Brazil

Jaguar's Trail: Pantanal to Amazon 16-Day

Our most value-packed itineraries featuring wildlife safaris by jeep, boat and foot in 3 different regions of the Pantanal and a remote area of the Amazon. Special excursions to see jaguars (averaging 1.5 jaguars/day), anacondas, hyacinth macaws, giant otters and giant anteater in the Pantanal, coupled with a stay at one of the world's best eco-lodges in the Amazon, make for a wildlife experience like no other:
. More value than any other professional wildlife tour.
. Expert Local Naturalist Guides Even biologists in some places.
. Authentic "Fazenda" Pantanal Ranches & Amazon Rainforest Lodges Including lodges named "Best in Brazil" by National Geographic Traveler.
. Specifically designed to optimize the chances of seeing more wildlife by visiting a variety of different eco-systems, with no commercial "filler" activities.

Detailed Itinerary A - 16 Days with Uakari Lodge (Amazon Segment)

Day 1 USA / Manaus

Arrive Manaus, transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day 2 Manaus / Tefe / Uakari Lodge, Amazon

Depart Manaus early morning on a flight to Tefe. Transfer to Uakari Lodge. This Afternoon enjoy an introductory wildlife hike.
Meals and overnight: Uakari Lodge.

Day 3 Uakari Lodge

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Uakari Monkey Tracking

In advance of your arrival, Uakari Lodge’s best guides and wildlife experts will scout the area and attempt to locate rare Uakari monkeys -- for which Uakari Lodge has been named -- in preparation for the arrival of Wild Planet’s wildlife enthusiast clients. Today we will see if their labors bear fruit! Even if they did not find any while pre-scouting, their efforts will still be valuable to us by eliminating a few areas in advance which gives us better odds to locate these extraordinarily unique primates during your stay. Our day will start early and include some nocturnal tracking as well, and we will also enjoy encounters other primates as well as other wildlife along the way as we search for the elusive Uakari. Even if the Uakari remain elusive, our efforts will still serve to maximize sightings of other primates, sloth and wildlife. We will utilize a combination of hiking and boats depending on where we believe the Uakari might be, and also try to access some areas not commonly visited by other travelers.
Meals and overnight: Uakari Lodge.

Day 4 Wildlife Boat trip, Nocturnal Animal Excursion

Our target species for today will be Pink dolphin, Black headed squirrel monkey, Uakari monkey, Lesser Anteater, and if we are lucky Porcupine, Margay or Jaguar. Special birds sighted may include Wattled curassow, White eared jacamar, the gorgeous Agami Heron, famous Hoatzin (which still have claws on their wings to climb the palms of the flooded forests), Umbrellabird, Plumbeous antbird, Zigzag Heron, King vulture, Harpy Eagle, Plum throated cotinga, Yellow hooded blackbirds, Oriole blackbird.

We will leave the lodge before daylight, at 5:30 am one of the local guides will be waiting for us by boat to see the sunrise on the Japurá River! The golden lights invading the entire landscape of river and forest, can be enjoyed having a delicious breakfast on the boat wherever we are. This is also a great opportunity to spot botos and tucuxis, graceful mammals that show off to people floating on the water. We return a little earlier to the lodge, with time to rest before lunch and enjoy the floating facilities. Following our routine at 3:30 pm, we set out to explore another beautiful area of the special ecotourism zone, heading for a new trail or the Araçá lake, one of the many wonderful places known by local guides. After dinner, there is the possibility of a more intimate experience with the forest, staying overnight in our house in the woods, a house approximately 6 meters high, mixing almost with the treetops, sleeping in hammocks and waking up to the sounds of the forest will surely mark you forever.
Meals and overnight: Uakari Lodge.

Day 5 Wildlife Spotting by Foot & Canoe, Afternoon Porpoise Spotting by Boat.

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Late Night Nocturnal Safari

After breakfast, before dawn if you like so we can enjoy the golden light, we’ll depart on a trail in search of the most photographable animals and trees in the floodplain. In the afternoon we will go to the reserve entrance to photograph the agile and friendly botos (Inia geoffrensis) and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis). On the way, pay attention to the edges of the forest as we can sometimes see the emblematic uakaris (Cacajao calvus calvus) and birds like the white-throated toucans (Ramphastos tucanus). After dinner, a boat trip or a trail hike for the sighting of birds and other nocturnal animals is scheduled, with emphasis on snakes and insects. Late night tour - (trail or more likely boat, possibly starting around 10:00pm - 12:00) for nocturnal animals, visiting an area that is less commonly traveled by humans (locals or travelers) for a better chance of seeing some of the Amazon’s more shy creatures.
Meals and overnight: Uakari Lodge.

