The "Pantanal", a vast wetlands area in Western Brazil, which cuts across
the states of "Mato Grosso" and "Mato Grosso do Sul" (as well as western
Brazil, north-eastern Paraguay and Bolivia)
is one of the world's great wildlife
reserves. Because of the veldt-like open land, it is also the best place
to see wildlife in Brazil.
650 species of birds, among which are storks
(including the stately "Tuiuiu" or "Jabiru" stork), egrets, herons, coots,
ducks, hyacinth macaw and ibises, can be observed in the region. Animal life is represented
by, among others, sunbathing alligators, deer, giant otters, rheas (south american
ostrich), anacondas, boas and monkeys. All these can be seen by visitors with only a few hours to
spare in the "Pantanal". "Cuiaba", founded in 1719 by a group of slave-hunters,
now the capital of Mato Grosso, is the major gateway to the "Pantanal".
The Pantanal is divided in several major areas of interests. Some of them such as the
Pantanal National Park are restricted areas out of reach of tourists.
The most interesting part for visitors lies on either side of the Transpantaneira Highway;
this is a 150 km dirt road above the
flooded plains, starting right after the village of "Pocone" (100 km south of Cuiaba),
penetrating deep into the "Pantanal" and ending at "Porto Jofre" on the Matto Grosso do Sul border.
On each side of the road, wildlife flourish...
A less known but interesting and beautiful area is south of Barra da Melgao Village, 135 South East of Cuiaba
and nearby Mutum River, an affluent of the Cuiaba River.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in pousadas (country inns) or fazenda (Brazilian cattle ranch). In both cases,
those places provide lodging in rooms with private bathrooms, A/C or fans and all meals
(usually buffet meals). Most of them have a swimming pool. The ones located nearby a river usually
have kayaks or canoes available for free.
Pousadas and fazendas also provide the logistic and guiding for excursions (horses, vehicles, canoes...),
shared with the other guests. Their staff is mainly Portuguese speaking only.
We work with the best pousadas or fazendas. They are human sized with a local charm, clean with
nice settings and the quality of service guarantees you to benefit from a wide range of daily and diversified
excursions.
Organisation of your Pantanal Journey
During our Pantanal journeys, all parties are escorted from Cuiaba by a bilingual guide with
good knowledge of the Pantanal (guides are mainly native of the Matto Grosso or have spent
many years there guiding).
The guide accompanies the participants during the whole journey and organises the excursions in
coordination with the local staff as well as the transportation between places.
Depending on local conditions and the participants interests, excursions are either shared with
the other guests or private. Benefiting from the services of our private guide in addition to the
local staff, unsure you a great flexibility in the organisation of excursions (providing
requests are reasonable and within the scope of the journey) and accurate
information about wildlife and the Pantanal way of life.
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About Wildlife
The Pantanal is not a zoo and even if wildlife is plentiful we have to search for the animals and
observation of some species depend on luck. Some participants are extremely lucky whereas others
are not. Note that benefiting from an expert guidance unsure you much better opportunities than if you
just rely on yourself and the pousadas' and fazendas' staff.
On a normal journey across the Pantanal you have reasonable chances to observe lots of
alligators, capybaras, rheas, jabiru storks, monkeys (howler, capuchin monkeys are more common),
foxes, march deer, tens of coloured birds species including several species of toucans and macaws.
Animals such as giant otters, giant ante eater, giant armadillos, anacondas, tapirs,
jaguars, puma, hyacinth macaws etc are less common and avoid human contact. With a bit of luck you should observe a
couple of them but do not hassle the guide if you do not.
The ideal Pantanal journey should include visit to different areas with lodging in
distinct pousadas and fazendas. Each of them has a peculiar setting providing opportunities
to discover certain types of landscapes and observe specific animal species. For example, bird
watchers willing to observe Hyacinth Macaws are sent in a pousadas located nearby woods
where those birds usually nest. Giant Otters are more frequent on certain area of the Mutum River
rather than on the Transpantaneira.
The more complete journey is a 5 days/4 nights one visiting the Barra da Melgao Area and the
Transpantaneira Areas. You need at least 4 nights as this journey includes more than
7 hours of transportation.
If you only have 4 days / 3 nights, we advise to stay around the Transpantaneira.
