Pantanal & Bonito Holiday
Campo Grande – Miranda – Bonito – Campo Grande
8 Days – From £1,850 per person
If you are an active family, loving nature and fun activities such as horse riding, canoeing, wildlife walks – this 8-day trip would take you on an adventure to the Pantanal and Bonito. In the Pantanal you will have a chance to meet many unique species of animals, reptiles and birds as well as discover freshwater diving and snorkelling – fantastic holiday with the whole family. Some of the wildlife species found in the Pantanal are the marsh and pampas deer, the capybara, caimans, howler monkey, the tapir, anteater, peccaries, toucans, jabiru stork, the hyacinth, yellow and red macaws and a hundred of other birds. You will probably see most of them. Best time to visit is during the dry season (July-September) or the transition seasons (March-June and September-November). You can also start in Bonito and finish at a ranch lodge, depending on your preference. Tell us how you would like it to be and we will find a way to put everything together!
- Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
- Accommodation with breakfast in Bonito and a full board at the lodge
- All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- All transfers on a private basis
- Entrance fees
- All mandatory local taxes
- International Flights
- Personal Expenses
- Insurance
- Tips
International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year.
This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor the itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added and different hotels can be chosen according to your preferences and needs.
Give us a call or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to discuss your requirements, check availability and get a confirmed price.
Note: Pantanal is a great region of Brazil for self-drive holidays, and if you choose to do so, you will have full support from our side throughout the journey.
Day 1 – Welcome to Pantanal
Today you will arrive in Campo Grande. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your lodge in Miranda (3,5h). Miranda is a small pleasant town and the gateway to the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest wetlands. Your lodge is situated on a cattle ranch. In addition to ecotourism, the fazenda is involved with cattle production, as well as environmental research and conservation projects, including the hyacinth macaw project, Onçafari (Jaguar) project and blue-fronted parrot project. Time permitting go on a night safari to spot the fascinating wildlife. Overnight at Caiman Ecological Refuge.
Day 2 – Pantanal
The activities start very early in the morning taking full advantage of the best portion of the day to observe the Brazilian wildlife. After a relaxing lunchtime, when temperature cools off, it is time to go out for afternoon excursions, another good time to see Pantanal and enjoy the wonderful local sunset. Meet the capybaras and the tamandua during the walking trails in the woods and have a direct contact with the environment. Enjoy a photographic safari on specially adapted vehicles. Activities are organised according with weather conditions. Overnight at Caiman Ecological Refuge.
Day 3 – Pantanal
After a rich breakfast take a guided canoe trip in the bays of the ranch. Row in three-seat canoes and contemplate the nearby vegetation and water birds. Immerse in the sounds of the nature and admire the magic of the place. Return to the lodge for lunch and balancing in the hammocks. You can also choose to do the trip at sunset, which is a great time to see the skies turning red. After dinner, nocturnal spotlighting provides the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals. One of the highlights is when the caimans are spotted, whose eyes present impressive red reflex. Overnight at Caiman Ecological Refuge.
Day 4 – Pantanal
Today you can choose to learn more about one of the conservation projects at the lodge or do some more activities available at the ranch. Take a jeep safari in a 4×4 for a more intimate contact with wildlife. The Pantanal is very flat, enabling bicycle rides. The bicycle paths and distances vary and it is a great way to spend your time. The birdwatching tour is another special activity, where you will be guided by a naturalist to spot birds. The caiman tour will take you to the Paizinho’s bridge, one of the best places to spot the caimans. It is a magical moment, especially at night when the eyes of the caimans shine like candlelights. Overnight at Caiman Ecological Refuge.
Day 5 – Pantanal to Bonito
Today after breakfast you will be transferred to Bonito, the capital of eco-tourism in Brazil. The trip will take around 3h across the flat region of Mato Grosso do Sul. After check-in spend the rest of the day at leisure. The pousada is located on a beautiful river where you can do lots of activities without leaving the premises of the hotel. Get active – trekking, biking, horse-riding, kayaking, snorkeling and even scuba-diving – Bonito has it all! In the next few days, prepare for exciting snorkeling in crystal-clear creeks and rivers with fantastic visibility, teeming with colourful fish. Overnight at Pousada Boyra.
Day 6 – Rio da Prata & Buraco das Araras
After breakfast, visit Rio da Prata for snorkeling. The river is part of a private conservation area. Floating in the crystal-clear water feels like being in an aquarium, with dozens of different species of fish and aquatic plants. After you had enough of snorkeling take a delicious lunch at the local restaurant. Wetsuits, special shoes and all necessary equipment are provided (minimum: 8 years). After lunch, visit Buraco das Araras, just 3 km beyond the Rio da Prata, a sinkhole where red-and-blue macaws and other birds have built nests. At dusk the place is filled with macaws. Overnight at Pousada Boyra.
Day 7 – Gruta do Lago Azul & Sucuri River
After breakfast visit Gruta do Lago Azul cave with an enormous blue lake and many beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The beauty of the lake is mesmerising. The silence only adds to the scenery of this place (minimum age: 5 years). For conservation reasons swimming is forbidden. Later on, continue to Sucuri River, one of the three clearest rivers in the world. The tour starts with a pleasant stroll along a trail through the forest. At the end of the trail, you can go snorkeling down the river and see many different species of fish in lush aquatic vegetation. A support boat, wetsuits, special shoes and all necessary equipment are provided. Overnight at Pousada Boyra.
Day 8 – Departure
Today is the day of your departure. There are many more beautiful sites in Bonito – you may even wish to extend your stay! Despite being far from the coast, with no beaches, Bonito is surprisingly relaxing. After breakfast you will be transferred back to Campo Grande to catch your flight home, or for onward travel. The departure time is flexible and you can plan your day accordingly. Also, please note that on specific days of the week you can even fly out from Bonito itself. Ask us for more details.
