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Pico da Neblina Expedition 21 Days
Among a variety of tours focusing on nature, environment and cultural aspects in Brazils wild and unknown backcountry, it is the journey to Brazils highest mountain, the 2994m Pico da Neblina, located amidst the Amazonian Rain Forest that is the most demanding and the most rewarding for the experienced traveler. Situated in the Imari Massif, in the federal state of Amazonas, it borders with Venezuela on its northern slope, and is part of the 22.000 km² huge Parque Nacional do Pico da Neblina. The region hosts also the biggest Yanomami Indian reservation in Brazil. During the expedition you will make the experience of your life, when you encounter the untouched and untamed tropical rainforest, its enormous spectrum of species and its complex form of life and interactions in flora and fauna. The natural attractions include the Igapós, flooded rainforests of the lowlands, the Várzea forest with its fertile grounds, the terra firme with its enormous biodiversity, (215 species of hard-wood trees alone) and also the nebular forest at the Pico da Neblina, where the richness of epiphytes, orchids and bromeliads, is just breathtaking, compensating the traveler thus for the strenuous trail up to the "Pico".
| Overview Itinerary |
| Day 01: |
Arrival in Belem |
| Day 02: |
City Tour of Belem |
| Day 03: |
Flight to Manaus – City Tour |
| Day 04: |
São Gabriel da Cachoeira |
| Day 05: |
Ia mirim river - FUNAI |
| Day 06: |
FUNAI – Rio Tucano |
| Day 07: |
Cachoeira |
| Day 08: |
Bebedouro Velho |
| Day 09: |
Bebedouro Novo |
| Day 10: |
Base Camp |
| Day 11: |
Relaxing Day |
| Day 12: |
Spare Day |
| Day 13: |
Summit Pico da Neblina |
| Day 14-Day 17: |
Descent to Camp at the Rio Tucano |
| Day 18: |
FUNAI |
| Day 19: |
Ia mirim - Iá village |
| Day 20: |
São Gabriel da Cachoeira |
| Day 21: |
Manaus |
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Belem
Arrival in Belém will be in the early afternoon. You will be picked up by the tour coordinator and transferred to the hotel and rest. The welcome drink and the first briefing will be followed by a dinner. Overnight. -/-/D
Day 02: City Tour of Belem
The capital of the northern Brazilian state of Pará is located at the banks of the 250 km large estuary of the Amazon fluvial system. Since its foundation in 1616, Belém represents the gateway to the entire Amazon region. In the morning you visit the internationally renowned Goeldi Amazon research institute with its botanical-zoological garden where you get to know more about the flora and fauna of the Amazon region. Lunch will be at a restaurant featuring Amazon specialties. The afternoon is spent with a sight-seeing tour through the colonial old-town with its churches, fortresses, the splendorous Teatro da Paz, which was built like the better-known brother, the world-famous theater in Manaus, during the rubber-boom. You will visit the famous Ver-o-Peso (Check the weight) market, with its exotic products and fascinating variety in sea- and freshwater fish, snake-poison elixirs as well as of imaginable or unimaginable medicinal herbs and tasty fruits. You spend the evening at the old piers and warehouses in the port area, which were beautifully restored recently. Here, at the banks of Rio Guamá, various handicraft-stores, fancy bars and restaurants offer unexpected sophistication to the foreign visitor. Sitting on the terrace among and underneath the old cranes, you look out at the river while you enjoy the fresh breeze and icy cold draft beer in the only in-house brewery of the whole Amazon region. After dinner, return to the hotel and overnight. B/L/D
Day 03: Flight to Manaus – City Tour
Transfer to the airport of Belém and flight to Manaus with arrival estimated around noon and transfer to the hotel. After lunch the group starts for a sightseeing tour. Manaus is the gateway to the inner Amazon region and has been of significant importance for the conquest of the whole region; a fact for which the jungle theater and the harbor deliver rich testimony. With time left you will visit the confluence of the Rio Negro and Solimões rivers that form the great Amazon River. B/L/D
Day 04: São Gabriel da Cachoeira
Early departure with Trip Air to São Gabriel da Cachoeira, located on the upper Rio Negro. You will be welcomed by the chief-guide Negão. Transfer to the hotel. During a stroll through the small town the permits from the National Park authority and the FUNAI will be collected. After returning to the hotel, the equipment and baggage will be checked and packed up for departure next day. In the late afternoon the outboard engine will be checked on a ride through the rapids of the Rio Negro. During the dinner the complete crew and participants will get acquainted. Overnight in São Gabriel da Cachoeira. B/L/D
Day 05: Ia mirim river - FUNAI
Adventurous jeep ride on Amazonian dirt road from São Gabriel da Cachoeira (85 km, about 3-4 hours) to the embankment at the Ia mirim river and loading of the equipment onto the boats. The journey starts on Ia mirim river and the greater Ia until reaching the FUNAI outpost at the confluence of Iá river with the Cauaburi river (about 3½ hours). Overnight in hammocks at the FUNAI camp. B/L/D
Day 06: FUNAI – Rio Tucano
From the FUNAI Camp the expedition continues upstream the Cauaburi river in direction to the Tucano river (about 6-7 hours) arriving there in time to pitch camp at the mouth of the Rio Tucano, before the dark sets in. Overnight in hammocks. B/L/D
Day 07: Cachoeira
Boats are moored, some food for the return, equipment and gasoline are hidden and left behind. Departure to the camp called Cachoeira. 7 km of ups and downs are covered in about 3-4 hours. The camp site at 180 m consists of three palm-leaf-covered huts with a small banana and manioc plantation and is a permanent Yanomami hunting camp. Overnight in hammocks. B/L/D
Day 08: Bebedouro Velho