Day 6 Tefe/Manaus/Cuiaba

Return to Tefe in time for your flight to Manaus Continue on your flight to Cuiaba, with a short stop in Brasilia. Transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day 7 Cuiabá / Taiama Ecological Reserve – Exclusive Jaguar Safaris / Hotel Baiazinha

Pick up at Hotel in Cuiabá at 7.30am and transfer to Hotel Baiazinha lodge. We will stop to photograph all kinds of wildlife on our way to the lodge. Check in and lunch. Afternoon boat safari in search of jaguars and all kind of wildlife. Here in Taiama it is possible to spot jaguars without any other boats around! Return to lodge at sunset. Dinner.
(B, L, D).

Detailed Itinerary B - 15 Days with Cristalino Lodge (Amazon Segment)

Day 1 USA / Cuiaba

Arrive Cuiaba and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Slaviero Slim or similar (B).

Day 2 Cuiaba / Amazon Rainforest – Cristalino Lodge

This morning transfer to airport in time for your flight to Alta Floresta, then continue deep into the Amazon to Cristalino Jungle Lodge for night. Option for activities upon arrival, depending on timing and conditions.
Overnight: Cristalino Jungle Lodge – Superior Room. (B,D).

Day 3 Amazon: Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Hike with expert naturalist guides to a canopy tower where you can see the rainforest canopy from above, and look for monkeys, macaws and other birds. Later choose to explore the Teles Pires Island, where colorful parakeets, parrots, macaws and wood storks roost. Or hike to a rustic tree house and nearby clay lick frequented by large mammals such as Brazilian tapir, collared & white-lipped peccaries, giant anteater, and tamandua. Or boat upriver and hike amongst enormous Brazil nut trees.

Wildlife viewing in the Amazon differs from what you will experience in the Pantanal as the thicker cover, combined with less habituated animals, creates a true expeditionary atmosphere where your guides will help you to discover the hidden diversity of plants and animals for which the Amazon is famed.
Overnight: Cristalino Jungle Lodge – Superior Room. (B,L,D).

Day 4 Amazon: Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Today and tomorrow enjoy excursions to explore the Amazon rainforest and hopefully see some of the region's many primates and endemic species. Hike Caja Trail for primates who feed on the caja fruit, and Scenery Trail, one of the most beautiful in the reserve with amazing views and many bromeliads, heliconias, and orchids.
Overnight: Cristalino Jungle Lodge – Superior Room. (B,L,D).

Day 5 Amazon: Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Embark for magnificent canoeing on the Cristalino River through the Amazon rainforest. The crystalline river water is the life-blood for many birds and animals. Enjoy hiking throughout native cocoa trees, which attract many birds as well as anteaters, primates, and armadillos. Night hike to try to see the fascinating feline night monkey, also called "owl monkey."
Overnight: Cristalino Jungle Lodge – Superior Room. (B,L,D).

Day 6 Amazon to Pantanal / Taiama Ecological Reserve – Exclusive Jaguar Safaris / Hotel Baiazinha

Transfer to Alta Floresta in time for your flight to Cuiaba. Arrive Cuiaba and continue to transfer to Hotel Baiazinha lodge. We will stop to photograph all kinds of wildlife on our way to the lodge. Check in and lunch. Afternoon boat safari in search of jaguars and all kind of wildlife. Here in Taiama it is possible to spot jaguars without any other boats around! Return to lodge at sunset. Dinner. (B, L, D).

Detailed Itinerary for the remainder of both options A & B -
Note that option A continues from Day 8

Day 7(8) Taiama Ecological Reserve - Jaguar Safari Rio Paraguay, Anaconda Excursion

Jaguar and Anaconda tracking on the Paraguay river. We have a full day of boat safaris on the Paraguay river, and its tributaries in order to maximize our chances of watching and photographing Jaguars, Giant river otters and other wildlife concentrated along the riverbanks. Our outings will be during the day, cruising the rivers in search of Jaguars which often come to the river banks in search of food, water, or just to cool off.

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Anaconda Tracking
On one day we will take some time to search for Anaconda snakes along the holes in the Paraguay river banks. (B,L,D).

Day 8(9) Taiama Ecological Reserve - NEW FOR 2024!

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Maned Wolf Tracking by Overland Safari
We have a full day to explore the many wildlife opportunities on the Pantanal ranches near Baiazinha. Our activities start before sunrise until 10am and after our midday break at 3.30pm until sunset. We will be searching for the elusive the Maned wolf from dusk until dawn in their natural habitat which are the Cerado (Brazilian savannas) & countryside near Baiazinha. (B,L,D).

