Jaguars of the Pantanal and Iguassu Falls | 10 Days

Arrival at Cuiabá airport (CGB). Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and overnight. Cuiabá is the capital of the state of Mato Grosso and is served by daily flights from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campo Grande (Southern Pantanal), and other Brazilian hubs.

After breakfast, we’ll depart to Porto Jofre region (around a 5-hour drive), our base for the following days. We can make a few stops along the way to photograph the variety of wildlife. Porto Jofre is the end of the Transpantaneira Park road and the edge of the Cuiabá River. This is the home of the largest cat of the Americas, the mighty Jaguar.

Full days are dedicated to navigating through the Cuiabá River and its tributaries in search of the jaguars and the riverine fauna. Here, you will spend some time on a skiff with an experienced local naturalist guide, who will wind you through a maze of water channels, including the iconic Three Brothers, the Black Channel, and the Caxiri.

We will be deep into jaguar territory for dependable sightings, positioning the boat for the best angle to afford fantastic viewing and photo opportunities. Although the focus of this tour is on jaguars, you will also see and photograph some rare and iconic species, such as Giant River Otter, Neotropical Otter, Tapir, Paraguayan caiman, Jabiru stork, Black-collared hawk, Great-black hawk, Yellow-Billed Tern, Black Skimmer, Cocoi heron, Great egret, Striated heron, possibly Anaconda and much more!

After a final breakfast, we will check out and drive back to Cuiabá airport, where you will take a domestic flight to São Paulo. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the hotel for an overnight.

After checkout, we will transfer to the airport for a commercial flight to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU). The duration is approximately 2 hours.
Arrival and transfer to Hotel das Cataratas – South America’s first and only Forbes Five-Star hotel! Its unique location makes the perfect base for exploration because we can enter the park to see before the crowds. Iguaçu Falls is known as one of the most important destinations in Argentina, Brazil, and South America.

Full days are dedicated to exploring this fantastic hotel and discovering fascinating details about the park’s history and biodiversity.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1984 and reaffirmed in 2013 for its Exceptional Universal Value, the Iguazu Falls are a breathtaking natural spectacle and a critical part of a larger ecosystem that connects to all of Latin America. This area is home to a diverse range of animal and plant species, contributing to its significance as a natural sanctuary.

As part of your experience, enjoy a complimentary guided nature walk that leads you on a 1.5 km trail offering stunning views of the falls from beginning to end, culminating at the iconic Devil’s Throat. The walk includes several stairways for descent, with the option to return via elevator. This experience is designed for small groups, creating an intimate opportunity to connect with nature while surrounded by one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.

These last few days were amazing, and it’s time to say, “until next time.” After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Foz do Iguaçu. Here, we can take the flight back to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and make connections.