Pantanal & Bonito

The Pantanal and Bonito Tour is a 8-day adventurous sightseeing program in the south-west of Brazil. This is a guided private tour, suitable for young and old. If you are an active traveller, loving nature and fun activities such as horse riding, canoeing, wildlife walks – the highlights of Mato Grosso do Sul will provide a memorable experience. Meet numerous unique species of animals, reptiles and birds in the Pantanal. Explore the wetlands to view the marsh and pampas deer, the capybaras, caimans, howler monkeys, the tapirs, anteaters, peccaries, toucans, jabiru storks, the hyacinths and the yellow and red macaws. Try freshwater snorkeling and diving in the crystal clear azure rivers of Bonito. You will encounter beautiful scenery and rich ecosystems. Best time to visit is during the dry season (July-September) or the transition seasons (March-June and September-November). Depending on your flights, you can start the tour the other way around, in Bonito, and finish it at a remote Pantanal lodge. You will stay in small boutique hotels. Full board is included at the Pantanal lodge, whereas in Bonito there are plenty of restaurants to choose from for lunch and dinner.

8 Days – From £1,850 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Campo Grande, Miranda, Bonito, Campo Grande

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Accommodation with breakfast in Bonito and full board in Pantanal
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers by car and boat on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, 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. The starting point is Campo Grande Airport (CGR) which is well connected to the major cities like Sao Paulo, Brasilia and other regional airports.

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp (+44 7 308 449 233) or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the culture of Bahia, the deep canyons of the south or a beach break in the North-East. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

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 & 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 - 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 - Back to Campo Grande

Today is the day of your departure. There are many more beautiful sites in Bonito – you might well wish to extend your stay! After breakfast you will be transferred back to Campo Grande to catch your flight. The departure time is flexible and you can plan your day accordingly. On specific days of the week you can also fly out from Bonito and the transfer back to Campo Grande can be avoided. Start this trip the other way around to optimize the time you have at hand.

* NOTE : If you are interested in horse riding expeditions, diving, yoga and wellness – we can tailor this trip to you. Tell us more about your preferred way of travel and the activities you like.