This tour can be combined with an overnight stay in the Chapada de Guimaraes, north of the Pantanal,
a very scenic region with tabletop mountains (thus becoming a 5 days tour).
The itinerary below is just a sample itinerary. The exact itinerary depends on the lodging location,
the participants interest and the season.
DAY 1:
Pick-up at your hotel or at the airport in Cuiaba and drive to the "Pantanal" passing
through the ancient gold-mining town of Pocone. In the afternoon, a horseback
ride into the countryside gives us our first impressions of this wild land.
Accommodation in a local pousada (local hotel) or fazenda (Brazilian cattle ranch).(D)
DAY 2:
We continue our journey along the Transpantaneira spotting wildlife.
After lunch, continuation in the direction of Porto Jofre.
After dark, we organise a night tour to experience the nocturnal environment
of the Pantanal and spot crocodiles whose eyes reflect the light of
our lamps. Accommodation in a local pousada or fazenda (BL)
DAY 3:
After breakfast, a hiking or riding excursion brings us deeper into the Pantanal.
In the afternoon, a river excursion in canoe on the Pixaim River is our best opportunity
to observe the multitude of birds, and maybe to go fishing. Accommodation in a local pousada or fazenda
(BLD)
DAY 4:
After a walking tour around our fazenda, we have lunch and return to Cuiaba.
(BL)
Read our customers' feedback about this journey.
There are two distinct seasons:
The rainy season from December to June, when most of the area is flooded, with some isolated
dry islands. Rain stops around March but the water stays till mid June. The main mean of
transportation out of the transpantaneira are canoes, horses or trucks (depending on the water level)
The dry season from July to November is also the nesting and breeding season for most species.
Animals gather around rivers and the remaining lagoons scattered around the Pantanal. It is
then easier to observe them than during the rainy season. In some places, hundreds of alligators
lie around small and shallow lagoons feeding on the unfortunate fishes trapped there. Capybaras and
many bird species, cows, water bufaloes etc cohabite together.
Both seasons are worth a visit but wildlife lover should better go during the dry season.
The climate is tropical humid with temperatures between 7 degrees C (evening and nights
during the rainy season) to 40 degrees C (day time). The average temperature is 24 degrees C.
Rated: Easy.
For a luxury Pantanal Journey in a first class ranch,
visit the
Pantanal Ecological Refuge
We also operate a more complete 6 days Pantanal Journey exploring deeper the Pantanal. Check our
Pantanal in depth program.
|
Pantanal Adventures 4 days
|
|
|
SGL
|
DBL
|
TPL
|
|
USD
|
$ 803
|
$ 470
|
$ 372
|
|
EUR
|
€ 666
|
€ 390
|
€ 309
|
|
GBP
|
£ 449
|
£ 263
|
£ 208
|
(*)
Price last updated on 17 January 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please
always check by sending us a
quotation request .
(**) 2 participants minimum
(***) Include lodging in one pousada along the Transpantaneira Road
|
Pantanal Adventures 5 days
|
|
|
SGL
|
DBL
|
TPL
|
|
USD
|
$ 1021
|
$ 677
|
$ 504
|
|
EUR
|
€ 847
|
€ 561
|
€ 419
|
|
GBP
|
£ 571
|
£ 379
|
£ 282
|
(*)
Price last updated on 17 January 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please
always check by sending us a
quotation request .
(**) 2 participants minimum
(***) Include lodging in two pousadas along the Transpantaneira Road and possibly in the Barão de Melgaço Area (not guaranteed)
|
Pantanal 5 days + Chapada Guimaraes
|
|
|
SGL
|
DBL
|
TPL
|
|
USD
|
$ 1021
|
$ 677
|
$ 648
|
|
EUR
|
€ 847
|
€ 561
|
€ 538
|
|
GBP
|
£ 571
|
£ 379
|
£ 363
|
(*)
Price last updated on 17 January 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please
always check by sending us a
quotation request .
(**) 2 participants minimum
(***) Include lodging in one pousadas along the Transpantaneira Road and the visit of the scenic Chapada de Guimaraes Region north of Cuiaba
Included: All private transportation, accommodation in double room
with private bathroom in country in or ranches, specified meals,
guided excursions with local bilingual guides,
shared and private excursions
Not included: Other meals, drinks, laundry, tips
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