High and Low Pantanal Tours
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The High and Low Pantanal tour is a combination tour that spends time at one lodge in the High Pantanal and one in the Low Pantanal, so that you can experience a variety of ecosystems and hopefully a greater variety of animal species. Our normal guide for this has been a guide for more than 30 years and has trained guides that work for other companies.
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Piuval Lodge and Aymara Lodge are the standard ones we use, though we can also use the Mato Grosso Hotel. They are in slightly different environments, so by visiting both, you should see a wider variety of animal species. We can add a few days at a Jaguar Seeking Lodge or in the Chapada Das Guimaraes or southern Amazon to give you more variety.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 CUIABÁ/ PANTANAL high D
Pick-up at the Cuiaba airport/hotel and immediate transfer to the traditional town of Poconé, with an introduction to the geological formation and flora characteristics, then to the lodge, arriving there after an overland safari along the Transpantaneira park-road with many stops to observe the first Egrets, Storks, Rheas, Toucans, Capybaras and Caimans of its rich fauna among 700 species of birds, 120 of mammals, 80 of reptiles...Overnight.
Pick-up at the Cuiaba airport/hotel and immediate transfer to the traditional town of Poconé, with an introduction to the geological formation and flora characteristics, then to the lodge, arriving there after an overland safari along the Transpantaneira park-road with many stops to observe the first Egrets, Storks, Rheas, Toucans, Capybaras and Caimans of its rich fauna among 700 species of birds, 120 of mammals, 80 of reptiles...Overnight.
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Day 2 PANTANAL high BLD
In the early morning, we observe the spectacle of the awakening of nature with some kayak rides on the river. This silent activity allows the observation/ photography of a large number of monkeys, capybaras and other rodents, as well as many birds’ nests (Jabiru storks, Hyacinth Macaw, etc.) and, with luck, the Giant Anteater in the fields or the Tapir in the forests.Later in the morning, there is a walk in the dense forests and savannah with possibility of seeing groups of Peccaries, some Deer, Tapirs and typical forests birds, such as woodpeckers and woodcreepers, including the rare Red-billed Scythebill. In the afternoon we do a boat trip on the Claro river, with a change of environments and possibility of seeing the Giant-river Otters, Agami heron and many other animals that, especially in the dry season, have their their only water resource in a 35 km diameter of area. Night safari through the fields – a night-time drive using a flashlight for highlighting nocturnal fauna, with the chance to observe Crab-eating Foxes, Deer, and many Caiman’s eyes and, with a bit of luck, Ocelots or Jaguars! |
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Day 3 PANTANAL high / low BLD
In the morning, there is another boat ride in a different direction of the river OR horse riding through the savannah and dense forests for a better approach to the animals such as mammals, birds and reptiles. The horses - very versatile, reaching places hard to reach by foot, boat or car - are very docile and, as part of the local fauna, wild animals don't mind their approaching. This permits us to get close to the animals as well. Transfer along the Transpantaneira park-road from one to the other lodge, noticing the change in the environments from the gallery forests to the flooding fields. After many stops along the way to see and photograph the many species of the wildlife, arrival in time to enjoy a nice sunset in a walk on the mound-hills with the Hyacinth Macaws nests. Overnight. |
Day 4 PANTANAL low BLD
In the early morning, we the spectacle of the awakening of nature with some walks on the many mound-hills (portion of non-flooded land that concentrate large number of mammals among many birds' nests). This silent activity allows the observation/ photography of a large number of monkeys, capybaras and other rodents, as well as many birds’ nests (Jabiru storks, Hyacinth Macaw, etc.) and, with luck, the Giant Anteater in the fields or the Tapir in the forests. Later in the morning, there is a walk on the trails through the mound-hills where there are nests of birds such as Jabiru storks and the Hyacinth Macaw together with primates and rodents such as the Howler or Capucin Monkeys and the Agouti or Capybaras In the afternoon we do an Overland safari in vehicles to reach a remote stream, the only water source in a large area, attracting many birds including the Boat-billed Heron, as well as the Giant river Otters, with a visit to the canopy tower at a mound hill where many Macaws and Monkeys can be observed. Dinner after doing a night safari through the fields on the way back.
In the early morning, we the spectacle of the awakening of nature with some walks on the many mound-hills (portion of non-flooded land that concentrate large number of mammals among many birds' nests). This silent activity allows the observation/ photography of a large number of monkeys, capybaras and other rodents, as well as many birds’ nests (Jabiru storks, Hyacinth Macaw, etc.) and, with luck, the Giant Anteater in the fields or the Tapir in the forests. Later in the morning, there is a walk on the trails through the mound-hills where there are nests of birds such as Jabiru storks and the Hyacinth Macaw together with primates and rodents such as the Howler or Capucin Monkeys and the Agouti or Capybaras In the afternoon we do an Overland safari in vehicles to reach a remote stream, the only water source in a large area, attracting many birds including the Boat-billed Heron, as well as the Giant river Otters, with a visit to the canopy tower at a mound hill where many Macaws and Monkeys can be observed. Dinner after doing a night safari through the fields on the way back.
