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
Including Pantanal and Rio de Janeiro
Hear What Past Guests Loved Most
This Trip's Photo Summary
Enjoy a show of Afro-Brazilian and indigenous music and dance in Rio de Janeiro
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.
See what travelers say about working with me
I look forward to helping make your Argentina journey truly memorable, worry-free and first-class from start to finish.
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 included:
8 days / 7 nights.
Lodging for 7 nights Included.
12 First‑class tours with the best tour guides included
(3 of them are private tours). All necessary entrance fees to national parks included.
Includes all airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary below
(all done on private basis).
7 breakfasts + up to 4 lunches + 3 dinners included in this trip.
Get a printer-friendly version of your trip details.
2 Destinations included:
![Icons]()
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.)![Icons]()
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.
See testimonials and trip photos from guests who visited this itinerary's destinations.
See testimonials from families whom you can contact.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
 DAY 1: YOU ARRIVE IN PANTANAL (staying for 4 nights, with 9 tours included) |
Flight arrival in Campo Grande. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the Pantanal lodge with private vehicle and guide. |
|
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. |
 DAY 5: YOU ARRIVE IN RIO DE JANEIRO (staying for 3 nights, with 3 tours included) |
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 among the following 6 options: Option 1: A cooking class to learn to prepare a most typical Brazilian dish and drinks (half-day private tour). Option 5: Savoring Brazil: a walking food tour, to taste the most typical finger foods and drinks at different restaurants, street markets and bars in hip neighboords (half-day tour). Option 6: Ginga Tropical night show, featuring Brazil’s dance and music. Includes a private car with a driver who’ll wait for you during dinner (not included) and during the show. If you’d rather enjoy some free time to go the beach or for your own explorations, just let us know! |
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! |
| IMPORTANT: The order of the activities in each destination can change depending on weather conditions or other circumstances. |
Details & Photos »
Lodging for 7 nights Included
SUGGESTED COMFORT CATEGORY LODGING
- In Pantanal: 4 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge (“superior” category room at baiazinha lodge): 4 nights (“superior” category room at baiazinha lodge) - In 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
- In Pantanal: 4 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge (suite at cordilheira lodge): 4 nights (suite at cordilheira lodge) - In 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*
- In 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.
Meals Included
7 BREAKFASTS
UP TO 4 LUNCHES*
*Depending on the tour options selected
3 DINNERS
While Argentina is famous for its delicious steaks it also has a great variety of delicious vegetarian dishes!
All of our tours which include meals have vegetarian options available.
4 Airport Transfers Included
You will travel to and from airports in the privacy and comfort of your own vehicle,
so there will be no stops for other travelers and no waiting time.
Private airport transfers included in the following destination:
- In Pantanal: 2 private transfers
- In Rio de Janeiro: 2 private transfers
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.
Why Travelers Love Us
Enjoy the peace of mind of a Worry‑Free trip
Experience unparalleled personalized care 24/7
Hand-picked tour guides to guarantee a First‑Class experience
Read trip reviews from guests
whom you can contact!
YOU CAN CONNECT WITH 500+ U.S. TRAVELERS WHO HAVE TAKEN A TRIP WITH US FOR FIRSTHAND INSIGHTS
Explore their itineraries and personal trip photos.
We haven’t found another travel company that offers this level of connection and transparency.
View all »
WE'VE ALWAYS GOT YOU COVERED
If Medical Emergencies Strike
If You Need Immediate Assistance
If Airlines Cancel Your Flights
If Your Luggage Goes Missing
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
"I've received the travel booklet and it's absolutely the best trip plan I have received in over 40 years of traveling. Wonderful job." - Mitch Samuelson and Joan Raskin
"Their travel booklet is a masterpiece. It tells everything you could possibly need to know. I like to research in detail and I could not think of anything left out of it." - Elizabeth & Louis Powell
"The travel booklet that was provided prior to our departure was golden throughout our trip - answering questions we didn't know we had, and keeping all details highly organized." - Janice & Paul Laevens
"The Travel Booklet became our Bible for the trip. That book had more information than we would ever need to enjoy our trip." - Frank & Susan Cimino
"Exploration Journeys provided us with a travel booklet which is something out of this world. We took it wherever we went. It provided us with all the information that we needed to be better prepared for the trip." - Natasha & Arun Garg and Family
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. Many guests download it to their mobile devices or tablets, making it easy to access throughout their trip.
