Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

Arriving in Cuiabá City Airport in the early afternoon, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to Chapada dos Guimarães. The drive from Cuiabá to Chapada is renowned among birders for its excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, with scenic landscapes that are truly unique to this part of Brazil. Chapada dos Guimarães is a striking region of seasonally dry woodlands, open savanna, and dramatic cliffs and waterfalls, offering a rich diversity of habitats.

During your stay, we will explore the forested areas and surrounding landscapes, searching for some of the region’s most captivating birds, including the brilliantly colored Band-tailed and Fiery-capped Manakins, the elusive Southern Antpipit, Tataupa Tinamou, the sharply calling Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Streaked Xenops, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, and the bold Pectoral Sparrow.

We will spend three nights immersed in the natural beauty and birding opportunities of Chapada dos Guimarães.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

We’ll spend two full days exploring this spectacular region, where the air is filled with the calls of Blue-winged Macaws and Blue-headed Parrots, especially around the scenic Veu de Noiva Waterfall. Here, Swallow Tanagers, the rare Blue Finch, and Bat Falcons may also be spotted. In the nearby forested areas, our birding efforts will focus on Euler’s Flycatcher, the often-vocal White-backed Fire-eye, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Ornate Hawk-Eagle soaring overhead, and the elusive Russet-crowned Crake, with a chance to glimpse both Pheasant and Pavonine Cuckoos.

Moving into the more open, thorny habitats, we’ll seek out localized specialties such as the Chapada Flycatcher, Collared Crescentchest, Rufous-sided Pygmy Tyrant, Rufous-winged Antshrike, Shrike-like and White-rumped Tanagers, Small-billed Tinamou, Sooty-fronted Spinetail, Coal-crested and Red Pileated Finches, Black-throated Saltator, and perhaps even the elegant Horned Sungem. This diverse range of habitats makes Chapada dos Guimarães a true paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

After a final morning of birding and wildlife exploration in Chapada dos Guimarães, we’ll begin our journey to the Pantanal. The first part of the drive follows a paved road to the small village of Poconé, the last settlement before entering the famous dirt track of the Transpantaneira, the main route through northern Pantanal.

From Poconé, we’ll continue south along this scenic road, passing wetlands, open savannas, and forest patches, until we reach our lodge. Here, we’ll settle in and prepare for the next two nights of immersive wildlife experiences in this remarkable region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

We’ll spend the day exploring the northern section of the Transpantaneira, a slightly drier area that supports wildlife and bird species distinct from those near the Cuiabá River. Birding here offers the chance to encounter localized species such as Chaco Chachalaca, Plumbeous Ibis, Campo Oriole, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Rufous Cacholote, Pygmy Kingfisher, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Red-legged Seriema, Sunbittern, and Red-winged Tinamou—many of which are difficult to find elsewhere in the Pantanal.

Mammals are abundant in this region, and the open, savanna-like habitat makes spotting Brazilian Tapir, White-lipped Peccary, and Marsh Deer easier than in the southern Pantanal. We may also see South American Coati, Brown Capuchin, Crab-eating Fox, Bare-eared Marmoset, and Crab-eating Raccoon.

A boat trip along the Rio Claro provides excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing, including Giant River Otters, Sungrebe, egrets, kingfishers, and, with some luck, the elusive Agami Heron. In the riverside forests, we may also encounter Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Mato Grosso Antbird, Blue-crowned Trogon, and Forest Elaenia, adding to a truly diverse and rewarding day of birding and wildlife observation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

We’ll begin our morning early, awakened by the calls of birds and the distant howls of Black-and-gold Howler Monkeys. A pre-breakfast walk around the lodge offers the chance to spot local avian residents, including the iconic Hyacinth Macaw, a common and striking presence in this area.

After breakfast, we’ll drive south along the Transpantaneira toward the biologically rich Cuiabá River region, stopping frequently to observe and photograph wildlife. Along the way, we’ll watch for colorful species such as Orange-backed Troupial, Blue-fronted Parrot, White Woodpecker, Greater Thornbird, Grey-crested Cacholote, Pygmy Kingfisher, Ashy-headed Greenlet, and Buff-bellied Hermit, among others.

As we move into the lower, more diverse section of the Transpantaneira, plant and animal life become increasingly abundant. Herds of Capybara, the world’s largest rodent, are often seen, and Pantanal Caimans can be spotted in nearly every stream and pond. Mammals like South American Coati, Brown Capuchin, Crab-eating Fox, Bare-eared Marmoset, and Crab-eating Raccoon are common, and with luck, we may even encounter remarkable reptiles such as the large, colorful Yellow Anaconda.

We’ll arrive at our lodge in Porto Jofre by early evening, where we’ll settle in for the next three nights, ready to explore one of the Pantanal’s most wildlife-rich areas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

We’ll spend two full days exploring Porto Jofre and the southern Transpantaneira, with a focus on birdwatching and observing the rich wildlife of the region. A major highlight of our time here will be the search for Jaguars—one of the key reasons for dedicating extra days to this area. Thanks to Brazilian government protections, the local Jaguar population has grown, and sightings have become increasingly common in recent years.

From our lodge in Porto Jofre, we’ll take at least four half-day boat trips along the Cuiabá River, venturing into remote areas where Jaguars are frequently seen. Most sightings occur from the boat, offering excellent opportunities for photography. These excursions also allow us to observe other mammals and a wide variety of vibrant bird species. Along the riverbanks, Giant Otters are often spotted, and herds of Capybaras are a constant and charming presence.

These two days provide an unparalleled chance to experience the unique wildlife and stunning landscapes of the southern Pantanal.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

After lunch, we’ll leave Porto Jofre and head back north along the Transpantaneira, stopping along the way to enjoy birdwatching and take in the diverse wildlife. By early evening, we’ll arrive at our lodge near the Pixaim River, where we’ll settle in for the final two nights of our tour, ready to explore the unique habitats and wildlife of this beautiful region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

We’ll spend our last full day exploring the northern Transpantaneira, focusing on spotting any bird species we may have missed earlier in the trip and revisiting favorite wildlife areas.

In addition to birdwatching, we’ll enjoy one final boat excursion along the Pixaim River, where we can observe Giant River Otters, Capybaras, Pantanal Caimans, and a variety of kingfishers, herons, and other waterbirds. The slow, meandering boat ride will also provide excellent opportunities to take photographs of the lush riverside forests and wetlands while soaking in the serene beauty of the Pantanal.

This final day is a perfect blend of birding, wildlife observation, and relaxation, allowing us to savor the sights and sounds of this unique ecosystem before concluding our journey.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll check out of our lodge and drive to Cuiabá City Airport for your onward flight, bringing to a close an unforgettable journey through the Pantanal and Chapada dos Guimarães, filled with incredible birding, wildlife encounters, and breathtaking landscapes. Tour Ends