Pantanal Wetlands & Rio de Janeiro Tour
Summary
The Pantanal is a vast wetland, approximately half the size of Texas, stretching across the borders of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. During the rainy season, from December to March, the entire Pantanal region floods with small patches of dry land, where most of the Pantanal’s wealth of animals migrate.
The waters begin to recede in March and remain low until the following rainy season. This flooding has made systematic farming in the region impractical, leaving an enormously rich feeding ground for wildlife. The Pantanal is a wildlife sanctuary filled with giant river otters, anacondas, iguanas, jaguars, ocelots, cougars, jacarés (caiman), deer, giant anteaters, black howler monkeys, zebu bulls and capybaras, the world’s largest rodents. The Pantanal is also home to over 600 species of birds, making them easy to spot. The richness and diversity of the Pantanal’s flora and fauna are absolutely unforgettable. Finish your tour with a visit to the stunning city of Rio de Janeiro!
Note: Activities at the Pantanal Lodges are subject to availability and may vary from one lodge to the other.
Tour Highlights
- Rio de Janeiro
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer statue
- Flora & Fauna - The Pantanal
- Daily wildlife excursions
Included
- 7-Nights accommodations
- All breakfasts
- All land transfers
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Rio & Corcovado Tour
Meet one of our representatives at Rio de Janeiro airport and transfer to your hotel. Begin your South American adventure with a visit to the Corcovado Mountain, where you will find one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Christ the Redeemer. This magnificent statue keeps an eye on Rio from an elevation of 710m (2,340 ft). Board the cogwheel railway to the top of Corcovado Mountain for a bird’s eye view of the city, the bay, and the mountains!
Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure, relaxing on the beach or go to the bar and order the refreshing caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink.
Day 2 Rio & Sugar Loaf Mountain Tour
Today, explore Rio de Janeiro with a city tour! Board a funicular to reach the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. Admire a spectacular panoramic view of the golden beaches, the green Tijuca forest, and the city.
Continue to discover ‘the marvelous city’ and visit all of its landmarks, learn the history of the country, from colonial times to today.
In the afternoon, slow down and relax with the Cariocas (people from Rio de Janeiro) at Copacabana or Ipanema beaches
Day 3 Transfer to Cuiabá & Arrival in the Pantanal
This morning transfer to the Rio airport to take a domestic flight to Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso. Upon arrival, meet your driver who will bring you to the lodge, located in the area surrounding Poconé.
Your stay includes activities to help you discover the vastness of the region, with its breathtaking landscapes and its varied fauna.
You’re likely to spot animals wandering through the marshes, and some of the most famous creatures are the giant river otters and the jabiru storks.
Day 4 Horseback Riding & Night Safari
Choose one of the excursions available at the lodge to explore the Pantanal. We recommend signing up for a horseback riding tour, where your expert guide will take you on a journey to spot the animals that inhabit the Pantanal.
Other options include a guided hiking tour where you can familiarize yourself with the local flora and fauna. The Pantanal is an ideal destination for birdwatching since it is home to more than 600 species of birds including macaws, storks, and kingfisher.
After the tour, return to the lodge and relax. You can go on a night safari to spot caimans, frogs, and other nocturnal creatures. Since you are far away from any large city, the Pantanal is a great place to observe the Southern constellations and listen to the soothing sounds of nature.
Day 5 Canoe Tour & Piranha Fishing
The lowlands of the Pantanal are spectacular during sunrise and sunset. If you are an early bird, you can sign up for a sunrise excursion.
Later in the morning, go on a canoe tour where you can see the diversity of the local fish in the region. You may also see giant otters, gentle mammals that live on small pads of land.
Test your fishing skills and try to catch a piranha, the famous carnivorous fish native to South America.
Day 6 Hiking Tour
After a hearty breakfast, follow your guide on a hiking tour through the woods, where you can see howler and capuchin monkeys, along with many birds including colorful macaws and elegant egrets. Be sure to bring your camera with you so that you can show your friends and family the incredible flora and fauna of the Pantanal.
In the afternoon, return to the lodge and spend your last night in the Pantanal.
Day 7 Transfer back to Rio
Rise early and admire the vastness of the Pantanal before making your journey back to the airport for your flight back to Rio de Janeiro.
Spend the day at your leisure. You can opt to go to a dinner show and try delicious Brazilian specialties while enjoying a cheerful samba performance.
Day 8 Departure from Rio
At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to board a flight back home or to your next destination in South America.
