Pantanal and Rio de Janeiro: Home of the Jaguar and Unique Mammals and Wonderful City
Pantanal and Rio de Janeiro: Home of the Jaguar and Unique Mammals and Wonderful City
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.
8 First‑class tours with the best tour guides (1 of them are private tours). All necessary entrance fees to national parks included.
4 airport transfers included (all private)
6 breakfasts + 2 lunches + 2 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): 3 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 3 nights, with 7 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
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 4: Last day in Pantanal
Transfer with private vehicle and guide to Campo Grande airport.
Rio De Janeiro
Staying for 3 nights, with 1 tour included
Day 4: 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 5: Rio De Janeiro
Rio’s Most Iconic Highlights: the Corcovado Mountain, its "Christ the redeemer" Statue, and the Sugarloaf (private tour)
Get ready to marvel at the most important icons and most eye-popping panoramic views in Rio de Janeiro! You’ll get a up-front look at 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. And we’ll embark 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. On our way, we’ll go through the Tijuca Tropical Forest, the largest tropical forest in an urban setting in the world, and one of the main reasons why Rio was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 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 full day private tour.
Day 7: Rio De Janeiro
Transfer in private vehicle and guide to the airport.
We look forward to welcoming you again in Brazil!Lodging for 6 nights Included
suggested comfort category lodging
- Pantanal: 3 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge - “superior†category room at baiazinha lodge: 3 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: 3 nightsCaiman Ecological Refuge
Caiman Ecological Refuge - suite at cordilheira lodge: 3 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.
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. ** 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. |