Brazils highest mountain is located in the Imari Massiv of the federal state of Amazonas. Bordering with Venezuela on its northern slope, it is part of the 22.000 km² huge Parque Nacional do Pico da Neblina. The National Park is located between 01º 10' and 03º 02' northern latitude and 65º 03' and 66º 52' western longitude. The region hosts also the biggest Yanomami Indian reservation. During our expedition the participants will make the experience of their life, when they encounter the untouched and untamed tropical rainforest, its enor¬mous spectrum of species and its complex form of life and interactions in flora and fauna. The natural attractions include the 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, or¬chids and bromeliads, is just breath¬taking, thus compensating the traveler for the strenuous trail up to the "Pico".
Starting point of the expedition is the town of São Gabriel da Cachoeira (SGC), a military settlement and Salesian mission, right at the banks of the upper Rio Negro River. SGC is within reach by boat or plane (turboprop) from Manaus. Some 85 km of tricky dirt and mud road leads to the pier of the Ia-mirim river and requires four-wheel-drive and a top driver. Two days on the Ia and Cauaburi rivers are needed to get to the mouth of the Tucano River, from where the expedition continues on foot (36 km). The Pico da Neblina peak will be reached after another five days.
The target region is a totally isolated area with difficult access. The non-existence of human activities such as agriculture, stock farming, timber, mi¬ning, etc., except subsistence activities of the Yanomami tribes, guarantees untouched nature and an undamaged ecosystem. Provided that FUNAI per¬mission will be granted, the group will visit the Yanomami settlement in Maturacá. According to the group's special interest, a stay in Maturacá can eventually be arranged.
Scientific Importance
Beyond the scenic beauty of Brazils highest peak, it is the scientific importance of the Pico da Neblina National Parks, which is pointed out by many famous scientists like De Spruce, McGuire, Froes, Vanzoline, Prance, Pires and others as b eing absolutely spectacular.
The high camps of the Pico da Neblina hosts the highest known endemic density of all Brazilian highland formations and about 50% of the undiscovered species are com¬pletely unknown territory for the science. Without a doubt, here, the future will reveal a new world, especially in botany.
Some of the animals and plants, which can be observed in the region:
Mammals
tapir, capybara, giant otter, paca, brown and black howler monkey, black uacari, spider monkey, dusky titi monkey, brown capuchin monkey, spider monkey, sloth
Birds
several kinds of toucans, aracaris, scarlet macaws, green winged ma¬caws, blue and yellow macaws, blue fronted amazons, a great number of colorful tanagers, kingfishers, guans, curassows
Butterflies
Papillion, heliconius, morphs.
Spiders
such as the non-poisonous Theraposa leblondi, the biggest spider of the world, with a lifespan of up to 20 years, the very poisonous Loxoceles, Phoneutria and Lycosas, Latraodectus mactans (black widow)
Fish, Amphibians, Snakes
river dolphins, piracuru, piranha, caiman, several kind of poisonous frogs and snakes, iguanas, turtles.
Orchids, bromeliads, trees
Aechmea aquilega, Scuticarias, Cori¬antes, Cataseto, carnivorous such as Hellianphora tatei, Brachinnia, Drosera and Utricularias, caoutchouc trees (Hevea brasiliensis), Brazil-nut trees (Bertholletia excelsia), Assaí and Buriti palms
Suggested Itinerary:
01. day.- Arrival in Belem - Transfer to your Hotel
Arrival in Belém in the early afternoon. Reception by the tour coordinator and transfer to the hotel. Rest. Evening welcome drink and dinner. Overnight.
02. day.- Belem City Tour – and suroundings
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 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 in a Amazon specialties restaurant. 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. The evening you spend at the old piers and warehouses, which were beautifully restored not long ago. Here, at the banks of Rio Guamá, various handicraft-stores, fancy bars and restaurants will invite you to linger. Sitting on the terrace among and underneath the old cranes, you look out at the river while you enjoy the fresh breeze and an unexpected cold draft beer in the only in-house brewery of the whole Amazon region. After dinner, return to the hotel and overnight.
03. day.- Flight Belem – Manaus - City Tour
Transfer to the airport of Belém and flight to Manaus. Arrival around noon and transfer to the hotel. After lunch the group starts for a sight-seeing-tour. Manaus is the gateway to the inner Amazon region and has been of utmost importance for the conquest of the whole region, a fact for which the jungle theater and the harbor deliver reach testimony. If there is time, the confluence of the Rio Negro and Solimões rivers that form the great Amazon river will also be visited.
04. day.- Manus – Flight to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira
Early departure with Trip Air to São Gabriel da Cachoeira on the upper Rio Negro. The group is welcomed by chef-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 tested on a ride through the rapids of the Rio Negro. During the dinner the complete crew and participants will get acquainted. Over¬night in São Gabriel da Cachoeira.
