DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO SAO PAULO
Arrive today in São Paulo, Brazil, at Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). No activities are planned for today so you can rest up from your travels. The transfer to our hotel is included; our hotel is about twenty minutes away and we can organize an early check-in as an option for those that need it (normally rooms can be available by noon, getting into a room earlier than that requires additional charges. Remember, you have at least 1.5 hours to get luggage and clear immigration and customs; there is a restaurant and public areas where you can relax if you don’t want to pay an early room fee). This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner – a chance to meet your guides and traveling companions, and learn more about our coming adventure. Those on our highly recommended pre-trip to the Atlantic Forest will be returning to join you. We invite you to sample Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha, made with cachaça (sugarcane liquor), sugar, and lime. We predict this may be the first of many. Accommodations at Hotel Hampton by Hilton
DAY 2: EARLY FLIGHT TO CAMPO GRANDE AIRPORT – EXPLORE THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PANTANAL
We should arrive to Campo Grande Cumbres homestead about 9:00 AM and are met by our local guides. We drive by van or mini-bus to Aguapé Lodge (around four hours drivetime) with stops for mammals and birding on the way there. We are motivated to get there, since this is where we have lunch!
After checking into our rooms, we spend time birding around the lodge until the end of the day, looking for birds such the Chaco Chachalaca, Hyacinth Macaw, Blue-fronted Parrot, Nanday Parakeet, Toco Toucan, Lineated and White Woodpeckers, Narrow-Billed Woodcreeper, Greater Thornbird, Giant Cowbird, Crested Oropendola, Purplish and Plush-crested Jays, Red-crested Cardinal, and many others. We then gather with friends for dinner and for those that wish, the daily checklist. Accommodations at Aguapé Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 3: PANTANAL SAFARI FROM AGUAPÉ LODGE
Aguapé in an excellent environment for birdwatching, a place where over 300 bird species have been recorded. The Lodge is located 195 kilometers from Campo Grande city, which has an International Airport, and 60 kilometers from Aquidauana city, which is known as the gateway to the Pantanal.
Interesting bird species are Southern Screamer, Blaze-winged Parakeet, Gilded Hummingbird, Toco Toucan, Pale-crested and White-fronted Woodpecker, Red-billed Scythebill, Helmeted Manakin, and the Scarlet-headed Blackbird. Both days, after an early breakfast, we embark on a safari drive with good chances to see the Undulated Tinamou, Capped Heron, Jabiru, Savanna Hawk, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Buff necked and Plumbeous Ibises, Roseate Spoonbill, Hyacinth and Yellow-collared Macaw, Red-billed Scythebill, Orange backed Troupial, and many others.
After lunch back at the lodge, we enjoy a siesta in the hot part of the day, and then we make another safari drive until the end of the day, returning in the dark with chances to see mammals like the Crab-eating Fox, South American Coati, Capybara, Marsh Deer, Southern Tamandua, Crab-eating Raccoon, River Otter, and night birds such as Common and Great Potoo, Spectacled and Striped Owl, Pauraque and Scissor-tailed Nightjar. We find this area to be the best place to spot Giant Anteater in the whole region and we make the effort to find them, so keep your fingers crossed! Each day, we have dinner upon return, and for those that wish, the checklist. Optional fishing with local guides and boats can be arranged while you are at this lodge.
Accommodations at Aguapé Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 4: BIRDING FROM AGUAPÉ TO CAMPO GRANDE – ARRIVAL TO CAMPO GRANDE IN THE AFTERNOON
After an early breakfast we take a bird walk for excellent chances to see Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Blaze-winged Parakeet, Black-crowned Tityra, Chestnut-eared Aracari, and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, among the many more. This morning we also enjoy a motorboat excursion at Aquidauana River. This river is full of life with good chances to see a family of Giant River Otters and special birds like Black collared Hawk, five species of kingfisher, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Blue-throated Piping Guan, and many others. After an early lunch at the lodge we drive back to Campo Grande, check in to the hotel, and then enjoy a short visit to the “nesterar“, a place where a nice concentration of macaws and herons nest near the city. Accommodations in Mohave Hotel (B, L, D)
DAY 5: EARLY CONNECTING FLIGHT CAMPO GRANDE TO CUIABA – NORTHERN TRANSPANTANEIRA
After an early domestic connecting flight to Cuiabá we begin the second (northern) half of our Pantanal adventure! Driving south, we reach the famed Pantanal via a paved road to Poconé. En route we have lunch in a typical churrasqueria, and enjoy Brazilian-style cuisine. From here, we travel the dirt Transpantaneira Road, perhaps only rivaled by Tanzania’s Serengeti road for spotting wildlife. Our destination tonight is Pousada Piuval. Along the way, we might see Ringed Kingfisher, Red-crested Cardinal, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Toco Toucan, Jabiru, Limpkin, our Capybaras (of course!), Yacaré Caiman, and more.
