Beauty and Adventure on a Brazil Ecotour
The diverse geographic regions of the country make Brazil ecotours varied and exciting.
Brazil is a country of great contrasts. Boasting six distinct biomes, the country is a mecca for those who enjoy exploring diverse climates, unusual vegetation, and interesting birds and wildlife.
What's a Biome?
Biomes are defined as "the world's major communities, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment."
Brazil's six biomes are the Atlantic Rainforest, Amazon Rainforest, Pampas, Cerrado, Pantanal, and Caatinga.
The Atlantic Rainforest is one of the world's 34 identified hotspots, rich in biological diversity and highly threatened. Here, ecotourists will find species that are found no where else in the world. That's what makes preservation here so important.
The Amazon Rainforest covers 40% of South America. It shelters an amazing 50% of all species that live on the earth. A large portion of this rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Pampas are a grassland biome, characterized by flat, fertile lands that stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains.
Brazil's 2nd largest biome, the Cerrado, is a savannah-like area on the Brazilian central highlands. It is hot and semi-humid with rainy summers and dry winters.
The Pantanal is a marshy area, full of plants that thrive in the wet environment and the Caatinga is a tropical dry forest, home to small rodents, reptiles, and amphibians.
Ecotours of the Biomes
Companies that conduct ecotours are very conscious of the effects that tourism may have on the environment. For that reason, they only offer trips that will not interfere with the natural patterns of the flora and fauna there.
Responsible, sustainable tourism is the name of the game. Nonetheless, these ecotours can be quite exciting as well as educational.
In the Amazon Rainforest, you can travel from place to place by canoe or small boat, carefully admiring the flora and fauna along the way.
You'll see things you'd never expect to find in a rainforest, like fascinating pink dolphins. You might trek through the forest and be treated to an all-important survival lesson or a lecture on the amazing avian species found here.
On the Pampas, Cerrado, or other far-stretching areas, visitors enjoy horseback riding adventures, sometimes for just a few hours or maybe a multi-day horseback adventure that includes camping in the Brazilian wilderness.
You may choose bird-watching in the Serra de Canastra National Park or a trip to the thermal baths at Minas Gerais after a long day of hiking on your Brazil ecotour. Perhaps you'll visit rich cultural, archaeological, and historical sites that have been preserved for thousands upon thousands of years.
Volunteer Work
Many Brazilian ecotourism companies offer opportunities during your visit to help sustain these diverse biomes. Because so many of these areas are threatened, it takes loyal volunteers to insure their ongoing longevity.
Volunteers work along with researchers, environmentalists, conservationists, and biologists, learning what they can do to save these important areas of the world.
Ecotourists may become involved with programs like the River Otter Project in the Atlantic Rainforest, helping to restore this animal's natural habitat, which is becoming sparse due to pollution.
Booking a Brazil Ecotour
Be sure to book your Brazil ecotour through a company that's dedicated to the preservation of the biomes and advances the need for responsible travel. Most likely, your trip will be a delightful combination of sightseeing, education, adventure, and excitement.
Posted by Pat on Saturday, October 22, 2005