Pantanal and Rio de Janeiro: an Exclusive Visit to the Land of the Jaguar and an Exploration of Rio de Janeiro
Pantanal and Rio de Janeiro: an Exclusive Visit to the Land of the Jaguar and an Exploration of Rio de Janeiro
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:
8 days / 7 nights.
Lodging for 7 nights Included.
12 First‑class tours with the best tour guides (3 of them are private tours). All necessary entrance fees to national parks included.
4 airport transfers included (all private)
7 breakfasts + up to 4 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.)
- Rio de Janeiro (Breathtaking landscapes & home to one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World"): 3 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.
Rio De Janeiro
Staying for 3 nights, with 3 tours included
Day 5: You arrive in Rio De Janeiro
Flight arrival in Rio de Janeiro. Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel with private vehicle and guide.
Depending on your 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: Rio De Janeiro
The "Christ the redeemer" Statue, Tijuca Tropical Forest, Rio’s Historic Center and Off-the-Beaten-Path Explorations (private tour)
Get ready to marvel at the most important icon of Rio de Janeiro and one of the winners of the "New 7 Wonders of the World" worldwide competition, in which more than 100 million votes were cast: the Corcovado Mountain and its “Christ the Redeemer†statue. Our expert local guide will not only take you atop the Corcovado Mountain, where the colossal statue stands, but he’ll also help you discover the off-the beaten-path panoramic viewpoint “Dona Marta,†which most travelers do not get to see. This road less traveled offers amazing and unobstructed clear views to almost the entirety of the city (even on cloudy days when the views from the top of Corcovado Mountain are practically non-existent!).
We’ll also see the Tijuca Tropical Forest, one of the main reasons why Rio was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. We’ll later visit Rio’s historic quarters and appreciate the urban beauty that has earned Rio the honor of having been declared the first World Capital of Architecture by the United Nations and the Council of the International Union of Architects, as a recognition to the architectural treasures that show the city’s culture and history since the 16th century. Our final experience as "Cariocas" (as locals from Rio are known) will be hopping aboard a "bondinho" (a very cute local tramway) that runs from the beautifully-preserved, historic neighborhood of Santa Teresa to the hip and bohemian Lapa neighborhood. This visit will include witnessing the largest sculpture in the world made by a single man, according to National Geographic: the Selaron Tiles staircase.
This is a full day private tour.
Day 7: Rio De Janeiro
Choose 1 among the following 6 tour options:
Option 1: Learn to Prepare and Savor the Most Typical Brazilian Dishes and Drinks (private tour)
Put on your apron and step into the role of a Brazilian chef, as you put your cooking skills to the test, with a Brazilian regional cuisine cooking class. This 100% hands-on experience takes place in a cuisine studio located in the renowned Copacabana neighborhood. Not only will you learn how to cook some of the most delicious traditional Brazilian dishes, but you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the country’s culture through food, and to savor the most classic Brazilian alcoholic drinks. (Click here for a detailed account of all meals and drinks prepared). Much of what you will have learnt here can be easily recreated at home, using close substitutes for the hard-to-find ingredients.
This is a half-day private tour. You’ll be picked up at your hotel by a Portuguese-speaking driver, and the personnel at the cooking class is fully bilingual.
Option 2: Glitz, Glamour, and Floats: a Behind-the-Scenes Experience of Rio’s Famous Carnival
With over 2 million people in attendance, Rio’s carnival is nearly the biggest party on the planet. We’ll immerse ourselves in all things glitz, glamour, and floats, as we experience a behind-the-scenes look at the mega-colossal effort that goes behind Rio’s carnival preparations. We’ll visit the warehouses of Grande Rio, one of the main Samba Schools in the city. Once there, we’ll walk through this massive warehouse where costumes are sewn, floats are constructed and elaborate make-up is stored, and we’ll learn from a member of this Samba school about what it takes to prepare, organize and rehearse for a full-fledged carnival parade. Also you’ll have the unique chance to try on a genuine carnival costume!
This is a half day group tour with a guide who speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese for the entire group. However, you’ll be taken to and from the site in a private vehicle.
Option 3: From Slavery to Freedom: an Afro-Brazilian Heritage Tour
It’s time to trace the footsteps of Afro-Brazilian culture in Rio, as we head out along a historic path, taking us from the sordid story of the first arrival of the enslaved Africans, to the intriguing mix of cultures that is present day Rio. We’ll also appreciate the Afro-Brazilian roots of Rio’s famed carnival.
Although the history of slavery in the United States seems to be the most recognized, Brazil actually takes the title of being the country where slavery was the most prominent. In fact, Brazil trafficked more slaves than any other nation in the Western hemisphere and held to its slave practices the longest. Slavery played a vital role in shaping Brazilian history, and also infused its culture with African heritage and tradition, to the point that the dominant forms of music and dance are Afro-Brazilian, and even the country’s mainstream religion is tinged with elements of West-African polytheism.
