JAGUARS OF PANTANAL

July 10 – 17, 2024

July 10, 2024 – Welcome to Brazil & São Paulo!

A country of mythical proportions, Brazil enchants with natural beauty, friendly people and an intoxicating, unique mix of European, African, and Indigenous influences. Discover the very best of this captivating destination on your journey, whether you visit its sun-kissed beaches or travel deep into the lush Amazon.

São Paulo is the most dynamic economic center in Latin America. Famous for its ethnic diversity and busy lifestyle. The city is a city with many attractions ranging from cultural tours to shopping. Another important point is the city’s culinary side – São Paulo is recognized as one of the largest and best gastronomic centers of the country. The nightlife is very lively and has a plethora of bar, restaurant, and nightclub options for all tastes.

On arrival at São Paulo International Airport (GRU), please clear customs and immigrations and collect your luggage. Meet and greet your local tour director at the disembark area. During your private transfer to your hotel the local guide will provide some introductory information about the city.

Check in at Tivoli Mofarrej hotel. Located in the upper-class neighborhood Jardins, Tivoli Mofarrej in São Paulo is an urban oasis to constant buzz of the dynamic city. The hotel offers outstanding options on the menu to eat and drink surrounded by the city lights, where you’ll find a rich variety of drinks and high cuisine under the command of the award winning chef William Ribeiro and bartender Jessica Sanchez. Further, indulge yourself in the Anantara Spa, a place with Thailand influences where you’ll feel inspired to experience a complete well-being journey.

July 11, 2024 – Welcome to Pantanal!

Located in the geographic centre of South America, the Pantanal is the largest wetland plain on the entire planet.

Its fields and mountain ranges, bays, rivers and lakes cover an extremely flat area of 210,000 km2, fed by tributaries of the Paraguay River, which runs through the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as Bolivia and Paraguay. The unique combination of location, gently sloping topography and seasonal rise and fall of the waters, characterised by intense rainfall in summer, gave rise to a lush, mega-diverse biome.

The imposing and magnificent scenery is the habitat of the largest concentration of wildlife in the Americas. It shelters over 650 species of birds, 400 species of fish and 80 species of mammals, many threatened with extinction. In 2000, the Pantanal wetland was designated a World Natural Heritage and World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Transfer to the GRU airport and depart by domestic flight to Campo Grande Airport. You will then transfer to a private charter plane, a turbo prop aircraft – Grand Caravan type or similar – to fly to Caiman Lodge, viewing Brazil from the skies in private luxury.

The Caiman Ecological Refuge is a pioneering ecotourism enterprise in the Southern Pantanal, situated on a 53,000 ha cattle ranch (Estancia Caiman) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, near the city of Miranda, 236km west from the State Capital, Campo Grande.

In addition to ecotourism, Caiman is involved with cattle production, as well as environmental research and conservation projects, including the Hyacinth Macaw Project, Onçafari (Jaguar) Project and Blue-Fronted Parrot Project, all done through partnerships with researchers and universities.  It has also created a Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony (RPPN), which spans almost 5,600 ha and includes a representative sample of the Pantanal’s natural characteristics.

Moreover, Caiman has an Environmental Interpretation Center, which is a cultural space aiming to show a complete panorama of the Pantanal’s ecosystem and a secular vision of the Brazilian history. The visitors are guided through the space by a series of corridors, whose walls are covered in images of the local culture, flora, fauna, landscapes in different seasons.

The activities at Caiman start very early in the morning taking full advantage of the best portion of the day to observe the wildlife. After, return to the lodges, have lunch and rest. When the afternoon passes by and temperature cools off, it is time to go out for an afternoon excursion, another good time to see Pantanal and enjoy the wonderful local sunset.

July 12, 2024 – Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and guided activities at the Caiman lodge.

July 13, 2024 – Full Day & Evening Experience on private basis

Spend a full day and evening with the Jaguar Habituation Team. Go out with us in the morning and get involved in our daily activities.

The special Onçafari team spends a vast amount of time searching for the animals themselves as well as for clues that will point us in the right direction when the nocturnal Jaguars get active as the sun sets down in the horizon.

The trained Onçafari team will check previously set camera traps for any sign of Jaguars, look for tracks on the ground; try to locate kills that Jaguars might have made during the previous night, check data from satellites that follow our collared Jaguars and even search them via a receiver that can capture VHF signals emitted by their collars. You may have a chance to experience tracking on foot with our expertly African trained trackers, to see first hand pictures taken by our camera traps and experience all the technological features available to us.