05. day.- Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira – Ia Mirim River – Funai Camp
Jeep ride from São Gabriel da Cachoeira (85 km, about 3-4 hours) to the embankment at the Ia mirim river and loading of the equipment. Ride on the rivers Ia mirim and the greater Ia to the FUNAI outpost at the confluence of Cauaburi river (about 3½ hours). Overnight in hammocks at the FUNAI camp.
06. day.- Funai Camp – Rio Tucano Camp
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. Overnight in hammocks.
07. day.- Rio Tucano – Yanomami Hunting Camp
Boats are moored, some food for the return, equipment and gasoline are hidden and left behind. Departure to the camp called Cachoeira (waterfalls). 7 km of ups and downs are covered in about 3-4 hours. The camp site at 180 m above sea level, consists of three palm-leaf-covered huts, with a small banana and manioc plantation and is a permanent Yano¬mami hunting camp . Overnight in hammocks.
08. day.- Bebedouro Vehlo Camp
The morning is used to observe and photograph wildlife and make botanical discoveries. A refreshing bath in the rapids is highly recom¬mended. 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 lies in about 5 km distance to the last one. Regardless, close to 3 hours are needed for the stretch.
09. day.- Bebedouro Novo Camp
This day is know 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 440 m difference of altitude has to be tackled with.
 10. day.- Pico da Neblina base Camp
Today the excitement - and strain - is growing dramatically. The base-camp, is located in 2000 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 at which 1140 m altitude difference 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 visit the nearby camp of a lonesome garimpeiro (gold digger).
11. day.- Rest day at The base Camp
The day is planned for to seek 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.
12. day.- Exploring the suroundings of the base Camp
Today is safe 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, the ascend may be done today, and the safe day can also can be utilized for other activity at another place.
13. day.- Climb the Pico da Neblina Summit – Return to base Camp
The last leg (6 km) to the top of the Pico da Neblina, after recent survey only 2994 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.
14 – 17. day.- Descend to the Camp where tha canoes wait for you
These days we use to descent to the camp of Rio Tucano where the canoes are waiting, we recover our hodden provitions and reinstall our camp in the riverbanks.
18. day.- Cauaburi river – Funai Camp
Picking up all the equipment that has been left behind plus food and gasoline, loading the boats, leaving the shallow waters of the Tucano to hit the strong currents of the Cauaburi, now downstream, with destination to the camp, the FUNAI post.
19. day.- Ia Mirim River – Yanomami Camp – Ia village of the Tucano Indians
Again the group will be riding on the Rio Ia and Ia mirim to the landing stage at the Ia mirim. Subject to permission by the FUNAI, a visit at the Yanomami village Maturacá is planned. Arrival about noon or in early afternoon. Visit of the Iá village of the Tucano Indians. Conversation with the Tucanos in the common room and learning about their traditional and actual way of live. Overnight in the proper village or at the landing stage.
20. day.- Return to Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira
In the afternoon, return to the "civilization" to São Gabriel by a four-wheel-driven jeep. Repacking, a hot shower and relax before the team bids farewell with a de luxe dinner, including some bottles of good wine and a couple of caipirinhas that will do for aperitif. In recognition of his efforts, a diploma is issued to the successful member of the expedition, who has reached the Pico da Neblina. Over¬night in a genuine bed.
21. day.- Flight back to Manaus
Flight back to Manaus and end of the expedition.
Prices 2008:
USD 5.460.- per Person
Singleroom supplement USD 235.-
Participants Min. 2 – max. 6 people
The package includes:
• overnight with breakfast in double room in Belém (Equatorial Palace), Manaus (Tropical) and São Gabriel da Cachoeira (Waupés)
• flights Manaus-São Gabriel da Cachoeira-Manaus
• all transfers
• all meals and beverages
• expedition equipment, tents and hammocks boats and boat-conduc¬tors, gasoline
• experienced, qualified expedition leader and reliable local guides and porters.
Difficulty level:
• Strenuous. The terrain during trekking is difficult. We recommend adequate physical preparation.
Disclaimer of warranty:
This journey has the character of an expedition. Rivers and rainforest replace streets and paths. The conditions which are encountered her will be completely different and new for the traveler. A correct attitude and understanding for a different and fascinating environment is imperative. The unexpected can happen, whereupon the traveler has to react flexible and depending on the situation, relaxed. The guides with their knowledge, experience and readiness are absolutely reliable. The willingness of the traveler to cooperate and friendly interact with other participants is assumed 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:
Rio Negro Rainforest - Brazilian Mosaic - Pantanal Wildlife
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| 
