Enjoy the varied wildlife and landscapes of three of Brazil’s contrasting ecosystems: The Amazon rainforest, upland savannah in the Chapada dos Guimarães, and the Pantanal wetland.
By staying in comfortable, well-priced lodges, and avoiding long internal flights, this suggested itinerary presents an affordable way to see Brazil’s natural highlights – of which there are many!
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to São Paulo, with onward connection to Cuiabá.
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Day 2:
Arrive Cuiabá
On arrival in Cuiaba, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your overnight hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Deville, 1-night
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Day 3:
Drive to São José do Rio Claro. Birdwatching trail walks in the Amazon rainforest
Depart from Cuiabá and transfer to the Pousada Jardim da Amazônia, a drive of around five hours. After settling in, enjoy some birdwatching along the Orchid Trail. There’s a good chance of seeing tapirs, South America's biggest mammal – or antas as they are known in Brazilian Portuguese, and you can also enjoy snorkelling in the nearby natural pool.
Accommodation: Jardim da Amazônia Lodge, 2 nights.
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Day 4:
Guided boat trips
Today you will normally head out on a boat trip on the Rio Claro, with a visit to Anaconda Lake, and a stop at Palmeiras Beach. In the afternoon, canoe on the river to see some of the birdlife encountered here, which includes: muscovy duck, long tailed tyrant, cormorant, Amazon kingfisher, green and rufous kingfisher, swallow tanager, and heron species.
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Days 5-6
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Chapada dos Guimarães; hiking on the savannah tablelands
Depart after breakfast for the drive back to Cuiabá, and then continue (another 55 kilometres) to the Chapada dos Guimarães.
Accommodation: Pousada do Parque, 2-nights
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Day 7:
Northern Pantanal; wildlife safaris in the Pantanal by vehicle, boat and on foot
Return to Cuiaba in the morning, then transfer to Araras Eco Lodge, with plenty of stops en route for photos. On arrival at your lodge there's time for a late afternoon hike of the lodge surroundings, reaching the Mirante da Garça, a 12 metre high observation tower for an unequalled view of the sunset. After dinner, enjoy a star gazing trek, to hear the sounds of the floodplain.
We recommend a stay at Araras Eco Lodge, however there are several lodges to choose from. Many wildlife lodges still function as cattle ranches which offer day and night trips by boat, vehicle, on foot and on horseback, accompanied by local naturalist guides to see some of Brazil's rarest wildlife, such as jaguar and giant otter. You may also see caiman, anaconda, tuiu storks, owls, nightjars, armadillos, foxes and perhaps even maned wolf.
Accommodation: Araras Eco Lodge, 3 nights
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Day 8:
Explore flora & fauna around the lodge; afternoon horseback ride
A full day is dedicated to observing the Pantanal’s flora and fauna at the private reserve that surrounds the lodge. After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a two to three hour horseback ride through fields and woodland. Lunch is back at the lodge, and in the afternoon you'll hike to a different area to see and learn about this ecosystem.
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Day 9:
Canoe excursion on the Rio Clarinho
After breakfast, depart across the floodplain for the Rio Clarinho, from where you take a canoe to explore the riverbanks, mangroves and forest. With luck, you may spot a family of giant otters fishing, playing and teaching the youngsters to swim and fish. You will be able to fish for the elusive piranha, which are known for their ability to nibble bait off the hook without the fisherman noticing. However lambaris, another species of freshwater fish, are much easier to catch and are delicious when barbecued. A picnic barbecue lunch will be prepared at a site on the river, before you return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
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Day 10:
Depart Cuiaba
The day begins with a very early start to see the sunrise from the top of Mirante da Garça (Heron’s Tower), where you can hear the sounds of the birds leaving the nests for the day and watch the first rays of the rising sun bathe the vegetation in colour. After breakfast, there’s time to do another walk, followed by lunch before you return to Cuiabá airport in time for your overnight flight back to the UK.
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Day 11:
Arrive UK
