Footprint Expeditions in South America

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Day 01. – La Paz

Arrive in La Paz  at anytime throughout the day. Transportation is included from the airport to the corresponding hotel, and there are no activities planned for this day until our first welcome meeting in the late afternoon, most likely in the hotel lobby.

The capital of Bolivia, located at an altitude of 3,660 metres (12,008 ft), it is the world's highest capital city.  The city of La Paz was founded by Spanish settlers on the pre- existing site of Choqueyapu, an ancient Aymara village. It was founded as Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) by Alonso de Mendoza in 1548. Originally its was a commercial city on the main road of the silver and gold to the coast and currently is the financial, cultural and administrative capital of Bolivia.

La Paz  has unique markets, and they are located across the city, like the infamous Witches Market where its possible to buy potions for love, money, health or protect from evil spirits and bad energies, at the same time has vivid and traditional culture, most of it inhabitants are mestizos and descendants of the Aymaras and Quechuas.  La Paz is home to the world's highest golf course, football stadium, velodrome (where the world record currently stands).

The average temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, and its consistently cool throughout the year, with a relative dry climate. .

Optional activities include a visit to the Valley of Moon,  Tiahuanaco Archeological site and La Paz down town with its museums.

Day 02, 03.- Santa Cruz  and Puerto Suarez.

Fly to  Santa Cruz de la Sierra which means ¨Holy Cross of the Hills¨, the largest and most industrialized  city in Bolivia, there are no planed activities for these days, these are mostly traveling days. Take an overnight train ride to Puerto Suarez.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 04, 05.- Corumbá / Pantanal

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Today we will cross the border into Brazil to the small town of Corumba, this town is considered the gate door to the wetlands of  Pantanal. Protected by UNESCO like a World Heritage site and the largest wetland in the world, home of the endangered species like the Marsh Deer, Caiman Yacare, Capibara, Giant Otter at the same time with some luck and the right weather conditions you may spot,  red howler monkeys, anacondas, turtles, macaws. This area holds more 650 species of birds, 80 of mammals, 260 of fish, 93 of reptiles, 1132 species of butterflies and 1700 species of plants.  This is why is considered an important region for biodiversity conservation and preservation

The Pantanal is a huge gently-sloped basin that receives runoff from the upland areas and slowly releases the water through the Paraguay River. It constitutes an enormous internal river delta  in which several rivers flowing from the surrounding plateau merge, depositing, the large depression area of the Pantanal..

The Pantanal has an average yearly rainfall of 1,000-1,400 mm (40-55 in), but is fed by the upper Paraguay River. Its average temperature is 25 °C (77 °F), but temperatures can fluctuate from 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F).

At rainy season the water rise between two and five meters, and 80% of the Pantanal gets submerged. The average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius (77 F).

There are few roads in really bad conditions like the Trans-Pantaneira dirt road, and locals mostly get around in small airplanes, 4x4 vehicles and motorized canoes. Expect to get a bit rough trip. The accommodation in these two days of wildlife expeditions is going to be very basic and multi-shared,  sleep in hammocks and get cold showers. In this way we will accomplish a real and green way of visiting the beautiful Pantanal.
Meals Included:(02) Breakfast (02 (Lunches)  (02) Dinners.

Day 06, 07.-  Bonito.

The first soak in the Brazilians charming, this small town in Matto Grosso do Sul has much to offer, as it names means Beautiful, it totally honor it.

Incredible clear lined-forest rivers, crystal waters with hundreds of colorful fishes. Snorkel tour for 3 hours in Rio da Prata is included. At the same time there are optional visits to Caves with turquoise color lagoons inside and waterfalls or just chill out on any of the river beaches around.

Visit caves with blue lagoon inside, snorkel down in  beautiful and crystal fresh waters at Rio da Prata or just chill out at the Balneario de Bonito.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 08-10.- Night Bus and Iguassu Falls.

A night bus ride to cross the flat lands of Matto Grosso do Sul on direction of the stunning Iguassu Falls.  Located on the border of  Argentina and Brazil, this breath taking falls, consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River and up to 82 meters (269Ft.)

Iguassu falls are higher than Niagara and wider than Victoria Falls. But with the great advantage that its possible to observe it in 260 degrees. Declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1986.