Pousada Piuval is located just 10km from Poconé. This is the first lodge on theTranspantaneira. It is small, about twenty rooms, and part of a large (7,000ha), family-run ranch. After check in, we can stretch our legs on a short walk. There is a lovely pool if anyone wants to cool off with a swim. Accommodations at Pousada Piuval (B, L, D)
DAY 6: BIRDING & WILDILIFE SPOTTING ON THE TRANSPANTANEIRA
E njoy a rich early morning breakfast and then get ready to enjoy a full day wildlife viewing along the Transpantaneira. We have a second day to explore the area from the lodge, plus our pathway coming and going, keeping an eye out for Red Brocket Deer, Marsh Deer, Crab-eating Fox, Greater Rhea, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, and a mix of wading birds. Bridges are hotspots from which we can view the presence of a huge food supply; Green Kingfisher, Great Egret, Cocoi Heron, both Bare-faced and Green Ibises, and White-lored Spinetail are just a few species we may see. Accommodations at Posada Rio Claro ( https://pousadarioclaro.com.br )(B, L, D)
DAY 7: DRIVE TO PORTO JOFRE – JAGUAR BOAT EXCURSION
After some morning wildlife viewing at the ranch, we depart down the Transpantaneira, we pass through scattered palm woodlands, cerrado scrub, and seasonally-flooded grasslands reminiscent of the Everglades. Roadside ponds and canals are filled with waders: Roseate Spoonbill, Plumbeous Ibis, Limpkin, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, and their predator, Yacaré Caiman. July water conditions concentrate the fish for foraging waders like Jabiru and Maguari Stork. At Porto Jofre, the “end of the road,” palms attract several resident pairs of Hyacinth Macaw. From this little town on the
Cuiabá River, we board a small boat to reach our lodgings – two days on a lovely houseboat. Rooms are air-conditioned, with private bath. This “floating hotel” allows us to stay close to where the wildlife has been spotted; we explore from the houseboat each day on smaller boats. We check into our boat cabins, have dinner, then have a briefing on safety and wildlife we hope to see. If skies are clear, star viewing is impressive – you can see the Southern Cross! Optionalfishing is available while you are on the houseboat portion of the tour. Overnight on a floating houseboat hotel! (B, L, D)
DAY 8: FULL DAY LOOKING FOR JAGUAR, JABIRU & MORE
Awake on the river to a host of sounds and the sight of macaws and more flying overhead. We use smaller speedboats to spend the day searching for the iconic Jaguar, known for their affinity to water (Jaguar Boat or another boat with the same services). They are good swimmers, and often lay down along the shore after a swim. Chances are good that we see at least one individual, male or female – perhaps even together!
We lunch on board, take a short siesta and try for Jaguar again in the afternoon. Wildlife is plentiful in this remote part of the Pantanal, so once we accomplish the main task (a Jaguar, of course) we have time to admire other species like Giant Otter, Black Skimmer, Pied Plover, Southern Screamer, and Yacaré Caiman. We also visit little streams for skulkers like Pygmy Kingfisher and Sungrebe. By late afternoon we return to our welcoming houseboat. We celebrate our sightings with caipirinhas before dinner! Accommodations in private cabins on a floating houseboat hotel (B, L, D)
DAY 9: WILDLIFE & BIRDING ON THE LOWER TRANSPANTANEIRA – PIXAIM RIVER
After two days immersed in the wildest part of the Pantanal, we return north, retracing our route. We are not in a hurry though, and work some of the areas we previously traveled in more detail. Perhaps we find a troop of Black-and-Gold Howler Monkeys, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Snail Kite, Rusty backed Antwren, Common Tody Flycatcher, White-browed Blackbird, and others species as we drive to our next lodge.
We watch for Cream-colored Woodpecker, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Short-crested Flycatcher, Mato Grosso Antbird, Great Antshrike, and Purple-throatedEuphonia. Near water we find Whistling and Capped Herons, Pygmy and Ringed Kingfishers, Sunbittern, Black-collared and Great Black Hawks, and Rusty-backed Spinetail.
Once we arrive at the Mato Grosso Hotel on the Rio Pixaim, we settle in and check the feeders for brilliant-colored troupials, Palm, Silver, and Sayaca Tanagers, and Red-crested Cardinal. At this point in our journey, we have seen numerous mammals and birds, and we can base our efforts on finding anything missing from our list that we hope to see. Accommodations at the Mato Grosso Hotel, Rio Pixaim (B, L, D)
DAY 10: PIXAIM RIVER AREA – WILDLIFE & BIRDING
It’s another morning for gazing at the sunrise while sipping good Brazilian coffee. This morning, pending what we still need to see, we can do a safari drive, or we can take a small boat ride on the Pixaim River to spot secretive species like Agami and Zig-Zag Heron. This is a good spot for Giant Otters and, with luck and some searching, a Tapir.