Day 9(10) Taiama Ecological Reserve to Piuval Private Reserve

Early breakfast, check-out and transfer from Baiazinha to Piuval Private Reserve. The transfer itself is a wildlife safari, and we will stop on our way to photograph all kinds of wildlife. We will arrive at our destination in time for check in and lunch. This area features many different landscapes that support a wide variety of biodiversity. After our midday break, enjoy horseback riding or safaris by jeep and foot through different landscapes. At night we’ll enjoy a night safari in search of elusive nocturnal animals like Ocelot, Puma, Tapir, Giant Anteater, Tamandua, Crab-eating Raccoon, Pottoos, and Owls. (B,L,D).

Day 10(11) Piuval Private Reserve

We have a full day to explore the many wildlife opportunities of this enormous natural reserve. Our activities start before sunrise until 11am and after our midday break at 3.30pm until sunset. The activities are a combination of forest walks, overland safaris, horseback riding and night safaris. (B,L,D).

Day 11(12) Piuval Lodge to Alegre or Aymara Private Reserve

Morning walk at sunrise. After breakfast we will checkout and drive further south to Pouso Alegre or Aymara private reserves, (which are close to each other). The transfer itself is a wildlife safari, and we will stop on our way to photograph all kinds of wildlife. We will arrive at our destination in time for check in and lunch. This afternoon we will explore the terrain of this private reserve by forest walks and overland safaris until sunset. At night we’ll enjoy another night drive with the spotlight in search for nocturnal animals. (B,L,D).

Day 12(13) Alegre or Aymara Private Reserve

We have a full day to explore the many wildlife opportunities of these enormous natural reserves. Our activities start before sunrise and go until 11am and then resume at 3.30pm after a midday break (when it is too hot for wildlife to be active) and continue until sunset. Enjoy morning safaris through the forests and grasslands looking for rheas, marsh deer, armadillos, storks, coatis, howler monkeys, black-tailed marmoset and more. Afternoon journey deep into the Pantanal through several ecosystems, looking for endangered marsh deer, coati, anaconda, giant anteater, toco toucans, tapirs, armadillos, hyacinth macaws and more. Night safari for pumas, tapirs, anteaters and other night creatures. (B,L,D).

Wildlife: Giant anteater! Hyacinth macaws! Tapirs, coati, toucans, armadillos, rheas, jabaru stork, capybara, anaconda, howler monkeys, black-tailed marmoset.

Day 13(14) Pantanal Ranch to Porto Jofre, Jaguar Safari Rio Cuiabá

Wildlife hike at sunrise followed by breakfast and checkout. Transfer to Porto Jofre with stops to photograph wildlife enroute and arrive in time for lunch. This afternoon we’ll enjoy our first boat safari on the Cuiabá river in search for jaguars, giant river otters and other wildlife. Unlike Taiama, Porto Jofre has the highest concentration of jaguars in the Pantanal, but also the highest concentration of other boats searching for them. This will require us to be more strategic in our approach and access lesser-known habitat farther away from the crowds. It is strongly recommended that we also turn our radio off here and resist the urge to follow reports of jaguar sightings by other boats, and instead look for our own jaguars in the less-traveled areas around Porto Jofre. This will give us the best chance to avoid the crowds. You will appreciate the wisdom of combining both Porto Jofre and Taiama for the best overall jaguar experience, as each area has its merits. Return to the lodge around sunset. (B,L,D).

Day 14(15) Jaguar Safari Rio Cuiabá

Jaguar tracking in and around the Meeting of the Waters State Park. We have a full day of boat safaris on the Cuiabá river and its tributaries in order to maximize our chances of watching and photographing Jaguars, Giant river otters and other wildlife concentrated along the riverbanks. Our outings will be during the day, cruising the rivers in search of Jaguars which often come to the river banks in search of food, water, or just to cool off.

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Hidden Secrets of the Rio Cuiabá
We will explore the more remote areas of the State Park, away from the crowds!

Wild Planet Adventures Exclusive!

Anaconda Tracking
On one day we will take some time to search for Anaconda snakes along the holes in the Cuiabá riverbanks. (B,L,D).

Day 15(16) Morning Wildlife Hike / Cuiabá / USA

Early sunrise walk to photograph toucans, Macaws and other birds around the hotel. Breakfast and check-out in time for your flight, or overnight at additional cost. (B).

EXTENSIONS

Maned Wolves of Emas

Visit Emas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to track beautiful, long-legged maned wolves, with luck as they hunt. Join us in Sept & Oct, just after a rain shower, to witness hundreds of termite mounds come alive with bioluminescence, turning the Cerrado into an otherworldly, glowing spectacle of nature.

Iguassu Falls

See one of the most spectacular waterfalls on earth from parks on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides. Enjoy the Macuco safari by boat, and close up views of Devil's Throat and the main and upper cataracts.

Amazon River Cruises

Our fleet of Amazon cruises allows you to emerse yourself in the Amazon, surrounded by the rainforest as you explore "Meeting of the Waters", Anavilhanas National Park and more. See pink dolphins, meet natives and explore the world's greatest river and rainforest.