An Oddysey into the Pantanal (Land of the Jaguar and Unique Land Mammals) and the Mighty Iguazu Falls
An Oddysey into the Pantanal (Land of the Jaguar and Unique Land Mammals) and the Mighty Iguazu Falls
Your Trip Overview
(everything mentioned below is included in your trip price)
Trip start date: you can choose any starting date you want for your trip, because all our trips have private departures. That is, you won't be traveling as part of a group.
Trip Duration & lodging:
7 days / 6 nights.
Lodging for 6 nights Included.
13 First‑class tours with the best tour guides (2 of them are private tours). All necessary entrance fees to national parks included.
4 airport transfers included (all private)
6 breakfasts + 3 lunches + 3 dinners included.
Worry‑Free planning & First‑Class service
Hear from our guests and contact them2 Destinations included:
- Pantanal (Best place to see jaguars and largest wetlands on Earth. Home to the highest concentration of wildlife in the Americas): 4 nights - YOUR STAY HERE IS ALL-INCLUSIVE (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included, with non-alcoholic beverages. Also snacks during tours.)
- Iguazu Falls (Selected by 100 Million Voters as One of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature"): 2 nights
In the Pantanal we work with the most exclusive lodge in the area, called Refugio Ecologico Caiman. This place is the only area where you have a significant chance to spot jaguars year-round, and because of the high density of jaguars in and around the hacienda, and their habituation to the place, sightings are more probable, and encounters tend to be closer and longer than in other spots in the Pantanal. Besides running a very nice lodge with good food, Caiman takes their tours professionally: every tour is guided by a local "Pantaneiro" who has the expertise to track any of the unique animals found there, and also by a naturalist, some of them having had academic training in biology.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Pantanal
Staying for 4 nights, with 9 tours included
Day 1: You arrive in Pantanal
Flight arrival in Campo Grande. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the Pantanal lodge with private vehicle and guide.
Note: the order of the tours are determined by Caiman Refuge a few days before the tour dates, so they won’t necessarily be in the same order as listed here. The staff will hand you the program for your stay when you arrive.
Getting Acquainted with "Caiman Ecological Refuge": 130,000 Acres of Wetlands and Wildlife
It’s time to immerse yourself with a newfound knowledge and understanding of how the Caiman Ecological Refuge’s work with conservation and eco-tourism helps provide an amazing balance between humans and nature. We’ll learn all about the inner-workings of the refuge and the Pantanal’s history and ecosystem, as well have the awesome opportunity to closely observe the spectacled caimans who call the wetland waters home.
This is a half-day group tour.
Day 2: Pantanal
A 4x4 Jeep Safari Excursion through the Pantanal Wetlands
The exotic and exciting wildlife of the Pantanal wetlands awaits, as it’s time to explore on a jeep safari the mosaic of flooded grasslands, savannas, and tropical forests that make up this richly diverse and vast expanse of land! We’ll travel through open fields, lagoons and flooded areas in search of the many intriguing animals that call these wetlands home, including the royalty of the Pantanal... the jaguar!
This is a half-day group tour.
A Sunset Canoeing Expedition to Spot Wildlife around the Pantanal Lakes
It’s time for an up close and personal experience with the lush vegetation, majestic wildlife and the cacophony of nature’s sounds of world’s largest wetlands as we paddle our way through marshes and lagoons on a canoeing adventure that involves witnessing a beautiful sunset while on the waters of the Pantanal.
This is a half-day group tour.
Pantanal in the Dark: a Night-Spotting Experience
As darkness falls upon the Pantanal wetlands and we return on our vehicle to the lodge from our afternoon tour, we’ll experience the unique orchestra of sounds of the Pantanal’s wildlife, and we’ll take this opportunity to spot the animals that wake up and become active as the coolness of the night sets in. Beneath the starry skies of these exotic wetlands, we may see owls, brocket deer, tapirs, foxes and waters filled with caimans, whose eyes glow in the dark under the moonlight.
This is a 20 to 30-minute group tour.
Day 3: Pantanal
On the Track of the Largest Cat in the Americas: the Elusive Jaguar
They’re the largest cats in the Americas, known for their dotted-rosette shaped spots and jaws powerful enough to crack a skull or a sea turtle’s shell, and you’re about to get up close and personal with them... the elusive jaguars of the Pantanal. Caiman Refuge is the only place in Pantanal (and possible the world) where you have a significant chance of spotting a jaguar in the wild year-round. And you’ll have the awesome experience of following these majestic animals in their natural habitat as you observe their habits and behavior out in the Pantanal.
This is a full-day group tour
Pantanal in the Dark: a Night-Spotting Experience
As we return from our afternoon tour, we’ll ride our safari-adapted vehicle in a mini-excursion to spot the night-time wildlife of the Pantanal.