Today we look for Black-capped Donacobious, Green-and rufous Kingfisher, Little Blue Heron, and other species like some very impressive iguanas, we may have the opportunity to spot some special birds like Helmeted Manakin, Mato Grosso Antbird, Band-tailed Antbird, Black-hooded Tanager, Blue-crowned Trogon, and more. Dinner finds us sampling authentic Grosso cuisine, including legendary piranha and local beef. Overnight at the Mato Grosso Hotel, Pixaim River (B, L, D)
DAY 11: WILDLIFE VIEWING – RETURN TO CUIABÁ
Today, we make our way back to Cuiabá, the paved road is perhaps a welcome sight as we bid adieu to the marvelous but often dusty Pantanal. Our plan is to arrive in Cuiabá in time for connections to São Paulo for evening flights out. Plan on flights after 4:00PM. For those not finding a good match up, you can return to São Paulo and overnight, or simply overnight at a hotel we regularly use in Cuiabá and start fresh the following day. Hotel Amazon Airport. (B)
DAY 12 RETURN TO SAO PAOLO DRIVE TO ATLANTIC FOREST.
Arrival to são paolo and then drive for two hours towards the atlantic forest towards the lodge Espinhero Negro, a cozy and comfortable lodge where it will be our base for the next three nights, the grounds of the feeders for tanagers and toucans are amazing and rooms comfortable, arrival and full day exploring the grounds lookinf for red- necked tanager, green – headed tanager, coquetes and more birds, overnight in EM
DAY 13 VISITING THRILLA DOS TUCANOS.
After breakfast, early morning at feeder visiting Thrilla dos tucanos a great place to get other specialties at feeders, like yellow -fronted woodpecker, Green – headed tanager, Plain parakeet, Violet headed hummingbird, Saffron Toucanet, and many others, lunch then continue birding and photographing a bit, and then return to Espinhero Negro lodge.
DAY 14 VISITING LEGADO DAS AGUAS LODGE RESERVE.
Breakfast again , and visit to Legado das Aguas lodge and reserve to try other species at feeders and in natrural habitats, like Bat Falcon , red – headed tanager, Blue dacnis, red – breasted toucan , and other hummingbirds, lunch , afternoon photographing around the lodge and return to Espinhero Negro for dinner and overnight.
DAY 15 MORNING FEEDERS SHOTING AND LATER DRIVE BACK TO SAO PAOLO. This morning we will spend time at feeders at the lodge getting some last great views of birds at feeders, Burnish – buff tanager, Black – goggled tanager, Black jacobin, and other, lunch and drive and transfer to São Paolo Airport drop off for international flight.
One of the most beautiful birding sites in the Atlantic Forest is Itatiaia National Park, located just 250 kilometers from São Paulo and home to one of the largest altitudinal differences of any birding site in Brazil, ranging from humid Atlantic Forest at 300 meters, up to the “campos de altitude” at 2,800 meters.
Itatiaia was Brazil’s first national park and shelters an incredible variety of birds, including Black Hawk-eagle, Dusky-legged Guan, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, Giant Snipe, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Frilled Coquette, Black-breasted Plover-Crest, Saffron Toucanet, Yellow-fronted and Robust Woodpeckers, Wing-banded Hornero, White-browed Foliage-gleaner, Itatiaia Thistletail, Speckle-breasted Antpitta, Giant and Large-tailed Antshrikes, White-bibbed and Rufous-tailed Antbirds, Fork-tailed Pygmy-tyrant, Southern Antpipit, Velvety Black-tyrant, Pin-tailed Manakin, Eastern Slaty Thrush, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Black-and-Gold Cotinga, Brassy-breasted and Gilt-edged Tanagers and Sharpbill.
This extension is a feast for the eyes for birders, just an extraordinary array of species,
many endemic to the region.
Travel Information
Arrival airport is Guarulhos International (GRU). Note: Most flights arrive in the morning, and your room may not be available until noon – 2:00 PM, but there are public areas and a restaurant for that wait period. In the last day, please plan departure flight from Cuiaba’s_Marechal Rondon International Airport (CGB), with a flight 4:00 PM or after, timed to connect with your own international flight. Most flights leave São Paulo around midnight. If yours is a day flight, you will need to overnight in Cuiabá or São Paolo to go out the next day. We end in Cuiabá as some may continue to other parts of Brazil and can fly direct to those locations. Examples are Iguazu, Belo Horizontes, and Rio Cristalino.
