Arrive in São Paulo, Brazil, at Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). No activities are planned for this day so you can rest up from your travels. The transfer to your hotel is included; your hotel is about twenty minutes away and we can organize an early check-in as an option for those that need it (Usually 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 at the airport where you can relax if you don’t want to pay an early room fee.). This evening you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner the chance to meet your guide and traveling companions, and learn more about our coming adventure. 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 Matiz Guarulhos (D/B)

Early Flight to Campo Grande Airport (CGR) | Explore the South side of the Pantanal at Mato Grosso do Sul. Today you’ll take a morning flight to Campo Grande (1h50 min). From there you’ll drive to Aguapé Lodge (around three and a half hours drivetime to cover 195 km aproximately). By the begginnig of the dirtroad you’ll make stops looking for mammals and birds. Stunning birds that might show up in the way are Hyacinth Macaw, Nanday Parakeet, Toco Toucan, White Woodpeckers, Narrow-Billed Woodcreeper, Purplish and Plush-crested Jays, Red-crested Cardinal, Campo Flicker, Red-legged Sereima and many others. As the day’s adventures unfold, you’ll reconvene with fellow explorers and friends to enjoy a delightful dinner. A time of camaraderie and celebration, this evening provides the perfect opportunity to commemorate the incredible wildlife encounters that have already marked the beginning of your journey into the Pantanal. Your remarkable expedition has just begun, promising days filled with the wonders of nature and the thrill of discovery. Accommodations at Aguapé Lodge (B/L/D)

As the sun rises over Aguapé Lodge, you’ll fuel up with an early breakfast, preparing for a day that promises both geological wonders and avian spectacles. Your path leads to Buraco das Araras, a monumental sandstone crater etched into the heart of the Cerrado. This geological masterpiece was sculpted by the collapse of boulders, crafting a vast expanse that spans 500 meters in circumference and plummets to a depth of 100 meters. The place earned its name due to the captivating presence of the Red-and-Green Macaws, whose vivid hues add splashes of brilliance to the landscape. This natural sanctuary provides a front-row seat to their nesting and roosting sites, granting you an unparalleled opportunity to capture these colorful creatures up close. With your camera in hand, you’ll capture the intricate details of these magnificent birds, their every feather and expression preserved in your photographs. The geological contours of the crater create a unique backdrop, enhancing the visual narrative of your shots. On July 25th, hearts brimming with wonder and memory cards laden with captivating images will propel you forward. Following a morning of engaging activities and an early lunch, your journey will lead you to Campo Grande. As the sun rises on the next day, you’ll take a flight to Cuiabá, marking the commencement of the second chapter in your remarkable adventure. Accommodations in Bonito July 24th and Campo Grande July 25th (B/L/D)

Today early in the morning you’ll embark on a domestic flight to Cuiabá, setting the stage for your adventure into the untamed Pantanal. Today’s destination is Aymara Lodge, a pousada that marks the threshold to the northern reaches of the Pantanal in Mato Grosso. Nestled just few km away from the charming town of Poconé, standing as one of the first lodges at the renowned Transpantaneira road. With its cozy and inviting atmosphere, Aymara seamlessly blends into a 238 hectares family-run reserve that envelops it. Nestled amid a lush tapestry of native forest, Aymara Lodge emerges as a sanctuary on the banks of a serene «corixo,» a tranquil waterway gently embraced by the land. This refuge stands as a gateway to the wonders of wildlife, offering an immersive experience unlike any other.Upon arrival and check-in, your journey of exploration commences. A Safari Jeep awaits to whisk you away into the heart of this vibrant ecosystem. In these surroundings, you’ll witness a captivating array of creatures that thrive in this unique environment. The emblematic capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, make their presence known in abundance, Jacaré caimans lurk in the waterways, Black tailed Marmosets grace the foliage and the echoes of black and gold howler monkeys’ calls reverberate through the air. Sacrlet-headed Blackbird, Southern Screemer, Maguari Stork, Red-legged Sereimas, Jabiru Stork, the elegant Suntbittern, Brazilian Teals, Campo Flickers, the giant Greater Rhea and many other species will reveal their precence in this fascinating place. During your excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to explore nearby reserves like Piuval. This enriching experience will grant you access to a sprawling 7,000-hectare family-run ranch and reserve, opening doors to diverse wildlife encounters beyond. Accommodations at Aymara Lodge (B/L/D)

