travel date (at least 6 months prior to departure).

Payments and Reservations: A deposit of $2,000.00 per person is required along with your reservation form in order to reserve space on the trip. This will help insure airline seating space and necessary early deposits during this busy time in Brazil. The reservation form is available on our website: www.ecoquesttravel.net and can be filled out online and submitted via email, or downloaded and mailed. We encourage you to send the deposit well in advance of the date the first payment is due, as paying the deposit is the only way to secure your spot. Personal checks, money orders and credit cards are accepted. If paying by personal check it should be made payable to EcoQuest Travel, Inc. and on the memo line please indicate: For Pantanal Trip 2017. If paying by credit card please phone your credit card information in to EcoQuest Travel at: (919) 963-3038. EcoQuest Travel accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and most bank debit cards. After your initial deposit, EcoQuest Travel will send you an invoice for subsequent trip payments according to the schedule listed below: • A payment of at least $2,992.00/person is required no later than March 3, 2017 • The remainder of the trip expense ($2,993.00/person) will be due on or before June 9, 2017

Cancellation: The initial deposit, as well as subsequent payments, will be used to purchase airline tickets and pay deposits for accommodations, travel arrangements, etc. in Brazil. Therefore, if you must withdraw from the trip, irrespective of reason, a refund will not be possible. We strongly suggest that you protect yourself with the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. We will try to retain a wait list for this trip and it is All Contents Copyright 2016 EcoQuest Travel Inc. • All Rights Reserved • www.EcoQuestTravel.net • 919.963.3038 possible that if you end up not being able to participate we will attempt to find a replacement for you; however, it is your responsibility to find a replacement or to have insurance. • Please note that in the event EcoQuest Travel, Inc. cancels this trip, due to circumstances beyond our control or low trip participant numbers, a refund of the initial deposit and any payments made will be issued.

Travel Insurance: EcoQuest Travel, Inc. partners with Allianz Global Assistance (formerly – Access America) to provide the best possible travel insurance for our clients. They offer trip cancellation and worldwide emergency services (such as emergency evacuation and emergency medical services) as well as a host of other benefits. You can find more information on Allianz’s website (www.allianzassistance.com) including how to get quotes and sign up. You do not have to use Allianz Global Assistance and may choose to use another company. In either case, EcoQuest Travel, Inc. strongly suggests the purchase of trip cancellation/medical insurance. If you do decide to purchase travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance please give them the following EcoQuest Travel vendor (or ACCAM) number: F031120. This number identifies that you are working with an Allianz Global Assistance partner. Note: Pre-existing conditions will be waived by Allianz Global Assistance if you purchase travel insurance within 14 calendar days of your initial trip deposit.

General Information: Upon receiving your deposit and reservation form, and after we have arranged our flights, you will be sent an information packet containing flight information, baggage requirements, hints on what to bring and other useful information. The climate can vary from hot and humid to hot and dry in the Pantanal with potentially cool nights. Although it is the dry season, rain is possible and should be prepared for. You will want to bring a camera, film and binoculars. Again, a more exhaustive list will be provided after you are registered for the trip.

Trip Leader: Dave Davenport: Zoologist and President of EcoQuest Travel Dustin Smith: Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians for the North Carolina Zoo