1NATUREBRAZILTHE PANTANALThe Pantanal is one of the best wildlife-spotting destinations on the planet.Cox & Kings offers a five-day trip to the remote Jaguar Research Center, whereguests may also encounter hyacinthine macaws, anacondas, and giant river otters(coxandkingsusa.com). Brazil’s cowboys, known as pantaneiros, live throughout thePantanal. Visitors can get a taste of farm life with a stay at one of the area’s manyranches, or fazendas, such as the family-run Pousada Aguapé (aguape.com.br).TCHILESouthern PatagoniaSouthern Patagonia is home to the legendary Torres delPaine National Park. The best way to observe the park’swildlife, which includes guanacos, deer, and pumas, is tojoin Tierra Atacama hotel’s new six-day wildlife photosafari, led by Chilean photographer Pía Vergara (tierrapatagonia.com). Or explore aboard Nomads of the Seas,a 15-person yacht equipped with helipads, and zodiacsfor whale watching. To book a trip, contact ShelbyDonley of Camelback Odyssey Travel, (602) 266-4000.COSTA RICAOsa PeninsulaECUADORChocó RainforestLocated on Costa Rica’ssouthern Pacific Coast,the Osa Peninsula iscovered by one of thelargest lowland tropicalrain forests in theAmericas. The new KuràDesign Villas (kuracostarica.com) are ideal forexploring the region.The vision of an architectand a biologist, thesix villas are near severalparks and reserves. Kuràcan organize snorkelingand diving trips to CañoIsland Biological Reserveand whale-watchingtrips to Ballena NationalMarine Park.Book a suite at MashpiLodge and you can spothowler monkeys, sloths,butterflies, and hundredsof bird species from yourPhilippe Starck bathtubwith-a-view(mashpilodge.com). Opened inApril 2012 on the 3,000-acre Mashpi BiodiversityReserve, the lodge hasresident biologists and alibrary stocked withbird books. A new tramtraverses more than amile of dense forestcanopy, providing guestswith an overview of thereserve’s extraordinaryplant and animal life.ADVENTUREARGENTINAEL CHALTÉN2The small town of El Chaltén in southern Patagoniahas been called the trekking capital of the world dueto its proximity to Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, twoof South America’s most rugged peaks. It’s also thejumping-off point to reach Aguas Arriba Lodge, a newsix-room mountain cabin in a nature reserve next toGlaciers National Park. From El Chaltén, you followa gravel road along Las Vueltas river to the emeraldgreenLago del Desierto, then take a short boat rideacross the lake. If you’re more hard-core, put yourluggage on the boat and hike three hours through theforest to reach the lodge (aguasarribalodge.com).MEXICOChiapasActive travelers who likea shot of adrenaline withtheir culture head toMexico’s southernmoststate. LatinAmerica travel specialistAdventure Life Journeysrecently introduceda nine-day ChiapasAdventure package thattakes participants intothe countryside on a20- to 25-mile bike trip;through the LacanjáRiver’s class-three rapidson a half-day whitewaterraft trip; and to theremote Yaxchilán Mayanruins (adventurelife.com).TBRAZILFernando de NoronhaThis 21-island archipelagooff the northeast coast ofBrazil is a dream destinationfor Braziliansand international visitorsalike—especiallysurfers, who find reefand point breaks as wellas hard-hitting beachbreaks. From Decemberto March, the wind blowsevery day, ensuring constantwaves that comein bigger than just aboutanywhere else in thecountry. To book a trip,contact Lauren Maggardof Jet Set World Travel,(312) 574-1186.BELIZEToledo DistrictThe least-visited districtof Belize, Toledo is aplayground of unspoiledrivers, mountains,and rain forest. IslandExpeditions, a companythat specializes in Belizeadventure trips, recentlylaunched a four-day,five-night tour calledWild South. Guests navigatethe rapids of theMoho River in inflatablekayaks and follow Mayanguides on nature treksthrough the jungle. Atnight, camp sites areset up on the riverbanks(islandexpeditions.com).THISPAGEFERNANDAPRETOOPPOSITEPAGEPABLOCASTAGNOLA/ANZENBERGER/REDUX72 <strong>AFAR</strong>COMJUNEIJULY TTHE “T” SYMBOL HIGHLIGHTS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM <strong>AFAR</strong>’S TRAVEL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
Climbers fromaround the worldjourney to southernPatagonia inhopes of summitingCerro Torre’sice-capped peaks.JUNEIJULY<strong>AFAR</strong>COM 73
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