Following a rewarding morning activity, you’ll embark on a journey down the renowned yet rustic Transpantaneira. This road serves as a vital connection between the city of Poconé and the charming town of Porto Jofre, stretching over a remarkable 147 kilometers and traversing an impressive 122 wooden bridges. Along this route, you’ll find abundant chances for captivating wildlife encounters, a phenomenon that becomes particularly pronounced during the dry season. Many animals gather in the remaining and temporary bodies of water and take advantage of the presence of plentiful food sources. With watchful eyes, you’ll search for White-headed Marsh Tyrants, Chestnut-bellied Guan, and an incredible mix of wading birds. You’ll make several stops along the way at the bridges which are usually very productive, providing new sights at each opportunity. Your route will weave through scattered palm woodlands, cerrado scrub, and seasonally-flooded grasslands. Ponds and canals lining the roadside will come alive with waders like the Roseate Spoonbill, Capped Heron, Plumbeous Ibis, Limpkin, Cormorants, Herons, different species of kingfishers, alongside the iconic Yacaré Caiman numbering in the hundreds. Upon your arrival to Porto Jofre, the “end of the road,” you’ll board a small motor boat to reach the houseboat. Boat outings here will feature the world’s most diverse assemblage of tame kingfishers (all five South American species are possible), Yacaré Caimans, Capybaras, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, Giant Otters, Agami Herons, Jabiru Storks and offcourse your main target, the mighty jaguar! As the day comes to a close, you’ll settle into your boat cabins, relishing the comfortable quarters. A celebratory dinner marks the conclusion of another day of remarkable wildlife encounters and adventures. Accommodations in private cabins on a floating houseboat hotel Panoramico (B/L/D)

Greet the sunrise on the river with a host of sounds and the sight of macaws, parrots and toucans overhead. Today you’ll use smaller speedboats to spend the day searching for the iconic Jaguar. During the dry season, docile jaguars known for their affinity to water are photographed along the riverbank searching for the opportunity to ambush their next prey. They are good swimmers, and often lay down along the shore. Chances are good for encountering them! Indulge in a leisurely onboard lunch, followed by a restorative siesta in your comfortably air-conditioned cabins or on the boat deck, where breathtaking views and soothing sounds abound. As the afternoon sun mellows, our pursuit of Jaguars resumes. Abundant wildlife graces this secluded corner of the Pantanal, and once your primary goal – spotting a majestic Jaguar – is achieved, you’ll have the luxury of time to appreciate an array of other captivating species. Look out for the playful Giant Otters, the elegants Black Skimmer and Pied Plover, the resounding call of the Southern Screamer, the enchanting presence of Black and Gold Howler Monkeys, and many more. Your explorations may even lead you to the hidden realms of narrow streams, where elusive creatures like the Pygmy Kingfisher and Sungrebe dwell. As the late afternoon approaches, you’ll make your way back to the hospitable houseboat. Here, amidst a convivial ambiance, you can relish a delectable dinner while you recount and celebrate the day’s most memorable highlights! Accommodations in private cabins on a floating houseboat hotel Panoramico (B/L/D)

Having spent two days immersed in the wildest part of the Pantanal and following a productive morning within the Jaguar land, you’ll depart this magical place after lunch and make your way back north through the Transpantaneira retracing your route. In the way we can cover some of the areas we previously traveled in more detail. You’ll definetly look for more! Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pearled Kite, Rusty-backed Antwren, Common Tody Flycatcher, White-browed Meadowlark, Black-backed Water Tyrant, Great Black Hawks and others species might reveal their presence as you drive to the next lodge. Once you arrive at Fazenda Santa Teresa, you’ll settle in and check the activity in the surroundings. This lodge has the world’s finest photo op for a close-up, eye-level viewing tower of a Jabiru Stork nest and the remarkable chance of viewing wild Ocelots at close range on natural setting with beautiful vines in good light from a unique observation deck!! Accommodations at Santa Teresa (B/L/D)

Day 11 It’s another morning to greet the sunrise while sipping good Brazilian coffee. You can have a safari drive or a small boat ride on the Pixaim River this morning, depending on what we still hope to see, to spot secretive species like Agami and Zig-Zag Heron. Two bird observation towers (one near the Jabiru nest, 150 meters from the lodge, and the other in the gallery forest, 900 meters from the lodge) will allow you to enjoy the landscapes and more birds. A wonderful walk through a route in a beautiful gallery forest would also be a fantastic alternative for looking for unusual birds such as Helmeted Manakin, Mato Grosso Antbird, Band-tailed Antbird, Hooded Tanager, Little Woodpecker, Rusty-backed Antwren, Blue-crowned Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, and others. Fazenda Santa Teresa accommodation (B/L/D)

After enjoying breakfast, with hearts filled with memories and stories, the journey back to Cuiabá commences. This paved road presents a welcome contrast to the dust-laden trails of the Pantanal, marking a gentle farewell to this captivating landscape. Your journey is timed for a smooth transition to catch your flight back to Guarulhos. If you want to take the extension trip to search the regal Maned Wolf or to explore the enchanting Chapada dos Guimaraes and Atlantic Forest, enhancing your adventure in this captivating country, simply inform us of your desire. (B/L/-)

NOTE: If you take the extension trip for the Maned Wolf or Atlantic Forest, this night’s accommodation and dinner will be included in Guarulhos.