Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SPECIALIZED HOLIDAYS &
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The climate and great variety of
down cliffs, canyoning, or climbing
peaks in spectacular settings. However,
the infrastructure varies from region
to region. It is best to get in touch with
reputed tour operators licensed by
Embratur, a government tourism
agency. Other interesting activities may
involve learning to dance to the
beautiful rhythms of
forró
and
samba
,
performing the legendary
capoeira
, or
even joining a game of soccer.
landscapes - mountains, flatlands,
waterfalls, and forests - make
Brazil an outstanding outdoor
destination. This ecological paradise
offers great opportunities to observe its
fascinating flora and fauna, or to
indulge in adventure sports that allow
close contact with the environment.
Visitors can choose from a range of
thrilling activities such as rappeling
ECOTOURISM
areas, and scenic waterfalls.
National parks such as Serra
dos Órgãos
(see p115)
,
Parque Nacional do Itatiaia
(see p111)
and Aparados da
Serra
(see p358)
, and natural
reserves such as Ilha do
Cardoso
(see p171)
offer a
broad range of biodiversity.
Look for
Fazenda Palomas
or
contact
Fellini
Turismo
for
special rural tours in Rio
Grande do Sul.
safari can be experienced
at Jalapão State Park
(see
p310-11).
The travel agency
Korubo Expedições
uses a
truck with hatches for pro-
fessional photo equipment.
Brazil's rich and varied
ecosystem has much to offer,
and ecotourism is becoming
a popular a form of tourism.
Visitors can capture on film
the splendor of the Amazon
rainforest near Manaus, or
enjoy excursions into the
forest organized by jungle
lodges. Similar eco-tours can
also be undertaken from
Belém or Santarém (Pará).
Amazon Explorers
and
Selvatur
are the two agencies
based in Manaus; in Belém
contact
Paratur
.
Pantanal
Nature
offers tours and
expeditions into the vast
wilderness of Pantanal,
Nobres, and Chapada dos
Guimarães from Cuiabá.
Serra da Capivara
(see
pp248-9)
and Sete Cidades
parks (Piauí)
(see p249)
offer
amazing rock formations,
while Chapada Diamantina in
Bahia
(see pp204-205)
and
Chapada dos Veadeiros
(see
pp312-13)
in Goiás have
good trekking trails, forested
BIRD-WATCHING &
SAFARIS
Home to almost a fifth of
the world's bird population,
Brazil offers a surfeit of bird-
watching excursions.
Birding
Brasil Turismo
, based in
Manaus, provides good deals.
Iara Turismo
conducts special
programs.
Estação Ecológica
Santa Lúcia
, run by renowned
naturalist Augusto Ruschi,
organizes regular bird-
watching. Ornithologist
Edson
Endrigo
organizes tours to
Parque Nacional Itatiaia
(see
p111)
and Ubatuba. A typical
Spectacular golden sand dunes
in Jalapão
OFF-ROAD DRIVING
Many beautiful sites in
Brazil are accessible only
by off-road vehicles. The
Transpantaneira road
(Pantanal) and the Estrada
Park road are attractions in
themselves, allowing
passengers to leisurely
observe the flora
and fauna. The
Transpantaneira
extends 93 miles
(149 km) from Poconé
to Porto Jofre in Mato
Grosso and has 126
wooden bridges to
cross. Many inns and
farms receive visitors
along this road.
Stretching 73 miles
(117 km), the Estrada
Park road links
Corumbá to Buraco
The rare and striking scarlet ibises that inhabit the Ilha de Marajó
(see p270)