This is a half day private tour, mainly done on foot.
Option 4: Hiking Through Tijuca Tropical Forest and to its Highest Peak (private tour)
Summon your athletic spirit to hike to the summit of Tijuca peak, the second highest one in Rio, with a height of 3350 feet (1021 meters). First, you’ll traverse part of Tijuca tropical forest, the largest urban forest in the world, and one of the main reasons why Rio was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. There you’ll enjoy the lush tropical vegetation and maybe spot birds or monkeys. On your way, you’ll stop at “Chinese outlookâ€, the most visited panoramic outlook in the forest, marked by a Chinese-style gazebo, with a view to the forest, the Sugarloaf mountain and the “Christ the redeemer†statue atop the Corcovado mountain. After passing by a spot in this tropical forest adorned by a quaint little cascade, you’ll head to the mountain itself where the hiking difficulty turns moderate. At the summit of the Tijuca peak, if it’s not cloudy, you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of Rio’s bay and city, the surrounding mountains and forest, and the ocean.
This private tour’s total duration is about 5 hours, with a 3 mile (5 kilometers) total traversal. The ascent itself is about 1:15 hours, depending on your pace. The hike is rated easy to moderate.
Option 5: Savoring Brazil: a Daytime Walking Food & Drinks Tour
Tempt your taste buds and stimulate your senses while exploring some of Rio’s most interesting and hip neighborhoods, as you savor the delectable and diverse dishes and drinks of Brazil! In this daytime walking food tour, we’ll check out bustling street markets, eclectic hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and backstreet bars as we search out and sample some of the best foods Rio has to offer! From enticing street foods to exotic fruits and refreshing caipirinha cocktails, we’ll get to know the city while happily feeding our appetites. In our explorations we’ll make 8 stops spanning 4 close-by neighborhoods, finishing up with a big meal and plenty of drinks!
This is a 5 to 6-hour group tour and includes all food, water, juices, beers, caipirinhas and other drinks. The maximum group size is around 7 people.
Option 6: Brazil’s Dance, Music and Costumes: Ginga Tropical Night Show
Ginga Tropical is a show that portrays, in a well-paced and highly energetic manner, many of Brazil’s most popular dances and rhythms, all of which are infused with African and indigenous influences. Samba (the dance featured in Rio’s world renowned Carnival), carnival costumes, capoeira (a dance style developed by the African slaves, that also doubles as a martial art!), forro, and other styles from practically all corners of this vast country are presented in a dynamic succession of music, costume and dance sketches. The show is geared mainly for visitors who want to appreciate a general landscape of Brazilian music and dance, and the venue is a rather old and un-refurbished hall, where seating is movie-theater style.
This is an unguided tour lasting about 5 hours, including time for dinner (dinner not included). It includes a private vehicle and driver the entire time.
Day 8: Rio De Janeiro
A Cable Car Ascent to the Sugarloaf Mountain and its Astounding Panoramic Views (private tour)
Get ready to behold some of the most eye-popping panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, embarking on a ride in a cable car to the mountaintop of one of the city’s most recognized icons: Sugarloaf Mountain. This is one of the main highlights that made Rio de Janeiro the #1 destination in South America, as voted by millions of travelers on Trip Advisor in 2017. Once we reach the top of Mount Sugarloaf, we’ll feast our eyes upon a stunning 360-degree panoramic view, including Rio’s beaches, mountains, and the Tijuca forest (it’s the largest tropical forest in the world in an urban setting). Also, in a leisurely walk across the newly renovated Olympic Boulevard, we’ll see the largest graffiti on the planet, a colorful and detailed depiction of Brazilian faces. To top the day off, we’ll end this tour relaxing at Arpoador peninsula, a beach that boasts one of the best views of Rio’s beaches and coastline.
This is a half day private tour.
Transfer in private vehicle and guide to the airport.
We look forward to welcoming you again in Brazil!Lodging for 7 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 - Rio de Janeiro: 3 nightsArena Copacabana Hotel
Arena Copacabana Hotel - deluxe with front sea view: 3 nights
Deluxe with front sea view
suggested deluxe category lodging
- Pantanal: 4 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge - suite at cordilheira lodge: 4 nights
Suite at cordilheira lodge - Rio de Janeiro: 3 nightsHilton Copacabana Hotel
Hilton Copacabana Hotel - room with front sea view: 3 nights
Room with front sea view
suggested unique & exclusive category lodging*
- Rio de Janeiro: 3 nightsFasano Rio de Janeiro Hotel
Fasano Rio de Janeiro Hotel - deluxe category room with sea view: 3 nights
Deluxe category room with sea view
* For this itinerary the Unique & Exclusive accommodation is only available in Rio de Janeiro. 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 Rio de Janeiro | 5 hours and 25 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.
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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 Rio de Janeiro. For The Pantanal the hotel included is the one mentioned in the deluxe category. | |||
| Domestic Airfare |
| Starts at $ 81 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. |