The morning is used to observe and photograph wildlife and make botanical discoveries. A refreshing bath in the rapids is highly recommended. Fishing at the waterfall may produce a welcomed add on for lunch. Afternoon: departure to the next camp called Bebedouro Velho (“old source”). It is located in 420 m above sea level and only about 5 km distance to the camp at the Rio Tucano. Despite this short distance, close to 3 hours are needed for that stretch. B/L/D
Day 09: Bebedouro Novo
This day is known to be a rather tough one. For the 13 km to the camp Bebedouro Novo (“new source”), about 6 hours of sheer ascend must be calculated. The camp is pitched in 860 m over sea level. A difference of altitude of 440 m has to be dealt with. B/L/D
Day 10: Base camp
Today the excitement - and strain - is growing further. The base-camp is located in 2.000 m above sea level beneath the Pico da Neblina on a swampy turf plateau. It is reached after seven hours of ascend in difficult terrain. A difference in altitude of 1.140 m has to be mastered. The distance from the last camp to the base-camp is only 17 km. After arriving and a well earned relax the crew pitches the camp while the others may want to visit the nearby camp of a lonesome garimpeiro (gold digger). On request and to the disguise of the environmentalists and naturalists in the group he will show how he washes the gold out of the banks of the rapid. B/L/D
Day 11: Relaxing Day
The day is planned for seeking some rest from the endeavor of the last few days. The plateau hosts a rich and endemic flora, especially orchids and bromeliads, including carnivores, which will enchant every botanist. Botanical discoveries of a rare kind are possible here. It has to be mentioned again however, that sampling of the local flora is rigorously forbidden by law and subject to severe penalty that includes going to jail. B/L/D
Day 12: Spare Day
Today is a spare day, meaning that it has been included in the itinerary for reasons of safety, weather included. The expedition leader will decide during the stay on the plateau when the ascent to the peak should take place. If the conditions are favorable ascend may be done today and the spare day can also be utilized for other activity in the area, like botanizing. B/L/D
Day 13: Summit Pico da Neblina
The last leg (6 km) to the top of the Pico da Neblina, after recent survey only 2.994 m above sea level but still Brazil’s highest mountains, will take about 5 hours of mountain trekking, some easy climbing and walking on the rope. Climbing experience however is not necessary. If the weather is fine you will have a magnificent view over the seemingly endless Amazon rainforest and deep into Venezuelan territory. Depending on weather conditions overnight at Brazil´s roof top or descent to the base-camp the same day. B/L/D
Day 14 – Day 17
Descent to Camp at the Rio Tucano B/L/D
Day 18: FUNAI
Returning. Picking up all equipment that has been left behind, plus food and gasoline, loading the boats and leaving the shallow waters of the Tucano river. The strong currents of the Cauaburi, now downstream, takes us back to the FUNAI post at camp. B/L/D
Day 19: Ia mirim - Iá village
Again you will be riding on the Rio Ia and Ia mirim to the landing stage at the Ia mirim. On route, and subject to permission by the FUNAI, a visit at the Yanomami village Maturacá is planned. Arrival is estimated at noon or early afternoon. You will visit the Iá village of the Tucano Indians, followed by a pow wow with the tribe members in the common room who will give the visitor the opportunity to know more about the tribes traditional and actual way of life. Overnight in hammocks at the village or at the landing stage of the Iá river. B/L/D
Day 20: São Gabriel
Return to civilization to São Gabriel by a four-wheel-driven jeep. Repacking, a hot shower and relax before the team bids fare well with a deluxe dinner, caipirinhas that will do for aperitif and a bottle of good wine. In recognition of his efforts, a diploma is issued to the successful member of the expedition, who has reached the Pico da Neblina. Tonight a genuine bed waits for the tired expeditionary. B/L/D
Day 21: Manaus
Return flight to Manaus. End of services
Prices 2009:
2-4 people USD 7,875.-
5-6 people USD 7,000.-
The price includes
•Overnight with breakfast in double room in Belém, Manaus and São Gabriel da Cachoeira
•Flights Manaus/São Gabriel da Cachoeira/Manaus
•All transfers
•All meals and beverages
•Expedition equipment, tents and hammocks
•Boats and boat-conductors, gasoline
•Experienced, qualified expedition leader and reliable local guides and porters.
The price does not include:
• Medical assistance
•Extras
•Tips
•Beverages and meals
•Insurance
The tour starts in Belém and ends in Manaus. The costs for international air fares are not included in the price.
Best time to travel:
November – April
Dates:
08.04.2009 – 28.04.2009
28.10.2009 – 17.11.2009
25.11.2009 – 15.12.2009
Difficulty level
The trekking is strenuous. The terrain is difficult with roots, swamps, rocks, wet stone, walking on rope to the peak. Very good physical conditions are required.
Disclaimer of warranty
This journey has the character of an expedition. Rivers and rainforest replace highways, streets and roads. The conditions which are encountered on route will be completely new for the traveler. A correct attitude and mental preparedness for a different and fascinating environment is imperative. The unexpected can happen, whereupon the traveler is expected to react flexible and, depending on the situation, relaxed or immediate. The guides with their knowledge of the environment, are experienced trekkers and expedition leaders and absolutely reliable. The willingness of the traveler to cooperate and interact tolerantly with other participants is required also in strenuous situations. As operator we disclaim ourselves of any warranty for any risk on this journey
If you need any additional information please write us:
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