Pantanal Private
Pantanal
The Brazilian Pantanal (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the largest tropical wetland in the world and harbors some of the most unique wildlife found anywhere, including South America’s ‘Big Six’ – jaguar, giant river otter, giant anteater, capybara, South American tapir, and anaconda. Your chances to enjoy good sightings and photograph all of them are quite high!.
New Paths Expeditions is proud to announce that the most experienced naturalists in the area will be your Master Naturalists. Limited to 12 participants, and only a few openings available for the upcoming departure.
Please note that NPE’s Pantanal itinerary is the only one that provides four nights at the heart of the Jaguar hot-spot. This allows us to provide you with Jaguar searching excursions in rivers seldom visited by tourists.
NPE guarantees Jaguar sightings: In case you do not see a wild Jaguar, we will refund you US 500.00 per person. In 20 years of offering this guarantee, we have never needed to provide any refunds.
WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY
- Visit the UNESCO world largest tropical wetland
- Superb Wildlife observation looking for “the Big Six.”
- Jaguars Guaranteed
- Extensive birding opportunities
- Many endemics species
- Accompanied by a Head Naturalist Guide
- Upscale Pre-Extension at the Belmond Das Cataratas in Iguassu Falls
- Post-Extension at the award-winning Caiman Lodge
- The best lodging available
- Multiple private boat excursions
- The best naturalist guides
- The best pricing in the market
“Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul.”
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!
Itinerary in Brief
Day 1
Arrive in Cuiaba, Brazil.
Arrive today’s afternoon on a flight from the US (Via Sao Paulo). Meet your Senior Leader and drive to the town of Pocone and then to Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel over the Transpantaneira “Highway”. Multiple stops for wildlife spotting will include abundant Yacare Caimans, Capybara, and Jabiru Storks, among many other species.
(B,L,D)
Day 2
To Porto Jofre on the Transpantaneira
Enjoy a morning boat excursion on the Pixaim River in search of Giant River Otters. Then drive to the deepest point in the Northern Pantanal, Porto Jofre. Check-in at Porto Jofre Hotel (best in the area) and go out on your first wildlife excursion.
(B, L, D)
Day 3 – 5
Jaguar and the ‘Big Six’ Search
Using excursion boats explore the Cuiaba, Tres Imaoes, and Piguiri Rivers in search of the ‘Big Six’. This is Jaguar territory, and your chances of spotting and photographing this species in the wild are estimated at 95%! Safari vehicle explorations, short hikes, night excursions and top-quality lectures by your Senior Leader will also fill up the days.
(B, L, D)
Day 6
To Araras Eco Lodge Private Reserve plus Superb Birding
Drive to the Araras Eco Lodge and arrive in time for lunch. Then enjoy some of the best birding in the world at the lodges canopy towers.
(B, L, D)
Day 7 & 8
Araras Wildlife Reserve Exploration
The Araras private nature preserve consists of 7,500 acres that include three main ecosystems: wetlands, savanna, and forest. On short hikes and safari, vehicle excursions explore the surrounding countryside. Superb birding encounters with Capuchin, Howler, and Marmoset monkeys and even some of the ‘Big Six’ species await you.
(B, L, D)
Day 9
Enjoy a Morning Wildlife Excursion – Drive to Cuiaba
Fly Home or Continue with the Upscale Southern Pantanal Extension.
Lodgings
Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel
We selected this hotel because of its excellent position on the Pixain River. The river is a hotspot for Giant River Otters as well as a plethora of birds. The Mato Grosso Hotel has hot running water, air conditioning, decent food, and clean, basic rooms as well as granting you greater access to wildlife.
Porto Jofre Hotel
You will find that despite its remote location in the heart of the Pantanal that the Porto Jofre Hotel provides comfortable accommodations. The rooms are clean with hot water and air conditioning, and the food is fresh. This is one of the best places to observe the Pantanal wildlife, and there is an excellent chance for Jaguar sightings. You will be able to see Macaws and Toucans right on the hotel grounds. The lodge is the best place to stay when you’re in the heart of the Pantanal.
Araras Eco Lodge
Built-in harmony with the environment, but without renouncing comfort, Araras Eco Lodge rooms feature air conditioning, ceiling fans, and hot running water. The three distinct ecosystems in the adjacent area provide great opportunities for wildlife observation, especially birds. Canopy towers provide access to the upper reaches of the forest, and a boardwalk meanders through the wetlands towards the nearby forest.
Grand Park Hotel
While the Grand Park Hotel is only a stopover between expeditions, it will still provide a memorable stay due to its modern and comfortable rooms, excellent dining facilities, and nearby shopping opportunities. The hotel includes a gym, sauna, and Wi-Fi among its many services. This city hotel has a 4-star rating and it is considered the best in town.
Refugio Caiman (Caiman Lodge)
The Caiman Lodge is considered to be the best eco-lodge in South America. You will find that the rooms are charming and modern and are situated in groups of 5 or 6 to provide a more personalized and private atmosphere. The service at the Caiman Lodge is perfect and the food excellent. The tourism operations at the lodge are the best available in the Pantanal. The lodge provides among the best opportunities for wildlife observation in the world.
When to go
The best time to go to the Pantanal is from July to November, when the rainfall is at its lowest and animals cluster around the shrinking oxbow lakes and rivers.
The last half of July and the first half of August feature an astounding wading bird concentration just 15 minutes south of the town of Poconé at some of the first bridges on the Transpantaneira Road. The Giant Otters tend to be visible daily at close range from early June through Dec. The Jabiru Stork nests are active from July through early November. The most colorful flowering trees are available in July (the yellow-flowering Voychysia divergens) and August (the pink-flowering and yellow-flowering Tabebuia species). So far, our four years of field research have shown that July through November are the best months to see Jaguars on the rivers.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help you!
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