We have only just entered the Pantanal via one of its few beaten earth elevated tracks that a Jabiru, one meter tall and hooded in black, symbol of the Pantanal, welcomes us and invites us into its domain. This huge bird is one of the formidable creatures inhabiting this region thankfully almost untouched by human activity. Eagles, falcons, kingfishers and cormorants appear from all sides and the magnificent blue, red and yellow aras (“large parrots") await to be taken by surprise at daybreak or as the sun sets!
At regular intervals bridges span rivers, and from these suitable viewpoints we can easily spot alligators, keeping very still in the sun on the water’s edge. Later, on horseback or on foot, we find groups of coatis or whole families of capybaras, the largest of rodents inhabiting the Pantanal (there are 600.000 of them!).
From a high point, only a few meters above this gigantic swamp, our "Pantanero" guide will explain this hostile and fascinating environment. He will show us some of the medicinal plants, point out the fig tree which grows around and swallows other trees, and he will give us insight into what is necessary for men to survive and to adapt to this special place. The Pantanal, a true natural symphony conceived by a great composer is unveiled in all its splendor to whomever is not put off by the lack of comfort available there.

Our various itineraries:

Pantanal discovery stays

Pantanal adventure, pantaneira trek

Ornithological stay, flotel & pousada

Combination Pantanal & Bonito

Pantanal discovery stay

Day 1: CAMPO GRANDE – ESTRADA DO PARQUE – PANTANAL

Departure by bus around noon (regular line – ticket included – transfer without guide - option of private transportation). We drive around 250 miles on a paved road to Buraco Das Piranhas. There we await our private vehicle to get on the Estrada Do Parque (park road) entering into the Pantanal.
The scene is set: on this track crossing swamps, and around it, we can already spot numerous animals. Alligators basking in the sun on the shores of the lagunas, capibaras (semi-aquatic rodent) wandering in the wild, and multicolored birds observing our struggling vehicle lifting huge clouds of dust.
We reach our destination after a 5 to 6-hour drive. We settle and then dine. Lunch open. Dinner included. 3 lodging options: camping, fazenda or huts. Option: private transportation Campo Grande - Pantanal

Day 2 & 3: PANTANAL

During our stay in the Pantanal, the (English-speaking) guide alternates the excursions (groups limited to a maximum of 8 people) to allow us to see as many different things as possible His choices depend on the season as certain animals migrate during the year.
Among the activities offered:
Sunrise hike
Swim in the lagunas with alligators (no risk, food abound and they don’t attack humans)
Canoe excursion along Rio Negro or other river (depending on the season) to observe the local fauna and flora
Fishing for piranha, catfish, etc.
Afternoon hike (nap from 13:00 to 16:00 well appreciated during the warm season)
Horseback ride
Nocturnal exploration in the heart of the Pantanal, in remote areas (only from July to November, outside the rainy season, as the tracks are more manageable and the snakes less numerous)
All included. Night in the fazenda Santa Clara.
Option 1: camping or Ecolodge, ask us.
Option 2: extra day(s) in the Pantanal.

Day 4: PANTANAL – CAMPO GRANDE

PANTANAL – CAMPO GRANDE

After our morning excursion and breakfast, we get back on the road, first by 4WD and then by bus (regular line – ticket included – transfer without guide - option of private transportation) towards Campo Grande (5 to 6 hours on the road), to our hotel.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Night in hotel.
Option: private transportation Pantanal – Campo Grand

Pantanal adventure, pantaneira trek

Day 1: CAMPO GRANDE – ESTRADA DO PARQUE – PANTANAL

Departure by bus around noon (regular line – ticket included – transfer without guide - option of private transportation). We drive around 250 miles on a paved road to Buraco Das Piranhas. There we await our private vehicle to get on the Estrada Do Parque (park road) entering into the Pantanal.
The scene is set: on this track crossing swamps, and around it, we can already spot numerous animals. Alligators basking in the sun on the shores of the lagunas, capibaras (semi-aquatic rodent) wandering in the wild, and multicolored birds observing our struggling vehicle lifting huge clouds of dust.
We reach our destination after a 5 to 6-hour drive. We settle and then dine.
Lunch open. Dinner included. 3 lodging options: camping, fazenda or huts.
Option: private transportation Campo Grande - Pantanal

Day 2: PANTANAL ADVENTURE, TREKKING & BIVOUAC

After verifying our gear, we enter the swampy plains on horseback and leave behind the touristy sites for the wild nature of the heart of the Pantanal. The rustling of the trees and the cries of the araras, the great blue parrots typical of the area, are the only things disturbing the tranquility of the place.
A guide native of the Pantanal accompanies us. He knows its secrets and its traps, and his company allows us peculiar and enchanting discoveries. After a horseback ride of 3½ hours, our horses are sent back to the fazenda. From then on, we continue on foot.
After the mandatory nap in the shade of a palm tree grove, we bathe in the soft water lagunas, surrounded by armless alligators (food abound and they don’t attack humans). Depending on the season, we are able to see a few specimens of Vitorias Regia, giant water lilies.
Then, equipped of a rudimentary line (a nylon thread, a hook in white iron, a piece of chicken as bait) we attempt to fish a few piranhas that will greatly improve our dinner (their flesh, even though full of bones, is delicious).
At the end of the day, we setup our bivouac before participating in the preparation of the meal.
After dinner, we leave for a nocturnal walk and try to spot the surrounding wildlife thanks to the reflection of our torch in their eyes.
All included. Bivouac (tent or hammock equipped with a mosquito net + individual tarp in case of rain).

