Brazilian Amazon & Pantanal | 11 Days

Arrival at Cuiabá airport (CGB). Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and overnight stay. 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, transfer to Cuiabá Airport for a commercial flight to Alta Floresta (approx an hour). Upon arrival, we embark on a one-hour drive to the banks of the Teles Pires River, where a boat will be waiting to take us deeper into the Amazon Rainforest. From this moment, our immersion into one of the world’s most biodiverse regions begins as we go to the cozy and sustainable Cristalino Lodge.

The southern Amazon is globally recognized for its immense biodiversity. Cristalino Lodge, located on a private reserve, has carefully maintained its ecological footprint, with only 2 of its original 700 hectares used for infrastructure. Named after the Cristalino River, which flows 114 miles from its source in Pará to its mouth in Mato Grosso, the lodge offers an authentic rainforest experience.

During our stay, we will immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder through various unforgettable experiences. Daily activities include guided walks along forest trails with expert guides, birdwatching, and visits to local conservation projects. Guests can also enjoy boat and canoe rides along the river and admire the spectacular sunrises and sunsets from one of the two 50-meter observation towers, which offer panoramic views of the rainforest canopy.

From these elevated platforms, you’ll have the chance to observe magnificent birds in flight, such as scarlet macaws, curl-crested araçaris, red-necked woodpeckers, and a wide variety of tanagers. You might also spot the endemic white-whiskered spider monkey and other remarkable species. A floating deck or hammock on the Cristalino River offers the perfect retreat for those seeking relaxation.

The Cristalino experience is ideal for birdwatchers, nature photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts.

On our final morning at Cristalino, we can partake in one last lodge activity: a guided nature walk, birdwatching, or simply relaxing by the river. After enjoying the lodge’s unique surroundings, we will transfer by boat to meet our driver at the river’s edge.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to get on the Transpantaneira Park road. Since we drive through the Transpantaneira, there are great chances to see the Pantanal’s wildlife, such as ringed kingfisher, American wood stork, marsh deer, and more.

Aymara Lodge is a charming retreat nestled within an island forest right on the edge of the Green Channel, offering an immersive experience in the heart of the Pantanal.

This peaceful haven is perfect for nature lovers and photographers alike, with exceptional opportunities to capture the region’s diverse birdlife. Hyacinth macaws nest beside the restaurant, providing a close-up view of these stunning birds, while woodcreepers, woodpeckers, parrots, and tanagers fill the surrounding forest with their vibrant colors and calls.

The lodge also offers sightings of various mammal species, including South American coatis, Azara’s agoutis, capuchin monkeys, and black-and-gold howler monkeys, often seen in the trees nearby.

After breakfast, we’ll depart to Porto Jofre region (around 3:30 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 most giant cat of the Americas, the mighty Jaguar. Upon arrival, we’ll check in and enjoy a well-deserved lunch before heading out on our first boat safari in the afternoon. As we navigate the waterways, we’ll have our first opportunity to observe the incredible biodiversity of this ecosystem, keeping our eyes peeled for jaguars, giant river otters, and a vibrant array of birdlife.

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 Chanel, 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 begin our scenic drive back to Cuiabá, which will take approximately five hours. Upon arrival at Cuiabá airport, you will catch your flight for departure, taking with you unforgettable memories of the incredible wildlife and landscapes you’ve experienced in the heart of the Pantanal.