This is a 20 to 30-minute group tour
Day 4: Pantanal
Through the Lens: Pantanal Photo Safari Experience
Immerse yourself in the vibrant, lush wetlands scenery while capturing awesome shots of Pantanal wildlife with your lens as you embark on a photo safari. Get your camera ready as we cruise through open fields and flooded areas in search of the perfect picture!
This is a half-day group tour.
A Hike Through Pantanal: The World’s Largest Wetlands
The incredibly diverse and exotic wildlife of the largest wetlands in the world and a sense of adventure awaits us as we take a trek through the Pantanal in search of fascinating biodiversity, including the star of Pantanal: the majestic jaguar!
This is a half-day group tour.
Pantanal in the Dark: a Night-Spotting Experience
As we return from our afternoon tour, we’ll ride our safari-adapted vehicle in a mini-excursion to spot the night-time wildlife of the Pantanal.
This is a 20 to 30-minute group tour.
Day 5: Last day in Pantanal
Transfer with private vehicle and guide to Campo Grande airport.
Iguazu
Staying for 2 nights, with 4 tours included
Day 5: You arrive in Iguazu
Flight arrival in Iguazu.
Welcome at airport and private transfer to your hotel. Depending on your flight arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.Day 6: Iguazu
Witness the Unique Power & Might of the Iguazu Falls from the Argentine Side (private tour)
“You might have seen the photos. Even read about it. You might have visited other great waterfalls before. But you probably still have no idea what to expect when you come face to face with the almighty Iguazu Falls,†stated CNN in their article “Iguazu Falls: Why this natural wonder should be on everyone’s bucket list". To put that into perspective, Iguazu Falls is nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls and nearly three times as wide. The late U.S. First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, was reportedly so impressed by the sight of Iguazu Falls that she exclaimed “Poor Niagara!â€
In 1984, Iguazu Falls became a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and in 2011, it was selected as one of the 7 winners of the “New Seven Wonders of Nature†worldwide competition in which more than 100 million votes were cast.
Their size and scale are unlike any other waterfall on Earth. Made up of a system of 275 waterfalls, they have a staggering water flow of up to almost 3.5 million gallons (13 million liters) per second – enough to fill five Olympic swimming pools!
Unlike Niagara Falls, which is surrounded by developments such as casinos, a revolving restaurant, and coffee shops, Iguazu Falls are located within one of the few remaining inland rainforests in South America, the Atlantic rainforest, which is a haven for more than 2,000 plant species, about 400 birds species, and 80 types of mammals!
This is a full-day private tour.
A Speedboat Adventure Up-Close the Iguazu Falls
Get ready for a thrilling speedboat adventure, enjoying a unique, up-close perspective of the majestic Iguazu Falls and experience a different viewpoint of the falls from what you’ll see from the panoramic boardwalks. Our speedboat will zip the waters of the Iguazu River and approach the falls getting thoroughly splashed by their mist as you hear their loud roar!
This ride provides a unique and extremely close-up view of the San Martin and Three Musketeers falls with the opportunity to take outstanding close-up photos. The high point of this experience will be without a doubt, being showered under the mist of the San Martin Falls; the second strongest falls in the Iguazu system. Now it’s time to hop on board and begin our waterfall adventure!
This is a 12-minute group tour and is done on the same day you do the Argentinean side of the falls tour. This tour has an age restriction (click on tour name above for details).
Day 7: Iguazu
Behold the Breathtaking Panoramic Views of Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian Side (private tour)
With 80% of the falls located on the Argentine side, it is only from the Brazilian side that one can see almost all of them at once, in full, breathtakingly panoramic views.
The Brazilian side offers majestic scenic views of the beauty and entirety of the falls; this is because the Brazilian footbridge lies across the river from the falls, offering a unique perspective and epic scenic views, making the Brazilian side different and absolutely complementary to the experience from the Argentine side.
This is a half-day private tour.
Walking Among Exotic Birds in the Iguazu Rainforest (private tour)
You’re about to enter a one-of-a-kind bird sanctuary! Here you’ll find the largest colony of toucans on display in the world, as well as the largest colony of parrots on display in South America, along with 150 different bird species from Brazil and all over the world, many of them endangered.
Located in the midst of the lush tropical rainforest, Foz Tropicana Bird Park is an internationally-recognized rescue and preservation center for endangered birds; and it’s among the most important ones in South America. You’ll find yourself side by side a myriad of exotic birds, in the three walk-in aviaries, where you’ll have the opportunity to have an up-close and personal experience with amazingly colorful parrots and Toco Toucans, among many other birds… all of them right next to you or even flying over your head!
In addition to the diversity and beauty of the birds you’ll see, the park itself presents itself as a unique location. It covers nearly 40 acres (16 hectares) of rainforest, so you’re quite literally going to find yourself in the middle of nature as you make your way along the trails!