Day 3: PANTANAL ADVENTURE, TREKKING & BIVOUAC

Trekking day in the Pantanal. Here there are no constructions, no roads, no electric lines evocating the existence of humans, we are alone in the heart of one of the most complex and primitive ecosystems of South America.
In the afternoon, hidden in a cove, we climb up a rudimentary observatory platform to observe the animal life of this area rich in mammals and birds of all sorts.
All included. Bivouac.

Day 4: PANTANAL ADVENTURE

We get up at sunrise to surprise awaking animals. We continue our hike to the heart of the immense natural garden forming the Pantanal, heading back towards our starting point, the fazenda São João. Transfer by private vehicle towards Passo do lontra, where we settle into comfortable bungalows on the shores of Río Miranda.
After lunch, a 2 to 3-hour excursion in a Canadian canoe on Río Miranda and its confluent, Río Vermelho (red river). We discover their shores inhabited by birds awaiting the propitious moment to dive on their prey, a few centimeters under the brown surface. If we are lucky, we may see an ariranha, a giant otter (swimming in its company is advised against, it won’t hesitate to attack humans if it perceives it like an invader on its territory or a threat to its offspring).
Return to Passo do lontra at the end of the day.
All included. Night in a bungalow (air-conditioned, private bathroom).

Day 5: PANTANAL – CAMPO GRANDE

After our morning excursion and breakfast, we get back on the road, first by 4WD and then by bus (regular line – ticket included – transfer without guide - option of private transportation) towards Campo Grande (5 to 6 hours on the road), to our hotel.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Night in hotel.
Option: private transportation Pantanal – Campo Grande

Ornithological stay, flotel & pousada

This program takes us to the best birds’ observation sites, and can be modified depending on the season, the water level, birds’ migrations...
Good traveling conditions and comfort in the company of a specialized guide.

Day 1: CORUMBÁ – RIO PARAGUAY

Our local guide picks us up at the Corumbá airport and we transfer to the pier (5 minutes away) where we board a private boat, which will be our home for the next two days, until we reach Porto da Manga.
After a few minutes spent on Río Paraguay, the human constructions disappear from view and we are alone, in nature, in the heart of the immense and magnificent garden, which is the Pantanal.
A myriad of birds accompany our progression (aigrettes, kingfishers, herons…), a few alligators lazily watch us from shore, and if we are lucky, we will be able to assist to the ballet of an ariranhas family, the giant otters numerous in this area.
Meals included. Night on board (cabin).

Day 2: RIO PARAGUAY – PORTO DA MANGA – ECOLODGE PANTANAL

After a hearty breakfast, we continue our navigation on the calm waters of the river. A barge is a tour disposal for an excursion in the surrounding areas. We can fish or enter in the igarapés (waterways) to try to spot the monkeys hidden in the surrounding Mata (forest). After lunching on board, we reach Porto da Manga in the middle of the day.
A private vehicle awaits us to take us to the Ecolodge (2½-hour drive) via the Estrada do parque (the park’s road) crossing the Pantanal and on which we continue to observe many animals (especially groups of capivaras).
All included. Night in a bungalow (air-conditioned, private bath).

Day 3 & 4 : ECOLODGE PANTANAL

During our stay in the Pantanal, the (English-speaking) guide alternates the excursions (groups limited to a maximum of 8 people) to allow us to see as many different things as possible His choices depend on the season as certain animals migrate during the year.
Among the activities offered:
Sunrise hike
Swim in the lagunas with alligators (no risk, food abound and they don’t attack humans)
Canoe excursion along Rio Negro or other river (depending on the season) to observe the local fauna and flora
Fishing for piranha, catfish, etc.
Afternoon hike (nap from 13:00 to 16:00 well appreciated during the warm season)
Horseback ride
Nocturnal exploration in the heart of the Pantanal, in remote areas (only from July to November, outside the rainy season, as the tracks are more manageable and the snakes less numerous).
All included. Night in the fazenda Santa Clara.
Option: extra day(s) in the Pantanal.

Day 5: PANTANAL – CAMPO GRANDE

After our morning excursion and breakfast, we get back on the road, first by 4WD and then by bus (regular line – ticket included – transfer without guide - option of private transportation) towards Campo Grande (5 to 6 hours on the road), to our hotel.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Night in hotel.
Option: private transportation Pantanal – Campo Grande

Special Ornithological

This program is adapted to bird obseravtion.
We are guided by a local ornithological Spanish-speaking guide (Option of an English-speaking translator).
Its perfect knowledge of the region and of the sites favorable to bird observation helps us tremendously in the task of spotting and identifying the numerous bird species inhabiting the Pantanal.
Here is a list of some of the species we may spot:

Arara (Arara chloroptera)
Talha mar (Rynchops Nigra)
Curicaca (Theristicus cuadatus)
Príncipe negro (Pionites melanocephalus)
Socó-boi (Tigrisoma lineatum)
Tucano açu (Ramphastos toco)
Tuiuiu (Jabiru mycteria)
Urubu de cabeça vermelha (Cathartes aura)
Viuvinha (Fluvicola leucocephala)
Seriema (Cariama cristata)
Coruja buraqueira (Speotyto cunicularia)
Mucurututu (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
Colhereiro (Platalea ajaja)
Suiriri cavaleiro (Machetornis rixosus)
Arara azul (Anodorhynchus hyazinthinus)
Ema (Rhea americana)
Caracará (Polyborus plancus)
Garça branca (Bubulcus ibis)
Papagaio verdadeiro (Amazona aestiva)
Note: pour de bonnes conditions d’observation, groupes de 8 participants maximum.

Combination Pantanal & Bonito

A stay in the Pantanal will wonderfully combine with a few days in Bonito (plan 7 days minimum for Pantanal + Bonito). Check with us.