The Pantanal is a nature lover's delight as wildlife is seen in abundance. It is one of the largest wetlands in the world and contains wetlands, forest and savannahs. Large numbers of beautiful and rare birds, such as Hyacinth Macaws, are often seen. Here one finds a succession of beautiful scenes: shallow lakes and bays dotted with birds such as jabirus and roseate spoonbills feeding peacefully on aquatic life. The wood storks "cabeca seca " are seen fishing along the riverbanks while big antlered deer and the world's largest rodent, the capybara, wander through the marshes. There are also reptiles, fish and mammals, including Giant Otters. Even the elusive jaguar can be observed here!

Day 1- Sao Paulo/ Cuiaba/Pantanal -

You will arrive in Cuiaba at 11:05am. Your guide will pick you up and take you to lunch in one of the famous barbecue restaurants. After lunch, you will depart to the Pantanal, driving for about 2.5 hours to reach the famous Transpantaneira Road. This is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the world. As you drive along the famous Transpantaneira, a dirt road that traverses the Pantanal, you will have your first introduction to this incredibly rich area with wildlife in abundance. You can admire the flora and fauna along the Transpantaneira and make several stops on the way to film or take photographs. Arrival at Fazenda Santa Tereza (Pantanal Wildlife Center) late in the afternoon, check-in and dinner will be served. Pantanal Wildlife Center/Fazenda Santa Tereza is a large traditional cattle ranch of 3.800 acres of flooded lands situated at the end of Rio Pixaim River. Here you are deep into the Pantanal where you can take boat safaris on the rivers; see monkeys, many bird species, capybaras, caimans, and giant otters. After dinner we'll take an evening walk around the lodge to spot nocturnal animals. Overnight at Pantanal Wildlife Center. (L,D)

Day 2- Pantanal Wildlife Center to Jaguar Ecological Lodge- Photographic Safari

After an early breakfast start the day around 6:00am with a 3-hour boat ride on the River Pixaim where two colonies of giant otters live.  You'll be amazed at the size of these otters at 6 feet long and 70 pounds.  They truly are giant!  You'll hear them interact through high-pitched hums and squeals.  Often they will come close to the boat, craning their necks and snorting loudly.  After viewing the giant otters, we'll return to the fazenda in time for a quick shower and breakfast. We then depart for the last eco-lodge on the Transpantaneira, the Jaguar Ecological Reserve. Here lunch will be served in the restaurant between 12:30-13:00. The early afternoon can be spent discussing and updating your animal checklist and enjoying a cold drink at the bar. 

At night you can go out again on a evening safari to look for owls, nightjars, anteaters, jaguar, margay, ocelot, Brazilian Tapir, Little Brocket Deer and a number of crepuscular and nocturnal animals. Overnight at Jaguar Ecological Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Jaguar Ecological Lodge to Hotel Porto Jofre on a Boat-trip and Photographic Safari- After an early breakfast we'll depart for the Porto Jofre Hotel arriving in time lunch. Along the famous drive, we'll admire the flora and fauna along the Transpantaneira and make several stops on the way to film or take photographs. This is a birders delight with many species of birds in the wetlands. There are also many different kinds of mammels which makes wildlife viewing first class! After lunch, you'll have time for a rest at the hotel before a boat tour along the Cuiaba River. You might just see a jaguar! Overnight at Hotel Porto Jofre. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Full Day Boat-trip to Observe Animals - After an early breakfast we'll leave the lodge by truck (April-December) for a full day boat trip on the Cuiaba River to observe the diversity of the animals, such as jaguars, tapirs, anteaters, giant otters and other animals common to the region. Jaguars are frequently found in this region of the Pantanal due to the maze of interwoven rivers. Since 1985, small sport-fishing boats have used these rivers extensively without persecuting the frequently seen jaguars, and have thereby habituated the animals to the presence of boats; and large ranches in the area have stopped hunting jaguars. This unique combination of factors is a perfect recipe for frequent and high-quality jaguar sighting. Guides will share their knowledge about the progress of our jaguar work.

Boat tours operate with 4 passangers per boat and an English-speaking guide in EACH boat. Boats have radio communication between them at all times--to permit rapid reaction and passing of information. Boats stop every 60-90 minutes allowing you to stretch your legs for 5-10 minutes, walk around and giving you time for a bathroom break. Free chilled drinking water is available in unlimited amounts for all the participants. We sell soft drinks, beer, and wine during the day, from coolers.  There will be a large picnic lunch, on the river, provided as part of your night stay at Porto Jofre Hotel. 

We position the boats to permit good photos of a number of other wonderful creatures that we will see during the day--so it is not just a jaguar search, but an amazing photo safari and scenery festival! Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon in time for dinner. Overnight at Jaguar Ecological Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Horseback Riding at Pantanal Wildlife Center- After breakfast, we'll return to the Pantanal Wildlife Center by land along the Transpantaneira Road. We'll arrive in time for lunch at Pantanal Wildlife Center and then it is off to go horseback riding through the farm fields. Return in time for dinner. At night you can go out again to look for owls, nightjars, anteaters, jaguar, margay, ocelot, Brazilian Tapir, Little Brocket Deer and a number of crepuscular and nocturnal animals. Overnight at Pantanal Wildlife Center. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Chapada dos Guimaraes tablelands-  After breakfast we'll depart for the Chapada dos Guimaraes tablelands. This trip will go through an escarpment of reddish sandstone with dropoffs of up to 400 meters. There are many waterfalls in this area as a result of the cliffs. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in the National Park of Chapada dos Guimaraes. After lunch, we'll hike in the National Park. If it is warm, bring your swim suit and relax in the many swimming holes under the waterfalls. Overnight at Pousada do Parque.  (B,L, D)

Day 7: Pantanal/ Cuiaba Sunrise Walk- Sunrise walk before breakfast to see the Pantanal wake up. After breakfast we'll return to Cuiaba Airport for the connecting flight. (B)

Northern Pantanal Wildlife Explorer
Trip length		6 days/5 nights
Departs		Daily
Number of Travelers		2	4
Per person cost		$2932.00	$2157.00
Single supplement		On request
Price is per person based on 2- people sharing double accommodation. Customized travel plans available. Price does NOT include domestic flights within Brazil or international flights.

Staying on in Brazil? Whether your interest is wildlife or culture, in a short extension tour you can experience more of the rich living heritage of this vibrant country. And for the adventurous wildlife enthusiast, why not visit Hyacinth Camps? We can even arrange hotels and transportation.