Our trip will take you in two days of adventures to visit the falls of the Brazilian and Argentinean side. On day one we will visit the Brazilian side of the falls, then the afternoon is free for other optional activities like the Itaipu Dam or the Birds Park.

The second day  in the morning we will visit the Argentinean side of the falls, getting very close to the Devils Troat.  There are many easy walks, and plenty time around the falls. Optional activities are; Shopping in Paraguay, helicopter flight over the falls and Rafain Dance Show and Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 11.- Curitiba.

Considered one of the best planed cities in South America. Catch an air of a modern city and it facilities. Its possible to visit the big shopping malls, the modern art and architecture in the surroundings.

Visit the 24 Hours Street that never close or sleep,  the German and Italian woods, the beautiful Botical Gardens and the Oscar Neimeyer Museum.
Meals Included: Breakfast (01).

Day 12, 13.- Paraty.

Travel by bus to Sao Paolo the financial capital of Brazil and the biggest city in Americas, then catch another bus in direction to Paraty. Located on the Green Coast Line, now its time to relax and slow down with the traveling speed. Tropical forests, amazing beaches, waterfalls, nice short hikes around these beautiful beaches.

The historical and well preserved churches of Paraty, made it a pleasant and peaceful place to hang around, enjoy some caipirinhas or just sit back on the beach and observe the locals day life  pass.

Optional excursions are a boat ride along the coast, Capoeira classes on the beach or just rent a bike to explore the surroundings.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 14-16.- Ilha Grande.

Lets move on a bit northern to the town of Angras dos Reis. Then Travel by ferry to Ilha Grande or Giant Island, noted of its scenic beauty, tropical beaches and to be road less.

This picturesque laid-back island seems to be paradise on earth. Warm waters, great and clean beaches, incredible sunrises, and beautiful short hikes, it worth to do as much as possible.

We have an included boat trip around the island, with a BBQ included at Lopez Mendez beach and a snorkel adventure in these paradisiacal shores. The party boat!!!.
Meals Included:(03) Breakfasts (01) BBQ Lunch on the Beach.

Day 17, 18.- Rio de Janeiro.

A short drive will take us to the most famous unique and exciting capital city of Latin America, Rio de Janeiro or River of January.  It main land marks and icons like the Christ Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado , The Sugarloaf, Sambodrome, Carnival,  Football Games, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and the Favelas or shantytowns made of this city  a fantastic experience to our expedition in South America.

The local Cariocas say ¨God created the World in six days, the seventh he devoted to Rio de Janeiro¨ as well is referred as Cidade Maravilhosa or Marvelous City, and we agree with them, the landscape is just amazing, the combination of rocky beautiful shaped mountains, green forest, sandy clean beaches, blue oceans, caipirinhas, friendly Cariocas, the weather and it land marks make this city unique in the World.

Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.  The Statue of Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado Mountain. We will catch a local bus to the cog train Station on Rua Cosme Velho and then the train ride up hill through the Urban protected rainforest of Tijuca.  Amaze the great panorama of the Marvelous city.

Christ Redeemer, symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The carioca, original from the city of Rio de Janeiro, postal card standing 38 meters high, had its corner stone established in 1922 and its opening on October 12, 1931. The choice was well deserved. From its 38 meter of height, and 710 meters of the Corcovado Hill, the Christ is the image of the carioca people faith and sympathy and celebrates, in 2008, 77 years of existence.

Guanabara Bay was reached by a Portuguese expedition under the explorer Amerigo Vespucci on January 1, 1502 hence Rio de Janeiro, "January River." On March 1, 1565 the city is founded. Until early in the 18th century, the city was threatened or invaded by several, mostly French pirates and buccaneers.

After 1720, when the Portuguese found gold and diamonds in Minas Gerais. Rio de Janeiro became a much more useful port for exporting. Prince Pedro I proclaimed the independence of Brazil in 1822, he decided to keep Rio de Janeiro as the capital of his new empire. Rio continued as the capital of Brazil after 1889, when the monarchy was replaced by a republic.

Rio have gained the reputation as a beach party town (though, this reputation has been somewhat tarnished in recent years by favela violence resulting from the narcotics trade). On April 21, 1960 the capital of Brazil was officially moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 19.

Departure day.

There are no planned activities for today. Have a safe journey whether you are headed home or to explore another destination!
Meals Included: Breakfast (01).