Pantanal Jaguar Tour: Transpantaneira and Mato Grosso Best Spot
Overview
This itinerary offers a perfect blend of wildlife encounters, scenic beauty, and cultural exploration. Embark on an exhilarating journey through the Pantanal, starting with a scenic drive from Cuiabá on the Transpantaneira road filled with birdwatching stops. Enjoy a lot of wildlife spotting opportunities, including giant anteaters and tapirs, and nocturnal excursions to see crab-eating foxes. Continue to Porto Jofre for thrilling jaguar and giant otter spotting adventures. Return to the Pantanal for forest hikes, seeking howler monkeys, capuchins, and hyacinth macaws, and enjoy a horseback ride across the expansive landscape. Move on to Chapada dos Guimarães to explore beautiful waterfalls and historic sites, including the oldest church in Mato Grosso. Finally, conclude your adventure in Nobres, where you’ll swim in crystal-clear waters and witness the majestic flight of blue-and-yellow macaws before heading back to Cuiabá.
10 Days / 9 Nights
Departure: Aug 22nd, 2025 Walking Grade: Easy
Day 1: Cuiabá – Transpantaneira
Day 2: Transpantaneira
Day 3: Transpantaneira – Porto Jofre
Day 4: Porto Jofre
Day 5: Porto Jofre – Transpantaneira
Day 6: Transpantaneira
Day 7: Pantanal – Chapada dos Guimaraes
Day 8: Chapada dos Guimaraes
Day 9: Chapada dos Guimarães – Nobres
Day 10: Nobres – Cuiaba
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Aug 22nd, 2025
Cuiabá – Transpantaneira
We will meet at the hotel in Cuiabá at 8 am (overnight stay included). From there, we will take the road straight to northern Pantanal and our first lodge. Along the way, we may stop several times to observe the fauna, e...
We will meet at the hotel in Cuiabá at 8 am (overnight stay included). From there, we will take the road straight to northern Pantanal and our first lodge. Along the way, we may stop several times to observe the fauna, especially birds that fly along the road. Upon arrival at the lodge, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will hike in the forest to look for Tufted-capuchin monkeys and coatis. In the evening, we will go on a night safari to search for the Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and the tapir (Tapirus terrestris). Dinner will be served at the lodge.
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Transpantaneira (or similar)
DAY 2 - Aug 23rd, 2025
Transpantaneira
Before breakfast, we will take a walk to observe nature at dawn and try to spot toucans and Hyacinth macaws. After breakfast, we will embark on a photo safari or hike in the woods to look for mammals and the Blue-crowned...
Before breakfast, we will take a walk to observe nature at dawn and try to spot toucans and Hyacinth macaws. After breakfast, we will embark on a photo safari or hike in the woods to look for mammals and the Blue-crowned trogon (Trogon curucui). We will have lunch at the lodge, followed by an afternoon hike in the forest to search for Black-howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) and Black-tailed marmosets (Mico melanurus). After returning for dinner, we will engage in a nocturnal spotlighting activity to look for the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris).
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Transpantaneira (or similar)
DAY 3 - Aug 24th, 2025
Transpantaneira – Porto Jofre
Before breakfast, we will take a walk around the lodge to observe toucans and aracaris at the feeders. After breakfast, we will depart for Porto Jofre, arriving late in the morning as we will often stop along the road to...
Before breakfast, we will take a walk around the lodge to observe toucans and aracaris at the feeders. After breakfast, we will depart for Porto Jofre, arriving late in the morning as we will often stop along the road to photograph the astonishing landscapes and wildlife. We will have lunch upon arrival. In the afternoon, we will spend the entire time on a boat searching for jaguars. Dinner will be at the hotel.
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Porto Jofre (or similar)
DAY 4 - Aug 25th, 2025
Porto Jofre
After breakfast, we will spend the entire morning on a boat in search of jaguars. Following a lunch break, we will continue our search for the big cat in the afternoon and also try to find Giant otters (Pteronura brasili...
After breakfast, we will spend the entire morning on a boat in search of jaguars. Following a lunch break, we will continue our search for the big cat in the afternoon and also try to find Giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis). Dinner will be at the hotel.
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DAY 5 - Aug 26th, 2025
Porto Jofre – Transpantaneira
After breakfast, we will depart for our next lodge, making several stops along the road to observe and photograph the abundant wildlife. Upon arrival, we will have lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we will go hiking ...
After breakfast, we will depart for our next lodge, making several stops along the road to observe and photograph the abundant wildlife. Upon arrival, we will have lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we will go hiking in the forest to observe tufted capuchin monkeys, black howler monkeys, coatis, the Hyacinth macaw (the largest parrot in the world), and the crimson-crested woodpecker. Dinner will be at the lodge, followed by a night safari to search for nocturnal fauna such as Anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla), Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), and nocturnal birds like owls.
