UNESCO Floodplains
Visit the Pantanal and explore this wildlife rich area on foot, on horseback and in canoes.
Designed to appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, this holiday to Brazil takes in the vast wetlands of the Pantanal, the world’s largest protected tropical rainforest corridor in the Amazon, and a unique conservation and community project in the foothills of the Mantiqueira mountains.
Navigate the UNESCO floodplains of the northern Pantanal, from Araras Eco Lodge, in search of jaguar and caiman before immersing yourself in the rainforest at Cristalino Lodge. After a few nights soaking up the iconic sites of Rio, head inland to a 5,000 hectare private reserve of mountains, waterfalls and forests, where wildlife thrives and positive initiatives inspire. These lodges allow nature to take centre stage, with all of them engaging in critical work to protect the biodiversity of Brazil and educate travellers and their local communities.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Jaguar River Safari
Visit a protected jungle corridor, home to the highest density of jaguar on Earth.
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Birds Eye Views
Enjoy endless views of the rainforest canopy and its resident birdlife from observation towers.
Wildlife Conservation
Stay in accommodation protecting the muriquis spider monkey and the blue macaw.
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Day 1
Sao Paolo - Cuiaba - Pantanal
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Days 2-4
Pantanal, Araras Eco Lodge
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Day 5
Pantanal - Cuiba - Alta Floresta - Amazon
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Days 6-8
Amazon, Cristalino Lodge
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Days 9
Amazon - Alto Floresta- Cuiba - Rio de Janeiro
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Day 10
Rio de Janeiro (Porto Bay Hotel)
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Day 11
Rio de Janeiro - Ibitipoca Lodge
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Days 12-13
Ibitipoca Lodge
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Day 14
Ibitipoca Lodge - Juiz de Fora - Sao Paolo
Day 1
Sao Paolo - Cuiaba - Pantanal
Fly from Sao Paolo to Cuibana where you will be met and transferred around two and a half hours to your accommodation in the Pantanal.
Days 2-4
Pantanal, Araras Eco Lodge
Spend the next three days exploring the Pantanal via the range of activities on offer at the lodge – walking trails, bird watching, horse riding and canoeing. On one of the days, travel two and a half hours south to the Cuiaba River for a river safari in search of jaguar.
Day 5
Pantanal - Cuiba - Alta Floresta - Amazon
Transfer back to Cuiba for a 60 minute flight to Alta Floresta. On arrival transfer approximately 90 minutes by road and 30 minutes by boat to your lodge in the Amazon.
Days 6-8
Amazon, Cristalino Lodge
Spend three days exploring the Amazon and its wildlife via a range of immersive activities, including rainforest hikes, river kayaking and boat trips. The observation towers offer sweeping panoramas of the emerald canopy and are ideal for spotting birdlife.
Days 9
Amazon - Alto Floresta- Cuiba - Rio de Janeiro
Transfer back to Alto Floresta for the 60 minute flight to Cuiba and onto Rio. On arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 10
Rio de Janeiro (Porto Bay Hotel)
Spend a day at leisure exploring the city.
Day 11
Rio de Janeiro - Ibitipoca Lodge
Transfer overland approximately five hours to your accommodation.
Days 12-13
Ibitipoca Lodge
Spend two days exploring the area – walking or e-biking some of the beautiful trails, alongside lakes and waterfalls, horse-riding, canoeing or visiting their muriquis spider monkey conservation project. Relaxation in the spa or a spot of yoga is also an option.
Day 14
Ibitipoca Lodge - Juiz de Fora - Sao Paolo
Transfer approximately two hours to Juiz de Fora and fly to Sao Paolo for onward travel.
More Details
Diverse Wildlife
Wildlife of the Amazon and Pantanal
By combining the towering rainforest canopies and meandering rivers of the Amazon, with the swamp, savannah grasslands and forests of the Pantanal, this suggested holiday to Brazil offers the chance to see an extraordinary diversity of bird and wildlife. Over 600 species of bird, from the harpy eagle in the Amazon to blue hyacinth macaw in the Pantanal, 2,000 species of butterflies and over 60 mammal species, including monkeys, capybaras, tapirs and giant river otters. The freshwater wetlands of the Pantanal are also home to ocelot, maned wolf and jaguar.