Inclusions :
Private Transportation
Private truck safaris
Private speedboats for jaguar Search
Private local guide
All accommodation
All meals
All park feesHighlights:Getting photos and contacts with.
Biggest Macaw ; Hyacinth Macaw
Biggest toucan ; Toco Toucan
Chances to get photos of the big five.
Jaguar
Giant anteater
Giant otter
Brazilian Tapir
Capybaras
At Atlantic Forest:
Best place for photographers
Hummigbirds and tanagers
Great local food
Exclusions:
Tips for local guides
Alcoholic drinks
Personal expenses
International flightsImportant Notes and Information:
Brazil´s Pantanal – Jaguars! & More – Highlights
This itinerary has been designed to guarantee the best wildlife-viewing opportunities at several of the most gorgeous reserves and landscapes in Pantanal Brazil.
° Try for South America’s “Big Five” Brazilian Tapir, Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater, Giant Otter, and Jaguar.
° Witness the “Big Five” of birds: Red Legged Seriema, Greater Rhea, Hyacinth Macaw, Toco Toucan, and Helmeted Manakin. Add Southern Screamer, Sunbittern, Scarlet- headed Blackbird, five species of kingfisher, and so many more!
° Explore both sides of the Transpantaneira wilderness -by boat and road on safari- like excursions.
° Enjoy local cuisine and hospitality at fazendas (working cattle ranches) at several stages along the road.
° Boat the Cuiabá River for an excellent chance at a Jaguar sighting.
° See water birds in mass congregation – like those of the Everglades, but magnified!
° Find at least four species of monkeys and several hundred species of birds.° Scan for night birds under intense southern sky constellations; spotlight for mammals, too!
° Enjoy optional fishing at two locations (additional cost for local boat and guide).
Departs: All year round. Arrival Airport is Guarulhos International (GRU), Departure Airport is Marechal Rondon International Airport (CGB) in Cuiaba.
Grading: Medium. Day walks only. To enjoy the trip to the full you should enjoy spending time in the fresh air on foot and boat rides.
Weather: The Pantanal is a tropical wet and dry region with an average annual temperature of 21,5 °C (70.7 °F). Daily high temperatures average at 30 °C to 32 °C (86 °F to 90 °F) and the weather therefore remains hot throughout the day. During the dry season (May to September), however, it can occasionally get a little cooler. The rainy season from October to April has hot temperatures year-round. Due to the tropical climate in the North Pantanal, there are hot temperatures year-round and the weather can seem very humid.
Clothing: Proper hiking gear, a rain jacket, comfortable shoes, a backpack with essential things such as warm clothes and waterproof gear.
What’s included:
° Expert guidance and transport service
° Airport transfers and visits described in the itinerary
° Accommodation (in a standard room and meals, as described in the itinerary
° Entrance fees to all natural reserves described in the itinerary
° Domestic flights:
-From São Paulo to Campo Grande
-From Campo Grande to Cuiabá
° Boat excursions
Not included:
° Soft and alcoholic beverages° Tips
° Wi-Fi (due to the remote location of some of the places we will visit, internet connection may be intermittent and low-bandwidth)
° Personal expenses (extra nights, late checkout, laundry, gifts, etc.) ° Accommodation and meals not described in the program
° Flights to/from Sao Paulo; flights from Cuibá to Sao Paulo or any other destination.
Conditions:
*Please note that the itinerary offers our planned program of excursions. However, adverse weather & other local considerations can necessitate some re-ordering ofthe program during the course of the tour, though this will always be done to maximize the best use of the time and weather conditions available.
*Please be aware that this is a sample itinerary. We can customize the package based on your request and send you a quote. This program and its accommodation options are subject to availability.
*All entrance fees are subject to change without prior notice.
*Rates for domestic flights included in this program are subject to change until we have issued the tickets according to the requested travel date.
General notes:
*Baggage is handled in accordance with the airlines’ regulations and tariffs. The current limits are usually 50.6 lbs (23 kg) for checked items17 lbs (8 kg) for hand luggage and 1 personal item (handbag, camera bag, laptop, etc.) Please keep in mind that airlines are strict with their baggage limitations.
*All baggage must be securely packed, and be properly, clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and/or other items that are not packed as such will be transported at the guests’ own risk.
*We recommend that you keep important travel documents (passport, visa), important medication and/or valuables on you at all times. These items are the full responsibility of the guest at all times.
*We are not liable for loss or damage to baggage and/or any other personal item during air travel. We are not liable for baggage stored in shore-side facilities.
*We are not liable for the loss of, or damage of, of any aforementioned personal items. We reserve the right to charge for the return of personal items left at the hotels.