B, L, D
Pantanal (or similar)
DAY 6 - Aug 27th, 2025
Transpantaneira
Before breakfast, we will go for a walk to observe nature at dawn. The more we search for the fauna, the more chances we have for surprising encounters. After breakfast, we will go horseback riding, which is an excellent...
Before breakfast, we will go for a walk to observe nature at dawn. The more we search for the fauna, the more chances we have for surprising encounters. After breakfast, we will go horseback riding, which is an excellent way to view the vast Pantaneira plain. If you prefer not to horseback ride, we can substitute it with another observation activity. Lunch will be at the pousada. In the afternoon, we will hike in another part of the pousada to reach an observation tower, exploring the lodge’s expansive 7,000 hectares. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
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Pantanal (or similar)
DAY 7 - Aug 28th, 2025
Pantanal – Chapada dos Guimaraes
Before breakfast, we will ride along the Transpantaneira road to look for the Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). After breakfast, we will visit “Corixo Verde,” where we can observe numerous caimans (Caiman yacare)...
Before breakfast, we will ride along the Transpantaneira road to look for the Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). After breakfast, we will visit “Corixo Verde,” where we can observe numerous caimans (Caiman yacare) gathered around the last water ponds. We will return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch at our last lodge in the Pantanal, we will travel toward the city of Chapada dos Guimarães. On the road, we will have opportunities to stop and photograph the landscape, including the marvelous red-colored high rocky plateau. We will arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon. Dinner will be in the village of Chapada dos Guimarães or at the lodge.
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Chapada dos Guimarães (or similar)
DAY 8 - Aug 29th, 2025
Chapada dos Guimaraes
After breakfast, we will depart for the “7 Waterfall Path” to hike seven kilometers, with opportunities to swim in three waterfalls—a perfect way to relax after a long walk. We will then have a lunch break at a restauran...
After breakfast, we will depart for the “7 Waterfall Path” to hike seven kilometers, with opportunities to swim in three waterfalls—a perfect way to relax after a long walk. We will then have a lunch break at a restaurant inside the national park. After lunch, we will visit the Bride’s Veil Waterfall, where, if we’re lucky, we might see Red-and-green macaws (Ara chloropterus) flying by. Dinner will follow this excursion.
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Chapada dos Guimarães (or similar)
DAY 9 - Aug 30th, 2025
Chapada dos Guimarães – Nobres
After breakfast, we will depart for Nobres. Upon arrival at the lodge, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Rio Salobra, which is right next to the lodge. Later, ...
After breakfast, we will depart for Nobres. Upon arrival at the lodge, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Rio Salobra, which is right next to the lodge. Later, we will visit “Lagoa das Araras” to enjoy the sight of blue and yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) and palm macaws (Orthopsittaca manilata) returning to their nests at the end of the day. Dinner will be at the lodge.
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Nobres (or similar)
DAY 10 - Aug 31st, 2025
Nobres – Cuiaba
After breakfast, we will visit the magnificent Serra Azul Falls. Following an 800-meter walk and a 470-step climb, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the 45-meter-high Serra Azul waterfall, which cascades into ...
After breakfast, we will visit the magnificent Serra Azul Falls. Following an 800-meter walk and a 470-step climb, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the 45-meter-high Serra Azul waterfall, which cascades into a natural pool where you can swim and snorkel to observe the local fish. Afterward, instead of descending the stairs, you can ride a thrilling 700-meter zip line (if you prefer not to use the zip line, you can descend via the stairs). Lunch will be served at the lodge. Following lunch, we will depart for the airport in Cuiabá or a hotel of your choice (overnight stay in Cuiabá is not included). This marks the end of our services.
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Trip Details
Country
Brazil
Tour Highlights
numerous birdwatching stops along the scenic drive from Cuiabá, capturing photos of diverse species.
Experience the thrill of observing giant anteaters and tapirs during dedicated wildlife excursions.
Spend two days in Porto Jofre searching for elusive jaguars and encountering giant otters.
Explore the Pantanal's diverse flora and fauna on foot and horseback, spotting howler monkeys, capuchins, and hyacinth macaws.
Discover stunning waterfalls and swim in three cascading pools.
Swim with colorful fish in the pristine waters of the Salobra River and observe the flight of blue-and-yellow macaws at Lagoa das Araras.
What to expect
Lodging: Comfortable
Transportation:
Medium
Departure
Aug 22nd, 2025
Thematics
Adventure
Birdwatching
Photography
Wildlife
Gallery
Terms & Conditions
The terms of sale may differ based on the nature of your trip and how close your departure date is. Please review our conditions here for more information.