Vantage World Travel

Asunción with Cruise to the Chaco & Pantanal - 8D/7N

A combination visit of Asuncion, the Paraguayan capital city of colonial charme lined with calm avenues and a cruise to the Chaco and Pantanal. Nowadays Asuncion and its metropolitan area, have an approximated population of 1,400,000 inhabitants and is a modern and cosmopolitan city. The Gran Chaco is a large region where you can see wooded as well as arid areas. It is considered as the second lung of South America, with a sensible eco-system characterized by its unique geological and weather conditions. Chaco landscapes are beautiful and have also and impressive biodiversity composed by different habitats like spiny forest, savanna, or a combination of both. The Pantanal is an ecosystem directly or indirectly associated to water; is considered to be the world’s largest continuous wetland that flows from the northern part of Paraguay to Bolivia and Brazil. Abundant scrubland form a continuous, almost impenetrable mass of shrubs and trees. The place is an important area for bird migration during the boreal winter, and seasonal concentrations of aquatic birds are found here.

Located in the heart of South America, Paraguay is an intriguing country yet to discover, the result of the mixture of two races and civilizations: the Guaraní and the Hispanic. There are two great geographical regions, naturally separated by the Paraguay River. To the West, the area known as the Chaco, a region with desert characteristics and two seasons, the dry and the rainy, with a lot of wilderness and wild life. To the East and South the region of humid forests of the subtropical climate where part of the Jesuit missions and the Guarani Indians took place and the fertile soil where agriculture and cattle raising take place. The climate is dry tropical in the North and Northeast and humid subtropical in the capital and South allowing the visitor to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.

Accommodation as per hotel choice - Cruise accommodation in Standard cabin on M/V Paraguay (Deluxe cabins and Suites available on request) - Transfers as necessary - Visits as per itinerary - Meals while on cruise - Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.

Not Included: International Airfare - Passport and visa expenses - Government arrival and departure taxes - Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance - All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

Restrictions: This itinerary is subject to modification in the case of closure of a part of the river to navigation, floods or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Accommodations

• Deluxe: Hotel Yacht & Golf Club
• First Superior: Hotel Las Margaritas
• First: Hotel Chaco

Our ship named “PARAGUAY”, in honor of the country who saw it born was specially built for the wonderful adventure of sailing the wild and imponent rivers. The ship is divided in 5 decks. Totally covered with magnificent tropical wood and luxurious equipment which promises 5 stars comfort during you stay. The cabins hare wide beds, private bathroom, individual air conditioning, safe, TV, interphone and music. You could also enjoy the swimming pool, cinema, convention centre, exotic cocktails in one of our delicious international meals at the restaurant. At water levels, the spectacular rubber boats give you easy access to canoes and boats with powerful engines which will take you to explore a whale world of nature and adventure. All this combines the luxurious accommodations and personal service that has become our trademark, with the excitement of discovering the unique flora and fauna of the rainforests in the company of a team of experienced botanists and zoologists.

Technical Information: Passengers: 26 Crew: 22 Length: 58 Meters Width: 19 Meters Draught: 2,10 Meters Weight: 927 Tons Motors: 03 (Tres) Caterpillar of 365 HP each Electricity 04 de 130 KVA y 100 KVA x unit. Water: System of continuous purification of 2000 liters per hour. Air Conditioning: Full air conditioned. Cabins: 27 (2 Presidential, 2 Suites, 9 Junior Suites, 6 Double King, 8 Double Queen) Communal Areas: 3 floors, meeting room (100 p.), Swimming Pool, Solarium, Restaurants, Discothèque. Boats: 2 x 15 passengers. 4 x 9 passengers. 2 x 10 passengers.

Departures: Fridays.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Friday – Asunción Reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Lodging.
• Day 2 Saturday – Asunción / Concepcion / Cruise At dust departure to Concepción. Arrval and transfer to the ship. A welcome drink will be served while meeting our staff and guides. Accommodation. Cruise to Vallemi. Paraguayan Folkloric night during dinner.
• Day 3 Sunday – Vallemi Breakfast and time to enjoy a scientific conference about the two specific eco-regions of Chaco and Pantanal. Visit Vallemi, a small town known for its cement production. Lunch and time to Explore its natural underground caves forming characteristic shapes. End the day with our gastronomic French style menu.
• Day 4 Monday – Cruise / a Chaco Estancia Breakfast and during the navegation, a scientific conference will be presented. Enjoy a different way of life in a typical ranch with activities like walking in the nature, taking photos, horse riding and wild life observation or just appreciate the serenity of the place. Lunch and diner will be served on board.
• Day 5 Tuesday – Cruise / Fuerte Olimpo The town of Fuerte Olimpo lays in the Pantanal, a simply beautiful landscape to explore and photograph. Breakfast and visit the small community of Fuerte Olimpo, the “Fuerte Borbon”, the native’s museum and the Cathedral. A 535 steps stair is waiting for you to reach and appreciate the majesty of the Rio Paraguay running through Brazilian and Paraguayan hills. Have lunch on board before arriving at a native’s village named Chamacoco. At the end of the day, experience wild life in expedition boats to observe the crocodiles of the region, called “yacares”. Our chef will prepare a tasty meal using typical ingredients from the region.
• Day 6 Wednesday – Cruise / Puerto Casado - Breakfast and arrival in Puerto Casado , we’ll have the oportunity to visit its early 19th century train and museum, lunch. In the evening attend Captain’s Special Night.
• Day 7 Thursday – Asunción / Cruise / Concepcion Breakfast. Time to enjoy the landscapes of the Chaco. Arrival at Concepción around 11 AM. Disembark and transfer to Asuncion. Arrival to your hotel and lodging.
• Day 8 Friday – Asunción - Breakfast and at the indicated time,city tour in Asuncion, a combination of modern and colonial architecture, including downtown and residential areas as the “Casa de la Independencia”, the Cathedral, the “Casa de Gobierno”, the “Estación Ferroviaria” (railway station) where you can admire the oldest South American steam locomotive, the “Panteón de los Heroes”, where lies the most important heroes of our History, the “Avenida Mariscal López”, also known as the Embassies’ Avenue, finishing in the popular handmade market “La Recova”. Back to hotel and overnight.

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