Price per Person in US Dollars
(does not include flights)
| PRICE PER PERSON FOR ALL GROUND SERVICES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. To get a quote for Our prices do not include international or domestic airfare. | |||
** 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.
We accept PayPal Credit: finish paying your trip up to 4 months after your trip starting date, paying no interest or fees.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
The total price for the domestic flight needed for this trip starts at $ 81 per person, subject to availability at the time of booking.
Our airfares include a luggage allowance of 1 carry-on and 1 piece of checked luggage (up to 50 pounds / 23 kilos), and also they allow reserving seats in advance, at no additional cost. Most airfares for domestic flights in Brazil don't include allowance for checked baggage and some don't include seat reservation, but we always book airfares that allow these. Also, we use flexible airfares which allow us to make any needed flight changes (with no additional cost if the new airfare booked is not higher than the issued airfare).
This is a promotional rate, please note that regular airfares can be significantly higher. This means that the sooner you book your trip, the greater our chances of booking this, or similar, airfare.
As soon as we receive your feedback about your itinerary we'll check for flights availability and let you know which are the best flights for your trip and which is the lowest airfare available.
Prices for domestic flights depend exclusively on their availability at the time of booking, usually with much lower rates available for flights booked well in advance. So the sooner you book your trip, the lower the airfare you'll pay (the most expensive airfares are a lot higher than the most promotional ones).
As soon as we receive your feedback about your itinerary we'll check for flights availability and let you know which are the best flights for your trip and which is the lowest airfare available.
For your comfort and peace of mind, we can take care of booking your domestic flights for you. Our services include: checking for all possible flight options to suggest the best flight itinerary and rate for your trip, flight bookings and issuing, 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 flight arrangements if there is any delay, change or cancellation before or during your trip.
Letting us take care of your domestic flight arrangements will let you enjoy a worry‑free travel experience, as it is very common for local airlines to make flight changes before (and sometimes during) a trip.
NOTE: All services are subject to availability.
Also Included in the Trip Price
All taxes for the ground services are included
To provide a worry‑free trip experience we include all the necessary entrance tickets to national parks, as well as all other tour-related fees, which are sometimes not included or even mentioned by other travel agencies.
Rio de Janeiro
- Admission ticket to the Corcovado mountain for the tour "The ’Christ the redeemer’ Statue, Tijuca Tropical Forest, Rio’s Historic Center and Off-the-Beaten-Path Explorations" tour
- Admission tickets to the Sugarloaf Cable Car for the tour "A Cable Car Ascent to the Sugarloaf Mountain and its Astounding Panoramic Views" tour
Not Included in the Trip Price
International airfare to and from Brazil is not included.
Domestic flights for this trip are quoted separately from ground services. Prices for domestic flights depend exclusively on flight availability at the time of booking, with much lower rates available for flights booked well in advance. This means that the sooner you book your trip, the lower the airfare will likely be.
The total price for the domestic flight needed for this trip starts at $ 81 per person, subject to availability at the time of booking.
Our airfares include a luggage allowance of 1 carry-on and 1 piece of checked luggage (up to 50 pounds / 23 kilos), and also they allow reserving seats in advance, at no additional cost. Most airfares for domestic flights in Brazil don't include allowance for checked baggage and some don't include seat reservation, but we always book airfares that allow these. Also, we use flexible airfares which allow us to make any needed flight changes (with no additional cost if the new airfare booked is not higher than the issued airfare).
