MATO GROSSO ECOSYSTEMS AMAZON, SAVANNA & PANTANAL

1st Day - Cuiabá - Amazon Rain Forest

(Recommendation: Schedule flight with A.M. arrival. LUNCH NOT INCLUDED)

Arrival at Cuiabá/Várzea Grande airport or pick up and transfer to the Amazon Rain Forest. (310 km paved federal road– approximately 4.5 hours ).

Arrival late afternoon, welcome drink and check-in at Jardim da Amazonia Lodge. We recommend a refreshing swim in its pool with crystal clear running waters.

Birding along the Orchid Trail (numerous hummingbirds, painted parakeet, blue-headed parrot, masked trogon, etc.) Dinner and overnight.(, D)

2nd Day - Amazon Rain Forest

After breakfast, an amazing trail will take you deep into the Forest, and contact with its exuberant fauna and flora.   The walk will be followed by fish barbecue and light nap in a hammock. Later, canoe down the Claro River, enjoying the solitude of the jungle and its different life forms  (Dinner and overnight at Jardim da Amazonia Lodge. (B, L, D)

3rd Day - Amazon Rain Forest - Nobres - Chapada dos Guimarães

After breakfast, departure to Nobres.   Dozens of complex cave systems cross the region.  The area has many rivers, lakes and caverns of blue crystal clear waters, habitat of several species of fishes and plants, outstanding for snorkeling and caving.   Enjoy about 45-minute-long floating activities along the Salobra river and its ponds filled with hundreds of colorful fishes.  After lunch we will continue to Chapada National Park.  Finally, check in at the charming Park Eco Lodge and take a reconnaissance walk. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge. 

4th Day - Chapada dos Guimarães National Park

Day devoted to wonderful hikes through the National Park. The wind and rain have sculpted intriguing shapes in the sand stones covered with rich “Cerrado” vegetation.

Its bird’s songs and crystal clear water falls add to the enjoyment of the walk. The hike ends at the 86m high water fall “Véu de Noiva” where we’ll enjoy a traditional meal at the local restaurant, looking down into this huge canyon. Later, light hike along the “Stone House” trail back to the Lodge. Dinner and overnight.

5th Day – Chapada dos Guimarães - Pantanal lowlands

After breakfast and check-out, drive down and visit the “Veredas da Salgadeira”, humid areas adorned by the “buriti” Palms, at.  Lunch in Cuiabá at Las Velas restaurant.   Continue to the charming “gold miners” town of Poconé.   Then on to the Transpantaneira Park Road for additional 32km until Araras Pantanal Ecolodge, welcome drink and check-in.  Later a brief reconnaissance walk of its surroundings. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. 

6th Day - Pantanal

Breakfast and departure to Clarinho River along private dirt roads. Exploring its calm waters in canoes.   Good chances to spot giant river-otters. Have fun fishing for piranhas to complete your local style barbecue on the banks of the river. Walking ttrails along its shore.   Later in the afternoon return to the lodge for the sunset at the, 25m high Howler Monkey Tower panoramic wood-tower. Dinner and overnight at Araras Lodge.

7th Day – Pantanal

Day devoted to exploring Araras Eco Lodge private reserve. After breakfast the guide will lead you on horseback or walking across this gorgeous ecosystem.

Lunch. In the afternoon photo-safari down the Transpantaneira Park Road for an additional 25 km. Dinner and overnight at Araras. 

8th Day – Pantanal - Cuiabá

Sunrise walk followed by breakfast. Morning at ease for personal undertakings with the assistance of your guide, before being transferred to Cuiabá airport for departing flight