Brazil's wildlife: northern Pantanal tour
Although the Amazon rainforest is the most famous eco vacation destination in Brazil, you won't see most of the animal species there. Your best chance to discover Brazil's wildlife is on one of the many Pantanal tours that are offered across the country.
Pantanal is a unique ecosystem, in one of the most fascinating regions in the world: 230,000 square kilometers that form a biological oasis of wildlife and the largest water-covered plain in the world. Around 650 species of birds, 230 species of fish, 80 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles and countless species of insects are waiting to be discovered by you.
The dry season (June-October) is undoubtedly the best time to visit the Pantanal. This is the breeding season for birds, which is why hundreds of them screech and flutter in the trees.
Services
Included:
- Full Board
- Group tours and excursions
- English speaking guide
- Transfer
Excluded:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
Optional:
- Private tours on request
Itinerary at a Glance
Chapada Dos Guimarães
Welcome to Chapada
Chapada Dos Guimarães
“Bridal Veil” waterfall
NOBRES
Bom Jardin & Lagoa Azul: snorkelling & bird watching
Poconé
Monkeys in the Pantanal
Poconé
Sunrise walking safari, horseback safari, boat trip and/or night safari
Poconé - Porto Jofre
Caimans, capivaras & jaguars in the Pantanal
Poconé
Walking & horseback safaris
Cuiabá
Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Chapada Dos Guimarães
Day 1: Welcome to Chapada
Arrive at the airport and be transferred 70 km to the town of Chapada dos Guimarães. The small town of Chapada is located northeast of Cuiabá on a rocky plateau at 836m above sea level and has about 16,000 inhabitants. Gorges, table mountains, caves, rivers, and waterfalls are part of this impressive landscape. After the Amazon in the north of the state of Mato Grosso and the Pantanal, this unique table mountain is the third ecosystem in this region. Check-in at the pousada and after lunch, drive to the Mirante viewpoint for a beautiful view of the countryside. Mirante is also the geographic center of South America. You may be interested in a short hike or a visit to see the rock sculptures or waterfalls. These excursions will depend on the opening times of the facilities, which unfortunately change regularly and cannot be planned in advance. In the evening return to Chapada for dinner.
Chapada Dos Guimarães
Day 2: “Bridal Veil” waterfall
After breakfast, you will visit the largest waterfall in the region, the famous “Bridal Veil” waterfall (“Veu de Noiva”). Next, return to the village of Chapada for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a short hike in the Table Mountains. Dinner and overnight in the pousada.
NOBRES
Day 3: Bom Jardin & Lagoa Azul: snorkelling & bird watching
After breakfast, you drive to Bom Jardim, near Nobres (travel time about 2 hours, 150 km). Lunch is in the pousada. After lunch, you can enjoy the unique beauty of this colorful landscape. You will then be equipped with snorkeling equipment. In the crystal clear spring basin, you will enjoy the underwater world. Fish like the pintado, dorado, and various aquarium fish live in this water basin. Later in the afternoon, drive to Lagoa Azul (around 5:00 p.m.), home to hundreds of different bird species (yellow-breasted macaw, parakeets, hyacinth macaw, and other parrot species), return to the lodge and dinner there.
Poconé
Day 4: Monkeys in the Pantanal
After breakfast, you drive to the Pantanal (288 km, 38 km of which are natural roads on the famous Transpantaneira). Several stops are made on the Transpantaneira to admire the flora and fauna. Arrive at the Pousada where you will be served a buffet lunch. After lunch and a short break, go on a tour on foot to hopefully see the capuchin monkeys, maybe even the howler monkeys. You can also enjoy the view from the 17m tower. Return to the lodge and have dinner there.
Poconé
Day 5: Sunrise walking safari, horseback safari, boat trip and/or night safari
A sunrise tour on foot can be carried out around 5:30 a.m. on request. Breakfast is then in the lodge. After the meal, a riding tour is carried out (also suitable for people without riding experience!). You can get the riding helmet at the reception. You ride through the beautiful Pantanal landscape and are sure to meet some animals. After lunch, relax by the pool and enjoy some free time. In the late afternoon, depart on a traditional boat without an engine to minimize disruption to the local wildlife. We hope to see a lot of caimans and with luck, of course, a family of giant otters. Upon request, a night safari on foot can be carried out after dinner to track down nocturnal animals.
Poconé - Porto Jofre
Day 6: Caimans, capivaras & jaguars in the Pantanal
After an early start, we drive 107 km to Porto Jofre, the endpoint of the Transpantaneira. You will see lots of caimans, capivaras, and birds along the way. In a nice spot there is a short stop to have breakfast in the form of a picnic. A 5-hour boat tour (simple boats) deep into the Cerrado begins in Porto Jofre, you can enjoy this untouched nature in the area of the Rio Cuiabá, Rio Tres Irmãos, Rio São Lourenço, and Rio Piquiri. Home of the jaguar, there is a good chance you will see this magnificent predator. Packed lunch then return to the lodge in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the pousada.
Poconé
Day 7: Walking & horseback safaris
Today, you can do a walking tour either at sunrise or after breakfast to spot the local wildlife. In the late afternoon, we go on horseback (no problem even for beginners), hopefully, we will meet a lot of wild animals. Return to the lodge and have dinner there.
Cuiabá
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast in the pousada. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport. If you have a later departure, in the late afternoon, you can go on another excursion on foot in the morning. In this case, the transfer to the airport will take place after lunch.