This visit lasts about an hour and a half to two hours and takes place on the same day as your Brazilian side of the falls tour.
Transfer in private vehicle to Iguazu airport.
We look forward to welcoming you again in Brazil!Lodging for 6 nights Included
suggested comfort category lodging
- Pantanal: 4 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge - “superior†category room at baiazinha lodge: 4 nights
“superior†category room at baiazinha lodge - Iguazu Falls: 2 nightsGrand Crucero Hotel
Grand Crucero Hotel - standard category room: 2 nights
Standard category room
suggested deluxe category lodging
- Pantanal: 4 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge - suite at cordilheira lodge: 4 nights
Suite at cordilheira lodge - Iguazu Falls: 2 nightsAmerian Iguazu
Amerian Iguazu - standard category room with river view: 2 nights
Standard category room with river view
suggested unique & exclusive category lodging*
- Iguazu Falls: 2 nightsMelia Iguazu Hotel
Melia Iguazu Hotel - deluxe category room with falls view: 2 nights
Deluxe category room with falls view
* For this itinerary the Unique & Exclusive accommodation is only available in Iguazu. For The Pantanal the hotel included is the one mentioned in the deluxe category.
Domestic Flights Duration & Route
Brazil is a huge country, the 5th largest in the world, so flights tend to be long, because of the long distances. Also many flights have connections. Needless to say, traveling by land is unfeasible in almost every case.
We can take care of booking all the needed domestic flights for your trip.
| Flight Route | Total Flight Duration |
|---|---|
| Campo Grande to Foz do Iguaçu (Brazilian side) | 4 hours and 40 minutes (there is no direct flight, so a connection is needed) |
For a worry‑free travel experience, we strongly advise letting us take care of your domestic flights. It’s common for local airlines to make several flight changes before (and sometimes during) a trip. Taking care of domestic flights will allow us to closely monitor any flight changes, adapting your trip itinerary as needed.
Our flight issuing service includes: flights booking, daily tracking of flight status and changes, reconfirmation with the airline of each flight before each departure, booking of your flight seats, web check-in (not available for all flights) and assistance with your flights arrangements if there is any flight delay, change or cancellation before or during your trip.
Hi there! I'm Fred, founder & owner of Exploration Journeys.
Over 20 years ago, I set out to build a travel company that would redefine what “worry-free travel” really means, where every guest feels cared for as if they were part of our family, and every detail runs seamlessly.
With two decades of experience crafting Argentina trips, I’ve learned that the right pacing, local expertise, and genuine care make all the difference. That’s why every itinerary we design blends must-see highlights with authentic local experiences, while leaving space for personal exploration and real connection.
I'd love to personally design a customized itinerary for you.
I look forward to helping make your Argentina journey truly memorable, worry-free and first-class from start to finish.
Our Guests Tell
the Story Best
Don’t take our word for it
— listen to theirs
Why Well‑Traveled Guests Choose Us
After Traveling the World
Flawless Execution, Zero Stress
More Than Tour Guides
After Traveling the World
The Ultimate Travel Companion: Our Beloved Travel Booklet
This one-of-a-kind sidekick is the key to a worry-free, unforgettable trip experience.
Packed with personalized tips and useful suggestions to help you make the most of your trip experience.
What Guests Say
About It
A Sneak Peek Inside Your Travel Booklet
You'll receive your Travel Booklet in two convenient formats: a printed version via FedEx and a digital version via email.
Price per Person in U.S. Dollars
(does not include flights)
| PRICE PER PERSON FOR ALL GROUND SERVICES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Basis | Comfort Category Lodging | Deluxe Category Lodging | Unique & Exclusive Category Lodging ** |
| Double occupancy room | |||
| Triple occupancy room | |||
Our prices above include all hotels, tours and airport transfers mentioned in this itinerary. Discounts available for groups of 4 or more travelers. Request a quote for 4 or more travelers or for a single traveler. Our prices do not include international or domestic airfare. Looking for the most exclusive and luxurious rooms and tour experiences? ** For this itinerary the Unique & Exclusive accommodation is only available in Iguazu. For The Pantanal the hotel included is the one mentioned in the deluxe category. | |||
| Domestic Airfare |
| Starts at $ 216 per person |
| Subject to availability at the time of booking |
Our airfares include:
Most travel agencies and flight websites quote airfares that do not include any of the above, and some don't include seat reservation, but we always book airfares that allow these. Prices for domestic flights depend exclusively on availability — the sooner you book, the lower the airfare. As soon as we receive your feedback on your itinerary, we'll check flight availability and let you know the best flight options and lowest available fare. Our goal is that you don't have to worry about a thing. We take care of:
We actively manage your domestic flight arrangements so you can enjoy a worry‑free travel experience. |