Day 5 PANTANAL low / CUIABÁ BL
In the morning, there is a A} horse ride through the flooding fields (sometimes with water until your knees, crossing large areas covered with aquatic plants and fishes) until reaching the mound-hills where we do a walk for a better approach to the animals such as mammals, birds and reptiles. or
B} boat trip on a beautiful bay of the Bento Gomes river, reached after a safari through dense forests with possibility of seeing the Potoo and some Anaconda. Bordered by dense forests and large fields, a nesting site can be seen from the top of the observation tower (in the peak of dry season the tower is accessed only on a truck safari). Departure to the CGB Cuiabá airport or hotel with drop-off at the convenient time.
In the morning, there is a A} horse ride through the flooding fields (sometimes with water until your knees, crossing large areas covered with aquatic plants and fishes) until reaching the mound-hills where we do a walk for a better approach to the animals such as mammals, birds and reptiles. or
B} boat trip on a beautiful bay of the Bento Gomes river, reached after a safari through dense forests with possibility of seeing the Potoo and some Anaconda. Bordered by dense forests and large fields, a nesting site can be seen from the top of the observation tower (in the peak of dry season the tower is accessed only on a truck safari). Departure to the CGB Cuiabá airport or hotel with drop-off at the convenient time.
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Price per person in US$ for 2024 during high season 0f July-September: (ask for rates for other dates, can add more days)
Prices are with standard rooms at Piuval. Can upgrade.
Children's prices (1 per couple) = 0 to 5 years = free; 6-11 years = 65 % (1 per couple in dbl) Private Tour price: add 30% in high season, 15% in low season Price includes: transfers, accommodations, all meals, all touring, English, German or French speaking naturalist guide with binoculars, books, check-lists Does not include: tips, drinks, except for water, coffee and fruit juices at breakfasts "I think it is fair to say that everyone in our group thoroughly enjoyed the visit, activities and experiences there. The staff and owners of the lodge were very friendly and clearly attempted to make our stay as pleasant as possible. I personally had interesting chats with the owners on their experiences in living in this remote location. The accommodation was just fine for us. The main guide, was outstanding. We found him to be very knowledgeable in regard to a broad range of birds, other animal life, insects and plants, and was well informed on the geology, ecology and history of the Pantanal. We also found him to be well-organized, personable, down to earth, and practical. He communicated very well in English and Portuguese. He gave us a power point presentation that was well illustrated and based largely on his own observations and experiences in the Pantanal. He has clearly done a lot of homework. In short, he is a top notch guide for the Pantanal, and in my opinion, given appropriate opportunities, could effectively and successfully run his own tours and tour company. We were extremely pleased with the number and spectrum of birds and animal species that we were able to see during day and night outings. Two of us (birders) each identified around 100 bird species "for sure" during the first 3 days. The continual presence and ambiance of wildlife and nature as a whole simply made the visit awesome. Simple things such as daily visits of the jacares (caymans)to the cowboy's house added to our pleasure." John Sutton "It was great! Our guide was really knowledgable and really fun. We loved the lodge also. Everything went well." Cheryl Hornbaker "We had a marvelous trip in spite of the weather. It did not become cold in pantanal until Monday night so we were able to have a good view of the birds etc before things quieted down with lower temp. Our enthusiastic guide was the key to our trip success. His excitement for the pantanal remains our best memory." Martin Elliott "Our trip was really nice. Many animals, plants and loads of other things we could see and get to know and a competent and caring guide.Thank you very much!" Corina |
"The whole Pantanal trip was amazing, and perfect! Thank you. Munir picked us up on the dot of 8am. He is very knowledgeable about Brazil generally, and of course knows all the birds and animals of the Pantanal. Also very thoughtful. We stopped en route to buy a huge container of water, so that we didn't have to buy dozens of small bottles in the Pantanal, and a straw hat! (very good investment). On the Transpantaneira we stopped every few yards to look at something! In the afternoon we went out with him to a mound hill, and walked. He led us to 7 Hyacinth Macaws, and we had a great view of them. For the next three days he left us with Max. Max was also excellent, amazing at spotting birds and always considerate. On the last evening we went out on a night walk, and Max communicated with a Pygmy Owl, eventually leading us to it, a tiny bird high up in a tree in a wooded area! The Piuval Lodge was very nice, with pretty gardens around it and a wide view over the flat wetlands. The Rio clara Lodge was also fine - a different feel to it - the bedrooms faced inwards to a gardened courtyard, but it's on a river, so that was different. The staff were very nice and friendly in both places. All went very smoothly, and it was a great experience. Thank you again." Nicky "Thank you for your help in organising this trip. I had a wonderful time. I wish I could have arrived earlier and join the original itinerary. Mr Munir is a phenomenal person, I am glad to have met him, and very happy that your efficiency was able to team up with his enthusiasm." Alon Head Guide Congo Conservation Company "All went well. Munir was knowledgeable and competent. We learned a lot about the Pantanal and Brazil in general." Regards - Michal. Department of Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science |
