Pantanal and Bonito Wildlife Package (5N)

Travel to the Pantanal and experience its wetlands and abundant Wildlife with this 6 Day / 5 Night Travel Package and Tour that includes accommodations at the Aguas de Bonito Hotel and the Caiman Refuge Lodge, Boat Tour, transportation and much more.

Destinations Visited

Bonito, Pantanal, Brazil

Bonito, which in Portuguese means beautiful, is located in the southern Pantanal area in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. It is a magical place with numerous freshwater lakes, rivers and spectacular caves. The rivers and caves, with transparent water due to the natural limestone filter, are teeming with colorful fish. With over 80 wet and dry caves, Bonito is reputed to be one of the best places in the world for caving, cave diving and fresh water snorkeling. Waterfalls and canyons in the region also make excellent rafting possible. As in the Pantanal, wildlife here is abundant, with monkeys, toucans, macaws and congregating in droves on the river banks.

Pantanal, Brazil

The Pantanal is considered to be the worlds biggest wetland area, covering an area of approximately 230,000 sq km (143,000 sq miles), situated in the upper Paraguay River Basin. In this immense, pristine and biologically rich environment, there exists an extraordinary concentration of diverse flora and fauna, and a landscape spanning a variety of ecological sub-regions. This area is an unparalleled wildlife sanctuary of spectacular beauty, an ecological paradise containing hundreds of species of bird, thousands of varieties of butterfly, myriads of brightly colored flowers, and shoals of fish. The Pantanal is noteworthy for its extraordinary bio diversity and abundance of wildlife and is known as 'the world's biggest ecological sanctuary'. Animals like Capuchin and Howler monkeys, capivbaras, toucans, anacondas, caymans and tapirs, the endangered jaguar, the increasingly rare Hyacinthine macaws and giant river otters, all make their home here. The Pantanal is a truly unique and exquisite natural paradise and deserves to be seen.

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1

You will be met at the Campo Grande airport and driven to the Hotel Aguas de Bonito (approximately 4 hours by car), where you will check in. You may want to have lunch at your hotel and relax before your afternoon boat tour. This tour takes you down 7km of the beautiful Formoso River in inflatable boats, with a capacity for a maximum of 13 people per boat. You will pass various waterfalls and rapids and have the opportunity to see many animals and birds, as well as observe the rich vegetation along the riverbank. Stops to swim in the river and waterfalls will be possible. We suggest dinner back at your hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast you will be taken on a tour of the Blue Lagoon Cave, which is undoubtedly the most beautiful and impressive cave in the region. The stunning blue lake lies 180m below the earth's surface and is reached by a steep descent. The clear blue color is due to rich deposits of calcium carbonate and magnesium in the lake. It is a truly beautiful and mysterious place. Lunch is back at your hotel, followed by a snorkeling trip to the Sucuri River. This crystal clear river is one of the most transparent in the world. You will float down 2km of river, carried by the current, wearing life-jacket, mask and snorkel. Hundreds of fish live in the river, as well as incredible sub aquatic vegetation. Dinner is back at your hotel.

Day 3

Today you will check out of Hotel Aguas de Bonito and be driven to the Refugio Ecologico Caiman in the Pantanal (3 hour drive). After checking in and having lunch at the hotel you will have a choice of tour to go on.

On days 3, 4 and 5 of the package at Refugio Ecologico Caiman you will have a choice of the following tours, depending on the different conditions of the trails (due mainly to the weather). All tours are guided by expert, local, English-speaking guides:Walking trails through wetland areas near your pousada to see flora and fauna, animals and the different ecosystems of the Pantanal.
Horseback riding tours - this is the best way to really see the Pantanal. The horses are well trained and will take you through rivers, streams and to areas which are impossible to reach by car. This is a great way to see birds, mammals, reptiles and flora.
Boat tours. During the wet season (December - March) the rivers and streams flood on to the plains and boat trips are offered through these flooded plains to see reptiles, mammals, water birds, fish, plant life and the famous capybara (the world's largest rodent). During the dry season (July - October) the water level drops and it is possible to see an abundance of wildlife on the river banks, such as caiman, and beautiful, colorful macaws.
Day and night time safari tours in an open-top vehicle to see the rich wildlife and flora of the region. You will have a chance to observe animals such as monkeys, deer, armadillos, anteaters; and birds such as macaws, toucans, eagles, emus and herons.

Day 4

On your second day at Refugio Ecologico Caiman you will go on a morning tour after breakfast. Lunch is back at the hotel and in the afternoon you will be taken on a different tour. Tours will vary according to trail conditions and weather. See options above on day 3. Dinner is back at the hotel.

Day 5

Today you will go on a morning tour after breakfast. Lunch is back at the hotel and in the afternoon you will be taken on a different tour. Tours will vary according to trail conditions and weather. See options above on day 3. Dinner is back at the hotel.

Day 6

On your last day in the Pantanal you will check out of the Refugio Ecologico Caiman and be driven to the airport (4 hour drive). We are certain that you will have enjoyed your trip and we look forward to seeing you again in Brazil.