Once a sign of the animal is found we will attempt to locate the animal in order to further the habituation process and you and your group can be part of this amazing experience. More often than not we will be likely to find the approximate location of the cats during the day, increasing our chances of finding them at night. Depending on circumstances, we will set out at Sunset or just after dinner in order to see the Jaguars. You will also be given a full presentation on the Project’s work and objectives at our base station.

July 14, 2024 – Enjoy breakfast and a morning guided activity at Caiman Lodge. Check out followed by lunch.

After lunch embark on a private flight to North Pantanal. The Caiman lodge has its own airstrip. You will embark on a Grand Caravan style aircraft with capacity for 9 guests and fly over the Pantanal on a panoramic air transfer of approximately 1 hour before reaching the Hotel Porto Jofre, which also has an airstrip just a few meters away from the reception.

Build in 1984, the Hotel Pantanal Norte Porto Jofre is as pioneer and unique hotel, located at the very end of the famous Transpantaneira Park Road, Km 145, on the Cuiabá River banks, in the region of Porto Jofre. With tradition and experience in the Pantanal lowlands, the hotel puts together an excellent infrastructure along with preservation and respect for the local biodiversity.

It is one of the best options for those looking to spend a few nights in search of elusive jaguars. The hotel offers 36 rooms which are simple but have all the necessary comforts, such as air conditioned, TV and mini bar. The hotel also offers full board pension (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and an excellent infrastructure for jaguar excursions.

Check in followed by a leisure afternoon and dinner at the hotel.

July 15, 2024 – Today enjoy two private boat excursions searching for the elusive Jaguar, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The boats are equipped with radios, ensuring you have the best chance of a sighting. During this time of year, jaguar sightseeing has hit it’s peak and jaguar sightings are common.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at the hotel.

Call Jolene DiRocco at 941-951-1801 at extension 106 now to reserve your space on this unique journey today! You may e-mail at jolene@admiraltravel.com.

Cost starting from $13,950 per person based on double occupancy. For most accurate rates & availability, please call our office.

Payment and Cancellation Schedule:

• 25% deposit to secure
• 40% deposit due December 4, 2023
• Final due April 14, 2024

All payments non-refundable. We highly recommend trip insurance and are happy to assist. Please inquire with your travel advisor.

Inclusions

• Transportation by private vehicle with local English-speaking guide,
• Meals as per itinerary described above
• Accommodation in rooms with private bathrooms
• Excursions and services as listed above on private basis with English speaking guide (except at Caiman lodge where will be shared with other guests at the lodge)
• Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing
• Baggage handling – 2 pieces of baggage per person
• Taxes and service charges – hotel taxes and service charges as imposed by the government are included for hotel services specified in the itinerary

Exclusions

• International air transportation and taxes, unless specified above
• Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff*
• Extras services at hotels (laundry, telephone calls, tips etc.)

PLEASE NOTE:

Admiral Travel (ATI) reserves the right to decline to accept anyone on a Founders Journey (FJ) departure. ATI reserves the right to remove from the trip, at his or her sole expense, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip. ATI reserves the right to cancel the reservation/booking at any time during the pre-trip planning process should the potential traveler become combative or disruptive/rude to any member of the ATI team or other travelers. ATI does not need to refund in any scenario outlined but will do its very best to find a replacement to minimize costs. ATI has a strict policy to ensure the cordial and congenial relationship of all travelers to ensure a seamless and memorable experience.

• All payments made to or on behalf of Admiral Travel are non-refundable unless stated otherwise
• If minimum numbers are not met for a hosted departure, prices are subject to change / increase to confirm same program on a private basis
• Founder’s Journey will always be priced at or below published rates, but never higher.
• Travel with like-minded individuals on these exclusive departures.
• Enjoy a welcome cocktail party to meet your fellow travelers.
• A hosted dinner will be offered during one night of the trip with the Hiltons.
• On many occasions, optional shore events are offered as an option that only our group is invited to join.
• Special global relationships that the Hiltons have formed over the years will allow you privileged access opportunities.
• Trips are offered well in advance to give ample time for your future planning.
• Minimum numbers must be met in order for the Hiltons to host the journey.
• The Hiltons reserve the right to adjust the duration of their participation should any schedule conflicts arise.