This is a promotional rate, please note that regular airfares can be significantly higher. This means that the sooner you book your trip, the greater our chances of booking this, or similar, airfare.
As soon as we receive your feedback about your itinerary we'll check for flights availability and let you know which are the best flights for your trip and which is the lowest airfare available.
Prices for domestic flights depend exclusively on their availability at the time of booking, usually with much lower rates available for flights booked well in advance. So the sooner you book your trip, the lower the airfare you'll pay (the most expensive airfares are a lot higher than the most promotional ones).
As soon as we receive your feedback about your itinerary we'll check for flights availability and let you know which are the best flights for your trip and which is the lowest airfare available.
For your comfort and peace of mind, we can take care of booking your domestic flights for you. Our services include: checking for all possible flight options to suggest the best flight itinerary and rate for your trip, flight bookings and issuing, 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 flight arrangements if there is any delay, change or cancellation before or during your trip.
Letting us take care of your domestic flight arrangements will let you enjoy a worry‑free travel experience, as it is very common for local airlines to make flight changes before (and sometimes during) a trip.
Tips to hotel staff, tour guides, etc.
Visa issuing expenses to enter Brazil. Travelers from USA, Canada, and Australia are required to obtain a visa to visit Brazil. We'll provide full assistance with the Brazilian visa application process, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience.
Travelers who have passports from the following countries do not require a visa to enter Brazil: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong (with English passport), Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, the Vatican and Venezuela.
Anything not expressly mentioned in this itinerary proposal.
How Our Booking Process Works
The trip booking process generally takes from 2 to 4 business days. Once all services are booked, we will send you an invoice with the trip booking confirmation and payment instructions. If your trip start date is in fewer than 60 days, we’ll request a full trip payment. If not, we’ll request a first payment of 25% to 35% of the total trip cost, with final payment due 60 days before your trip start date.
We accept all major credit cards (we use PayPal as a credit card processor but you won't need a PayPal account to make your credit card payment), bank wire transfers or check deposits. Our prices are final, you won't have to pay anything extra no matter what payment method you use.
Important: If you use PayPal account as your payment method, they are running a promotion called "PayPal credit", where you’ll have up to 6 months to complete the payment of your trip (without any interest or extra fees). You can choose to apply during the payment process and your application will be subject to their approval. This is a great way to finance your trip payment, without any extra cost.
For more details please visit: https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-credit
Our Trip Cancellation Policy
For all payments which have already made at the time we receive written notice that you must cancel your trip, the following fees will be charged:
- » When only the first payment (approximately 25% to 40% of the total payment depending on the trip) has been made: up to 80% cancellation fee over the first payment will apply, as most domestic flight tickets are non-refundable after being paid for and issued.
- » After your total payment has been made and longer than 60 days to the trip starting date: up to 50% cancellation fee over the total payment will apply. Or up to 60% if the itinerary includes the Pantanal (as lodges have stricter cancellation policies).
- » After your total payment has been made and 36 to 60 days before the start date of the trip: up to 70% cancellation fee over total payment is applicable. Or up to 80% if the itinerary includes the Pantanal (as lodges have stricter cancellation policies).
- » After your total payment has been made and 20 to 35 days before the start date of the trip: up to 90 % cancellation fee over total payment is applicable.
- » After your total payment has been made and 19 days before the trip starting date, or later: there will be no right to refunds.
We’ll always try our best to get as much of a refund as possible, depending on the trip cancellation date, and the conditions of the service suppliers.
Important note: certain hotels, boats, lodges and airlines may have deposit terms and cancellation policies which vary from our own. We may need to collect an additional deposit from you to hold some reservations. The cancellation penalties on payments will be determined by these individual organizations and will override our policy.
Refunds will only be issued to you once we have received the funds back from the supplier(s). Generally, flight tickets cannot be refunded if they are partially used. We are not responsible for a supplier’s failure to pay a refund.
If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your travel insurance policy, you may be able to claim these cancellation charges through your insurance company.