Conservation Initiatives
Muriqui’s House
The B Corp certified Ibiti Project, at Comuno do Ibitipoca, has sustainability initiatives too numerous to mention – covering 6,000 hectares, conservation and rewilding are just part of it. In partnership with the Muriqui Instituto de Biodiversidade, they are working to increase the population of the critically endangered muriquis spider monkey, of which there are currently only 900 individuals in the wild. A stay here supports these efforts and guests have the chance to view the project in action at Muriqui’s House.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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A stay at Cristalino lodge includes a fee of USD$95 per person, which goes directly to the Cristalino Foundation in support of various educational and research programmes. A Day in the Forest is one of their projects, established in 2008. This workshop offers local schools the chance to explore nature trails and learn about the flora and fauna of the ecosystem, raising their awareness of the forest and the importance of preservation and conservation.
At Comuna do Ibitipoca, the use of products without packaging is prioritised and any waste material recycled. Organic produce is grown on site, red meat and saltwater fish are not on the menu and leftovers are composted, transformed into humus and used as fertiliser. Walk, cycle or ride a horse to explore. Guests who drive their car within the reserve are charged an ‘environmental fee’, which is donated to the Zero Footprint tree-planting project.
Once seen as competition by local fishermen and in real danger of extinction, giant otters are now seen on three out of five river excursions from Araras Eco Lodge. The team here have built relationships with local communities, by monitoring the otters, visiting riverside farms and showing communities how tourism and these beautiful mammals can be of economic benefit and joy to all on the river.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
Start planning your trip
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £5,895 Per person
When to travel
Brazil in January
January to March is the peak of summer across the country, with many locals having time off in February. Carnival often takes place at this time too. There is more rainfall in the Amazon and the south but it is also the warmest time of year across the country.
Brazil in February
January to March is the peak of summer across the country, with many locals having time off in February. Carnival often takes place at this time too. There is more rainfall in the Amazon and the south but it is also the warmest time of year across the country.
Brazil in March
January to March is the peak of summer across the country, with many locals having time off in February. Carnival often takes place at this time too. There is more rainfall in the Amazon and the south but it is also the warmest time of year across the country.
Brazil in April
April and May is a good time to travel as temperatures drop a little. There is generally plenty of sunshine in the south, with the Amazon and Pantanal starting to receive a little less rain too.
Brazil in May
April and May is a good time to travel as temperatures drop a little. There is generally plenty of sunshine in the south, with the Amazon and Pantanal starting to receive a little less rain too.
Brazil in June
June and July is a great time to visit the south, especially around Rio and Sao Paolo. It is also a good time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal, with slightly lower temperatures and less rain. It is a wetter time for the north and east coast.
Brazil in July
June and July is a great time to visit the south, especially around Rio and Sao Paolo. It is also a good time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal, with slightly lower temperatures and less rain. It is a wetter time for the north and east coast.
Brazil in August
Between August and October is possibly the best time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal. It is still fairly dry in the south, but it can be cool in the evenings in Rio. It dries up in the north and remains warm.
Brazil in September
Between August and October is possibly the best time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal. It is still fairly dry in the south, but it can be cool in the evenings in Rio. It dries up in the north, and remains warm.
Brazil in October
Between August and October is possibly the best time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal. It is still fairly dry in the south, but it can be cool in the evenings in Rio. It dries up in the north, and remains warm.
Brazil in November
November and December see the dry season comes to an end in the south, as temperatures heat up. November can be a great time to visit Rio as it is warmer but remains fairly dry. Rainfall increases again in the Pantanal and the Amazon.
Brazil in December
November and December see the dry season comes to an end in the south, as temperatures heat up. November can be a great time to visit Rio as it is warmer but remains fairly dry. Rainfall increases again in the Pantanal and the Amazon.
Holiday Inspiration
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