Pantanal River Cruise 12D11N

Cuiabá > Cáceres > Aguapé Houseboat > Paraguay River

Meeting your guide 07:30am at the hotel and proceed with transfer to the Pantanal, 228 km to the town of Cáceres. There, we go into the Aguapé Houseboat  and start to navigate downstream, along the Paraguay river. After lunch, time to relax and enjoy the scenery of the Pantanal. In the late afternoon, we embark in speedboats to explore the Paraguay River, Likely to see Howler Monkeys, Capybaras, Giant Otters, Toucans, Herons, Kingfishers, and many others. Come back at the beginning of the night, for dinner and overnight on board. Travel during the night until about 12:00am.

Jaguar Photo Safari | Paraguay River & Bays

After breakfast, we start the boat safaris in the main search of the Jaguar, stopping to lunch on board and continuing the safaris in the afternoon. The area, to be explored today and tomorrow, is along the Paraguay River and its bays, until we arrive at the Taiamã Ecological Reserve, that presents us some real natural sanctuaries, with such beautiful landscape, environment, and rich wildlife, perfect to find Jaguars, Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, Giant Otters, Capybaras, Caimans, Anaconda and to many kinds of birds, including Hyacinth Macaw. Dinner and overnight on board. (B.L,D)

Jaguar Photo Safari | Taiamã Ecological Reserve

Today, we wake up in the northern part of the Taiamã Ecological Reserve, a remote and pristine Pantanal area. After breakfast, embark in our speedboats and travel downstream along the Paraguay river to explore the Reserve area searching mainly Jaguars. We will spend the morning exploring the left side, have a lunch break and, in the afternoon, continue the safari along the right side of the Reserve, enjoying all kind of interesting wildlife, including Giant Otters, Howler Monkeys, and many bird species. Tonight, the houseboat will be parked on the southern side of the Reserve. Dinner and overnight on board. (B.L,D)

Paraguay River Exploration | Amolar Hills Appreciation

Today, the houseboat will travel most of the day downstream, along the Paraguay River, that we explore in the morning, expecting to see more birds than mammal wildlife, as we are entering in the most flooded area of the Pantanal. After lunch, outing on land for a forest walk in search of monkeys, birds and also visiting a natural swimming pool, where it is possible to swim. There are chances to spot endemic species like the Bolivian Slaty Antshrike, Chaco Titi Monkey and more rare or difficult species to be found like Chaco Puffbird, Red-and-green Macaw, and Yellow-collared Macaw. Dinner on board, followed by a short night walk (40-45 min) for the rare Night Monkey. Overnight anchored by the Amolar mountain range. 

Pantanal Nat. Park Appreciation | Cuiabá River Exploration

We wake up and the Aguapé starts its way, heading to the Pantanal National Park. We spend the morning in the Aguapé for breakfast and to appreciate the National Park from a high point of view, as we pass by, to be able to see Marsh Deers and Giant Lillypads, behind the vegetation, hidden from speedboat’s viewing level. After lunch, in the afternoon, we restart the speedboat safaris, exploring the Cuiabá River and his tributaries. Again, we have a good chance for all kind of mammals associated with this landscape. Jaguars, Giant Otters, Monkeys, Birds, Capybaras, Caimans. Dinner on board.  Tonight, the Aguapé will be anchored at Porto Jofre region, 30 minutes from the Meeting-of-the-Waters State Park by speedboat

Meeting-of-the-Waters State Park

Today, we arrive at the Meeting-of-the-Waters State Park,  that contains one of the Pantanal’s highest Jaguar concentrations. The animals, here, are used to humans presence and boats can often approach, keeping always a safe distance of, at least, 20 meters. Each day, after sunrise and breakfast, we go for safaris on radio-equipped speedboats, with great sightings chances for Giant Otters, Kingfishers, Howler Monkeys, and the main attraction – Jaguars. It is rare to come away from this Park without having seen at least a couple of cats. We will also encounter other interesting wildlife including Capybara, Caiman, and Anaconda. The birdlife here is also fantastic, with many different species present, including Jabiru Storks, Toucans, Trogons, Ibises, along with many other species. The next 3 nights, the Houseboat will be anchored just on the entrance of the State Park, not missing a single minute!

Porto Jofre > Transpantaneira > Pouso Alegre Lodge

After early breakfast, we depart in a slow drive, 112km along the Transpantaneira Park Road, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the entire world. The lunch is along the Transpantaneira, at the Mato Grosso Hotel Restaurant. After lunch, keep traveling and keep your eyes open for endangered Marsh Deer, South American Coati, Anaconda, Giant Anteater, Toco Toucan, Tapir, Armadillo, Hyacinth Macaw, and a lot of other animals and birds, arriving at Pouso Alegre Lodge for check-in and dinner. The wetlands and gallery forests in Pouso Alegre are home to an incredible variety of birds and mammals. After dinner, we have a night safari with powerful flashlights, driving along the lodge’s private road, looking for Tapirs, Anteaters, Ocelots, Peccaries, Foxes, Raccoons, Owls, Spiders, Snakes, nocturnal birds, other animals common to this region. Overnight at Pouso Alegre Lodge

Pantanal Explorations at Pouso Alegre Lodge

Early morning walk for birding and wildlife observation. Return to the Lodge for breakfast and, after it, a trail walk across the forests and scrubland, looking for Rheas, Deers, Armadillos, Storks, Coatis, Capybaras, Hyacinth Macaws, Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, and many other animals and birds. After lunch, in the middle  afternoon, we have a safari in open truck along the private road and exploring the open grasslands, deep in the lodge’s area in search for Deers, South American Coati, Crab Eating Fox, Giant Anteater, Toco Toucans, Tapirs, Armadillos, Hyacinth Macaws, Peccaries and a lot of other animals and birds. After dinner, we go for a night safari again. Overnight at Pouso Alegre Lodge.

Pouso Alegre Lodge > Cuiabá

Before breakfast, go for one more trail walk, our last exploration on foot of this incredible area teeming with wildlife, great for Anteaters and Tapirs. After breakfast, go to the last activity, an open truck safari or horseback riding (optional) to continue exploring the forest and grasslands to spot animals and birds, including Rheas, Marsh Deer, Armadillos, Storks, Coatis, Hyacinth Macaws, Peccaries, and other wildlife. After lunch, travel back to Cuiabá’s airport or hotel, arriving at 04:00pm, appoximately.. End of tour.